Family Business Matters was founded in 2017 by Dr. oec. Sonja Kissling, Attorney-at-Law, LL.M., Mediator
Professional background
Sonja Kissling studied law in Zurich and Geneva and passed her bar exam in the Canton of Zurich in 2007. She worked for the law firm Bär&Karrer in the area of Mergers&Acquisitions/Capital Market Law (2005-2008) and subsequently advised SMEs and private individuals at Umbricht Attorneys-at-Law mainly on corporate and contract law issues (2008-2013).
The way to family businesses
During her stay in New York at Columbia University, Sonja Kissling studied conflict resolution processes, negotiation and mediation as part of her master's degree (LL.M./2010/2011). The insight gained that sustainable solutions can only be achieved by involving the people concerned and their needs in the solution process has significantly influenced her further career. Back in Switzerland, Sonja Kissling completed additional mediation training at the Berne University of Applied Sciences what led her to the decision to concentrate on working with family businesses in future.
Work with family businesses
From 2013-2017 Sonja Kissling worked at the Center for Family Business of the University of St.Gallen as a project manager and doctoral candidate. During this time she advised owner families on governance topics. At the same time, she wrote a dissertation on the effects of different justice principles applied in succession on the governance of family businesses (2013-2017). Since September 2017, Sonja Kissling has been working as independent counsel for family firms and founded Family Business Matters.
Memberships
Swiss Bar Association (SAV), Zurich Bar Association (ZAV), Institute for Mediation (IfM), Family Governance Competence Center, Simple (International Family Office Consultancy Network)
About the own family
Sonja Kissling lives with her husband and their children in Zurich.