Partner

Saverio Lembo

Genève, Suisse
Partner
Saverio Lembo
Genève, Suisse

À propos de

Saverio Lembo codirige le groupe de pratique en criminalité économique de Bär & Karrer.

Il possède une vaste expérience en matière de criminalité économique, de contentieux commercial et financier, d’entraide judiciaire internationale (civile et pénale), d’arbitrage et d’insolvabilité. Ces dernières années, il a été impliqué dans un certain nombre de procédures contentieuses commerciales complexes, a agi comme représentant des parties ou arbitre dans divers arbitrages commerciaux nationaux et internationaux, et a assisté des clients dans des procédures pénales en Suisse et à l’étranger. Il représente régulièrement ses clients devant la Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

La pratique de Saverio Lembo s’étend également aux enquêtes internes, aux missions de surveillance (monitorships) des entreprises, à l’exécution de jugements et sentences étrangers, aux litiges pharmaceutiques, au droit des successions et aux questions d’emploi.

Depuis 2022, Saverio Lembo fait partie de l'équipe désignée par le ministère de la justice des États-Unis et le gouvernement suisse pour la surveillance de Glencore. Il est membre du groupe de travail récemment nommé par la Fédération suisse des avocats en vue de l'introduction d'un accord de poursuite différée dans la législation suisse.

Il a contribué au commentaire du Code de procédure pénale, rédigé de nombreux articles dans ses domaines de spécialisation et intervient régulièrement comme conférencier lors de séminaires et conférences.

Saverio Lembo enseigne également la procédure pénale à l’Université de Genève (École d’avocature).

Saverio Lembo est classé au niveau "tier 1" parmi les avocats leaders en criminalité économique en Suisse par Chambers and Partners. Il a été nommé « Lawyer of the Year for Switzerland » dans les catégories de défense en matière de criminalité économique et d’enquêtes lors des Who’s Who Legal Awards en 2020, ainsi que « Lawyer of the Year 2016 » dans les catégories de défense pénale et contentieux dans la région genevoise par Best Lawyers. Depuis 2012, Who’s Who Legal le classe parmi les praticiens les plus réputés au monde dans les domaines de la défense en criminalité économique, du recouvrement d’actifs et des litiges commerciaux. Dans The Legal 500, il est répertorié parmi les personnalités de premier plan en Suisse dans la résolution de litiges depuis 2010.

Saverio Lembo is known throughout Switzerland, the EU and the Americas as a go-to lawyer
Who's Who Legal 2023
He is particularly well suited to high-stakes matters representing C-suite individuals
Who's Who Legal 2023
Saverio is a very sophisticated investigations specialist
Who's Who Legal 2023
He has an excellent knowledge of the international white-collar crime market.
WWL Thought Leaders GIR 2022
Saverio is a fully committed, client-oriented lawyer who provides high-quality services and understands the exact needs of his clients.
WWL Thought Leaders GIR 2022
The best of the best, an obvious choice.
WWL Thought Leaders GIR 2022
Saverio might just be the very best investigations lawyer in Switzerland.
WWL Thought Leaders GIR 2022
Saverio Lembo is celebrated for his strong track record in advising major corporations in complex investigations and disputes
WWL Thought Leaders Global Elite 2023
Saverio is "one of the best" in the market and receives widespread plaudits for his "understanding of the clients' needs".
Peers in WWL 2022
Top-notch litigator.
Peers in WWL 2022
Excellent knowledge of the international white-collar crime market.
Source in WWL 2022
A star in Geneva.
Source in WWL Asset Recovery 2022
Very knowledgeable.
Source in WWL Asset Recovery 2022
Saverio might just be the very best investigations lawyer in Switzerland.
Peers and clients in WWL Investigations 2022
The best of the best, an obvious choice.
Peers and clients in WWL Investigations 2022
Saverio is a fully committed, client-oriented lawyer who provides high-quality services and understands the exact needs of his clients.
Peers and clients in WWL 2022
He has an excellent knowledge of the international white-collar crime market.
Peers and clients in WWL 2022
Absolute star!
Source in WWL 2021
Very committed to delivering an excellent quality of work.
Client in Legal 500 2021
A highly capable and versatile litigator.
Source in WWL 2021
He's a star individual who is renowned and respected worldwide.
Client in WWL 2021
A dynamic and knowledgeable lawyer.
Source in WWL 2021
A prominent name in the Swiss market.
Source in WWL 2021
The go-to white-collar-crime lawyer in Switzerland.
Source in WWL 2021
Phenomenal worldwide reputation.
Source in WWL 2021
Immaculate reputation!
Source in WWL 2021
Prominent figure!
Source in WWL 2021
Senior lawyer, very accessible and responsive, backed up by a very solid team of dedicated lawyers.
Client in IFLR1000 2021
He is a "prominent figure" with an "immaculate reputation" thanks to his top-notch criminal litigation and investigation expertise.
Who's Who Legal Business Crime Defence 2020
He is singled out for his “phenomenal worldwide reputation” as “the go-to white-collar-crime lawyer in Switzerland".
Who's Who Legal Business Crime Defence 2020
One of the leading Swiss practitioners, with an extensive experience in white-collar crime.
Client in Chambers Europe 2020
Great with clients and very good in court.
Source in Chambers Europe 2020
Has a broad base of experience and a good sense for multi-jurisdictional matters.
Client in Chambers Global 2020
Fantastic and well regarded for his top-tier work representing clients before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Who’s Who Legal Sports & Entertainment 2020
He leads the firm's white-collar crime group, and is experienced with commercial and financial litigation proceedings.
Who’s Who Legal Litigation 2020
Is a prominent figure in the Swiss litigation space.
Who’s Who Legal Litigation 2020
His expertise lies in white-collar criminal law, where he combines his keen legal mind and excellent management skills to assist clients in cross-border investigations.
Who’s Who Legal Investiagtions 2020
Impressing peers and clients alike with 25 years experience in the field.
Who’s Who Legal Asset Recovery 2020
An absolute goto for clients seeking someone at the top of their game intellectually and tactically.
Who’s Who Legal Business Crime Defence 2020
An outstanding lawyer on an international level.
Who’s Who Legal Business Crime Defence 2020
Saverio is one of, if not the best, lawyer in his jurisdiction
Who's Who Legal Switzerland, Asset Recovery 2022
He is a specialist in complex investigatory matters
Who's Who Legal Switzerland, Asset Recovery 2022
Mr Lembo is among the top white collar crime investigation lawyers in the space
Who's Who Legal Switzerland, Asset Recovery 2022
Saverio Lembo is a real authority in the Swiss market and has a great network.
Legal 500 2025
Saverio Lembo is a well-known name in the commercial litigation space, thanks to his impressive knowledge of a range of complex disputes, particularly involving white-collar crime matters.
Lexology Index 2025 - Commercial Litigation
Saverio Lembo leads the firm's white-collar crime practice group. Lembo often advises on the Swiss aspects of international asset tracing and recoveries.
Chambers Litigation Support 2025
Saverio Lembo is a known guru in the market
Chambers Litigation Support 2025
In terms of interesting cases, Saverio Lembo is probably the leading white-collar crime lawyer in Switzerland.
Chambers Europe 2026
Saverio is one of the best lawyers I have seen in action. He is careful, thoughtful and courteous. His ability to be firm but polite has achieved excellent results.
Chambers Europe 2026
Saverio Lembo is the absolute best partner to have!
Chambers Europe 2026
Saverio Lembo is a very strong lawyer and it is great to work with him. He understands the international nature of things and knows all the players quite well. He really is a top practitioner.
Chambers Europe 2026
Saverio Lembo is probably the most well-known Swiss lawyer in the world.
Chambers Europe 2026
Saverio Lembo is truly magnificent
Legal 500 2026
  • Defense of a high profile banker in a criminal investigation led by the OAG for bribery of public agents, aggravated money laundering and forgery in relation to alleged kickbacks received by the former director of a foreign public institution.
  • Representing Sotheby's in a significative dispute between Dimitri Rybolovlev and Yves Bouvier.
  • Saverio Lembo was confirmed by the US Department of Justice and the Swiss government as member of the monitorship team.
  • Conducted a major internal investigation for a globally active, publicly traded company.
  • Successful defense of a company active in the commodities trade sector in criminal proceedings opened by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General.
  • Defense of the UBO of an international group of companies active in the commodities trade sector in criminal tax proceedings.
  • Representing a state entity targeted in a cross-border civil litigation involving cultural heritage-related measures.
  • Representing of a sport governing body as harmed party in criminal proceedings in relation to the fight against the grey ticketing market.
  • Successful defense of a foreign investment company defrauded by some of its former managers in a 10-years criminal investigation. Managers are sent to trial in spring 2020.
  • Representation of an international sport organization in bribery and criminal mismanagement investigations conducted by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General.
  • Successful representation of a sport organization as harmed party in criminal proceedings opened against its former managers; recovery of more than CHF 15 million to date.
  • Successful defense of a non-Swiss individual in criminal proceedings led by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General, including the release of CHF 10+ million in retained assets.
Parcours professionnel
  • Partner of Bär & Karrer (since 2003)
  • Associate at Bär & Karrer (2000)
  • Secondment at Slaughter and May, London (1997)
  • Associate at a Swiss law firm (1995)
  • Admitted to the Geneva Bar (Ranked 1st, 1995)
  • University of Geneva: lic. iur. (1992)
  • University of Geneva: lic. oec. (1989)
Associations et fonctions publiques
  • Member of the Council of the Geneva Bar Association (2022)
  • Member of The International Academy of Financial Crime Litigators (since 2019)
  • Regional Representative Europe of the IBA Criminal Law Committee (since 2019)
  • Co-Chair of the International Anti-Money Laundering Committee, American Bar Association SIL (since 2017)
  • Vice-Chair of the International Arbitration Committee, American Bar Association SIL (2014-2016)
  • Co-Chair of the International Criminal Law Committee, American Bar Association SIL (2012-2014)
  • Co-Chair of AIJA Human Rights Committee (2011)
  • Lecturer at the "Ecole d'Avocature", University of Geneva, Criminal Law Proceedings (since 2011)
  • President of the Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats (AIJA) (2009-2010)
  • President of the Commercial Fraud Commission of AIJA (2006-2008)
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Associazione Internazionale dei Giuristi di Lingua Italiana (AIGLI) (1998-2008)
  • International Bar Association (IBA)
  • Member of (ASA) Association Suisse de l'Arbitrage
  • Geneva Bar Association (OdA)
  • Association Genevoise du Droit des Affaires (AGDA)
  • Société Suisse de droit pénal
  • Member of the Committee of the Geneva Young Lawyers Bar (1994-1995)
  • Anglais
  • Français
  • Allemand
  • Italien

Domaines d'activités

Saverio Lembo's Deals, Cases & News

Tous Deals, cas et actualités
Reconnu comme un "leading lawyer" dans le Legal 500 "Hall of Fame"
par Legal 500 2023
Classé en Band 1 en White-Collar Crime
par Chambers Europe 2023
Classé comee "Recommended"
par Who's Who Legal Switzerland 2023

Saverio Lembo's dernières publications

Tous Publications

Saverio Lembo's dernières interventions

Tous Interventions