Kellerhals Carrard

Sports Law, Arbitration, Dispute Resolution and Litigation

Attorney at Law, Partner, MLaw, LL.M. (Cantab)

About

Nicolas Zbinden is co-Head of Kellerhals Carrard’s Sports Practice.

Nicolas is a leading lawyer in international sports law. He is one of the most active and respected counsels before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with particular expertise in anti-doping disputes.

He regularly acts for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), International Federations such as World Athletics and the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), and other sports organisations. Nicolas has represented clients in hundreds of cases before the CAS, including a significant number of Ad Hoc cases in the context of the Olympic Games. He also frequently appears before the Swiss Federal Tribunal and other courts.

Beyond litigation, Nicolas advises sports organisations on governance and regulatory matters. He is a member of the WADA Legal Expert Advisory Group and the IWF Anti-Doping Commission and is recognised by leading directories such as Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500, Lexology Index and Leaders League for his breadth of expertise and high-profile mandates.

Since 2022: Partner with Kellerhals Carrard;

2015-2021: Attorney with Kellerhals Carrard;

2013: Attorney with Des Gouttes & Associés, Geneva;

2011-2013: Trainee attorney with Des Gouttes & Associés, Geneva;

2010-2011: Assistant to Professor Rigozzi (Sports law), University of Neuchâtel;

2008-2009: Legal counsel, Players' Status Department (FIFA), Zurich

German, English, French

Vaud Bar Association (OAV);

Swiss Bar Federation (FSA);

Jeune Barreau vaudois;

Registered in the Cantonal Attorneys' Register (Vaud);

ASA;

Swiss Association for Sports law (ASDS)

2014: LL.M., University of Cambridge, UK;

2013: Bar exam, Geneva;

2011: MLaw, University of Neuchâtel;

2009: BLaw, University of Lausanne