Me François DUGAST is a “kid” of the Nyon area. He lived there during all his youth and did all his compulsory school in Nyon and Lausanne (Latin-English matura in Lausanne), before going to law school at Lausanne University (Licence en droit, doctorate, cum laude). He then worked as a trainee lawyer with PATRY JUNET SIMON & LE FORT in Geneva. He passed the bar exam in 1989.

 

He then went to Zürich to work with PESTALOZZI GMUER & HEIZ, Montreal with PHILIPS & VINEBERG and New York with MILBANK TWEED HADLEY & Mc CLOY.

 

In 1991 he came back to Geneva and worked as an associate with PESTALOZZI GMUER & PATRY. After 5 years, he was elected partner of this Law Firm. In 2004, willing to see new horizons, Me DUGAST agreed to join JAPAN TOBACCO INTERNATIONAL SA (“JTI”), the third largest tobacco manufacturer of the world, with worldwide headquarters in Geneva. He took the charge, at worldwide level, of General Counsel of this company which, at the time, was employing 21’000 people in 120 countries.

 

During almost 10 years Me DUGAST overviewed about 200 lawyers spread over the planet. He negotiated first level agreements with several governments, such as a landmark industry agreement with the European Union and all the Member States to fight counterfeit and contraband of cigarettes.

 

In 2014 Me DUGAST left JTI. After a time to rest and think, Me DUGAST started an interdisciplinary children’s rights master, which he is about to complete.

 

After this new university title, Me DUGAST is desirous to work again as a lawyer at the bar and to offer his experience of law and life to local people and companies. He also wishes to transmit his knowledge to younger lawyers.

 

The areas of focus of Me DUGAST are judicial and arbitral litigation, commercial law, company law, Corporate Social Responsibility and Compliance, Trade Finance and Shipping, employment law, family law and children’s rights.

 

Me DUGAST is a member of the Vaud Bar. He is also a member of the Swiss Lawyers Federation and of the Swiss Public Private Partnership Association. For more than 25 years, Me DUGAST was a member in good standings of the Geneva Bar. He sat at the Geneva Bar exam commission. He represented JTI at the Multinational Companies Association. Finally, he presided the Nyon Round Table N° 20.

 

From a personal standpoint, Me DUGAST is the proud father of 5 children, today all grown up. A passionate of sailing, he plays (recently and badly) golf. He is also found of cycling and ski. For long, he did track and field at high level. He then played water polo with the Swimmers Club of Nyon. He is a member of several local sports clubs (Crans Sailing Club; Nyon Sailing Club; Prangins Sailing Club; Nyon Ski Club; Gland Tennis Club) and he is committed to supporting local young athletes as well as runner of international level.

 

Me DUGAST speaks fluent French and English. He masters German and Italian and has good command of Spanish.