We promote an environment where equal opportunity, trust, and professional growth create the foundation for outstanding legal work. We take pride in tackling complex challenges, approaching every case with precision, creativity, and perseverance—never resting until we achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. With a passion for law and a commitment to innovation, we work as one team to deliver results that make a difference.

We are committed to equal opportunity for all our employees, irrespective of gender, age, religion or ethnicity. The firm employs 51% of female and 49% of male employees. On partner level, 13% are female and 87% are male, and we are actively working towards increasing female representation in leadership roles.

As a member of Advance, we participate in a unique cross-company mentoring program that pairs high-potential female mentees with top-level mentors from other companies. Each year, two of our Senior Associates are selected as mentees, and two of our senior leaders serve as mentors to others. This one-year program fosters professional and personal growth through targeted relationships. Additionally, Advance offers skill-building courses that our Senior and Managing Associates frequently attend, enhancing their leadership capabilities.

The gender distribution within our firm varies across different age groups. Among our lawyers under the age of 45, the distribution between female and male is equal, showcasing our progress in achieving gender balance among younger professionals. This group also represents the largest segment within this job category. In the older age groups, the majority of lawyers are male. Female lawyers represent 27% of those aged 45 to 55, and 25% of those over 55.

Split of regular members of staff by job category as of 31 December 2023:

At Walder Wyss, we are committed to fair and equitable compensation across all employee categories. In February 2023, we conducted an equal pay analysis using the Swiss Confideration’s Logib tool, with November 2022 as the reference month.

The analysis revealed that, on average, women earn 17.3% less than men. However, when differences in qualification characteristics and job-related factors are taken into account, the adjusted pay gap narrows to 2.6%. The remaining difference is statistically insignificant, indicating no evidence of an unexplained gender pay gap based on the standard analysis model.

We are committed to regularly monitoring pay equity and will continue to conduct follow-up analyses to ensure transparency, fairness, and continuous improvement.

Professional growth is fundamental to our success. In 2023, each legal professional completed an average of 11.34 hours of paid external legal training. In addition, we offer numerous internal educational programs and are holding several professional training sessions per week within our business and practice groups.

We support flexible working arrangements, such as part-time options and up to two days of home office and provide access to sports facilities to promote a balanced work-life environment. Employees also have the option to take unpaid leave, recognising the importance of flexibility in managing personal and professional commitments. Additionally, we offer maternity and paternity leave with full salary compensation exceeding statutory requirements.

A healthy workplace is key to long-term success. To enhance employee well-being, we provide personal training opportunities in selected offices, fresh fruit baskets, and ergonomically designed workstations that promote both comfort and productivity

Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our feedback culture and refining career development pathways to strengthen long-term growth opportunities within the firm. Our new HR system, which includes a qualification tool and 360-degree reviews, will pay a crucial role in this effort. Additionally, we foster an open-door culture to encourage transparent and constructive feedback.