In disputes as in life: you need empathy, dedication and a wise solution-oriented mindset.

Birgit Sambeth is Co-Head of our Dispute Resolution Team. As a former substitute Judge and judicial Conciliator, acting as Mediator and as Arbitrator, she is acknowledged as a forward thinking, holistic and strategic dispute resolution specialist, and is regularly appointed as Neutral to prevent and resolve complex, international and domestic disputes in commercial and international agency/distribution contracts, M&A transactions, construction projects, employment and family/inheritance matters, often with cross cultural and multi-language components.

Listed among the “Thought Leaders - Mediation” by Who's Who Legal since 2018, Birgit has been recognized as the “N° 1 most highly regarded mediator in Switzerland”. She is accredited by a number of national and international organizations, in particular: the Swiss Bar Association (FSA-SAV), the Swiss Chamber of Commercial Mediation (SCCM), the International Mediation Institute (IMI), CEDR London, CPR New York, VIAC Vienna, CMAP Paris, CAM Milan, CML Russia, Shenzhen Court of Arbitration (South China) (SCIA), ICC, SCAI, TAS-CAS, INSOL and WIPO.

In addition to her activity as Neutral, Birgit is also frequently involved in company restructuring and insolvency proceedings, acting as creditor representative or as liquidator and trustee in the context of domestic and international bankruptcy and composition proceedings.

Career.

  • 2021-2023 President of the Swiss Bar Association
  • 2019-2021 Vice President of the Swiss Bar Association
  • Since 2005 Partner at Altenburger
  • 1994-2008 Substitute judge at the Geneva courts
  • 1994-2005 Sambeth Glasner Law Firm, Geneva
  • 1989-1994 Legal counsel at Ernst & Young (legal and tax dept.), Basel
  • 1986-1987 Legal trainee at Baker & McKenzie, Geneva and Chicago

Education

  • 2019 Accredited Mediator in the Health sector, Geneva
  • 2012 Sworn-in Mediator by the Appellate Court, Vaud
  • 2005 Sworn-in Mediator by the Geneva Government
  • 2004 Accredited CEDR Mediator, London
  • 2004 Accredited WIPO Mediator, Geneva
  • 1997 Certified mediator in civil, commercial and criminal matters (FSA/CEFOC/INPER), Lausanne
  • 1990 Bar admission, Geneva
  • 1986 Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Banking and Finance, Boston University, USA
  • 1984 Lic. Iur. University of Geneva

Bar / Court Admission

At all Swiss courts

Special Engagements

  • 2024 Accredited at the ICSID International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
  • 2022 Lecturer in Commercial Mediation, LL.M. International Business Law, UNIL Lausanne
  • 2008-2022 Lecturer in Commercial Mediation, CAS and DAS University of Fribourg
  • 2008-2022 Lecturer in Commercial Mediation, CAS HEIG Yverdon
  • 2009-2022 Lecturer at the MIDS Master in International Dispute Settlements, Graduate Institute HEI Geneva
  • 2009-2017 Lecturer in Commercial Mediation, Diploma and Master of Arts in International Trading, Commodity Finance and Shipping, HEC Geneva.
  • 2009-2017 Lecturer in Commercial Mediation, Master in International Trade law, Contracts and Dispute resolution, University of Torino and IUSE, ITC-ILO in collaboration with UNCITRAL
  • 2011-2018 Lecturer in Mediation Advocacy, ECAV Ecole d'Avocature, Geneva
  • 2013 Lecturer in Mediation Advocacy, Master's program in commercial mediation, BUCERIUS Law School, Hamburg

Rankings

Who's Who Legal - National Leader - Switzerland - Commercial Mediation 2023
Who's Who Legal - National Leader - Switzerland - Restructuring & Insolvency 2022
Who's Who Legal - Thought Leaders Global Elite - Switzerland - Mediation 2022
Legalcommunity Awards Switzerland 2022
Who's Who Legal: Thought Leader – Switzerland – Mediation 2021

Endorsements

IMI Feedback

Speaking Engagements

Speaking Engagements

Download Full List (PDF)

Full List of Publications

Further Publications

Download Full List (PDF)