Sports Law
A world-leading sports law practice
Kellerhals Carrard is one of the most specialised sports law firms in the world. Its activities cover all areas of sports law, including disputes and commercial matters. The firm and its lawyers are consistently ranked as leaders in the field of sports law in international legal directories (Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, Who's Who Legal).
Disputes
The firm has unrivalled experience in resolving sports disputes, and is widely regarded as the preeminent and most active firm before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), particularly in football, regulatory and anti-doping matters.
The firm is uniquely qualified to act before the CAS, as it combines expertise in the procedural law applicable to the CAS (Swiss law) with experienced lawyers whose mother tongue is one of the CAS official languages (English, French, Spanish).
Commercial & Regulatory
Kellerhals Carrard has truly unique expertise in the field of sports administration, with decades of experience advising some of the world’s leading sports organisations and teams, as well as individuals, on their commercial programs (host city agreements, sponsorship, media, promotion and marketing, licensing, broadcasting, investment, image rights, etc.) and on their regulatory and governance issues.
Experience
The firm's Sports Law Group comprises several partners and lawyers whose activities focus exclusively or mainly on sports law. Much of its expertise and experience has been gained through the various positions its members have held, including:
- General Secretary of the CAS
- Five CAS arbitrators
- Two CAS mediators
- Legal counsel to the CAS
- Advisor in charge of mediation at the CAS
- Chairman of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Disciplinary Commission
- UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector
- Legal advisor to a national football association,
- Two legal advisors to the FIFA Players' Status Department
- Disciplinary Judge at the Swiss Football League
- Vice-Chairman of the Swiss Olympic Association's Disciplinary Commission for doping cases
- Vice-Chairman of the Irish Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee
- Legal Officer and Assistant Director at a sports marketing agency involved in skiing, tennis, golf, and cycling
- General Secretary of an association of sports equipment manufacturers
- Vice-Chairman of the Swiss Ski Federation
- Legal advisor for a luxury brand that sponsors events and athletes involved in golf, tennis, and horse riding
- General Counsel and member of the Executive Board of Ferrari SpA
- Legal advisor to the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team
- Chairman of the America's Cup Arbitration Panel
- Member of the Euroleague Basketball Appeal Panel
- Member of the Ethics Committee of the International Automobile Federation (FIA)
- Head of Legal Affairs for a major international sports marketing agency
- Chairman of a professional ice hockey club
The firm has a wide range of clients, including multi-sport institutions (such as the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency), international federations, national anti-doping organizations, national olympic committees, racing teams, and drivers, as well as a large number of clients in football, including federations, clubs, players, agents, and investment funds.
Market Recognition
- ‘The Kellerhals Carrard sports law team has unmatched experience of representing institutional clients before CAS. They also have the rare combination of Swiss lawyers specialised in sports law together with multiple native English-speaking sports law advocates. Their anti-doping practice is led by Nicolas Zbinden who is a world class practitioner in this area.’ Legal500 2025
- ‘Nicolas Zbinden is our main external counsel for all anti-doping arbitration. In addition to all the things one takes for granted at this level (diligence, responsiveness etc.), he has unwavering judgement and integrity as well as unparalleled experience of the latest issues and case law in anti-doping.’ Legal500 2025
- ‘All lawyers have a deep knowledge. They have a proven track record in every issue related to sports, particularly football. They communicate clearly and succinctly, and their internal processes ensure the greatest efficiency and effectiveness for their clients.’ Legal500 2025
- ‘David Casserly's knowledge in football is outstanding. His strategic way of thinking makes him an extremely effective lawyer who, in addition, has a great power of persuasion.’ Legal500 2025
- ‘KC have some of the world's best anti-doping lawyers in particular. David Casserly, Nicolas Zbinden and Louise Reilly especially are leaders in the field and the go-to for top sports bodies in major cases.’ Legal500 2025
- ‘State of the art sports team, which is involved in many important sports cases in Switzerland.’ Legal500 2025
Contacts
Lausanne
Adam TaylorAdrian VeserCharles MicheliChristopher NsekaDavid BakerDavid Casserly SCDavid GinolinDr. Vincent JäggiFrançois KaiserJean-Philippe RochatJean-Pierre MorandLoïc TheilkaesLouise Reilly SCMario Flores ChemorNicolas ZbindenRiccardo CoppaRobert Kerslake
Lugano
Alberto GalliAndrea FioravantiEmanuela MediciGiulio SannitzLorenza FerroMassimiliano MaestrettiPriscilla ZanettiProf. Dr. Henry PeterRomolo PawlowskiStefano Perucchi