Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Sports law

Peter & Kim enters the ranking following the arrival of Alexis Schoeb and Micael Totaro from LBS Legal in early 2023. Schoeb splits his time between Geneva and Sydney.
Homburger can draw on strong commercial, corporate and IP expertise within the firm in order to provide sports associations, marketers and sponsors with ‘impeccable legal advice.’

Firms in the Spotlight Sports law

VISCHER

VISCHER logo

VISCHER is a leading Swiss law firm with over 120 fee earners. The firm provides solution-oriented support in all aspects of commercial, tax, and regulatory law. Their experts are organized in more than 20 practice teams, each led by experienced partners.

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Sports law in Switzerland

Bär & Karrer Ltd.

Bär & Karrer Ltd.‘s ’24/7 service’ has a longstanding tradition in acting in sports-related and IT/IP-specific litigation, mediation and arbitration cases. The team handles a significant amount of international federation and arbitration work, with the capacity to handle court cases in any language region in Switzerland, as well as matters involving multiple local jurisdictions across language barriers. Michele Bernasconi advises on a broad range of sports, media, energy, telecom and IT matters, with particular expertise in international litigation and arbitration, as well as in commercial and transactional work relating to such industries. Additionally, Saverio Lembo and Pascal Hachem represent various clients in proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport and in subsequent Appeal proceedings before the Swiss Federal Tribunal.

Practice head(s):

Michele Bernasconi


Other key lawyers:

Saverio Lembo; Pascal Hachem; Lukas Stocker


Testimonials

‘This is the leading legal firm in the field of sports law, mainly because of the outstanding experience and legal knowledge of all team members.’

‘Michele Bernasconi is the leading expert in the field of sports law with outstanding experience before sports arbitration tribunals, in particular the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but also with his legal knowledge of other sports systems he has numerous activities before other sports arbitration tribunals with extreme success.’

‘The team is composed by excellent experts and practitioners both in arbitration and in sports law.’

‘Michele Bernasconi is a leader. Always well prepared.’

‘Excellent team, very reactive and competent. A 24/7 service that has no comparison!’

‘They have excellent skills in approaching a matter with a broader view. They are very competent in many and diverse areas. In terms of knowledge of Swiss law, the best!’

Key clients

FINA


CONMEBOL


Union des Associations Européennes de Football (UEFA) (Switzerland)


International Wushu Federation (IWUF)


Work highlights


  • Advising FINA as part of the FINA Reform Committee, who will propose substantial reforms on a variety of matters, including governance, events, digital transformation, safeguarding, medical, gender equity and sport development.
  • Assisting IWUF, the International Wushu governing body, in the establishment of the new regulatory ethic framework, drafting of the new Ethics Code, and advises the IWUF on Ethics matters.
  • Representing and advising UEFA in proceedings before CAS in matters involving Licensing and Financial Fairplay.

Kellerhals Carrard

Kellerhals Carrard has a strong practice covering all areas of sports law, including disputes and commercial matters. The practice has vast experience in the resolution of sport litigation and is active before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, particularly in relation to football and doping-related disputes. It advises a wide spectrum of high-profile clients, such as the IOC, on commercial programs, as well as regulatory and governance issues. Jean-Pierre Morand possesses a particular expertise in anti-doping matters, as well as in the field of sports marketing and hosting contracts. David Casserly‘s strengths involve disputes and transactional work.

Practice head(s):

David Casserly; Jean-Pierre Morand; Massimiliano Maestretti; Marco Balmelli


Other key lawyers:

Andrea Fioravanti


Testimonials

‘Jean-Pierre Morand is an exceptional lawyer. He is honest and practical and always able to represent his clients in the best possible light.’

‘World-leading sports law practice with deep insight into the CAS in particular.’

‘David Casserly – world-leading partner and advocate in the sports sector who adds significant strategic value to any matter he is instructed on.’

Key clients

International Olympic Committee (IOC)


World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)


World Athletics (WA)


FIBA / Basketball Champions League SA


International Volleyball Federation (FIVB)


International Weightlifting Federation (IWF)


International Powerlifting Federation (IPF)


Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF)


Football Association of Ireland (FAI)


World Air Sports Federation (FAI)


World Rugby


International Biathlon Union (IBU)


World Dance Sport Federation


World Games


Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF formerly SportAccord)


International Cheer Union


International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA)


Paris Saint-Germain Football SASP, French football club


FC Nantes, French FA Cup Champions


FC Porto, Portuguese football club


Grasshopper Football Club, Swiss football club


Manchester City Football Club, English football club


36th America’s Cup Arbitration Panel (member thereof)


Ducati Motor Holding SpA, motorcycle-manufacturing division of Italian company Ducati.


Leopard Racing Team Audi, FIA World Touring Car team


Comtoyou Team Audi Sport, FIA World Touring Car team


Euroleague Basketball


European Bridge League


World Bridge Federation


European Club Association (ECA)


Work highlights


  • Takes care of all regulatory and sports law matters regarding the Ferrari Formula One team and the Ferrari GT Racing Activities as well as of the drafting and negotiations of all commercial and sporting agreements related thereto.
  • Represented WADA in dozens of anti-doping proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, including before the CAS Ad-Hoc division during the Olympic Games, against decisions rendered by national and international-level bodies.
  • Advised the European Club Association on the creation of a new joint venture with UEFA for the exploitation of all commercial rights relating to European club football competitions (UEFA Champions League etc.) from 2024 onwards.

Lenz & Staehelin

Lenz & Staehelin’s practice caters to athletes and sports organisations, in addition to a range of private client services. The team specialises in the resolution of sport disputes, alongside its vast experience of structuring events and providing legal advice to international and national bodies, as well as athletes, agents, event organisers, sponsors, and the media. Xavier Favre-Bulle has expertise on sports law, arbitration, international litigation and ADR, whereas Stephan Erni specialises in real estate transactions, domestic and international M&A transactions. Lucien Masmejan advises his clients from a tax, contractual and sport’s law perspective.

Practice head(s):

Xavier Favre-Bulle; Stephan Erni; Lucien Masmejan


Other key lawyers:

Hikmat Maleh; Sevan Antreasyan; Marc-Anthony de Boccard


Testimonials

‘The people allocated to the team were open and transparent with us since day one. It was very easy to further describe the legal issues and brief the owners of the football club due to the clarity of the briefs provided by the team. The billing was more than fair, compared to the complexity of the work.’

‘I’ve worked closely with Marc Anthony de Boccard and Xavier Favre-Bulle. I was very impressed with the fact that I could reach both of them at any time, even Xavier, who is a partner at the firm.’

‘Xavier Favre-Bulle’s team is very responsive, their advice is straight to the point and very helpful. Marc-Anthony de Boccard is especially memorable in that sense.’

‘Marc-Anthony de Boccard was my main go-to contact at L&S. He is very helpful and undoubtedly an expert. His advice was always straight to the point and left no material questions hanging.’

‘I’ve had the pleasure to work with the firm on commercial and regulatory matters as well as specialised sports law issues and they’re always very helpful and knowledgeable, super responsive and supportive. A real pleasure to work with.’

‘Xavier Favre-Bulle really stands out as one of the best if not the best in Sports arbitration but also in commercial and regulatory matters. He is knowledgeable and pragmatic, always providing sound advice, backed with years of practice and he can rely on the high-quality work of his A-team.’

Key clients

INEOS Group (Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Limited)


Swisscom, CT Cinetrade, Teleclub


Swisscom, CT Cinetrade, Teleclub


Water Sports Tribunal


World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)


Vail Resorts


On Holding AG


National Hockey League (NHL)


Auto Sport Suisse


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in all setting-aside proceedings before the Court, which also involved the Fédération internationale de natation (FINA).
  • Advised On Holding AG as issuer’s counsel through a completion of its initial public offering on the NYSE.
  • Advises Vail Resorts on th acquisition of a majority stake in Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG from Andermatt Swiss Alps AG (ASA), marking Vail Resorts’ first strategic investment in, and opportunity to operate, a ski resort in Europe.

Niederer Kraft Frey AG

Niederer Kraft Frey AG‘s particular strengths include sports arbitration, sports-related commercial disputes, sanctions, anti-doping rule infringements and eligibility matters, alongside its media expertise. Clients range from sports federations and enterprises to individuals, and the team is led by András Gurovits, who has extensive experience advising sport governing bodies and athletes, as well as serving as an arbitrator in sports matters. Daniel Eisele is specialised in disputes concerning entertainment and sports issues, with further knowledge of construction, banking, pharmaceuticals, and commerce. Tamir Livschitz‘s key focus is dispute resolution.

Practice head(s):

András Gurovits


Other key lawyers:

Daniel Eisele; Tamir Livschitz; Thomas Hochstrasser


Testimonials

‘NKF’s sports team has in-depth field and theoretical knowledge that is relevant for clients’ legal issues.’

‘Andras Gurovits and Thomas Hochstrasser provide prompt response to questions and straightforward answers for clients.’

‘I have worked in several international arbitration cases with András Gurovits. He is a very talented and hard-working lawyer, who has a profound knowledge of the sports regulations and practice as well as of Swiss Law. It is always a pleasure working with him.’

‘Pleasant cooperation and commitment in all matters.’

‘Competent, friendly and professional support.’

Key clients

Junckers Industrier A/S


Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)


Ferencváros Budapest Football Club


Grasshopper Football Foundation


Grasshopper Football Ltd


Hungarian Football Federation


Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Football Club


International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)


Swiss Ice Hockey Federation


FC Basel Holding AG, FC Basel 1893 AG


FC Winterthur


David Degen (former national player of the Swiss national football team, owner FC Basel)


Philipp Degen (former national player of the Swiss national football team, owner SBE Management AG)


Daniela Ryf (world famous triathlon athlete)


Loris Benito (football, Swiss national team, FC Girondins Bordeaux)


Gregor Kobel (football, Swiss national team, Borussia Dortmund)


SBE Management AG (leading football agency)


Jan van Berkel (Swiss national team, triathlon)


Silvan Dillier (Swiss national team, road cycling)


Adrian Grbic (football, FC Lorient)


Kevin Rüegg (football, Hellas Verona)


Ludovic Magnin (former national player of the Swiss national football team, former coach FC Zürich)


Shkodran Mustafi (football, German national team)


Julian von Moos (football, FC Basel)


Pajtim Kasami (football, Swiss national team, FC Basel)


Yusuf Demir (football, FC Barcelona)


Becir Omeragic (football, FC Zurich)


Work highlights


  • Advises Grasshopper Football Ltd. in a wide range of sports and corporate matters.
  • Advises the IIHF in a wide range of sports and corporate matters, as well as compliance issues.
  • Advises Ferencváros in a wide range of sports and corporate matters as well as in legal proceedings.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan (Schweiz) GmbH

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan (Schweiz) GmbH, a firm which provides ‘creative and goal-oriented solutions‘, is known for its experience in complicated international and high-profile contentious matters. The core practice focuses on dispute resolution and white collar-related work, also advising clients in the sports industry. Clients also rely on the firm for brokering deals and establishing contacts within particular markets. Thomas Werlen leads the team, which has notably overseen important matters for FIFA.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Werlen


Other key lawyers:

Remo Decurtins


Testimonials

‘I have always found the collaboration with QE to be very professional, collegial, efficient and pleasant.’

‘The QE team has always impressed me and my team with their delivery of top-notch work (both from a legal and strategic standpoint), their high commitment and responsiveness and their deep knowledge of sports matters and the peculiars of this sector. QE lawyers are best-of-class legal advisors who think “outside the box” and consistently come up with creative and goal-oriented solutions to obtain the best-possible results for their clients, even in “difficult” times.

‘The QE offices in various jurisdictions always work together efficiently and act as one integrated team.’

Key clients

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)


Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL)


Team Football Marketing AG


Vexavit SA


Hertha BSC


Dallas Cowboys Football Club


Alex Palou


Monaco Increase Management


Seattle Seahawks


Major League Soccer


Los Angeles Rams


Washington Nationals


National Football League


Pascal Wehrlein


Asia League Limited


Nike


Highlight Communications AG


FC Basel Holding AG


Baltimore Ravens


U.S. Soccer Foundation


ESPN


Fédération Internationale de Hockey


Green Bay Packers


Campos Racing S.L.


World Boxing Super Series AG


Work highlights


  • Advising Hong Kong-based Asia League Ltd. related to the East Asia Super League project, the first integrated international basketball Champions League across Asia.
  • Acting as a member of the supervisory board of Hertha BSC.
  • Advising race car driver Alex Palou and his management in relation to his transfer from the IndyCar team Chip Ganassi to McLaren Racing.

CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd.

The ‘solid’ CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd. sports practice is regularly instructed on sports-related litigation matters, with particular experience in the football and ice hockey sectors. Its work includes anti-doping, negligence and employment matters with Philipp J Dickenmann  and Pierre Ducret leveraging extensive experience in both litigation and arbitration matters.

Practice head(s):

Pierre Ducret; Philipp J. Dickenmann


Other key lawyers:

Olivier Carrard; Reto Hunsperger


Testimonials

‘The sports law team is very solid and enjoys a deserved strong reputation.’

‘We work on a regular basis with Mr Olivier Carrard and Mr Pierre Ducret. They all have a extended practice in the advising and dispute resolution in the sports industry. Moreover, in addition to their undisputed legal knowledge and long experience in the field, they all have excellent listening skills and above-average practicality.’

‘Olivier Carrard is an outstanding professional and understands the main issues in sports disputes to be able to deliver quality awards.’

‘Pierre Ducret is an outstanding professional with great knowledge and has the ability to translate in simple words complex matters.’

Key clients

Professional horse rider


Professional football club


Ville PELTONEN


Hungarian National Federation


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented the Egyptian world-class horse rider Mohamed Talaat in an anti-doping appeal procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sports (“CAS”). This case relates to the controversial issues of Cannabis and Sport.
  • Representation of a Hungarian National Federation in a CAS procedure against the International Federation. The dispute relates to the Programme of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
  • Advising the former head coach of Lausanne Hockey Club (“LHC”). His employment contract was unilaterally terminated by LHC and a dispute has arisen between the parties. The matter is now pending before the Lausanne Patrimonial Court.

LBS Legal

LBS Legal provides ‘practical and sensible legal advice’ regarding contentious matters, in addition to the organisation, structuring and business strategy of sport teams, such as negotiations of a sponsorship agreement. Its main areas of responsibility include contractual disputes, player transfers and financial fair-play. Alexis Schoeb left the firm in early 2023.

Key clients

Trek Factory Racing (Team Trek Segafredo), USA – Professional cycling team


Parma Calcio – football club


Haute Route SA


Court of Arbitration for Sport – arbitrator


Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) – Arbitral board – Arbitrator


Work highlights


  • Advised the shareholders of HAUTE ROUTE LLC within the framework of the acquisition by IRONMAN Group of 100% of the shares.
  • Represented the American cycling team Trek-Segafredo in a dispute related to a major sponsorship agreement.

MLL Legal

MLL Legal represents a variety of sports organisations, particularly conerning matters of IP and brand management. Its legal services include both contentious and non-contentious work, such as the drafting of employment agreements, athlete transfers and handling disciplinary cases. The practice is also experienced in advertising law and enforcement matters. Jean Marguerat is experienced in dispute resolution, with particular emphasis on international arbitration and international litigation, whereas Peter Schramm leads the trademark & design group.

Practice head(s):

Jean Marguerat; Peter Schramm


Other key lawyers:

Dmitry A. Pentsov; Urs Boller


Key clients

FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football)


Blake Leeper


Trabzonspor Sportif Yatirim ve Futbol Işletmeciliği Tic. A.Ş., Trabzonspor Futbol Işletmeciliği Tic. A.Ş. and Trabzonspor Kulübü Derneği, Trabzon, Turkey


P.R.O. International AG


Curaçao CSOF


Alexander Povetkin & Universe of Sport LLC (formerly, World of Boxing LLC)


BWF (Badminton World Federation)


Work highlights


  • Represented FIFA against PUMA and obtained a landmark decision in the area of unfair competition in connection with sports events before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.
  • Counsel to double-amputee sprinter Blake Leeper in relation to his being barred from competing against able-bodied athletes using his running-specific prosthetics in the Olympic Games and World Athletics series.
  • Representing a regional sports club in their fight for justice in obtaining the championship title for the Super League season 2010/2011 following another regional sports clubs fixing of various championship games during the same season.

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd‘s ‘powerhouse’ team is experienced in a wide range of areas, including doping matters, unfair competition, transfer rights and corruption. It also provides advice for clients on the planning and hosting of major sports events and assists in disputes and obtaining urgent interim relief. Philippe Bärtsch has considerable experience of complex international commercial and sports arbitrations, with Christopher Boog providing expertise in international arbitration.

Practice head(s):

Philippe Bärtsch; Christopher Boog


Other key lawyers:

Anna Kozmenko; Louis Burrus


Testimonials

‘The firm is a powerhouse and does not leave a stone unturned. It encompasses all practices and offers 360 services. Extremely high level, sophisticated and precise.’

‘Outstanding counsel and arbitrators. Legally very strong. Outstanding advocacy skills and extremely calm in high-demanding situations.’

‘An in-depth understanding of all aspects pertaining to Swiss law.’

‘The team is very knowledgeable when it comes to sports regulations, experienced in arbitration proceedings and always goes the extra mile for the client’s comfort.’

‘Their style of leading their teams is state of the art. Both are present and available for their clients and deal exceptionally in complex leading matters.’

‘Excellent client service, flexibility in accommodating client’s requests, in-depth knowledge of arbitration procedures and Swiss law, excellent communication with Partners as well as counsels of the law firm, thorough and detailed briefs, clear and transparent billing methods.’

‘We had very close communication with the Partners and other associates handling our case, which provided us with adequate comfort that we were in safe hands.’

Key clients

Saoud Al-Mohannadi, Vice-President of the Qatar Football Association


Mr. Sun Yang, a Chinese Olympic and world-record-holding competitive swimmer


39 Olympic Athletes


4 Prominent Members of the Russian Olympic Ski Team (individual cases)


Paralympic Athlete: Mikhalina Lysova


International Boxing Federation (AIBA)


6 Olympic Track and Field Athletes (individual cases)


RUSADA (Russian Anti-Doping Agency)


Kujtesa Net


Work highlights


TIMES Attorneys

TIMES Attorneys covers a wide range of practice areas, such as IP and arbitration. Its contractual and regulatory work for international sports federations has recently increased though its primary focus centres on corporate governance and compliance, contractual issues and disciplinary matters, including eligibility issues and doping. Stephan Netzle specialises in telecommunication, sports law, health care and arbitration, whereas new addition Olivier Ducrey focuses on drafting and negotiating commercial and sport related agreements.

Practice head(s):

Stephan Netzle; Olivier Ducrey


Other key lawyers:

Mirjam Koller Trunz


Testimonials

‘Ability to seamlessly adapt team composition to the scope of the project whilst maintaining the quality of the advice provided. Flexible approach to fee arrangements which is very important to meet professional sportsmen expectations.’

‘Olivier Ducrey is a very solid professional with an outstanding understanding of the latest legal developments affecting the sector. Very well connected within the industry, his advice is pragmatic and business oriented. Olivier truly gets under the skin of his clients and is oftentimes ahead of the curve.’

Key clients

Basketball Arbitral Tribunal (Arbitrator)


Fédération Internationale de Ski


Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique


Gymnastics Ethics Foundation


International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation


Swiss Olympic


UEFA


International Weightlifting Federation


International Table Tennis Federation


Basketball Champions League


World Baseball Softball Confederation


World Taekwondo


Nico Hischier


Work highlights


  • Advising Swiss Olympic on the drafting of the regulatory framework for Swiss Sport Integrity, which is a country-wide system for the notification, prosecution and adjudication of unethical behaviour in sports.
  • Represented several international sport federations (e.g. FIS, World Taekwondo) in legal cases on disciplinary, eligibility, compliance and business matters before the Court of Arbitration for Sport and Swiss state courts.
  • Assisted in the review and improvement of the corporate governance of international sport federations.

VISCHER

VISCHER‘s sports expertise is provided by active and formerly active athletes and highly qualified professionals. Moritz Jäggy has great experience in sports law, in particular in football, sports disciplinary cases, esports, media rights and sponsoring deals. Robert Bernet’s strength lies in advising active or former sports professionals in sponsoring and asset management matters. He regularly advises sport professionals and clubs in contractual and corporate/tax structuring issues. Notably, the firm has been involved with an advertising dispute at the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Practice head(s):

Moritz Jäggy; Robert Bernet


Other key lawyers:

Rolf Auf der Maur; Christian Oetiker; Pauline Pfirter


Key clients

Supponor Ltd.


King Esports GmbH


PUMA Retail AG / Mount PUMA AG


SWISSLOS Interkantonale Landeslotterie


Swiss Football Association


Tennis Club Old Boys Basel


Swiss Beach Soccer GmbH


Football Association of Northwestern Switzerland


Athletes Network & Athletes Academy AG


Bodyclub


DAZN


Dosenbach-Ochsner AG Schuhe und Sport


Swiss Olympic


Work highlights


  • Advised Supponor Ltd. in the negotiations of agreements for the implementation of virtual advertising with (i) UEFA and (ii) Infront.
  • Advised King Esports GmbH and one of its stellar players, Nicolas Villalba (top 3 FIFA player worldwide), in the contractual negotiations with FC Basel 1893 AG.
  • Regularly advises DAZN, the world leading sports streaming platform, on the Swiss legal aspects of its business, including media rights agreement with Swiss domiciled sports organizations.