The MS International Law Firm
MS International Law is run by its founder, Melanie Schärer, and is an established and independent Swiss law firm near Lake Zurich with a strong international focus.
Why MS International Law
5878
CASES/ ASSISTANCE FOR PLAYER TRANSFERS
5
LANGUAGES
701
COURT PROCEEDINGS
59
COUNTRIES
The MS International Law Team
Melanie Schärer
Law firm founder /Attorney-at-law
Nationality: Swiss
Languages: German, Spanish, English, French, Italian
Languages: German, Spanish, English, French, Italian

«It is no use saying, ‘We are doing our best.’ You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.» Winston Churchill
+41 (0)44 785 06 06
Melanie Schärer is a Swiss sports lawyer admitted to the Swiss Bar. She acquired her knowledge about football law from the first and best possible source, where the rules are made, and the cases are decided: FIFA. After leaving FIFA, Melanie Schärer established her own law firm, MS International Law. Since more than eleven years, Melanie Schärer has been representing football players, coaches, clubs, federations and agents from over 57 countries in more than 600 arbitration processes and in several languages and has supported and advised clients on countless football transfers and eSport projects, all with an exceptionally high success rate.
CURRICULUM
• Managing partner at MS International Law (since 2010)
• Executive Master in Art Market Studies at the University of Zurich (2013)
• Associate at Greenberg Traurig LLP (2008/2009)
• Group Leader Players’ Status Dpt. at FIFA (2005-2008)
• Admission to the Bar (Canton of Schwyz, 2004)
• Law clerk at the Administrative Court of the Canton of Schwyz and at the District Court Höfe
• Intern at a law firm in the Canton of Schwyz
• Law studies at University of Fribourg, Switzerland (2000)
ENGAGEMENTS & MEMBERSHIPS
• UEFA Pro Bono Legal Counsel
• FIFA External Legal Mandatee
• Co-Founder of WISLaw (Women in Sports Law)
• Member of the Swiss Bar Association
• Member of Swiss Association for Sports Law (ASDS)
• Member of the International Association for Football Lawyers (AIAF)
• Member of the Geneva Art Law Foundation
RIGHTS OF AUDIENCE
• All courts in Switzerland (registered in the Bar Register of the Canton of Schwyz)
• All international arbitration bodies (e.g., FIFA & CAS).
Isabel Falconer
Lawyer
Nationality: France
Languages: English, French, German
Languages: English, French, German

«Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.» – Maya Angelou
+41 (0)44 785 06 06
Isabel Falconer is a French lawyer with an extensive experience in the field of sports arbitration, having worked for more than ten years in a leading position at FIFA’s Players’ Status Department. She advises and represents clients on contractual disputes or transfer disputes before the various sport instances such as the FIFA Football Tribunal or CAS. Her profound knowledge and understanding of the football regulations, in particular in relation to registration, employment and transfer issues, allow her to provide expert, tailor-made advice in accordance with clients’ needs.
CURRICULUM
• Associate at MS International Law
• Senior Group Leader in the Players’ Status Department at FIFA (12 years)
• Paris Bar Exam, French qualified Attorney-at-Law
• Legal Studies at the University of Paris X-Nanterre (Masters in Business Law and Common Law) and Paris II-Panthéon Assas (Specialty in Business Law)
RIGHTS OF AUDIENCE
All international arbitration bodies (e.g., FIFA and CAS).
Gaudenz Koprio
Lawyer
Nationalität: Swiss
Languages: German, English, French and Spanish
Languages: German, English, French and Spanish

«Helping one person may not change the whole world, but it can change the world for that one person.» – Unknown
+41 (0)44 785 06 06
Gaudenz Koprio is an experienced sports lawyer, advising clients on transfers, training compensation and employment-related disputes and representing them in litigation before international arbitration tribunals. Gaudenz Koprio is recognised for his outstanding work as a specialist in handling sensitive and complex cases relating to player registration in general and, in particular, the protection of minors, the conduct of CAS proceedings in this regard and legal issues relating to the transfer matching system (TMS).
CURRICULUM
• Associate at MS International Law
• Senior Group Leader in the Players’ Status Department at FIFA (14 years)
• Legal studies at the University of Zurich Switzerland (master’s in law)
RIGHTS OF AUDIENCE
• Vor allen internationalen Schiedsgerichten (z.B. FIFA & CAS).
Andrea Cercamondi
Head of Office
Nationality: Swiss
Languages: German
Languages: German

«You have to try the impossible to achieve the possible.» – Hermann Hesse
+41 (0)44 785 06 06
Andrea Cercamondi is responsible for the Human Resources department at MS International Law. She is also passionate about organising and coordinating meetings, interviews, events and trips. She is meticulous in managing the firm’s accounts and ensures that all documents and files comply with MS International Law’s high quality standards.
Andrea Cercamondi manages MS International Law’s website and social media and is known for her great presentations and creative ideas for corporate material. Andrea Cercamondi is a facilitator and trouble shooter in MS International Law’s multi-layered office life and conquers all recalcitrant office devices.
CURRICULUM
• Head of Office at MS International Law (since 2018)
• Head of Events & Care at a Centre for the Elderly in the Canton of Schwyz (2 years)
• Self-employed saleswoman (14 years)
• Mother of a son
• Swiss certified hotel governess (6 years of business experience)