Team
Fast, easy-going, highly motivated. The team of EMBARK.LAW is fun to work with. We appreciate their speed and simplicity in communication and processes.
Daniel Koss, Founder and CEO creable AG (MarTech)Hi, we’re team EMBARK.LAW.
Michel Kertai
VC & Startup Lawyer
Attorney-at-law, admitted to practice in Switzerland and California
Co-founder EMBARK.LAW
Education
LL.M, UC Berkeley School of Law, California, USA
MLaw, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland
Languages
German, English, French, Hungarian
About Michel
After several years practicing as a corporate lawyer in Bern, Switzerland, Michel moved to the USA in 2015 to study U.S. law, get his California bar admission and work with Silicon Valley startups.
When he returned to Switzerland in 2016, he founded EMBARK.LAW to focus on helping startups master their legal challenges.
Before becoming a lawyer, Michel was a professional athlete, playing volleyball and beach volleyball at a national level. His background in elite sports is one of the reasons he feels at home in the startup community with its adventurous, challenge-driven spirit.
Barbara Nägeli
Legal Advisor, Data Protection Specialist
Co-founder EMBARK.LAW
Education
cand. CAS ETH Data & Machine Learning
MLaw summa cum laude (with highest distinction), University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Languages
German, English, French
About Barbara
In her former position as a legal advisor for the Swiss environmental protection agency, Barbara has drafted laws, negotiated international treaties, and much more. She also held the position of deputy data protection officer for several years.
This, as well as her extensive work with startups on data protection and related issues at EMBARK.LAW has given her both deep expertise and a pragmatic approach to applying the law effectively.
Barbara used to be a semi-professional dancer. In her daily life as a lawyer, her creative side helps her think out of the box and come up with unconventional solutions to complicated problems.
Matthias Steinlin
VC & Startup Lawyer, IP Specialist
Attorney-at-law, admitted to practice in Switzerland
Education
PhD in Law summa cum laude (with highest distinction), University of Bern, Switzerland
MLaw, Universities of Bern, Switzerland and Paris-Descartes, France
Languages
German, French, English
About Matthias
Matthias is a Swiss attorney with a particular interest in the protection and commercialization of innovation. He used to work as a trademark attorney at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) and as an in-house lawyer for a large Swiss company. At the IPI, he gained in-depth knowledge in all areas of intellectual property rights and particularly in trademark law. Matthias also has a PhD in IP law – he wrote his doctoral thesis on the patent protection of medicine.
In addition to advising startups, Matthias is working on his own startup in the MedTech sector. In his spare time, he enjoys climbing snowy peaks and surfing ocean waves.
Tarik Salkim
Legal Advisor Startups & VC
Education
Dipl.-Jur., First State Exam (“erstes Staatsexamen”) with great distinction, Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg, Germany
Languages
German, English, Turkish
About Tarik
Before joining EMBARK.LAW, Tarik worked in one of the most renowned German law firms in Stuttgart and then at a major law firm in Zurich. During this time, he gained experience in various areas of business law, in particular corporate law, mergers & acquisitions, antitrust and dispute resolution.
At EMBARK.LAW, Tarik now focuses entirely on startups, with a special affinity for the legal aspects of startup financing.
Tarik unwinds from his job by riding his bike (the kind with a motor) or training Muay Thai. Martial arts have taught him that hectic and rash behavior can easily lead to painful consequences. This experience makes it easy for him to keep cool in difficult situations, focus on what’s important and deal with challenges rationally and unflinchingly.
Dario Kvasnicka
Legal Advisor, Lead Growth & Business Innovation
Education
MLaw, Universities of Fribourg and Bern, Switzerland
Languages
German, English, French, Indonesian
About Dario
During his law studies, Dario didn’t just study legal theories, he also founded his own digital entertainment and hospitality company (take a look: Erupt Gaming Lounge). He ran Erupt for or more than five years – his firsthand experience running a business allows him to truly understand the ups and downs that come with a founder’s life. He’s dealt with the realities of managing running costs and has personally experienced how valuable bespoke legal advice can be.
In 2023, Dario joined EMBARK.LAW to focus more closely on the legal aspects of the startup world. Alongside this, he keeps a strategic role in his company.
Outside of work, Dario enjoys organizing social events, hiking, and digital and analog gaming. These activities keep him connected with the latest technological trends and help him further refine his skills in clear communication and efficient process management.
Jan Ritter
Legal Advisor Startups & VC
Education
PhD in Law summa cum laude (with highest distinction), University of Fribourg, Switzerland
MLaw, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Languages
German, English, French
About Jan
After graduating from the University of Fribourg, Jan continued his academic journey by researching how corporate law and governance can enable successful business transformation. At the same time, he co-founded an ICT company, where he gained first-hand experience of the challenges of creating efficient organizational structures for startups and a deep understanding of disruptive technologies.
Jan is committed to social entrepreneurship and has had the opportunity to advise a number of cooperatives and associations in the areas of youth & sports, nature conservation, etc.
In his spare time, Jan is an accomplished equestrian. This sport has taught him that dedication and empathy are key to building trustful relationships that can overcome even the toughest obstacles.
Tamara Roos
Legal Advisor Startups & VC
Education
CAS Financial Markets Regulation
MLaw, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Languages
German, English
About Tamara
Tamara brings broad experience in financial markets law to EMBARK.LAW. In her previous position at one of the Big Four auditing firms, she advised on banking and financial market law and was responsible for conducting regulatory audits of global and national banks. She then deepened her expertise in the area of investment funds at a renowned Zurich law firm. There she advised clients on financial market law issues and assisted foreign funds with their regulatory compliance and applications to FINMA and SIX.
On her days off, Tamara can often be found in the mountains, accompanied by her dog, running, swimming or on her racing bike. Through working with dogs, she has learned that effective communication is the basis for successful collaboration. Endurance sports, especially trail running, have shown her that tough uphill climbs are usually rewarded with a spectacular view and additional strength for future challenges.
