
Monika McQuillen
Attorney-at-Law, lic. iur., LL.M Certified Specialist SBA Employment Law, Mediator SBA/SCCMPartner
Monika McQuillen is specialized in advising and resolving complex commercial and employment disputes as party representative and mediator, as well as in strategic counseling in these areas. She is a Certified Specialist SBA Employment Law and accredited mediator with a focus on the commodities trading, pharma, chemical, med-tech, industrial engineering, aviation and financial services sectors.
Monika has a notable track record of representing clients in Cantonal Courts and the Federal Tribunal, of acting as counsel in international arbitrations under the ICC, UNCITRAL and Swiss Rules, and of resolving disputes as a mediator. As a specialist in the fields of individual and collective employment, commercial as well as data protection law, Monika regularly works in a cross-border environment. She is known for her strategic and hands-on advice, assisting clients in the resolution of difficult situations, for example in relation to equity participation schemes, bonus and discrimination issues, restructurings and collective dismissals, as well as transfers of undertakings.
PRACTICE AREAS
Arbitration | Litigation | Mediation | Employment | Internal Investigations | Data Protection | Commercial Law | International Judicial Assistance
- Since 2022: Lecturer EMAA of the University of Zurich
- Since 2021: Lecturer ZHAW Master in Management and Law, Module ILSSL
- Since 2021: Mediator for ombudfinance.ch
- Since 2019: Partner with Lustenberger + Partners
- 2008–2019: Partner with Eversheds Sutherland AG, Zurich, Dispute Resolution and Head of Employment Practice Group
- 2004–2007: Associate and Trainee with Werder Attorneys at Law, Zurich
- 1999–2003: Research assistant for Professor Dr. iur. Roger Zaech, Faculty of Private, Commercial and European Law, University of Zurich
- 1988–1994: Henkel Corporation, Pennsylvania/US; Henkel KGaA, Duesseldorf/Germany
- German
- English
- French
- Zurich and Swiss Bar Associations (ZBA/SBA)
- Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA)
- German Institution of Arbitration (DIS)
- Swiss Chamber of Commercial Mediation (SCCM)
- International Bar Association (IBA)
- Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA)
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
- German-Swiss Lawyers’ Association (DSJV; board member)
- 2021: Singapore International Mediator Accreditation Workshop
- 2017: Certified Specialist SBA Employment Law
- 2015: Certified Mediator SBA
- 2010: University of Cologne, LL.M., specialization in arbitration (summa cum laude)
- 2007: Zurich Bar, admitted to all Swiss courts
- 1999: University of Zurich, lic. iur. (magna cum laude)
- 1988: Cooperative State University of Mannheim, B.A. Business Administration, Germany
- Representing a joint venture partner in a USD 220 million ICC arbitration against the joint venture leader concerning a construction of telecommunication related infrastructure project in the Middle-East.
- Assisting clients in relation to internal investigations concerning conflicts at the work place and compliance issues, and in relation to work reduction programs, such as the introduction of short time work, collective dismissals, and negotiating social plans.
- Representing corporate and private clients in legal proceedings in relation to the enforcement of non-competition obligations and other restrictive covenants, unfair dismissal claims, bonus and equity incentive plans and strategic counseling in these areas.
- Defense of a med-tech manufacturer against a former Egyptian distributor in an ICC arbitration concerning the termination of a long-term distribution relationship.
- Representing an Indian IT service provider in an SCC arbitration against a Swiss bank regarding the extraordinary termination of an infrastructure project after several years of project delivery.
- Representation of a founding partner against an international law firm in an ICC arbitration regarding the termination of the partnership agreement by the law firm.
- Chambers & Partners 2022:
"Monika McQuillen boasts expertise in a variety of employment matters ranging across unfair dismissals to bonus claims, working condition issues and contract terminations. A pleased client states that 'she has a rare ability to put local legal issues into the context of a multinational organisation and the courage to suggest solutions instead of simply telling one what the law says'." - Legal 500 2022:
"Monika McQuillen is an excellent listener, takes the time to understand the situation from all angles, and provides practical, actionable answers. She is always a pleasure to work with." - Who’s Who Legal 2021:
"Monika McQuillen “is able to understand the business context and translate the business needs into comprehensive advice.”
- Die Streiterledigung durch staatliche Gerichte, Monika McQuillen, in: Internationales Arbeitsrecht der Schweiz, 2020, p. 3-54
- Konflikte, Mobbing, sexuelle Belästigung – worauf Arbeitgeber achten sollten, Rechtssicher-Ausgabe vom Oktober 2020. Artikel als pdf
- Haftung von Arbeitnehmern, leitenden Angestellten und Organen, Rechtssicher-Ausgabe vom Juni 2020. Artikel als pdf
- Vierteljährliche International Employment Eversheds Sutherland Briefings 2015–2019
- Das Korsett des Datenschutzes – Sind Personendaten ein Hindernis im Wissensmanagement, Wissensmanagement (Know Tech), Bad Homburg 2010
- Die Schiedsfähigkeit von Gesellschafterstreitigkeiten, Diplomarbeit Universität zu Köln (summa cum laude), 2010
- Criminal Liabilities in the Course of Swiss Bankruptcies, in: White-Collar Crime & Regulatory Enforce-ment, Executive View Media Limited, 2009
- Employment Law in Switzerland, in: Employment Law in Europe, Tottle Publishing 2008
- Der Schweizer Binnenmarkt wäre nun offen, Neue Zürcher Zeitung vom 21. September 2006
- Sind Verkaufsförderungsmassnahmen des Kunsthandels nach Urheberrechtsgesetz vergütungspflichtig?, sic! 2008, 509–517
- Revidiertes Binnenmarktgesetz: Freier Marktzugang für alle!, Planer + Installateur 08/2006
- Novelle des Schweizerischen Kartellgesetzes, DSJV Newsletter 2004
- Noteworthy on part-time employment, VZH March 2022
- Childcare leave, Swisstextiles November 2021
- An employee's right to structures, Schulthess June 2021
- Mediation under FIDLEG, VSV/ASG November 2020
- The termination agreement, Swisstextiles September 2020
- Home Office, Swisstextiles September 2020
- Financial incentives schemes for employees, VZH, May 2019
- Führungskräfte in der Pflicht, Schulthess Tagung Zürich 2019
- Umgang mit Konflikten und Verhaltensproblemen am Arbeitsplatz, Swisstextiles Zürich 2018 und VZH 2017
- The Cost of Non-Compliance, Med-tech industry: How is it doing with the new wave of requirements?, Swiss Medtech Zürich 2015
- Umgang mit Korruptionsrisiken im Anlagenbau, VDMA Frankfurt 2014
- Vertragliche Stolpersteine beim internationalen Neugeschäft, Switzerland Global Enterprise Zürich 2013
- eHealth and data protection governance in the pharma industry – best practice strategies and practical guidance, IAPP London 2013
Contact
Lustenberger + Partners KLG
Wiesenstrasse 8
P.O. Box
CH-8032 Zurich
T +41 44 387 19 00
F +41 44 387 19 66
office@lplegal.ch
lplegal.ch