Dispute resolution: arbitration

Lévy Kaufmann-Kohler

Client Satisfaction

An ‘outstanding’ and ’all-round practice’, Lévy Kaufmann-Kohler routinely operates on an international scale and handles a myriad of mandates arising from the sports sector. Four key players operate at the forefront of the practice: Gabrielle Kaufmann-Kohler, Laurent Lévy, Sébastien Besson and Antonio Rigozzi. Besson employs his expertise in advising multinational companies, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and State entities in relation to a multitude of commercial disputes, while Rigozzi principally focuses on commercial, regulatory, and disciplinary disputes in the sport industry. Other key contacts at the firm include Michele Potestà, who undertakes a varied workload across the banking and finance, pharmaceuticals, and telecoms sectors, and Silja Schaffstein, an expert in the gene tech, pharmaceuticals, and automotive industries.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Sébastien Besson's expertise on Swiss arbitration law is simply unparalleled.'
‘It's a large team that delivers the agility and responsiveness of a boutique firm, while offering the precision, rigour and adaptability required for complex cases.’
‘Great expertise in arbitration, especially in sports.’
‘Antonio Rigozzi is a pleasure to work with and to observe. He is quick, smart and great in setting up efficient strategies.’
‘They have the most outstanding reputation thanks to decades long activities in the field.’
‘In addition to the team's mastery of the law, I was particularly impressed with the way the team work together. Each member is an expert in the part of the case file allocated to them, which makes working together efficient.’
‘I have worked with Antonio Rigozzi and Sébastien Besson, both of whom have extensive knowledge of sports law and the commercial intricacies of the sports industry. Michele Potesta is an outstanding lawyer that combines rigour, knowledge of the law, and commercial savviness.’
‘The firm stand out for their well-known command of international and domestic arbitration law, unmatched experience as international arbitrators, and the range, size and complexity of the cross-border disputes in which they act as counsel or experts. Their all-round practice encompasses some of the most high-profile international commercial, investment and sports disputes.'

Key clients

South American State
National Iranian Oil Company
Privinvest Group companies
Confederation of African Football
International Olympic Committee
International Basketball Federation
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
Union of European Football Associations
Union Cycliste Internationale

Work highlights

Acting for the National Iranian Oil Company in a $30bn+ dispute before an ad hoc international arbitral tribunal and in ancillary proceedings, including before the Swiss Supreme Court.
Advising the Privinvest shipbuilding group on a large multi-party, multi-contract, and multi-jurisdictional dispute involving a State and several state-owned entities.
Acting for the International Olympic Council in several high-profile and high-stakes international arbitrations, including in all disputes brought before the CAS Ad Hoc Division at the Paris Olympic Games.

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.