Mathias Burghardt
Attorney-at-Law, LL.M., Executive MBA (HSG) | Counsel
mathias.burghardt@staiger.law | +41 (0)58 387 80 00 | 
Mathias Burghardt is an accomplished commercial lawyer, focussing particularly on restructuring and insolvency law as well as financial market regulation. Having previously served at the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, he has first-hand knowledge of supervisory practices and decision-making processes.
For more than 20 years, Mathias Burghardt has worked on domestic and cross-border restructuring and insolvency proceedings. He has extensive experience in handling complex bankruptcy and liquidation mandates, he advises companies in crisis and insolvency situations, represents creditors in restructuring and insolvency proceedings and out-of-court restructurings, assists clients with the recognition of foreign restructuring and insolvency proceedings and the enforcement of their claims in Switzerland.
A particular focus of his practice is on complex regulatory investigations involving financial market and insolvency law matters, including related compliance issues. His long-standing regulatory insider perspective gives him in-depth practical experience in working with financial institutions in crisis situations, particularly regarding supervisory measures or stabilisation, restructuring and bankruptcy proceedings.
Combining experience in legal practice with a thorough understanding of the regulators approach, processes and requirements, he is particularly well positioned to advise financial market participants and investors on regulatory matters. Mathias Burghardt assists clients in licensing and approval procedures before FINMA, advises on whether activities fall within the scope of financial market regulation and helps clients comply with regulatory requirements, including advice in connection with entering the Swiss market or acquiring interests in Swiss financial institutions.
Mathias Burghardt publishes in his fields of practice and is a contributor to the Basler Kommentar on the Banking Act as well as to its counterpart on the Insurance Supervision Act.
Practice Areas
Restructuring / Insolvency
Financial Markets Law-Enforcement
Banking and Financial Market Law
Insurance Law
Languages
German, English
| 2026 | Counsel at STAIGER Attorneys at Law Ltd |
| 2026 | Admission to the Bar, Zurich |
| 2023 | Executive MBA (HSG) in General Management, University of St. Gallen |
| 2022 – 2026 | Attorney-at-Law at a commercial law firm, Zurich |
| 2020 | LL.M. in International Banking, Capital Markets and Insurance Law, University of Zurich (graduated top of class) |
| 2019 | Executive Diploma (DAS HSG) mit Spezialisierung als Certified Global Negotiator, University of St Gallen |
| 2012 - 2022 | Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, being technically responsible for recovery, restructuring, insolvency and liquidation proceedings |
| 2006 - 2012 | Attorney-at-law and regional manager at a law firm specialising in insolvency administration and restructuring, Germany |
| 2006 | Admission to the Bar, Germany |
| 2005 - 2006 | Lawyer at an international law firm, Berlin |
| 2005 | Second State Examination in Law, Germany |
| 2000 | Diploma in Legal Studies, King's College, London |
- Zurich Bar Association
- Swiss Bar Association
- Swiss Association for Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law
- HSG Alumni
- Stuttgart Bar Association, Germany
Basler Kommentar on the Banking Act (BankG), Bauer/Winzeler/Stupp/Kuhn [eds.], commentary on Art. 29 (restructuring plan) and Art. 37e BankG (conclusion of bankruptcy proceedings)
April 2026, 3rd edition
Basler Kommentar on the Insurance Supervision Act (VAG), Hsu/Stupp [eds.], commentary on Arts. 52j, 52k and 52l (restructuring proceedings), Art. 52m (enforcement of claims) and Art. 54d VAG (appeal proceedings)
December 2026, 2nd edition