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.

Emanuel Cortada and Michele Bernasconi are undeniably hard workers, fine lawyers, and great spirits.
The firm is especially adept and skilled in global sports law, with particular expertise in Olympic institutional matters.
Individuals are very available, and it is very clear for each of them which expertise and thus added value they have.
Michele Bernasconi is a truly standout individual. His experience is unparalleled and his advice is extremely sound. Jonáš Gürtler and Emanuel Cortada provide excellent support and are future stars.
Excellent network and relationships in global sports. Having the right view of the big picture and the importance of details.
Michele Bernasconi is not only an excellent professional, probably one of the best in the world, but also a fantastic person. He is easy to work with and really easygoing. The rest of the team, Jonáš Gürtler and Emanuel Cortada, are also fantastic and great to work with.
Extremely high level of expertise. Well-established team. Transparent billing. Good price-performance ratio. Excellent availability and quick feedback. Excellent industry expertise.
What makes the sports law practice unique for me is that it also has a very significant level of experience in commercial arbitration, which really improves the quality of the work. Led by Michele Bernasconi, the law firm has unparalleled expertise and a stellar reputation in the sports law field. Always available and fast to offer sensible and practical advice.
Excellent team.
Michele Bernasconi is simply the best in his field.

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

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.