Dr. Kilian Schärli, LL.M.
Dr. Kilian Schärli, LL.M.

Dr. Kilian Schärli, LL.M.

Partner/Notary Public/Managing Partner, Zug/Zurich

Grabenstrasse 2 | CH-6340 Baar | Switzerland
Grabenstrasse 2 | CH-6340 Baar | Switzerland
T +41 58 552 03 50
kilian.schaerli@mll-legal.com

Profile

Kilian Schärli works with domestic and international clients in the technology, industrial and internet sectors. He specializes in the fields of intellectual property, blockchain technology, unfair competition, licensing and distribution. He has particular expertise in commercial and transactional work relating to these fields. Kilian is a Co-Head of MLL’s Blockchain Technologies and MLLStart! industry groups.





Special Desks


Rankings & Awards

IAM 2022Chambers FinTech 2021 Kilian SchärliWWL Fintech & Blockchain 2021Chambers FinTech 2021Best Lawyers 2021
  • “Always does a tremendous job. He is great to work with, hands-on and develops the most impressive strategies” – IAM Patent 1000, 2022
  • “Kilian Schärli handles a huge amount of crypto legal issues brilliantly. Great communication skills and understanding of the needs of our company. Always finds a solution in the most challenging circumstances” – Legal 500, Fintech, 2022
  • “Very easy to work with and a good appreciation (and enjoyment!) of IP law and practice in Switzerland. He is very bright and quickly grasps complex technical subject matter” – Legal 500, IP, 2022
  • “Kilian Schärli is recognised as a skilled and driven individual and as a leader in his field of expertise – which is why he clearly stands out as the lead partner. Kilian Schärli is really smart and committed. He always goes the extra mile for us and is available 24/7. He is down to earth and has an extraordinary sense for commercially good solutions. It is indeed a true pleasure to work with him” – Legal 500, Healthcare & Life Sciences, 2022
  • “Kilian Schärli is noted for his know-how in blockchain pharmaceutical cases” – Legal 500, Healthcare & Life Sciences, 2022
  • “Kilian Schärli has a great connection to the crypto market” – Chambers and Partners, FinTech, 2022
  • “We are really happy with his service – especially as he combines the legal view with a pragmatic and realistic business view” – Chambers and Partners, FinTech, 2022
  • “Great task orientation, risk assessments and speedy issue management” – IFLR 1000, 2021-22
  • “Responsive; trustful relationship; advice on more than just the subject at hand (e.g. cultural aspects or governance approaches); solid knowhow” – IFLR 1000, 2021-22
  • “Kilian Schärli brings in-depth expertise to his practice, which focuses on projects concerning crypto-assets and blockchain in the pharmaceutical sector” – WWL, Blockchain, 2021
  • “All our strategic decisions were made by Kilian. He was thinking outside of the box and provided multiple options on how to solve a situation – a skill only possible because of his extensive and solid know-how in his particular study of law.” – Chambers and Partners, FinTech 2021
  • “Kilian Schärli is an up and coming young partner starting to make his mark on the team” – Legal 500, Intellectual Property, 2021
  • “Kilian Schärli: super enthusiastic and dives deep into all areas of technology” – Legal 500, Healthcare and Life Sciences, 2021
  • Kilian Schärli has been appointed in the 2019–2020 leadership team of the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI)’s Young Members Congress (YMC) as Vice-Chair for the Pan-European Region

Deals & Cases

  • Supporting the global expansion of FTX Crypto Exchange by advising on the establishment and launch of FTX Europe
  • Advised and represented Telegram Group Inc., a cloud-based instant messaging and voice over IP service, as lead partner in connection with all Swiss legal aspects regarding the TON cryptocurrency and blockchain project
  • Successfully defended Gilead’s SPC for the combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxile in groundbreaking litigation before the Swiss Federal Patent Court and the Federal Supreme Court
  • Advised Modum regarding a blockchain pharmaceutical use case in supply chain
  • Kilian advised as lead partner Bitcoin Suisse, A Zug-based financial services provider for the digital asset industry, on all legal aspects of the CHF 45 Mio. Series A fundraising round, on IP related matters, and on the continous evolvement of the regulatory and contractual setup with regard to its crypto-related service offering
  • Represented Cellprotect Holding Ltd in all matters regarding the development of a new drug, in particular regarding patent and trademark strategy and various development and license agreements.
  • Advised and represented several entities of the Bayer group of  companies in different Swiss patent litigation proceedings and pharmaceutical regulatory law
  • Advised and represented Astrazeneca, a well-known biopharmaceutical company, against early market entries of generics of Faslodex®, Crestor®, Nexium®, and Seroquel®

Education & Admission

  • University of Lucerne, Dr. iur. (2013)
  • The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, in cooperation with Peking University, Beijing, LL.M. (2012)
  • Admitted to the bar in Switzerland and licensed as a notary public in Zug (2011)
  • University of Lucerne, MLaw (2009)

Memberships and public offices

  • Capital markets and technology association (CMTA)
  • Licensing Executives Society (LES)
  • Swiss Institute for IP rights (INGRES)
  • Bar Association of the Canton of Zug

Languages

  • German
  • English
  • French


Publications


News Portal


Firm News

“We are really happy with his service

e</span><span class="quote">specially as he combines the legal view with a pragmatic and realistic business view” - Chambers and Partners, FinTech, 2022</span>