Michel Jaccard is the founder of id est avocats, a certified B Corp boutique law firm committed to responsible and sustainable business practices. Over the past 25 years, he has been involved in corporate finance and M&A transactions both in Switzerland and internationally. True to the firm’s guiding principles, Michel also advises NGOs, non-profit organizations, purpose-driven companies, impact investors, and philanthropic ventures on governance, impact, and sustainability matters.

Leveraging specific expertise in technology and computing, Michel supports SMEs, industrial leaders, and global brands as they navigate innovation, AI, data protection, and cybersecurity. He regularly assists with negotiations and dispute resolution in complex business projects that require a deep understanding of digital technologies (software development, outsourcing, hosting, migration, AI and platform solutions, R&D, and technology joint ventures).

Michel holds a JD and PhD from the University of Lausanne and an LL.M from Columbia Law School (Stone Scholar, Fulbright grantee). He is a certified CEDR mediator and an ITDR mediator and legal expert, is admitted to practice in Switzerland and New York, and has been highly recommended in Corporate/M&A, Technology, Media/Telecoms and Intellectual Property by leading guides such as Chambers, Legal500, Best Lawyers and Who’s Who Legal.

He frequently serves as a jury member, mentor, or coach in startup competitions (Venturekick, MassChallenge, >>Venture>>, FIT, Prix Strategis, Seedstars, and more). Michel is also a lecturer in the Master in Sustainable Management and Technology (SMT), offered by the Enterprise for Society Center (E4S)—a partnership between the University of Lausanne, IMD, and EPFL—and teaches on AI and law topics at the University of Neuchâtel.