Kellerhals Carrard‘s sports law practice is described as ’of excellent level, across all areas of sports law.’ The team acts in sports disputes, regularly appearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, particularly in football-related and doping cases. The practice also advises sports organisations, teams and individuals on commercial programs. David Casserly SC and Nicolas Zbinden co-head the practice; Casserly advises on both contentious and commercial matters and is involved in major international disputes; Zbinden is active before CAS, with expertise in anti-doping and regulatory matters. Jean-Pierre Morand and Adam Taylor support clients facing regulatory and disciplinary proceedings.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Kellerhals Carrard has a strong team in sports law, able to handle anti-doping and governance disputes in several languages.'
- 'We mostly worked with Nicolas Zbinden, who was sharp, proactive and who provided us with sound legal and strategic advice.'
- 'The sports law practice of KC is of excellent level, across all areas of sports law.'
- 'David Casserly is the go-to football law strategist, blending sharp regulatory insight with match-winning results in transfers, disciplinary and governance matters.'
- 'Excellent professionals with huge knowledge of the field, and insight.'
- 'David Casserly is an outstanding lawyer with large experience and fantastic strategy skills. Jean-Pierre Morand is one of the totems of this field.'
Key clients
- Comtoyou Team Audi Sport/FIA World Touring Car team
- Ducati Motor Holding SpA
- Euroleague Basketball
- European Bridge League
- European Club Association
- FC Dallas
- FC Nantes
- FC Porto
- Fédération International de Gymnastique
- FIBA/Basketball Champions League SA
- Football Association of Ireland
- Global Association of International Sports Federations
Work highlights
Advised multiple international sports federations, including World Athletics, United World Wrestling and FIG in urgent disputes before the CAS Ad Hoc Division during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Assisted the World Anti-Doping Agency in anti-doping litigation, resulting in a four-year ban for a professional footballer following a positive EPO test.
Represented World Athletics in disciplinary and appeal proceedings leading to a four-year doping ban against under-20 100m world record holder Issam Asinga.
Lawyers
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Leading associates
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Practice head
David Casserly SC; Nicolas Zbinden
Other key lawyers
Jean-Pierre Morand; Andrea Fioravanti; Philippe Frésard; Massimiliano Maestretti; Stefano Perucchi; Jean-Philippe Rochat; Louise Reilly; Adam Taylor