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              Birgit Sambeth

                ,
                Partner
                ,
                Geneva
                and
              sambeth@altenburger.ch
                  phone
                +41 58 810 22 33
                  phone
                        French
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                  Altenburger Ltd legal + tax
                  Rue Rodolphe-Toepffer 11bis, 1206 Geneva
                “
              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.

              Contact

              Birgit Sambeth

              sambeth@altenburger.ch

              Altenburger Ltd legal + tax

              Rue Rodolphe-Toepffer 11bis, 1206 Geneva

              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

              Memberships

                      * Swiss Bar Association (SAV)

                      * Geneva Bar Association (ODAGE)

                      * UIA Union Internationale des Avocats

                      * International Bar Association (IBA)

                      * ABA International Section

                      * Swiss Chamber for Commercial Mediation

                      * Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA)

                      * Arbitral Women

                      * Geneva Business Law Association (AIBL)

                      * INSOL Insolvency Practitioners and Insolvency Mediator

                      * UN Global Mediation Panel for UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNOPS, and UN-Women

                      * IMI International Academy of Mediators

                      * European Advisory Board of CPR ADR - International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution NYC

                      * International Academy of Mediators IAM, Canada

                      * Center for Mediation and Law, Russia

                  Swiss Bar Association (SAV)

                  Geneva Bar Association (ODAGE)

                  UIA Union Internationale des Avocats

                  International Bar Association (IBA)

                  ABA International Section

                  Swiss Chamber for Commercial Mediation

                  Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA)

                  Arbitral Women

                  Geneva Business Law Association (AIBL)

                  INSOL Insolvency Practitioners and Insolvency Mediator

                  UN Global Mediation Panel for UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNOPS, and UN-Women

                  IMI International Academy of Mediators

                  European Advisory Board of CPR ADR - International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution NYC

                  International Academy of Mediators IAM, Canada

                  Center for Mediation and Law, Russia

              Rankings

                      Chambers 2026 - Global Guide - Mediators 2026

                      "Birgit Sambeth is based in Geneva and often handles international and domestic disputes covering a range of issues, including M&A transactions, construction projects and company restructuring and insolvency proceedings."

                      "Birgit Sambeth is based in Geneva and often handles international and domestic disputes covering a range of issues, including M&A transactions, construction projects and company restructuring and insolvency proceedings."

                      Lexology Index - National Leader - Switzerland - Restructuring & Insolvency 2026

                      "Birgit is one of a kind"

                      "She is brilliant and very experienced"

                      "She is highly specialised as a liquidator and in bankruptcy administration"

                      "Birgit is one of a kind"

                      "She is brilliant and very experienced"

                      "She is highly specialised as a liquidator and in bankruptcy administration"

                      Lexology Index - National Leader - Switzerland - Commercial Mediation 2025

                      Birgit Sambeth is a first-rate lawyer who comes highly recommended for her deep expertise in handling complex disputes arising from contractual claims, transactions and private client matters, among others.

                      ‍

                      Birgit Sambeth is a first-rate lawyer who comes highly recommended for her deep expertise in handling complex disputes arising from contractual claims, transactions and private client matters, among others.

                      ‍

                      Who's Who Legal - National Leader - Switzerland - Commercial Mediation 2024

                      Birgit Sambeth is commended as "an absolutely fabulous practitioner" whose expertise spans domestic and international commercial disputes, often arising from contractual and transactional matters.

                      ‍

                      Birgit Sambeth is commended as "an absolutely fabulous practitioner" whose expertise spans domestic and international commercial disputes, often arising from contractual and transactional matters.

                      ‍

                      Who's Who Legal - National Leader - Switzerland - Commercial Mediation 2023

                      Birgit Sambeth is commended as "an absolutely fabulous practitioner" whose expertise spans domestic and international commercial disputes, often arising from contractual and transactional matters.

                      ‍

                      Birgit Sambeth is commended as "an absolutely fabulous practitioner" whose expertise spans domestic and international commercial disputes, often arising from contractual and transactional matters.

                      ‍

                      Who's Who Legal - Thought Leaders Global Elite - Switzerland - Mediation 2022

                      Birgit Sambeth enjoys a stellar reputation as "a vastly experienced commercial mediator" who "sits "at the very top of the list".

                      Birgit Sambeth enjoys a stellar reputation as "a vastly experienced commercial mediator" who "sits "at the very top of the list".

                      Legalcommunity Awards Switzerland 2022 - Lawyer of the Year – Dispute Resolution

                      "Appreciated by the market for the experience and in-depth knowledge of arbitration matters. The professional is to all intents and purposes one of the icons in her field."

                      "Appreciated by the market for the experience and in-depth knowledge of arbitration matters. The professional is to all intents and purposes one of the icons in her field."

                      Who's Who Legal - National Leader - Switzerland - Restructuring & Insolvency 2022

                      "Birgit Sambeth Glasner is a revered for her top-notch on high-profile insolvency disputes at home and abroad. "

                      "Birgit Sambeth Glasner is a revered for her top-notch on high-profile insolvency disputes at home and abroad. "

                      Who's Who Legal - National Leader - Switzerland - Restructuring & Insolvency 2023
                      Who's Who Legal - National Leader - Switzerland - Restructuring & Insolvency 2024
                      Who's Who Legal - National Leader - Switzerland - Restructuring & Insolvency 2021
                      Who's Who Legal: Thought Leader – Switzerland – Mediation 2021

                      “Birgit Sambeth Glasner is a prestigious figure in domestic and international mediation with expertise spanning from commercial disputes to criminal matters.”

                      “Birgit Sambeth Glasner is a prestigious figure in domestic and international mediation with expertise spanning from commercial disputes to criminal matters.”

                      Who's Who Legal: Global Leader – Mediation 2020
                      Lexology Index - National Leader - Switzerland - Commercial Mediation 2026

                      Birgit Sambeth is described as a "brilliant mediator" with a market-leading practice covering major disputes across M&A transactions, construction and employment matters.

                      ‍

                      Birgit Sambeth is described as a "brilliant mediator" with a market-leading practice covering major disputes across M&A transactions, construction and employment matters.

                      ‍

              Endorsements

                      IMI Feedback
                        IMI Feedback

                      “Birgit Sambeth Glasner has consistently been rated at Performance Level 5 by the Parties for whom she has acted as a mediator as well as their attorneys. All of the parties would recommend her as a mediator, a fact borne out by the number of them willing to use her again and some to provide a reference to parties considering the engagement of Birgit as a mediator in the future. Costs were widely reported as reasonable and within international standards. Thus, a very high degree of satisfaction was reported.”

                      “Birgit has a quick grasp of all the underlying issues and she explores the values with patience. Her skills in setting up and providing an adequate environment for a constructive dialogue is particularly reflected, as well as her patience and flexibility, together with her ability to calm down individual sensitivities and to prevent the escalation of disputes. She is described as having a sound common sense and being confident, pragmatic as well as solution oriented. She tries to keep negotiators focused on key issues and future interests.”

                      “Birgit calmly deals with stalemates and she is deemed to be particularly helpful in clarifying and structuring the dispute resolution processes, managing the parties expectations and assisting them to “take a step back”. Humanistic and empathetic, she uses all her personal skills, notably the listening skills, to a genuinely caring attitude, and for being an excellent listener and very skilled communicator.”

                      “Having lived all her life in a multi-cultural, - professional and - linguistic environment, she handles well cultural differences, whether geographic very human and empathetic, she has a special way to build trust with the parties. She was reported as being committed, having a genuinely caring attitude but, at the same time, also being able to stay firm if needed.”

                      “Birgit has a brilliant mind, able to catch immediately what is really at stake and has a special way to calmly but firmly help parties to find their way out of the conflict. All the mediations she has conducted were reported as being settled in a very short time.”

                      “Birgit Sambeth Glasner has consistently been rated at Performance Level 5 by the Parties for whom she has acted as a mediator as well as their attorneys. All of the parties would recommend her as a mediator, a fact borne out by the number of them willing to use her again and some to provide a reference to parties considering the engagement of Birgit as a mediator in the future. Costs were widely reported as reasonable and within international standards. Thus, a very high degree of satisfaction was reported.”

                      “Birgit has a quick grasp of all the underlying issues and she explores the values with patience. Her skills in setting up and providing an adequate environment for a constructive dialogue is particularly reflected, as well as her patience and flexibility, together with her ability to calm down individual sensitivities and to prevent the escalation of disputes. She is described as having a sound common sense and being confident, pragmatic as well as solution oriented. She tries to keep negotiators focused on key issues and future interests.”

                      “Birgit calmly deals with stalemates and she is deemed to be particularly helpful in clarifying and structuring the dispute resolution processes, managing the parties expectations and assisting them to “take a step back”. Humanistic and empathetic, she uses all her personal skills, notably the listening skills, to a genuinely caring attitude, and for being an excellent listener and very skilled communicator.”

                      “Having lived all her life in a multi-cultural, - professional and - linguistic environment, she handles well cultural differences, whether geographic very human and empathetic, she has a special way to build trust with the parties. She was reported as being committed, having a genuinely caring attitude but, at the same time, also being able to stay firm if needed.”

                      “Birgit has a brilliant mind, able to catch immediately what is really at stake and has a special way to calmly but firmly help parties to find their way out of the conflict. All the mediations she has conducted were reported as being settled in a very short time.”

              Speaking Engagements

              Speaking Engagements

              Download Full List (PDF)

              Full List of Publications

              Further Publications

              Download Full List (PDF)

              Latest Blog Posts

                          Breaking.through interviews Birgit Sambeth
                            by
                                    Birgit
                                    Sambeth
                          PME Interview - «Un bon arrangement vaut mieux qu’un mauvais procès»
                            by
                                    Birgit
                                    Sambeth
                          Interview: La créativité est intrinsèquement liée à la profession d’avocat
                            by
                                    Birgit
                                    Sambeth
                          Interview: Die Pandemie akzentuiert die Diskussion der Gleichstellung
                            by
                                    Birgit
                                    Sambeth

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