Bär & Karrer Ltd. is ‘especially adept and skilled at global sports law, with particular expertise in Olympic institutional matters.’ The firm handles both contentious and non-contentious work, including sports-related IT/IP litigation, mediation and arbitration. The practice’s members frequently appear before CAS, ICC, WIPO and state courts. Team head Michele Bernasconi advises on sports, media and telecom matters. Emanuel Cortada is sought out for assistance with sports, media, and data protection questions, while Jonáš Gürtler represents clients in a wide range of matters, including those falling under sports, entertainment and data protection regulations. The team is further supported by Basil Kupferschmied, who focus on global sports law.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality

Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Perfect communicators. They don't waste my time with unimportant stuff or irrelevances. Also just really good guys and pros to work with, especially Jonáš Gürtler.'
'Professionalism, preparation, availability, global knowledge, critical thinking.'
'The team is composed of various individuals covering broad range expertise, very clear for each of them.'
'Michele Bernasconi is not only an excellent professional, probably one of the best in the world, but also a fantastic person. Easy to work with and really easy-going. The rest of the team, Jonáš Gürtler and Emanuel Cortada are also fantastic and great to work with.'
'The team of this law firm has a huge amount of experience in sports arbitration and in commercial arbitration. They are well respected and offer common sense advice.'
'Their technical proficiency in the niche sports law market is unrivalled.'
'Excellent network and relationships in global sports. Having the right view of the big picture and importance of details.'
'The firm is especially adept and skilled at global sports law, with a particular expertise in Olympic institutional matters.'
Perfect communicators. They don't waste my time with unimportant stuff or irrelevances. Also just really good guys and professionals to work with. Especially Jonáš Gürtler.
Michele Bernasconi is a recognized international leader in advising on sports law disputes and governing body dynamics. At the forefront of his field with global connections, specialist clients compete to add to their highest roster of advisors.

Key clients

CONMEBOL
European Aquatics
World Aquatics
UEFA
World Skate
Olympic Council of Asia
Swiss Tennis
Future Audi F1 Team
International Surfing Association

Work highlights

Advised UEFA in proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport on a regular basis.

Assisted World Aquatics in numerous proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Represented CONMEBOL in a variety of commercial arbitration cases, as well as disciplinary proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in connection with CONMEBOL's flagship competitions, the Copa América, Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

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