Dr Xavier Favre-Bulle is a partner of Lenz & Staehelin. He heads the international arbitration group, as well as the sports law practice (Geneva office). His practice concentrates on arbitration, both as counsel and arbitrator, litigation related to arbitration issues (such as setting aside proceedings before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court), ADR, and dispute management. To date, he has been involved in more than 180 arbitrations, including institutional arbitrations under the rules of major arbitration institutions (for example, ICC, Swiss Chambers' Arbitration Institution, and CAS), Uncitral and ad hoc arbitrations for a wide range of disputes (including sales agreements, agency and distribution, licences, joint ventures, shareholders agreements, and post-M&A disputes) in various sectors such as telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, energy, banking, construction, and luxury goods as well as a large number of sports arbitrations, including multibillion-dollar disputes. He has been described as 'an established and highly respected figure in Swiss arbitration', acclaimed for the 'high quality of his work' and '24-hour availability'. He is 'very good at looking into the detail of a case' and a 'first-class lawyer – incredibly knowledgeable about the arbitration practice and a highly capable litigator to boot' as well as an 'outstanding counsel' giving 'an exceptional level of service' with 'proficiency in multijurisdictional work'.
Xavier studied at the law faculty of the University of Geneva (lic iur, 1988; LLM, 1991; PhD, 1998) as well as in Florence (Academy of European Law, 1992) and London (College of Law, 1999). He qualified as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales in 1999. He joined Lenz & Staehelin in 1994 and was a visiting foreign lawyer with Herbert Smith in London in 1999.
He is a lecturer in law at the University of Versailles (master arbitration and international business law), the Swiss Arbitration Academy (founding member), and the University of Zurich (LL.M., international sports law). He also taught as a lecturer in law at the universities of Geneva, Lausanne, and Savoie (France).
He is a member or former member of various arbitration committees and associations, such as the Arbitration Committee of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2002–2012), the National Arbitration Committee and Special Committee (supervisory body) of the Swiss Chambers of Commerce (2004–2012). He is listed on various Panels of Arbitrators (ICC Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Tehran).He is a frequent speaker at conferences and the author of more than 55 books and articles on arbitration and contract law.
Lenz & Staehelin is the largest Swiss law firm with more than 200 lawyers and offices in Geneva, Zurich, and Lausanne. Lenz & Staehelin's scope of activities covers all areas of business law for Swiss and international clientele.
