University of Geneva: Appointment of Luc Thévenoz as Dean of the Faculty of Law Announced

Since 1 March 2024, Luc Thévenoz is the new Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Geneva (UNIGE). A full professor and co-director of the UNIGE’s Centre for Banking and Financial Law, he succeeds Audrey Leuba, who has been appointed Rector of the UNIGE. His objectives are to continue building bridges between academic programmes and to promote the integration of young researchers.

With over 2,000 students, the Faculty of Law is particularly dynamic. With an international outlook, it is currently home to eight study and research centres and over 230 academic and support staff. It offers cutting-edge teaching in all areas of law, with a wide range of career opportunities.

A full professor at the Faculty and co-director of its Centre for Banking and Financial Law, Luc Thévenoz plans to pursue a number of objectives. Firstly, he intends to bring to fruition several projects initiated by the previous deanship, such as the development of joint programmes and degrees with other faculties and the promotion of cross-disciplinary skills among students. “The integration of artificial intelligence into teaching, student work and assessment will also be a major challenge,” he explains.

The new Dean is planning to develop joint masters degrees with foreign universities, and to focus on welcoming and integrating new researchers. He plans to carry out an in-depth study of students’ career paths within the Faculty, in order to provide them with better guidance during their studies.

Luc Thévenoz obtained his PhD in 1987 at the UNIGE, where he was appointed full professor in 1993, after spending time in the United States (Universities of California and Boston, Duke Law School). His research and teaching focus on the law of obligations and banking law, as well as financial markets and services, trusts and fiduciaries.

A member of the Bar, he chaired the Takeover Board (2008-2015). He was a member of the Swiss Federal Banking Commission (2001-2007) and of the International Arbitral Tribunal for Dormant Accounts in Switzerland (1997-2001). He is very active in continuing education. In particular, he created and directed the CAS in Compliance Management, taught in Geneva and Lugano. He co-organises the Banking and Finance Law Day, which brings together 350 practitioners every year.