Dr. Bernhard Berger | Kellerhals Carrard

Dr. Bernhard Berger | Kellerhals Carrard

Rankings & Awards

Chambers Global (2026): "Bernhard Berger is one of the best arbitration specialists in Switzerland, in addition to being a very experienced practitioner and a truly good scholar. He is very precise, sharp and to the point."
Chambers Global (2024): "Academically and legally he is one of top practitioners in Switzerland. He is relaxed, making a good atmosphere, but has sufficient gravitas to keep the parties in order."
Legal 500 (2024): "Bernhard Berger: One of the best arbitration practitioners with a solid command of procedural issues."
Chambers Global (2023): „Bernhard Berger has notable experience in construction and contractual arbitrations. He acts as both arbitrator and arbitration counsel."

Chambers Global (2022): „Bernhard Berger is uniformly acknowledged for his arbitration expertise, frequently acting as an arbitrator over a range of disputes, including post-M&A cases. He also represents clients in ICC arbitrations. A source reports: 'He grasps the relevant issues very quickly and is very well organised.'“

Chambers Global (2021): „Bernhard Berger has a 'brilliant legal mind', according to interviewees. He is uniformly acknowledged for his arbitration expertise, frequently acting as an arbitrator over a range of disputes, including post-M&A and construction cases. He also represents clients in ICC arbitrations. One impressed source describes him as 'calm, friendly, organised and well prepared'.“

Legal 500 (2020): „Bernhard Berger is a very respected and well-versed arbitrator; great attention to details while not losing the big picture.“

Chambers Global (2020): „Bernhard Berger acts as both counsel and arbitrator in international arbitrations, with further expertise in acting as chairman of the arbitral tribunal. He also represents clients in procurement disputes. Interviewees report that he is 'very quick and combines excellent legal knowledge with a business mindset.' One impressed source describes him as 'very thorough, very well prepared, with a very high level of integrity and very robust intellectually'.“

Chambers Global (2019): „Bernhard Berger is highly regarded as a chairman for arbitral tribunals, with commentators describing him as 'one of the leading arbitrators in Switzerland,' and highlight his 'good preparation and sound legal understanding.' His cases include breach of contract and commercial agreement arbitrations. In addition Berger acts as counsel on set-aside proceedings and procurement arbitrations, often representing the respondents.“

Chambers Global (2018): „According to one client, Bernhard Berger is a 'pleasure to work with' and 'perfectly combines pragmatism, efficiency and profound scholarly knowledge'.“

Chambers Global (2017): „Bernhard Berger is an arbitration expert acting as counsel and serving as arbitrator. One source says he 'really is excellent,' with another adding: 'He did everything possible you can do on an arbitration case with incredible calmness. I would recommend him anytime.' He focuses on corporate and commercial disputes.“

Werdegang

Seit 2009: Partner bei Kellerhals Carrard
2001 – 2008: Associate bei Kellerhals
1997 – 2000: Forschungs- und Lehrassistent an der Rechtswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Bern, Institut für Bankrecht

Mitgliedschaften

Bernischer und Schweizerischer Anwaltsverband

Schweizerische Vereinigung für Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit (ASA)

London Court of International Arbitration

Deutsche Institution für Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit

Ausbildung

2001: LL.M., Harvard Law School
2000: PhD (Dr. iur.), Rechtswissenschaftliche Fakultät der Universität Bern, Walther Hug Preis (2001)
1997: Rechtsanwaltspatent, Rechtswissenschaftliche Fakultät der Universität Bern

Weitere Tätigkeiten

Präsident des Verwaltungsrats des Swiss Arbitration Centres (seit 2021)
Vorstandsmitglied der ASA – Schweizerische Vereinigung für Schiedsgerichtbarkeit (2009–2025)
Vizepräsident der ASA – Schweizerische Vereinigung für Schiedsgerichtbarkeit (2013–2020)
Mitglied des Schiedsgerichts und des Special Committee der Swiss Chambers' Arbitration Institution (SCAI; 2009–2019)
Dozent an der Rechtswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Bern (2007–2014)
Dozent an der Schweizerischen Richterakademie (SRA) / Académie Suisse de la magistrature (ACSM), Universität Luzern (2009–2019)
Mitglied der Redaktion des Bulletin ASA
Mitglied der Redaktion der Zeitschrift des Bernischen Juristenvereins (seit 2005)
Ehrenamtlicher Rechtsberater des Botschafters Seiner Majestät an der Britischen Botschaft in Bern (seit 2017)