5 Best DUI Lawyers in Zurich That’ll Keep You on the Right Side of the Road
After I watched a fellow expat get pulled over for driving under the influence, just two cars away from me, I started having this irrational fear of being pulled over during routine maintenance.
I didn’t know much about Swiss traffic law, so I did what every mildly panicked person would do: I just stopped driving altogether.
A few weeks of commuting later, I realised how impractical it was, not to mention a waste, having a perfectly fine car at home sitting in the corner unused.
Sensibly, I studied traffic laws, and at the same time, researched lawyers. You know, just in case. But for those who might actually need it, here are the best DUI Lawyers in Zurich you can reach out to.
How much do DUI lawyers charge in Zurich?
Generally, DUI lawyers in Zurich typically charge hourly rates between CHF 300 and CHF 600.
A simple defence case regarding a license suspension might cost between CHF 1,500 and CHF 3,000, while complex criminal cases involving accidents or injuries can exceed CHF 10,000.
1. LENZ & CADUFF Rechtsanwälte AG
Address: Zähringerstrasse 9, 8001
Contact details: +41445927878
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
For expats, one of the first worries when facing a DUI charge is whether your lawyer will actually understand you. Thankfully, Lenz & Caduff advise in German and English, so you have one less thing to stress about from the get-go.
They’re based in central Zurich, with criminal law sitting firmly in their wheelhouse. And beyond DUI cases, they also handle employment, civil, and estate matters, which I find useful when charges spill into other legal territories.
They’re a smaller team run by the two partners. That means your case stays with the same people from start to finish, though it also means they’ll be handling a pile of cases and could possibly get swamped.
To counter this, they came up with a way to manage their workload by adopting a digital-first approach. A lot of the communication and paperwork is handled remotely for quicker updates, less back-and-forth, and a clear record of everything discussed.
Clients like how easy this makes the whole process, with documents accessible anytime.
Daniel’s expertise and dedication made a real difference.
“I had the pleasure of working with Daniel Streuli, and I’m very happy with his service. He was professional, kind, and always communicated clearly, making sure I understood every step. Daniel’s expertise and dedication made a real difference, and I felt fully supported throughout the process. Highly recommend him and his team for outstanding legal service!”
- Vytenė Kurtinaitytė, Google Review
Their team is knowledgeable, professional, and always responsive
“I had an excellent experience with the firm. Their team is knowledgeable, professional, and always responsive. They provided clear advice and solutions according to my request. The communication was very efficient and smooth. Highly recommend for anyone seeking help with legal matters. Special thanks to Giorgia and Christian.”
- Alina Ponomareva, Google Review
2. Rechtsanwalt Dr. iur. Diego R. Gfeller
Address: Forum Rechtsanwälte, Universitätsstrasse 100, 8006
Contact details: +41443501000
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Not every DUI lawyer has a doctorate, a published monograph, and a lectureship at a top Swiss university—but Dr Diego R. Gfeller does.
He started in academia as the Chair for Criminal Law in Fribourg before gaining courtroom insight at the District Court of Horgen. And after 6 years in private practice, he co-founded ForumLaw in 2019.
Today, his professional work centres on criminal law and criminal procedural law, with road traffic offences within scope.
Given his qualifications, it’s no surprise that he can handle the dual nature of DUI charges in Switzerland.
These often involve simultaneous processes: (1) criminal proceedings before a court, and (2) administrative proceedings before the cantonal motor vehicle department.
Dr Gfeller navigates these very well as a seasoned lawyer. Having the ability to not just know the rules by, but also understanding exactly where they can be challenged.
Not only that, he advises in German, English, and French, which is a real advantage for Zurich’s international crowd.
And since he’s quite popular with clients, his availability may be a bit limited.
High level of precision, professionalism, and dedication in his work
“Dr D. R. Gfeller, is an outstanding lawyer with exceptional knowledge in his area of specialization. He demonstrates a high level of precision, professionalism, and dedication in his work. His motivation and commitment are evident from the very first day, and his thorough, results-driven approach truly sets him apart. I strongly and confidently recommend him.”
- Amara Jouini, Google Review
I can fully rely on his expertise and will seek his legal counsel if necessary
“The legal advice provided by Dr. Gfeller provided clarity regarding the next steps in my case. He explained the possible next steps openly and understandably. I can fully rely on his expertise and will seek his legal counsel if necessary. He took the time to discuss the matter and answered my questions in detail. Thank you very much!”
- Nikolai Trapp, Google Review
3. Legal XII Tables Avocats
Address: Uraniastrasse 18, 8001
Contact details: +41442213131
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM; 1:30 PM – 6:00 PM
The name alone tells you something about this firm. It’s a deliberate nod to the first written laws of ancient Rome, drawn up to protect ordinary people from the arbitrary exercise of power.
Led by Esq. Lionel Patrick Serex, the team at Legal Tables XII Advocats brings over 18 years of experience in criminal, civil, commercial, and administrative law.
In DUI cases, there can be insurance disputes, employment consequences, or residency complications, so having one team that’s knowledgeable across multiple areas of law makes things far smoother.
However, that also means that they don’t exactly specialise in the field you may need for your situation.
Their multilingual lawyers intervene at every stage of proceedings, from police investigations through to representation, building strategies tailored to each situation.
They also have experience on both sides of the dispute, giving them a clearer sense of how cases are built and where they can be dismantled.
To get started, they offer a 20-minute online video consultation for just 50 CHF. But if that’s too much, they provide free pro bono legal advice in partnership with the Zurich Bar Association for people with fewer resources.
Meanwhile, clients often highlight how easy communication feels, especially with support available in German, English, French, and Arabic.
What I appreciate most is his availability and quick responses
“I highly recommend Lionel Patrick Serex as an outstanding lawyer. He has provided me with excellent advice on how to approach my case step by step, ensuring I understand the process and feel well-prepared. His professionalism, clear communication, and dedication have been truly impressive. What I appreciate most is his availability and quick responses, which have made me feel supported throughout. I am grateful for his guidance and would not hesitate to recommend his services to anyone in need of legal expertise”
- Ahmed Al-Dbei, Google Review
He is continuously training to guarantee optimal and professional service
“Simply put: Mr. Serex is simply the best lawyer I have ever met! He is clear, a good teacher, a good listener, fair, thorough, efficient, and above all, he is constantly striving to improve. Furthermore, he is continuously training to guarantee optimal and professional service! This is confidential, but I can tell you that this lawyer has won some very impressive cases!!! Go see for yourself! 👍😉”
- Riadh L’apprenti de la vie, Google Review
4. RSG Rechtsanwaltsbüro
Address: Ankerstrasse 24, 8004
Contact details: +41442454665
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
RSG Rechtsanwaltsbüro, led by Gübeli, may just be a one-man practice, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in personal attention.
Clients often bring up Gübeli’s empathy and accessibility; he believes that the very first question in any legal matter is whether you actually need a lawyer at all. And for those who do, it starts with a free phone consultation to assess your situation.
Once on board, he can be easily reached via Viber. He clearly explains cost, worst-case scenarios, and ways to manage legal expenses.
His background is pretty impressive, too. He graduated summa cum laude with a Master of Laws from St. Gallen and Vienna and trained in both private practice and public institutions.
Road traffic law sits firmly within his practice areas alongside criminal, contract, and commercial law. Currently, he’s completing a doctoral thesis about DUI involvement with civil liability claims at the University of Zurich, which I think is a strong advantage.
That said, if you prefer a large firm with multiple partners and a full support team, the solo setup may feel limited.
He consistently demonstrated extensive expertise and a structured approach
“Mr. Raffael Gübeli provided me with competent and reliable advice in a complex legal case. He consistently demonstrated extensive expertise and a structured approach. Thanks to his professional support, I was able to achieve a satisfactory resolution. I can recommend him without hesitation.”
- F. Schweizer, Google Review
He clarifies what your chances are of winning the case, or not
“Mr. Raffael Gübeli is a very competent and, what I greatly appreciate, empathetic lawyer! He has an incredibly quick grasp of things. He clarifies what your chances are of winning the case, or not. I met him personally, and his polite and friendly manner is truly very pleasant. I can only praise and recommend this lawyer. Thank you very much for your legal assistance. All the best, JM Hernandez”
- José Maria Hernandez, Google Review
5. Michlig Knutti Partner AG
Address: Seidengasse 15, 8001
Contact details: +41445006000
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Michlig Knutti has been rated amongst the top law firms in Zurich across every major review platform, and is known to handle even some rather ambiguous cases.
Their road traffic law practice covers the full scope of what a DUI charge typically involves, from administrative proceedings to licence withdrawal, fitness-to-drive assessments, and the parallel criminal proceedings running alongside them.
They also cover criminal, employment, and civil matters, a range that is helpful for DUI cases that overlap with other issues, like job-related consequences or insurance concerns.
They have the clear and methodical approach that I especially prefer in lawyers. They assess the case early on, explain the likely outcomes, and then build a defence based on the details.
What clients like is their straightforward communication. The team explains things in plain terms without too much legal jargon and consistently gives updates.
It also helps that they have English-speaking counsel, which makes them a suitable choice for international clients and expats.
As one of the bigger firms on the list, however, experience may vary based on the lawyer you’re assigned to and a consistently positive encounter is not always guaranteed.
He was very professional, pleasant and understanding from the beginning
“My experience with Michlig Knutti is with Mr Michlig. He was very professional, pleasant and understanding from the beginning. He was also direct, honest and transparent, with both his opinion and the strategy we should take. Unfortunately, the outcome wasn’t the desired, but I was certainly happy to have had Mr Michlig by my side. In the end I also got refunded part of the funds that were not used, as well as a clear table of how and when the funds were used. Thank you so much for your support, Mr Michlig.”
- Lily Alemany, Google Review
With his excellent support and outstanding work, case was decided in my favor
“Dr. Michlig represented me with exceptional competence throughout my legal proceedings. He was consistently dedicated and accommodating, and always took the time to thoroughly discuss my concerns. His professional and determined approach during the negotiations was particularly impressive. Thanks to his excellent support and outstanding work, my case was decided in my favor. I highly recommend Dr. Michlig and am very grateful for his exceptional work.”
- Jose Lora, Google Review