Michael Kottmann

Collaborator

Michael Kottmann advises and represents both Swiss and international clients in state court and arbitral proceedings, including commercial and sports law matters (notably before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS). He also drafts and negotiates out-of-court settlements and more generally advises clients on all pre-litigation matters.

His core expertise lies in civil procedure, contract law, employment law, and sports law. Holding a Ph.D. in comparative law (Geneva) and an LL.M. from the University of California, Berkeley, with a focus on emerging technologies, IT law, and social media, he combines strong legal training with an excellent understanding of transnational and digital-age legal challenges.

 

  • Main areas of practice
    Contracts Employment law

     

    • Litigation / Arbitration
    • Sports Law
  • Professional experience
    • Associate, Kasser Schlosser Attorneys (2025–)
    • Senior Associate, Sports Law Department, Kellerhals Carrard (2022–2025)
    • Associate, Litigation & Arbitration / Employment Law, Homburger AG, Zurich (2017–2020)
    • Trainee Lawyer, Bär & Karrer AG, Zurich (2014–2015)
    • Research and Teaching Assistant, University of Geneva, Chair of Civil Law (2009–2012)
  • Languages
    • German
    • English
    • French
  • Education
    • LL.M., University of California, Berkeley (Dean’s List Award Recipient) (2021)
    • Ph.D. in Law, University of Geneva (2017)
    • Bar Admission, Zurich (2017)
    • Visiting Researcher, University of Oxford (2012–2013)
    • Bilingual Master’s in Transnational Law, Universities of Geneva & Basel (2007–2009)
    • Bachelor of Law, University of Basel (2003–2007)
  • Publications

    • L’interprétation des contrats internationaux – le pouvoir d’appréciation du juge suisse en comparaison avec le juge en Common Law et l’arbitre, in : Le législateur, son juge et la mise en œuvre du droit, Genève, (Schulthess), 2014, p. 429 ss.
    • Une lettre d’Oxford, (La nullité partielle en droit suisse et le ‘blue pencil test’ de la Common Law), in : Plaidoyer Vol. 6, 2013, p. 23 ss.