From 1980 to 1990, Kurer practiced as an attorney with the Zürich office of the international law firm
Baker McKenzie, first as an associate and later as a partner. From 1991 to 2001, Kurer was a partner at the Swiss law firm Homburger in Zürich. In 2001, Kurer was appointed group general counsel and member of the group managing board of
UBS and in 2002, he was appointed member of the executive board. On 1 April 2008, UBS announced that he would become chairman of the board of directors, replacing
Marcel Ospel. On 4 March 2009, UBS announced that Kurer would step down as chairman of the board in April and that
Kaspar Villiger would be nominated to succeed him. From April 2016 until April 2020 he was chairman of
Sunrise Communications. ==Awards and honours==