Preserving Experience , Embracing Change

After many fulfilling years as a full-time practitioner, I am transitioning into a more measured role—one that allows me to offer the benefit of decades of experience while maintaining a balanced pace. I still welcome opportunities to provide insight, review important documents, or consult on key decisions. I’m here not for the day-to-day grind, but for the moments that count: when experience can clarify complexity, when a seasoned perspective can simplify your path, and when careful attention can make all the difference.

about me

Your Trusted Legal Advisor—Now at a Lighter Tempo

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of guiding clients through both significant and smaller challenges, forging relationships based on trust, respect, and clarity. My career has been built on the belief that the best legal advice comes from experience, careful consideration, and an unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for my clients. As I transition into a lighter phase of my professional life, I remain fully dedicated to assisting those who appreciate my decades of experience and my calm, measured approach to complex legal matters.

While I no longer engage in large-scale, time-intensive projects, my expertise remains available for those who value precision and a steady hand in navigating their legal challenges. I now focus on offering a more bespoke and thoughtful approach, ensuring that my clients receive the attention and strategic guidance they need without the unnecessary overhead of large firms. My current areas of focus include:

  • Advisory Sessions: Offering strategic guidance on legal matters where experience is crucial. I provide insights on a wide range of issues, from complex financing transactions to international trade concerns, ensuring that my clients have a clear understanding of their legal position and the best way forward.
  • Document Review & Oversight: Ensuring precision and thoroughness in key agreements. Whether it’s a complex financial document or a critical trade agreement, I meticulously review and offer advice to safeguard your interests and minimize risk.
  • Second Opinions: Providing a seasoned perspective to complement your existing legal counsel. Sometimes, a fresh viewpoint from an experienced professional can help clarify uncertainties or provide new insights that can make all the difference in your decision-making.

With over 35 years of experience in law, primarily in the City of London, I have had the privilege of working with some of the world’s leading international firms, including as a partner in two top-tier firms (see Profile). Throughout my career, I have focused on commodity finance, structured finance, derivatives, and commodity trading, becoming one of Europe’s leading specialists in these areas. My extensive background in handling high-stakes transactions and complex disputes has shaped my ability to provide clear, actionable advice in a calm and measured way.

I also have a long track record in international arbitration, having acted both as counsel and arbitrator in numerous cases under major rules such as ICC, LCIA, and the Swiss Arbitration Centre. I take pride in being recognized for my strategic approach to resolving disputes, helping clients avoid lengthy, costly litigation where possible and always working toward practical, efficient solutions.

Though my pace has slowed in recent years, my commitment to providing high-quality, personalized legal advice remains unwavering. I continue to offer a service that is grounded in decades of experience and a passion for delivering real value to my clients. If you seek an advisor who understands the nuances of complex legal matters, values long-term relationships, and takes a pragmatic, client-focused approach, I would be honored to assist you as you navigate your legal challenges.

Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

Profile

Gilles Thieffry

International finance and business lawyer with over 35 years’ experience. Partner in major law firms. Specialist in structured finance and commodity finance (transactional and arbitration). Experience in oil industry. Independent non-executive director of companies (both listed and not listed). Recognised academic achievements.

Qualifications

  • Solicitor, Law Society of England and Wales
  • Attorney and counselor at Law, New York bar
  • Avocat au Barreau de Genève
  • Avocat Honoraire, Ordre des Avocats de Paris
Gilles Thieffry

Professional background

Partner and founding partner(2007 to date)

GTLaw ®.

Partner (2004 to 2007)

Pestalozzi Lachenal Patry, Geneva, Switzerland - Partner specialised in finance. Practice covers commodity finance, structured finance and M&A.

Head of the Legal Department, Member of the Executive Committee (2002 to 2004)

BNP Paribas, Geneva, Switzerland.

Partner, Global head of Capital markets. (2001 to 2002)

Andersen Legal, London, UK - Joined to create the global capital markets practice of Andersen Legal, part of Arthur Andersen. As a result of Enron, Andersen Legal was disbanded in the UK in June 2002.

Partner, Head of ISG (1995 to 2001)

Norton Rose, London, UK - Partner. Established this top 20 City law firm in capital markets, derivatives and securitisation.

Head of Legal Department (1992 to 1995)

BNP Capital Markets Limited, London, UK - Head of legal department in charge of documenting the activities of BNP Capital Markets.

Counsel (1992 to 1992)

EBRD, London, UK - Lawyer in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC).

Director (1988 to 1992)

UBS Phillips & Drew, London, UK - Director and deputy-head of the Corporate Finance transaction management team.

Officer (1987 to 1988)

Credit Suisse First Boston, London, UK - Joined the transaction management team as a lawyer.

Non- executive directorships

Gilles Thieffry has acted and acts as non-executive director on the Board of Directors of several companies (listed or non-listed).

Education

LL.M, Master, Law 1985

University of Pennsylvania, Law School, Philadelphia, PA, USA. - Post graduate law programme at this Ivy league University (Wharton).

Diploma, Law and International relations 1984

Graduate Institute of International Studies (HEI), Geneva, Switzerland - Diploma of the Institute. Diploma awarded with very high honours.

LL.B, Law 1982

Université de Franche-Comté, Faculté de Droit, Besançon, France - Licence en droit (Bachelor of law), awarded with honours.

Baccalauréat D, Sciences 1978

Lycée d'Etat, Saint-Gaudens, France - Baccalauréat (D, major in Sciences). Awarded with honours.


Affiliations

  • Member, Law Society of England and Wales, Ordre des Avocats au barreau de Paris, New York State Bar Association, American Bar Association. Member of the Geneva Bar association.
  • Association Suisse d'Arbitrage (ASA).
  • London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).
  • Teaching position at the University of Geneva Law School on Commodities finance and on Structured finance.
  • Member, Oriental Club, London.

Personal data

Nationality: British, French and Swiss.

Languages: Bilingual French and English. German (basic)

Practice

GTLaw ® currently advises many types of clients in the following fields:

  • Commodity traders and exporters - negotiating large structured finance transactions, negotiating investments and joint ventures representing clients in arbitration and litigation.
  • Banks - designing new products and solutions in commodity finance and structured products.
  • Banks and financial institutions: advice on capital market products and derivatives. High end advice on a complex multi jurisdiction restructuring.
  • Dispute resolution (International arbitration).
  • Mergers and acquisitions: cross border advice.
  • Cross-border structuring, family office and trust advice.

Publications

GTLaw ® currently advises many types of clients in the following fields:

  • "Vers la création d'une Commission européenne de valeurs mobilières CEMV)". Revue Banque & Droit. Novembre-Décembre 1999. N*68
  • "Towards the creation of a European Securities Commission". International Financial Law Review. October 1999
  • "Dealings in Immobilised Securities". Straight Through Processing. Issue 2. 1999.
  • "The legal impact of EMU on continuity of contracts: what impact?". Journal of International Banking Law. April 1999.
  • "Thinking the unthinkable - the break-up of Economic and Monetary Union". Norton Rose Briefing. March 1998
  • "Titrisation: les nouvelles opportunités offertes par l'UEM". Revue Banque et Droit. Novembre Décembre 1997.
  • "Securitisation: The New Opportunities offered by Economic and Monetary Union". Journal of International Banking Law. December 1997. (Also published in International Financial Law Review and in Corporate Finance).
  • "The Legal Implications of EMU for the European Capital Markets" Euromoney Book September 1997.
  • "EMU and Securities Regulation" The London Financial News 23 29 June 1997.
  • "The impact of EMU on financial obligations". NR Publication. August 1996.
  • "Cross border marketing". In "The Future for the Global Securities Market". Clarendon Press. Oxford. 1996.
  • "Globalisation: a personal view". Commercial Lawyer. October 1995.
  • "Les émissions d'obligations fongibles: aspects juridiques et pratiques sur le marché Euro obligataire". Revue de Droit des Affaires Internationales. 1994. n.3.
  • "The Banesto AGF Insurance joint venture The strategic alternative". Acquisitions Monthly. April 1992.
  • "Les conséquences pratiques des réglementations S, TEFRA D/C et 144 A sur le Marché Euro obligataire" Revue de Droit des Affaires Internationales. 1992. n.2.
  • "Credit Card craze hits the Euromarkets". International Financial Law Review. Avril 1990 (interview).
  • "A comparative study of the solutions to Transnational Insider Trading (EEC, France, USA and Switzerland). 1985
  • "Les banques françaises aux États-Unis d'Amérique et au Canada: Législations et Pratique." 1984.

contact

Gilles Thieffry

Solicitor (England and Wales), Member of the New York bar, Avocat au Barreau de Genève, Avocat Honoraire au Barreau de Paris

Address: GTLaw - Case postale/PO Box 4 - 1294 Genthod - Geneva - Switzerland
For hand delivery only: Route de Collex 32 -1294 Genthod - Geneva - Switzerland

DDL +41 (0)22 774 03 97
Fax +41 (0)22 594 8585
Mobile +41 (0) 79 230 51 41

Email Address gilles.thieffry@gtlaw.ch