We’re delighted to uphold our year-end tradition: wishing a warm welcome to our latest partner and counsel appointees. Federico Trabaldo Togna is newly promoted to the firm’s partnership. The promotion of three new counsels, Jutta Gangsted, Tanja Schmidt and Norman Walczak, is further cause to celebrate.

Federico Trabaldo Togna
Attorney at Law | LL.M.

What are your earliest memories of knowing (or thinking you knew!) what you wanted to pursue as a career? 

As a child, I loved solving problems – whether it was organising family debates or finding a fair way to divide chores among siblings and friends. I didn’t call it ‘law’ at the time, but I was already drawn to bringing order to messy situations and helping people reach an agreement.

If you were cooking for friends at a dinner party, what would be your ‘signature dish’ – and why?

My signature dish would be a classic Italian pasta – something deceptively simple like trofie al pesto made with truly good ingredients. Growing up Swiss-Italian taught me that great food needn’t be complicated; it just takes care, balance, and getting the basics right. It’s the same philosophy I bring to my work: keep things clear, focus on quality, and let the essential elements shine.

If you could give one piece of advice to young lawyers aspiring to rise up the firm, what would it be? 

Stay curious and take ownership early. The lawyers who grow fastest are the ones who don’t simply complete tasks but try to understand the bigger picture too. Ask questions, seek feedback, and become someone colleagues can rely on. Competence builds confidence, and confidence creates opportunities.

If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be – and why?

Having played piano for many years – often several hours a day – I’d say I would have been a pianist. The discipline, precision and creativity required to master the instrument have always fascinated me. There’s something powerful about communicating emotion and structure at the same time. It’s a balance that, in many ways, mirrors what I enjoy about legal work.

Visit Federico’s online profile 

here

Jutta Gangsted
Attorney at Law | LL.M.

What are your earliest memories of knowing (or thinking you knew!) what you wanted to pursue as a career?

I’ve always been decisive - at age six, on ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ day at school, I showed up in a little toge d’avocat, fully committed to a career in law. Growing up with a lawyer mother and a father in business, we moved every two to four years across Asia and Europe, so I quickly learned that if you want to make things happen, law should be your friend (and occasionally your secret weapon). I’ve always loved untangling tricky puzzles and helping people navigate complicated situations – probably a side effect of constantly moving countries and having to mediate between very different family perspectives and baggage. Basically, I’ve been negotiating and finding compromises since I could walk.

Who has been your greatest mentor or influence on your career – and what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

I’ve been lucky to have several! Professors who made international law sound like a Rubik's cube you secretly enjoy twisting, and mentors who taught me how to survive as the only woman in boardrooms full of strong opinions, personalities and even stronger coffee. The best advice? Don’t confuse speed with substance. Taking time to think things through isn’t a luxury, it’s how you create solutions that actually last. Sometimes the smartest move is convincing everyone else to slow down long enough to get it right.

How do you balance the demands of a high-level legal career with your personal life and outside interests?

‘Balance’ is generous – I’d call it constant fine-tuning, like trying to keep a dozen spinning plates in the air while occasionally dodging flying toddlers. I’ve realised it’s less about perfection and more about making deliberate choices and being intentional with where I put my energy and then going all in (I think we all agree perfection only really exists in yoga ads and movies anyway). I also love hearing how others handle these questions; I find there’s real power in listening, learning, and reshaping your own approach through others’ experiences. I’m always curious and keen to keep evolving, so if you have any tips and tricks, I'm all ears!

If you were cooking for friends at a dinner party, what would be your ‘signature dish’ – and why?

I don’t really have a signature dish - what matters to me is creating an experience: experimenting, stepping out of our comfort zone, and bringing people together. My husband and I approach hosting, and life outside work, like running a small business: we coordinate, encourage each other to try out new things, and make time for the things that really count, challenging ourselves to make it memorable. And we like good food that invites guests to share in the fun and leaves them with something unexpected – a little moment to pause and enjoy, and why not a hint of aquavit for those ready to brave it, inspired by my bedstemor (Danish for grandmother), who lived well past 90 and never let tradition slip…skal!

If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be – and why?

I ask myself this question often – I think it’s good for the soul. So far, the answer keeps coming back the same: I genuinely love being a lawyer in my field. I love the puzzles, the people, the strategy. But I also love my hobbies and outside experiences – immersing myself in art, exploring history, reading widely, and keeping up with cultural and political debates. The trick is trying to excel at everything without letting any of the spinning plates fall, while remembering what it’s like to be human. I think in private client work, understanding life outside law isn’t just enriching, it’s essential.

Visit Jutta's online profile 

here

Tanja Schmidt
Attorney at Law | Dr.iur.

How do you balance the demands of a high-level legal career with your personal life and outside interests?

I surround myself with the right people! And I'm lucky – I can count on precious family support and extraordinary colleagues.

What has been the defining moment of your career so far – and how has it shaped your approach to law?

Probably when I decided to return to the bar, after the experiences of writing my doctoral thesis and drafting judgments at the Supreme Court. I have rediscovered the exciting work of being a lawyer, but with a more solid foundation to rely on.

If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be – and why?

I would certainly have loved to be a journalist, for the investigative and analytical aspects of the job, the immersion in hot topics, and the opportunity to defend my opinions or echo those of others.

If you could take one item with you to a desert island, what would it be?

I would take my well-stocked library, with books to read again and books yet to discover!

Visit Tanja's online profile 

here

Norman Walczak
Attorney at Law (New York)

Who has been your greatest mentor or influence on your career – and what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

My greatest influence is my daughter, by being the main reason I am here doing what I do. The best advice has been to not lose sight of integrity.

How do you balance the demands of a high-level legal career with your personal life and outside interests?

I do not balance; I "harmonize".

If you could give one piece of advice to young lawyers aspiring to rise up the firm, what would it be?

Pick up the phone!

If you could take one item with you to a desert island, what would it be?

A phone.

What unique perspectives do you bring to the firm?

I have experience leading US-style deals (as a lawyer in the US).

Visit Norman's online profile 

here