‘One of the leading teams in the country’, Cerha Hempel operates across the whole spectrum of high-volume sales, acquisitions, and corporate governance advice. In particular, the team offers notable experience with transactions across the CEE region and regularly works with experts from the firm’s international offices on cross-border transactions. The ‘brilliant’ Clemens Hasenauer heads the corporate transaction department, while the corporate & commercial practice stands under the leadership of Johannes Aehrenthal. Albert Birkner leads the takeover & antitrust practice and praised by clients as ‘the best M&A lawyer in Austria’, with his practice also including corporate reorganizations and joint ventures. Alexander Reich-Rohrwig, Jakob Hartig, and Christoph Reiter were promoted to partner in 2023. Nadine Leitner is further important member of the team.

Embedded in the firm’s international network, Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte)‘s multidisciplinary team delivers first-rate expertise on M&A transactions across the whole CEE region and is also recommended for corporate reorganisations, in particular in the banking and insurance sector. Another standout feature is the wide range of sector knowledge the group provides, covering industries such as energy, financial institutions, telecoms, technology and healthcare. Practice head Roman Perner has a track record of cross-border restructurings and mergers, while Sascha Hödl is described by clients as ‘very knowledgable in all corporate and commercial matters’. Christian Herbst‘s practice encompasses venture capital, public takeover, and corporate finance transactions, whereas Sascha Schulz is regularly instructed by clients from the construction, real estate, financial and telecom sectors. M&A expert Maximilian Lang is another key contact.

With a particularly strong M&A practice and numerous offices across Central and South Eastern Europe, Wolf Theiss Rechtsanwälte GmbH & Co KG maintains a client roster that encompasses strategic investors, venture capital clients, financial institutions as well as national and international corporations and has developed a particular specialism for clearing transactions under FDI approval proceedings. The team is jointly steered by Horst Ebhardt, who specialises in cross-border M&A, private equity and restructuring transactions, and Florian Kusznier, who is recommended for advice on joint ventures, public takeovers and corporate governance as part of his wide M&A practice. Kusznier also covers ESG-related topics alongside Sarah Wared, while Hartwig Kienast has acted in numerous transactions in the infrastructure, energy, consumer goods and pharmaceutical sectors.

Binder Grösswang shows particular strength in private equity matters with an international focus and works together seamlessly with other teams of the firms such as tax, banking and finance and dispute resolution to comfortably handle the full spectrum of M&A transactions. Both Thomas Schirmer and the ‘excellent M&A and general corporate lawyer’ Philipp Kapl are among the firm’s key contacts for cross-border transactions, as are Florian Khol, who is also well-versed in auction proceedings and public takeovers, and Andreas Hable, whose focus areas include reorganisations, international tax structuring, and corporate governance.

Praised by clients for ‘delivering beyond expectation’, bpv Hügel's diverse caseload primarily encompasses corporate and M&A matters, with a particular specialism in multi-jurisdictional transactions. Co-head Thomas Lettau is described as a 'first choice for complex transactions across all industries’, whereas co-head Elke Napokoj‘s broad practice includes advice on acquisitions and spin-offs. With an ‘excellent understanding of the financial industry’, Christoph Nauer handles numerous of the firm’s most complex and high-volume mandates.

CMS offers a wealth of experience in the financial services, packaging and telecoms industries and offers a specialism in advising foreign investors targeting domestic and regional companies, and is highlighted by clients as a ‘one-stop shop for multinational projects’. Peter Huber leads the team, combining corporate and M&A expertise to advise on corporate transactions, shareholder agreements, restructurings, and governance matters, while Alexander Rakosi bolsters the group’s offering with his ‘very good commercial understanding’ and M&A expertise. The firm promoted several members to partner in 2023, including Florian Mayer and David Kohl. Former co-head Rainer Wachter left the firm in January 2023.

DORDA Rechtsanwälte GmbH's client base encompasses national and international companies, investment banks, and private equity firms, and the team particularly excels at handling cross-border M&A. Offering ‘exceptional legal advice’, Martin Brodey leads the private M&A as well as the CEE practice, while Andreas Mayr heads the public M&A practice group and specialises in complex multijurisdictional transactions as well as corporate governance and compliance matters. Christoph Brogyányi co-heads the firm’s corporate practice and is noted for his capabilities in reorganisations, joint ventures, squeeze-outs and corporate litigation. Patricia Backhausen co-heads the firm’s digital industries group and covers tech-related M&A transactions.

E+H Rechtsanwälte GmbH fields a team of M&A experts and is particularly well versed in distressed transactions and post-M&A disputes. Peter Winkler leads the practice alongside real estate expert Alric Ofenheimer, whose offering encompasses advice on corporate law, private equity deals, and cross-border strategic transactions. Austria and New York-qualified lawyer Dominik Juster joined the team in November 2022 from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Johannes Feilmair, who has specialist knowledge of the pharma and biotech industries, was promoted to partner in July 2023 alongside ‘outstanding lawyer’ Stefan Jeitler .

‘Delivering an outstanding service’, BRANDL TALOS Attorneys at law combines proficiency in corporate and capital markets law with particularly strong regulatory expertise. The practice is well known for high-quality advice in the gaming & entertainment sector, which is a specialism of Thomas Talos, who leads the team alongside Roman Rericha. Stephan Strass was promoted to partner in January 2023 and is described by clients as ‘one of the upcoming stars in the M&A market’.

 

Described by clients as an ‘excellent international M&A practice with global outreach and strong local expertise‘, DLA Piper Weiss-Tessbach Rechtsanwälte GmbH is known for acting in cross-border transactions in addition to handling matters related to governance and corporate reorganisations. The latter is a key specialism of practice head Elisabeth Stichmann, who is a key contact for the group’s US clients. Leading the firm’s private equity practice, Maria Doralt acts on many of the firm’s M&A matters, as does Christoph Mager, who is highlighted for being ‘very strong in negotiations’.

Led by Markus Fellner, Paul Luiki, Florian Kranebitter, and Lukas Flener, Fellner Wratzfeld & Partners demonstrates particular prowess in corporate disputes, which it handles for a broad roster of clients in the banking, real estate, green tech and energy sectors. Luiki also covers the full range of M&A transactions, with a particular focus on cross-border matters, while Kranebitter contributes financing expertise. With special knowledge of syndicate agreements, Fellner’s portfolio encompasses advice on share acquisitions and the enforcement of minority rights.

Offering a ‘perfect balance of expertise, speed and pragmatism’, Herbst Kinsky Rechtsanwalte GmbH Kinsky remains a household name in the venture capital and start-up field. The team is jointly steered by Phillip Dubsky, the ‘highly skilled’ Philipp Kinsky, Florian Steinhart, and Christoph Wildmoser. Dubsky has a focus on advising tech companies on M&A and private equity transactions, whereas Wildmoser mainly advises private equity investors and corporates and contributes to the firm’s cross-border offering, which was further strengthened with the arrival of Johanna Höltl from DLA Piper in January 2023.

Baker McKenzie Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG is geared to act on M&A for both buyers and sellers across a range of industries, including the pharma, energy, financial and IT sectors. Leveraging the firm’s global network, the ‘highly skilled and experienced’ team demonstrates prowess in cross-border transactions, reorganizations and carve-outs. ESG-related topics are a specialism of Eva-Maria Ségur-Cabanac, who leads the team alongside Gerhard Hermann. Both are well-supported by Sophie Schubert.

Fielding ‘outstanding, highly-reputed legal experts’, Jank Weiler Operenyi also benefits from connections to Deloitte Legal and deals with cross-border transactions, corporate reorganizations, as well general corporate and litigation matters. The ‘highly qualified’ Alexander Operenyi acts in various of the firm’s sales and acquisitions mandates, as does Maximilian Weiler, who leads the team alongside Operenyi. Andreas Jank is another important team member.

KPMG Law - Buchberger Ettmayer Rechtsanwälte GmbH shows proficiency in structuring and implementing reorganisation projects and cross-border mergers and is noted for established client relationships with venture capital funds, financial clients, and corporates in the energy and TMT sectors, the latter of which is also a focus area of team lead Wendelin Ettmayer. Described as an ‘extremely strong negotiator’, Stefan Arnold covers public M&A and related capital market aspects. Stephanie Sauer was promoted to partner in January 2023.

The SAXINGER Rechtsanwalts GmbH‘s team is jointly led by Franz Mittendorfer and ‘very smart lawyer’ Immanuel Gerstner, with Gerstner advising domestic and foreign companies on M&A with a focus on the real estate sector and Mittendorfer offering experience with high-volume share sales and transactions with complex financing or structuring elements. Sebastian Hütter was promoted to partner in April 2023, while Gregor Haidenthaler joined in May 2023 and strengthens the firm’s corporate offering.

DSC Doralt Seist Csoklich Rechtsanwälte GmbH has established experience with public takeovers as well as post-M&A and shareholder disputes. The ‘extremely refined and clever’ Christoph Diregger advises on a range corporate transactions and is noted for his work in the real estate sector. He heads the team with Christoph Leitgeb, who has a specialism in entertainment, engineering and healthcare matters.

Offering an ‘excellent legal practice’, EY Law - Pelzmann Gall Größ Rechtsanwälte GmbH‘s focus areas are split between the two practice heads, Helen Pelzmann and Mario Gall. Gall is a key contact for public and private M&A transactions, joint ventures and public takeovers, while Pelzmann specialises in cross-border reorganisations, carve-outs and restructurings. Georg Perkowitsch offers experience in various sectors, including TMT, packaging, and food.

PHH Rechtsanwält:innen GmbH‘s recent workload includes joint ventures and advice on a variety of M&A transactions, such as cross-border acquisitions and group restructurings. Being well-versed in private M&A and private equity transaction and corporate governance matters, head Rainer Kaspar exemplifies the team’s broad offering. Philip Rosenauer has been promoted in February 2023, while Lukas Röper left the firm.

Highlighted for its ‘experience with international clients’, the team at Taylor Wessing enwc Rechtsanwälte GmbH demonstrates particular strength in the TMT sector and is also recommended for matters related to energy and life sciences. The team’s areas of expertise include acquisitions, asset sales, divestments, restructurings and group structure reorganisations. Lead Raimund Cancola is proficient in cross-border M&A and private equity transactions.

Eversheds Sutherland Rechtsanwälte GmbH‘s team works seamlessly with the firm’s global expert groups and is jointly headed by Silva Palzer and Alexander Stolitzka. Palzer is an expert for cross-border mergers and restructurings, while Stolitzka has a strong track record of acting on real estate transactions and also acts across various sectors such as banking and finance, life sciences, fashion and engineering. Lukas Plösch left the firm in October 2023.

Clients ‘strongly recommend’ GRAF ISOLA’s practice under the leadership of Ferdinand Graf and Andreas Edlinger, which is especially recommended for work in the energy, tech and automotive industries. Recent activities of the team include advising on distressed M&A, due diligence, and share purchase agreements, as well as handling numerous strategic acquisitions. Katharina Weiss is another important contact in the team.

Graf Patsch Taucher Rechtsanwälte is noted for its experience with M&A, private equity, corporate finance and restructuring matters. Praised by clients for his ‘great analytical and negotiation skills’, Bernd Taucher has led a variety of international transactions in recent years, as has ‘sharp minded attorney‘ Wolfgang Graf, who leads the team alongside Taucher.

Grama Schwaighofer Vondrak Rechtsanwälte‘s ‘very professional’ team combines expertise in corporate and tax matters and is instructed by a range of clients, from family-owned businesses to listed companies. Practice head Bernd Grama's portfolio covers the full range of M&A and international contract law as well as corporate litigation and compliance.

PwC Legal Austria-oehner & partner offers a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses commercial and tax advice in addition to corporate matters, and the team has recently been involved in matters related to market entries, exit deals and various acquisitions. Lead Christian Öhner is recommended for advising on M&A, joint ventures, corporate law and restructurings, while Michael Lind‘s specialisms include distressed M&A. Mario Steinkellner  has since left the firm.

Torggler Rechtsanwälte GmbH is a boutique firm that straddles corporate advice, M&A, and litigation. Reinhard Kautz and Kathrin Weber lead the group, with Kautz having a track record of arbitration proceedings as part of his broad M&A practice and Weber serving as a key contact for clients seeking entry into the Austrian market by means of strategic acquisitions.