Topics: Tax law, legal career, teaching, technology and law, advice for students, tax strategy, University of Neuchâtel.
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Hello Mr. Obrist, we are delighted that you have agreed to share your journey with us as part of our "Lawjobs in Interview" series. You are not only a tax lawyer but also a professor of tax law at the University of Neuchâtel. Could you tell us what motivated you to specialize in tax law and how it has influenced your career?

From the beginning, I knew I wanted to work in business law. It is a sought-after specialization that allows one to tackle technical aspects and interact with the financial world while staying connected to practical matters, particularly through corporate law, inheritance law, property law, accounting, etc.

Tax law has an interesting peculiarity: lawyers in this field are often less confronted with conflicts than in other areas, which I consider an advantage. Since the cases are less emotional, we focus more on legal matters and less on psychology compared to other domains.

Moreover, this field allowed me to quickly take on responsibilities, which greatly influenced my career.

Could you describe your path to becoming a professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Neuchâtel?

My PhD played a crucial role in my career. I have always been passionate about legal thinking, and this experience allowed me to deepen my understanding of political issues, fundamental rights, and the workings of the state, especially public finances.

During my PhD studies, I worked as a teaching and research assistant, which was a springboard for my role as a professor.

Today, I can connect theory with practice, especially by remaining active in the field. At the University of Neuchâtel, all professors have practical experience, which is a strength as it helps maintain a close link with real-world practice and enables a very hands-on approach to law.

You serve on several boards of directors. What experiences in your career have enabled you to access these roles?

As a tax lawyer, I am naturally very close to the challenges faced by boards of directors. This role regularly brings me into contact with board members.

My deep understanding of business management issues allowed me to take on these responsibilities more easily, helping companies at a strategic level. I initially served as an external advisor on tax matters and later became a board member myself, such as with Microcity SA, the technology promotion platform for the Canton of Neuchâtel, which I have chaired for several years now.

An effective board of directors must bring together diverse profiles, from creative thinkers to more analytical minds. This diversity of skills is what ensures the long-term success of a company.

LEAX Avocats has been recognized as one of the top law firms in the crypto space. How did you develop expertise in such a new field?

Every new technology brings opportunities, and if you have the time and desire to focus on it, you absolutely must seize those chances, as they open new doors.

This is what we did at LEAX with blockchain. We started with a few clients in the sector when our firm was just beginning. Today, some of those early clients have become major players in this field. We grew alongside them, gaining experience that we have since shared with other clients.

We are seeing a similar trend today with machine learning and deep learning technologies, commonly grouped under the term artificial intelligence. While AI is getting much of the attention right now, the blockchain sector continues to generate strong demand.

What advantages does your role as a professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Neuchâtel offer to your career?

In my opinion, there are at least three main advantages:

1. Staying at the forefront of information: In a fast-evolving field like tax law, it is crucial to stay updated on changes, and the university provides the opportunity to do so through research and conferences.
2. Direct contact with students: It allows you to identify future top lawyers, which is valuable from a recruitment perspective.
3. Visibility: Publishing articles in academic journals enhances recognition as a specialist, which is great for personal marketing.

How do you see the evolution of technology's role in the field of tax law?

The field of tax law is constantly evolving, and rapidly. Its nature, which relies heavily on numbers, lends itself well to the integration of digital technologies. We are already seeing some tax obligations being automated through artificial intelligence, and more will follow. In a few years, many tasks will also be automated, just like in other areas of law.

What advice would you give to law students interested in a career in tax law?

I always tell them: go for it! Specializing in tax law is incredibly interesting and offers many opportunities. Just take a look at the job listings on platforms like Lawjobs: a large number of them are related to tax law.

Thank you very much, Me Thierry Obrist, for taking the time to speak with us and for sharing your valuable insights. Your journey and reflections will certainly inspire many aspiring lawyers and tax law professionals.

_{Translated by AI}