Email: berger@brslaw.ch
Phone: +41 22 320 12 12
Languages: French, English, German
Firm: BRS Berger Recordon & de Saugy, Geneva, Switzerland

About Alain

Alain Berger is a Partner and one of the founding members of BRS Berger Recordon & de Saugy, established in 1985. A pre-eminent figure in Swiss and international family law, Alain has more than four decades of experience advising clients on complex cross-border family and inheritance cases. He is renowned for his precision, discretion, and mastery of both Swiss and international private law.

Alain’s practice covers all aspects of family law, including national and international divorce, matrimonial property regimes, nuptial agreements, and child abduction cases. He is also a leading authority on family finance and the division of occupational pension schemes (the second pillar under Swiss law). His experience in international inheritance and estate planning further strengthens his ability to provide strategic and comprehensive advice in matters where family, finance, and law intersect.

Why He’s Different

As one of Switzerland’s most respected family lawyers, Alain brings unmatched depth of knowledge and international perspective. A former Governor of the European Chapter of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), he is regularly consulted by clients, institutions, and peers on high-value, cross-border family and inheritance matters. His analytical clarity, multilingual fluency, and balanced judgment make him a trusted advisor to private clients, families, and professionals around the world.

Areas of Expertise

• National and international family law (divorce, separation, matrimonial estates)
• Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements
• International child abduction and protection measures
• Registered partnerships and family finance
• Splitting of occupational pension schemes (Swiss second pillar)
• Inheritance law and estate planning (national and international)
• Recognition and enforcement of foreign orders and judgments
• International judicial assistance in civil matters
• Private international law
• Civil liability and criminal law

Professional Background

• Partner & Co-Founder, BRS Berger Recordon & de Saugy (since 1985)
• Associate, Law Office of Dominique Poncet (1977–1985)
• Trainee, Geneva (1974–1977)
• Swiss Bar Association Expert for Family Law Specialists (2013)

Education

• Law Degree – University of Geneva (1974)
• Bar Exam – Geneva (1977)

Professional Memberships

• Geneva Bar Association (Board Member, 2002–2008)
• Swiss Lawyers’ Federation
• Swiss Society of Criminal Law
• International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) – Former European Governor

Publications & Contributions

Alain is a prolific author and contributor to international family law publications, including:

• Practical Family Law Guide, Thomson Reuters (Swiss contribution, 2023)
• Practical Law Family Global Guide, Thomson Reuters (Swiss contribution, 2021)
• International Trust and Divorce Litigation (2013)
• International Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements, Jordan Publishing (2011)
• Regular contributor to Family Law Journal and international comparative tables by Suzanne Kingston (2006–2011)

Client Approach

Alain provides discreet, tailored, and results-oriented counsel to clients navigating family and succession issues across borders. His advice is grounded in Swiss legal precision, informed by international experience, and delivered with the highest professional integrity.