Europe - Switzerland

Bär & Karrer Ltd.

More informationMore information

Bär & Karrer Ltd. ‘provides excellent advice’ in all sports matters from litigation, arbitration, and mediation to drafting and implementation of regulations and negotiating international contracts. Practice head Michele Bernasconi is considered a ’leading global experts in sports law’ with extensive expertise in CAS as well as broadcasting and sponsorship agreements, international transfers of football players, and doping matters. White-collar crime specialists Saverio Lembo and Abdul Carrupt, and media experts Emanuel Cortada and Basil Kupferschmied regularly represents clients before CAS as well as the Swiss courts. Lukas Stocker left the firm in March 2023 to join as Senior Legal Counsel at Energie 360°.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Partner Michele Bernasconi is a fantastic sports lawyer with an exceptional knowledge and flair but also with a big legal heart.’

  • ‘First, the quality of the work of the Bär & Karrer team is simply top. Second, they are extremely responsive and as a client you can see that they are there at your side, bringing a great added value. In addition, they have experience in all sorts of sports-related matters, and so they can always provide excellent advice.’

  • ‘Michele Bernasconi is the Head of the Practice Group and is one of the best and most experienced sports lawyers in Europe. We had different occasions to work with him and believe that he has a unique capability to remain practical, think strategical and act efficiently. He is extremely dedicated to the needs of his clients and has a unique reputation. Finally, he is a very pleasant person to work with.' 

  • 'Massimo Chiasera and Saverio Lembo are two seniors with whom I also had a very positive experience: responsive, committed, smart and a pleasure to work with. Also, Emanuel Cortada and Basil Kupferschmied work closely with Michele Bernasconi. They are both very talented young lawyers with excellent skills - simply strong.’
  • ‘It is one of the best, if not the best legal firm in the world in the sports law industry.’

  • ‘I would highlight the highest level of legal and practice experience of one of the partners Dr. Michele Bernasconi. He is one of the leading global experts in sports law!’

  • 'Excellent team, well connected and efficient.’
  • ‘Michele is truly a lawyer of unparalleled experience and standing in the industry. They are market leaders in the sector and the quality of work is consistently high.’

  •  

Key clients

  • CONMEBOL
  • Union des Associations Européennes de Football
  • World Aquatics
  • European Aquatics
  • International Wushu Federation

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.

Michele Bernasconi

Michele Bernasconi

Hall of fameBär & Karrer Ltd.

Michele Bernasconi advises on a broad range of sports, media, energy, telecom and IT matters, acting for both domestic and international clients. He has particular expertise in international litigation and arbitration as well as in commercial and transactional work relating to such industries. His recent experience includes advice on outsourcing and joint venture projects, broadcasting and sponsorship agreements, ambush marketing, regulatory and antitrust work in both the telecom and sport sector, software licensing, electricity transmission and distribution, doping matters as well as international transfers of football players. Michele Bernasconi lectures on international sports law at the University of Zurich. He regularly speaks and publishes articles on topics within his practice areas. He is Co-director of the UEFA Football Law Programme. Michele Bernasconi is recognized as a leading lawyer in Chambers and Legal 500 further lists him in the Hall of Fame for his excellent work. Legal 500 and Who's Who Legal have listed him among the leading lawyers in Switzerland in the sports as well as in the technology, media and telecommunications sector for years. In 2018 Who's Who Legal recognized Michele Bernasconi with the global award "Sports Lawyer of the Year" as well as "Thought Leader" for the sports and data protection sector. In 2016 Who's Who Legal ranks him among the nine "Most Highly Regarded Individuals" for Sports & Entertainment worldwide. In its 2013 edition, the International Who's Who of regulatory communication lawyers described Michele Bernasconi as one of the "10 Most Highly Regarded Individuals Worldwide".

Rising stars

Emanuel Cortada

Emanuel Cortada

Bär & Karrer Ltd.

Emanuel Cortada's practice focuses on media and entertainment law, privacy and data protection as well as national and international sports law. In 2024, Emanuel was recognized by The Legal 500 as a "Rising Star" in the field of sports law.

Basil Kupferschmied

Basil Kupferschmied

Bär & Karrer Ltd.

Basil Kupferschmied's practice focuses on national and international sports law as well as media and entertainment law. He also regularly advises clients on general commercial and employment matters. In 2024, Basil was recognized by The Legal 500 as a "Rising Star" in the field of sports law.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Michele Bernasconi

Other key lawyers

Saverio Lembo, Emanuel Cortada, Basil Kupferschmied, Abdul Carrupt