PD Dr. Pierre-Yves Marro is a Swiss and New York qualified attorney and counsel in Quinn Emanuel’s Zurich office. In addition, he is a faculty member of Zurich University School of Law, where he serves as a lecturer, inter alia, for international litigation and international organizations. He is also a member of the Institute for International Law and Comparative Constitutional Law of Zurich University.
Pierre-Yves specializes in complex domestic and international proceedings and advises clients in cross-border multi-jurisdictional disputes as well as pre-litigation strategy. Further, he represents parties in both international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations.
His areas of specialization include disputes involving the financial industry, pharma, infrastructure projects, manufacturing, and long-term delivery and sales contracts. He also has extensive experience in public international law, including with respect to sovereigns, international organizations, and immunities.
Pierre-Yves graduated from Zurich University School of Law, from which he also obtained a Ph.D. (awarded with the Prix Paul Guggenheim and the Professor Walther Hug Prize). Moreover, he holds an LL.M. in international legal studies from NYU School of Law. He has been a member of the New York Bar since 2011 and of the Zurich Bar since 2013. In 2020, Zurich University appointed him as “Privatdozent” for public international law and European law.
In addition to his involvement in academia, Pierre-Yves regularly speaks at conferences on topics related to litigation and public international law. He frequently publishes in the field and is notably the initiator and co-editor of a scientific series setting out the enforcement of claims under the Swiss Civil Code and the Swiss Bankruptcy Code.
He has been identified among the “Future Leaders in Litigation” by Who’s Who Legal, who noted that he “is a renowned practitioner whose practice spans domestic and cross-border disputes” and “impresses peers and clients alike through his command of Swiss law”. He is described as “a very confident litigator” who “is able to set forth complicated facts in plain, compelling language”. Besides, he has been recognized as a “Rising Star” in commercial arbitration by Euromoney’s Expert Guides. The Legal 500 lists him as a “Key Lawyer” for both litigation and arbitration, noting that “his ability to manage intricate legal issues and his strong drafting skills have earned him a reputation as a top-tier arbitration lawyer”. Leaders League ranks him as “highly recommended” for commercial litigation and recommends him for international arbitration.
Before joining Quinn Emanuel in 2021, Pierre-Yves worked as a senior associate at Homburger in Zurich, as a foreign associate at Paul, Weiss in New York, and as a senior associate at Lalive in Zurich. Prior to this, he was a research assistant at Zurich University as well as a research assistant and postdoc at Lucerne University.
- Zurich University School of Law
(Privatdozent, Venia Legendi for Public International Law and European Law, 2020) - New York University School of Law
(LL.M., International Legal Studies, 2010) - Zurich University School of Law
(Dr. iur. (Ph.D. in Law), summa cum laude, 2009)
(Lic. iur., magna cum laude, 2007)
- The State Bar of New York
- The Zurich Bar
- English
- German
- French
- Lalive, Litigation Practice Group:
- Senior Associate, 2020-2021
- Paul, Weiss, Litigation Practice Group:
- Visiting Lawyer, 2016-2017
- Homburger, International Arbitration and Litigation Practice Group:
- Senior Associate, 2017-2020
- Associate, 2013-2016
- Junior Associate, 2010-2011
- Lucerne University, School of Law:
- Postdoc, 2011-2013
- Research Assistant, 2008-2009
- Zurich University, School of Law:
- Research Assistant, 2008-2009
- Teaching Assistant, 2005-2007
- 2025: Named as “Key Lawyer” by Legal 500 EMEA, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration
- 2025: Named as “Key Lawyer” by Legal 500 EMEA, Dispute Resolution: Litigation
- 2024: Named as “Future Leader” in Commercial Litigation by Lexology/Who’s Who Legal
- 2024: Ranked as “Highly Recommended” for Commercial Litigation by Leaders League Switzerland
- 2024: Named as “Key Lawyer” by Legal 500 EMEA, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration
- 2024: Named as “Key Lawyer” by Legal 500 EMEA, Dispute Resolution: Litigation
- 2023: Named as “Future Leader” in Commercial Litigation by Who’s Who Legal
- 2023: Ranked as “Highly Recommended” for Commercial Litigation by Leaders League Switzerland
- 2023: Recommended for International Arbitration by Leaders League Switzerland
- 2022: Named as “Future Leader” in Commercial Litigation by Who’s Who Legal
- 2022: Recognized as “Rising Star” in Commercial Arbitration by Euromoney’s Expert Guides
Books:
Duss Jacobi, V. & Marro, P.-Y. (Eds.) (2022). Klagen und Rechtsbehelfe im Zivilrecht: Personen-, Familien-, Erb- und Sachenrecht (2nd ed.). Basel: Helbing Lichtenhahn (including introductory chapter, pp. 1-26).
Marro, P.-Y. (2021). Rechtsstellung internationaler Organisationen: Grundlagen und Grenzen ihrer Sonderstellung. Zurich: Dike.
Kurt Boesch et al. (Eds.) (2017). Klagen und Rechtsbehelfe im Schuldbetreibungs- und Konkursrecht. Basel: Helbing Lichtenhahn.
Duss Jacobi, V. & Marro, P.-Y. (Eds.) (2016). Klagen und Rechtsbehelfe im Zivilrecht: Personen-, Familien-, Erb- und Sachenrecht. Basel: Helbing Lichtenhahn (including introductory chapter, pp. 1-21).
Thürer, D. & Marro, P.-Y. (2015). Intégration européenne: idées et alternatives. Paris: A. Pedone.
Pfaffinger, M. & Marro, P.-Y. (2013). Tafeln zum Sachenrecht (2nd ed.). Bern: Staempfli.
Pfaffinger, M., Marro, P.-Y., & Mannhart, A. (2012). Tafeln zu den Einleitungsartikeln und dem Personenrecht. Bern: Staempfli.
Marro, P.-Y. (2010). Allgemeine Rechtsgrundsätze des Völkerrechts: zur Verfassungsordnung des Völkerrechts. Zurich: Schulthess.
Pfaffinger, M. & Marro, P.-Y. (2009). Tafeln zum Sachenrecht. Bern: Staempfli.
Articles and Contributions:
Marro, P.-Y. (2025). ZZZ-Bookshelf: Schiedsgerichtliche Rechtsgestaltung im Aktienrecht. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Zivilprozess- und Zwangsvollstreckungsrecht 69 (pp. 94-95).
Marro, P.-Y. (2025). Höhere Gewalt und staatliche Gegenparteien. Zeitschrift für Schweizerisches Recht 144 I (pp. 53-73).
Marro, P.-Y. (2025). Articles 6-9 (second part of the introduction to the Swiss Civil Code). In A. Büchler & D. Jakob (Eds.), Kurzkommentar Zivilgesetzbuch (3rd ed.) (pp. 25-36). Basel: Helbing Lichtenhahn.
Werlen, T. & Marro, P.-Y. (2024). Ausstrahlung des Aufsichtsrechts auf das Privatrecht unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des FIDLEG. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Gesellschafts- und Kapitalmarktrecht sowie Umstrukturierungen 4/2024 (pp. 530-544).
Marro, P.-Y. (2023). Wirtschaftssanktionen gegen fremde Staaten. Zeitschrift für Schweizerisches Recht 142 I (pp. 21-42).
Marro, P.-Y. (2022). Chapters “Personenrecht” and “Sachenrecht”. In V. Duss Jacobi & P.-Y. Marro (Eds.), Klagen und Rechtsbehelfe im Zivilrecht: Personen-, Familien-, Erb- und Sachenrecht (2nd ed.) (pp. 27-128 and pp. 549-894). Basel: Helbing Lichtenhahn.
Marro, P.-Y. (2022). Immunität von Völkerrechtssubjekten in der Schweiz. Zeitschrift für Schweizerisches Recht 141 I (pp. 243-263).
Marro, P.-Y. (2021). Articles 15-16 (“documentation” and “rendering of accounts”). In R. Sethe et al. (Eds.), SK Kommentar zum Finanzdienstleistungsgesetz FIDLEG (pp. 467-492). Zurich: Schulthess.
Marro, P.-Y. (2021). Articles 25-26 (“examination as to jurisdiction and admissibility”), Introduction before Article 53, and Articles 53-58 (“common provisions”, “authentic instruments and court settlements”). In F. Dasser & P. Oberhammer (Eds.), Lugano-Übereinkommen (LugÜ): Kommentar (3rd ed.) (pp. 706-729 and pp. 1041-1099). Bern: Staempfli.
Gstoehl, M. & Marro, P.-Y. (2021). Impact of Brexit on Asset Recovery in Switzerland. LALIVE Blog. March 11, 2021.
Marro, P.-Y., Frunz, S., & Gross, B. (2018). Article 19 (“exceptions to the prohibition of Sunday work”). Gross, B., Frunz, S., & Marro, P.-Y. (2018). Articles 15-15a (“breaks” and “daily rest periods”) and Article 18 (“prohibition of Sunday work”). In T. Pietruszak, A. Blesi, & I. Wildhaber (Eds.), Kurzkommentar Arbeitsgesetz (pp. 203-213 and pp. 244-254). Basel: Helbing Lichtenhahn.
Marro, P.-Y. (2017). Articles 6-9 (second part of the introduction to the Swiss Civil Code). In A. Büchler & D. Jakob (Eds.), Kurzkommentar Zivilgesetzbuch (2nd ed.) (pp. 23-33). Basel: Helbing Lichtenhahn.
Marro, P.-Y. & Duss Jacobi, V. (2017). Chapter “Grundlagen”. In K. Boesch et al. (Eds.), Klagen und Rechtsbehelfe im Schuldbetreibungs- und Konkursrecht (pp. 1-48). Basel: Helbing Lichtenhahn.
Marro, P.-Y. (2016). Chapters “Personenrecht” and “Sachenrecht”. In V. Duss Jacobi & P.-Y. Marro (Eds.), Klagen und Rechtsbehelfe im Zivilrecht: Personen-, Familien-, Erb- und Sachenrecht (pp. 23-114 and pp. 485-761). Basel: Helbing Lichtenhahn.
Thürer, D. & Marro, P.-Y. (2013). Article 47 TEU (Legal Personality). In H.-J. Blanke & S. Mangiameli (Eds.), The Treaty on European Union (TEU): Commentary (pp. 1315-1329). Berlin: Springer.
Marro, P.-Y. (2012). Articles 6-10 (second part of the introduction to the Swiss Civil Code). In A. Büchler & D. Jakob (Eds.), Kurzkommentar Zivilgesetzbuch (pp. 20-30). Basel: Helbing Lichtenhahn.
Thürer, D. & Marro, P.-Y. (2011). The Union’s Legal Personality: Ideas and Questions Lying Behind the Concept. In H.-J. Blanke & S. Mangiameli (Eds.), The European Union after Lisbon: Constitutional Basis, Economic Order and External Action (pp. 47-70). Berlin: Springer.
Thürer, D. & Marro, P.-Y. (2008). Das Verhältnis von Völkerrecht und Landesrecht in Frankreich (part of a comparative study for the Swiss Federal Council and the Federal Department of Justice on the advisability of Switzerland adopting a dualist approach to international law); cf. Swiss Federal Gazette 2010, pp. 2290-2301.
Teaching and Presentations:
Lecture “International Organisations”, Zurich University (fall semester 2025).
Speaker on “Innovative Pricing” at the ASA below 40 Fall Seminar, Zurich (October 18, 2024).
Lecture “International Organisations”, Zurich University (fall semester 2024).
Lecture “International Litigation”, Zurich University (spring semester 2024).
Seminar “Völkerrecht und internationales Konfliktmanagement” (with Prof. Diggelmann), Zurich University (spring semester 2024).
Speaker on “State Immunity From an Asset Recovery Perspective” at the IBA Asset Recovery Conference, Vienna (December 8, 2023).
Lecture “International Organisations” (with Prof. Saxer), Zurich University (fall semester 2023).
Seminar “Investitionsschutz in bewaffneten Konflikten”, Zurich University (spring semester 2023).
Lecture “History of International Law”, Zurich University (spring semester 2023).
Lecture “Recht der Gewaltanwendung und humanitäres Völkerrecht”, Zurich University (spring semester 2023).
Substitute professorship, chair of Prof. Diggelmann, Zurich University (spring semester 2023).
Lecture “International Litigation”, Zurich University (spring semester 2022).
Course “Übungen im Öffentlichen Recht I”, Zurich University (spring semester 2022).
“Staatenimmunität: löchrig wie ein Schweizer Käse?”, inaugural lecture held at the Faculty of Law, Zurich University (February 21, 2022).
Course “Übungen im Öffentlichen Recht I”, Zurich University (spring semester 2021).
“Streitbeilegung gemäss dem Institutionellen Abkommen Schweiz-EU”, presentation and colloquium held at the Faculty of Law, Zurich University (July 1, 2020).
“Rechtsstellung internationaler Organisationen und der für sie tätigen Personen nach Schweizer Recht”, presentation held at the lunch series of the Institute for International Law and Comparative Constitutional Law, Zurich University (October 26, 2017).
Seminar “Schweizer Vertragsrecht”, held with Balz Gross at Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG in Blomberg, Germany (June 3, 2016).
Seminar “Schweizer Vertragsrecht: Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten in der Unternehmenspraxis”, Beck Akademie Seminare, held with Balz Gross in Munich, Frankfurt a.M., and Düsseldorf, Germany (10/2015-3/2016).
Examiner in “Personenrecht” and “Sachenrecht”, Lucerne University (spring semester 2012).
“Haftung für Verspätung im Seefrachtrecht”, presentation held at the 2nd Luzerner Transport- und Logistiktage, Verkehrshaus Luzern (March 29, 2012).
Course “Übungen im ZGB I (Personenrecht)”, Lucerne University (fall semester 2011).
- Member, Zurich University, Faculty of Law
- Member, Zurich University, Institute for International Law and Comparative Constitutional Law
- Member, Swiss Bar Association (SAV) and Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)
- Member, Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA)
- Member, Zurich Lawyers Association (ZJV)