In January 2014, American Lawyer recognized partner Franz Schwarz as "Litigator of the Week," for his representation in Swatch Group v. Tiffany and “delivering a Christmas gift of [almost] half a billion dollar to Wilmer's client Swatch Group."

Mr. Schwarz has been awarded the inaugural Swiss Arbitration Association's (ASA) Prize for Advocacy in International Arbitration. The award, established in 2008, was given for the first time at ASA's annual conference in Geneva on 29 January 2010. The Prize is being awarded at regular intervals-and for the first time this year-to "recognize counsel who, through their exceptional talents in advocacy, contribute most effectively to the promotion of effective resolution of international commercial disputes through arbitration." In the award speech, Mr. Schwarz was praised as an "exceptional talent" in advocacy and "one of the best lawyers of his generation." For more information, see WilmerHale's press release and www.arbitration-ch.org.

Mr. Schwarz is the recipient of the American Arbitration Association's Distinguished Service Award "for his distinguished service and support of international arbitration and mediation."

Client and Peer Reviews

Mr. Schwarz is widely recognized as a leading practitioner in the field of international dispute resolution. For his work in the field, he has been included in the following client and peer reviews:

• Named a Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer – independently rated and selected by clients.
• Frequently recommended by Chambers Global since 2009 in the fields of international arbitration and dispute resolution, which describes him as being "an extremely effective advocate" and "a real leader in the field." He is also recognized as a Foreign Expert in Austrian dispute resolution.
• Recognized as a leader in the field of international arbitration in the 2011–2022 editions of Chambers Europe, which refers to him as "very talented" with a "great understanding of the relevant common and civil law, as well as the general EU law of the different institutions." 
• Also recognized as a leader in the field of international arbitration in the 2008–2022 editions of Chambers UK, which describe him as "extremely well prepared, very experienced and a brilliant cross examiner of witnesses and experts," "very versatile" with a "great understanding of the relevant common and civil law," a "superb advocate" and "impressive and outstanding," an "extremely effective advocate," a "fantastic advocate who masters the facts of a case very well," a "superstar of the future" and also as a "convincing and dynamic individual, with a remarkably sharp mind" who "displays extraordinary strategic sense and masterful judgment."
• Featured in Who's Who Legal: Arbitration (2008–2024) as a leading arbitrator. He was named a "Thought Leader" in the 2018–2024 editions, with sources describing him as a “very able practitioner who has established a strong public international law practice,” “super well known,” “one of the best advocates worldwide,” and “an excellent lawyer and arbitrator” who is “very creative, fair and balanced” in his approach. “He has extensive experience as both counsel and arbitrator in joint venture, M&A and project finance disputes.” Sources also say he is “definitely a prominent figure” in the market, “a very bright individual, an impressive lawyer and talented advocate,” and an “outstanding arbitrator.” He was named among the "Most Highly Regarded Individuals" under 45 in the world in the inaugural edition of Who's Who Legal: Arbitration - Future Leaders 2017, where he was described as "highly respected," with one respondent noting that "he gave one of the best cross-examinations I have ever seen."
• Regularly recommended in The Legal 500 UK as an elite "Leading Lawyer" for dispute resolution: international arbitration and in 2020, he was described as widely respected and "tactically excellent." 
• Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom since 2015 for his work in arbitration and mediation and international arbitration.
• Recognized in Legal Media Group's The Best of the Best in 2009, 2011 and 2013 as among the world's 25 leading lawyers for international commercial arbitration. Also listed in The Best of the Best 2011 as a leading lawyer for litigation.
• Featured in the Arbitration Report 2007 by Legal Business, which described him as "analytically and academically superb."
• Named to the Lawdragon 500 Global Leading Litigators list, which recognizes lawyers who specialize in international arbitration, public international litigation and global controversies.