19 Oct Interview with Johannes Gasser, Senior Partner, Gasser Partner
Why is Liechtenstein a unique destination for businesses interested in law and financial services?
The year 2026 will mark 100 years since Liechtenstein introduced Europe’s first trust law — a success that established its reputation in asset protection. Over the past decade, we have observed a shift; more and more ultra-high-net-worth individuals are now seeking jurisdictions offering reliable services and clear asset protection principles. Liechtenstein stands out in this regard, with a judicial system built on the rule of law, reliability and certainty. As an early adopter of international anti-money laundering standards and tax cooperation, Liechtenstein is recognized as a trusted global partner. The nation continues to excel as a financial center by upholding its unique strengths such as not enforcing foreign judgments and avoiding pretrial discovery, unlike the USA and UK. This positions Liechtenstein as a prime location for trusts and foundations. Additionally, while the European Union’s anti-money laundering directives have been adopted, the beneficial owner registry remains accessible primarily to law enforcement to maintain confidentiality for clients with legitimate needs.
A key factor in Liechtenstein’s success is the Princely House of Liechtenstein, which symbolizes reliability, stability and prosperity as owners of the country’s largest bank and several major businesses. This sets a standard for the financial sector. For over a century, Liechtenstein has attracted clients with its stability, proximity to Switzerland, flexible corporate system, robust legal instruments such as foundations and trusts and strong judicial system. Unlike Switzerland, Liechtenstein’s membership in the European Economic Area grants companies EU market access and protections.
Could you give us an overview of the law firm’s current specializations and services in 2024?
Our firm is a full-service provider. It is adept at handling complex cases, especially those with cross-border elements. We continuously strive for growth in both business and quality to remain among the global elite for private clients and in the top tier of law firms. To attract the brightest talents, we focus on creating an excellent working environment, especially for young lawyers. The pandemic reshaped working dynamics, and we now operate under a hybrid model that offers our team flexibility and aligns with the preferences of newer generations. Our expertise has expanded from a robust foundation in Liechtenstein trusts to strong capabilities in litigation, arbitration, and — most recently — banking and regulatory services. As EU regulatory requirements intensify, particularly in banking, we aim to be a reliable partner in this category for clients in Liechtenstein, Switzerland and around the world.
What new disruptive technologies is the company employing in its role as a regional leader in law?
Artificial intelligence is transforming the legal industry — including in Liechtenstein — by drastically reducing research workloads and reshaping daily operations. While this shift enables us to serve clients more efficiently, it also brings in new challenges. Clients now expect fresh approaches to thinking, working and billing. To meet these demands, we are restructuring our services to integrate AI-driven trends. Installing new talent within our firm who are fluent in this evolving digital language is key to helping us translate these advancements into value for our clients and projects.
How important are environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives for Gasser Partner and the greater law industry in Liechtenstein?
ESG has become essential. Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority recently highlighted sustainability as a key future focus. Performing asset management without ESG considerations carries significant risks as clients now expect morally and socially responsible strategies. We support clients in developing ESG-compliant structures and recognize that neglecting these principles could harm both private portfolios and the global economy. We train our staff to prioritize ESG standards and ensure we guide our clients effectively in this area.
How is Gasser Partner positioning itself to grow in 2025 and beyond?
Our two-year strategy focuses on expanding both locally and globally. We have gained high-profile clients locally and attracted numerous ultra-high-net-worth individuals, particularly German family business owners who increasingly recognize the advantages of structuring in Liechtenstein. We often establish Liechtenstein foundations for these family enterprises. Beyond this trend, we serve global clients from Australia to Chile. We continuously enhance both our scale and quality, notably through our acquisition of Credit Suisse Trust in 2023. We continue to explore acquisitions of smaller fiduciary firms, carefully manage risks and adhere to strict client selection policies to maintain our high standards.
The firm will continue its gradual growth in its core areas, which are foundations and trusts, whether establishing, managing, challenging or defending these entities for beneficiaries and creditors. Gasser Partner aims to be the primary advisor for both contentious and non-contentious matters, including mergers and acquisitions, anti-money laundering and regulatory issues. Liechtenstein remains the ideal hub for sophisticated clients, and we see promising growth in markets such as the Middle East. As we approach the 100th anniversary of Liechtenstein’s foundation and trust law in 2026, industry consolidation may create opportunities to partner with or acquire smaller firms facing regulatory pressures. Exciting times lie ahead, and we look forward to them.