About Us

About Us

The International Sports Lawyers Association - ISLA - is a worldwide association of international sports lawyers that was established under the jurisdiction of Swiss law, based in Zurich.

In the last decades, Sports law has undergone a similar dynamic development as the professionalisation and commericalisation of sport even popular sport, and has influenced sporting events in all significant respects.

Experience shows that athletes and sports organisations could not have kept up with these developments by themselves. There is a huge challenge not only in the composition of contracts and charters of associations, but also managing a self-governing comprehensive body of legislation. This contributes to a multitude of preventable problems. There are also disadvantages such as economic loss, as well as the potential threat to the reputation and standing of Sport and its representatives.

The members of ISLA are all experienced lawyers who represent the interests of athletes, sports clubs and associations, who offer specialized knowledge, particularly their problem solving skills, to the interests of their clients. This is particularly effective when they have the opportunity to intervene prior to an event.
These specialised skills require the lawyers to invest in ongoing education, and remaining abreast with the newest developments. The ISLA Membership guarantees the necessary up-to-date expertise. Furthermore, due to international networking, ISLA members can support their clients with professional advice anywhere and at any time, even outside of their country of origin.
The membership boasts many members who have proven their competence again and again through professorship, engagement in international (CAS/TAS) and national arbitration tribunals, as well as undertaking leading cases in the field of sport law. ISLA is a competent interlocutor, particularly for the organizations active in sport.

The goals of ISLA

• The worldwide representation of the interests of Athletes and Sports Associations
• The further development of Sports Law particularly taking into account consideration of a legal solution strategy
• Assistance with the search for a lawyer or with legal intervention
• Promotion of cooperation within the network of ISLA members at national and international levels
• Provision of seminars and presentations on Sports  law and topical sporting situations.
• The active collaboration with established, significant insitutions
• Provision of a forum where those involved in the various aspects of sport can come together to discuss pertinent issues.
• Within the context of the above tasks a provision of extensive services to all of our members and third parties.

ISLA is an Association of Lawyers representing athletes and sporting associations. ISLA members ensure that the world of sport runs smoothly, so that those invovled in Sport (athletes, coaches, clubs) are not weighed down with legal problems, leaving them free to concentrate on training or doing whatever they do in the world of sport.