Bernd Ehle

Partner, Geneva

+41 58 105 2000

behle@lalive.law

Bernd Ehle

Bernd specialises in international arbitration, with extensive experience as both counsel and arbitrator in over 100 high-stakes disputes conducted under various arbitration rules and governed by civil and common law. His experience includes serving on dispute adjudication boards.

Bernd advises and represents clients in complex disputes, with a focus on large-scale construction and infrastructure projects, intricate joint venture agreements, M&A transactions and sales and distribution contracts. He is committed to dispute resolution and related capacity building, in particular in Africa, to which a significant portion of his work is related.

Recognised as a “leading light in the next generation of international arbitration practitioners in Switzerland”, Who’s Who Legal Global Leaders, Arbitration, 2022, Bernd also assists and represents clients in the enforcement of arbitral awards and other arbitration-related proceedings before state courts.

Recognition

Ranked Band 2
Chambers Global Arbitration Counsel, 2023

“Bernd is held in high esteem by peers who say he is ‘particularly skilled and experienced in construction arbitration’”.
Who’s Who Legal National Leaders, Arbitration, 2023

“A great arbitrator who knows his stuff.”
Who’s Who Legal Global Leaders, Arbitration, 2021

Recent publications

The AfCFTA’s Dispute Resolution Framework: New Opportunities & Key Considerations For Swiss Investors In Africa
BERND EHLE, AUGUSTIN BARRIER
In: SABC Member Legal Insights Newsletter, March/April 2025

Schweizer Recht im Anlagenbau – besondere Aspekte im Überblick
BERND EHLE, BERND HAUCK
In: Law Journal on Industrial and Infrastructure Projects, 1/2024, October 2024

Better safe than sorry: risk management and dispute avoidance through efficient contractor due diligence
BERND EHLE, ALAIN LE BERRE
In: Construction Law International, Vol. 18, Issue 1, March 2023

Recent conferences

Africa Construction Law - 5th Conference: The Future of Construction in Africa
BERND EHLE, Role: Speaker, Addressing corruption risk in projects delivery
Nairobi, 23 May 2025

Switzerland-Tanzania Chamber of Commerce (STCC) - Navigating Disputes: How arbitration can empower Swiss investments in Tanzania
BERND EHLE, Role: Keynote Speaker, Speaker, The evolving landscape of arbitration and ADR in Tanzania and beyond
Dar es Salaam, 19 May 2025

ASA / AfAA / AfricArb / ACL - Les litiges en matière de construction & infrastructure – perspectives comparées Afrique francophone, France et Suisse
BERND EHLE, Role: Speaker, L’arbitrage multipartite et l’intervention des tiers à l’arbitrage
Webinar, 28 March 2025

Read more

Current professional memberships

  • Member of the Board of Directors of AfricArb
  • Member of the Board of Directors of Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC)
  • Member of the Arbitration Court of the Swiss Arbitration Centre
  • Member of the Advisory Board of Africa Construction Law (ACL)
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Foundation for International Arbitration Advocacy (FIAA)
  • Co-chair of the Construction Group of the German Arbitration Institute (DIS)
  • Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)

Career history

  • Partner, LALIVE, 2009 – present
  • Associate, LALIVE, 2003 – 2008
  • Associate, Graf von Westphalen, Freiburg, Germany, 2000 – 2003

Academic qualifications

  • PhD in Law, University of Heidelberg, 2001
  • LLM, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Chicago, 1999 – 2000
  • Studies in International Law, University of Geneva, 1993 – 1994
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