Me Michaël Geiger

Partner

Michaël Geiger is a lawyer in Lausanne, partner and founding member of Horizon Avocats, a Swiss law firm advising institutional and private clients. His main areas of practice include labour law, criminal law, and juvenile criminal law, where he represents both adults and minors. He acts in advisory matters as well as in litigation before Swiss judicial and administrative authorities.

His legal practice is characterised by a rigorous, strategic and solution-oriented approach. Michaël Geiger places strong emphasis on in-depth legal analysis, procedural efficiency, and the effective protection of his clients’ interests, whether representing companies or individuals. He is particularly valued for his ability to manage complex disputes and sensitive legal situations.

He holds a Bachelor of Law and a Master of Law and Criminal Sciences from the University of Lausanne, awarded magna cum laude. He also benefits from substantial institutional experience gained as a court clerk at the Labour Court and the Juvenile Court of the Canton of Vaud, providing him with a thorough understanding of Swiss court practice and litigation strategy.

In parallel with his legal practice, Michaël Geiger is a lecturer in criminal law at UniDistance Suisse and teaches labour law at several professional training institutions. He is also involved in postgraduate programmes, particularly in juvenile justice. This academic engagement ensures continuously up-to-date expertise and allows him to offer legal advice aligned with the latest developments in Swiss law and case law.

Practice Areas

  • Labour law
  • Criminal law, juvenile criminal law, victim support (LAVI), international extradition, enforcement of criminal sanctions
  • Road traffic law
  • Contract law
  • Administrative law

Langues

  • French, English, German (passive knowledge)

Education and Professional Experience

  • Since 2024: Partner and Founding Member, Horizon Avocats, Lausanne

  • Since 2024: Lecturer in Labour Law, FPM Formation, Lausanne
  • Since 2022: Co-Lecturer and Teaching Assistant, UniDistance Suisse
     Master’s Programme – Advanced Criminal Law (Juvenile Criminal Law: DPMin and PPMin), Brig–Fribourg
  • Since 2022: Member of the Board of Trustees, AACTS Foundation
     (Addiction, Community Action and Social Work), Vevey
  • Since 2021: Lecturer in Labour Law, School of Engineering and Management of Vaud (HEIG-VD), Yverdon-les-Bains
  • Since 2021: Teaching Assistant, UniDistance Suisse
    Master’s Programme – Advanced Criminal Law (Narcotics Law and Road Traffic Law), Brig–Fribourg
  • Since 2021: Lecturer in Labour Law, Federal Diploma Programme for Social Insurance Specialists
    Association Vaudoise des Employés en Assurances Sociales (AVEAS), Lausanne Brig–Fribourg
  • 2021-2024: Associate Attorney, Lausanne-based law firm
  • 2021: Introductory Training in Collaborative Law, Swiss Romandy Association for Collaborative Law
  • 2011-2021: President and Founding Member, QuidJuris Association
     (Online Legal Advice Platform), Switzerland
  • 2020-2021: Independent Researcher, Christchurch, New Zealand
  • 2020: Admission to the Bar, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland
  • 2017-2019: Trainee Attorney, Lausanne-based law firm
  • 2014-2017: Court Clerk, Juvenile Court of the Canton of Vaud, Lausanne
  • 2012-2013: Ad hoc Court Clerk, Labour Court of the Lausanne District
  • 2013: Master of Law in Criminal Sciences (Judicial Track), magna cum laude
     University of Lausanne
  • 2011: Bachelor of Law, University of Lausanne

Publications

  • Geiger Michaël, commentateur des art. 26-37 et 42-43 PPMin, in : Queloz Nicolas (éd.), Droit pénal et justice des mineurs en Suisse (DPMin et PPMin), Schulthess Verlag, Zürich, 2ème éd., 2023
  • Geiger Michaël/Maury Jean-Lou, Licenciement avec effet immédiat (partie 2 sur 2) : analyse de la jurisprudence récente du Tribunal fédéral, in: Weka Newsletter Droit du Travail 08/Septembre 2022
  • Geiger Michaël/Maury Jean-Lou, Licenciement avec effet immédiat (partie 1 sur 2) : analyse de la jurisprudence récente du Tribunal fédéral, in: Weka Newsletter Droit du Travail 07/Juillet-Août 2022
  • Geiger Michaël/Maury Jean-Lou, Obligation de rendre des comptes et de restituer : pourboires et cadeaux usuels, in : Weka Newsletter Droit du Travail 10/Novembre 2021
  • Geiger Michaël, La justice restaurative en droit pénal des mineurs néo-zélandais et suisse, in: Nouvelle Revue de Criminologie et de Politique Pénale (NCrim), 2/2021
  • Maury Jean-Lou/Geiger Michaël, Licenciement abusif (partie 2 sur 2) : analyse de la jurisprudence récente du Tribunal fédéral, in: Weka Newsletter Droit du Travail 07/Juillet-Août 2021
  • Maury Jean-Lou/Geiger Michaël, Licenciement abusif (partie 1 sur 2) : analyse de la jurisprudence récente du Tribunal fédéral, in: Weka Newsletter Droit du Travail 06/Juin 2021
  • Geiger Michaël, La médiation en droit pénal des mineurs : analyse critique et recommandations en vue d’une application plus généralisée, in: Forumpoenale 2/2021
  • Geiger Michaël, Les devoirs de l’employeur dans l’établissement d’un certificat de travail, in: Weka Newsletter Droit du Travail 03/Mars 2021
  • Geiger Michaël/Maury Jean-Lou, Le contrat d’apprentissage : présentation générale, in: Weka Newsletter Droit du Travail 02/Février 2021
  • Geiger Michaël, Les alternatives au licenciement, in : Weka Newsletter Droit du Travail 08/septembre 2020
  • Geiger Michaël /Redondo Eduardo/Tirelli Ludovic, Petit commentaire DPMin, Helbing Lichtenhahn Verlag, Basel, 2019
  • Geiger Michaël, commentateur des art. 26-37 et 42-43 PPMin, in : Queloz Nicolas (éd.), Droit pénal et justice des mineurs en Suisse (DPMin et PPMin), Schulthess Verlag, Zürich, 2018
  • Geiger Michaël, La problématique du travail carcéral en Suisse, in Jusletter 2014/1

Conferences & Presentation

  • Enjeux et place de la victime en procédure pénale des mineurs, LAVI, 2025
  • Droit pénal des mineurs et médiation : enjeux et place de la partie plaignante, Schulthess Forum Droit pénal des mineurs, 2025
  • Various Seminars in Labour Law, Weka, since 2023
  • Les mesures de contrainte en procédure pénale des mineurs, illustrations pratiques, CAS in Juvenile Justice, University of Fribourg, since 2021 (from the second edition)

Affiliations

  • Swiss Bar Association (FSA)
  • Bar Association of Vaud (OAV)
  • Young Bar Association of Vaud
  • Swiss Society of Juvenile Criminal Law