Competition/European Law
Europe Guide 2024 : Austria
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+43 1 514 350About
Provided by CERHA HEMPEL
Our clients benefit from our comprehensive experience and pre-eminent track record in many of the highest profile cartel proceedings and most prominent Phase II merger control proceedings in recent years.
Our Antitrust & Competition Practice Group advises and represents Austrian and international clients before national and European competition authorities in all areas of national and European competition law.
In particular, our Practice Group possesses specialised know-how in representing clients before the European institutions and courts, in particular in state aid proceedings, and in all likelihood handles the highest number of proceedings of all Austrian law firms.
Our Practice Group can put together dedicated teams drawn from all of our CEE offices, which allows us to be a one-stop shop, able to provide advice for the entire region, something that is especially valued by our clients in merger proceedings.
Our partners Bernhard Kofler-Senoner, Anna Wolf-Posch and Hans Kristoferitsch are true leaders in their fields, each with their own focus and specialisation.
As a result, the team stands for excellence and a broad bandwidth of available in-depth expertise.
Chambers Review
CERHA HEMPEL is well known for assisting clients with foreign direct investment and merger clearance notifications, including phase II investigations. The law firm offers additional experience in significant behavioural investigations, as well as high-profile follow-on damages claims and state aid matters. Team members also act on competition compliance matters, particularly in relation to commercial agreements. It is a popular choice with clients from the retail and transportation sectors.
Work Highlights
- CERHA HEMPEL assisted STRABAG with the phase II merger clearance for its acquisition of SITEC Verkehrstechnik and Wieser Verkehrssicherheit.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"We have a very good impression of the firm because of the high-quality written work, good responsiveness and commercially-pitched focus of what they do."
"The lawyers work diligently, conduct thorough research and present their findings in a clear and comprehensible manner."
"The firm's dedication to client satisfaction and its ability to promptly address concerns and enquiries are indicative of its commitment to providing top-notch legal services."
"The lawyers offer knowledgeable counsel in competition law and related areas, with a forward-thinking and big-picture approach."
"CERHA HEMPEL provides targeted and effective advice."
"We have a very good impression of the firm because of the high-quality written work, good responsiveness and commercially-pitched focus of what they do."
"The lawyers work diligently, conduct thorough research and present their findings in a clear and comprehensible manner."
"The firm's dedication to client satisfaction and its ability to promptly address concerns and enquiries are indicative of its commitment to providing top-notch legal services."
"The lawyers offer knowledgeable counsel in competition law and related areas, with a forward-thinking and big-picture approach."
"CERHA HEMPEL provides targeted and effective advice."
Notable Practitioners
Bernhard Kofler-Senoner remains one of the leading names in the Austrian competition law market thanks to his ability to advise on phase II merger clearances and high-profile cartel investigations and damages actions. In addition, he assists clients with issues under the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation.
"Bernhard Kofler-Senoner has consistently demonstrated a remarkable level of expertise."
"Bernhard Kofler-Senoner's antitrust law knowledge and skills are perfect. He is strong in analysing complex antitrust matters and also has an excellent understanding of commercial aspects."
"He is a very strong competition law expert."
"His substantial expertise is reflected in the pivotal advisory roles he undertakes."
Anna Wolf-Posch often acts for clients on merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings. In addition, she represents clients in behavioural investigations, including into alleged cartels, and damages actions.
"She is very fast-thinking, intelligent, reliable, competent and responds quickly to requests."
"She is very good in conversing with the company and manages to translate complex legal nomenclature into plain English."
Hans Kristoferitsch has a broad competition law practice that covers merger clearance, behavioural investigations, contentious state aid matters and private enforcement actions. He has a number of clients from the energy sector, as well as advising public sector clients.
"He's a calm guy who seems well organised, has a good back-up team and is pragmatic and nice to work with."
Ranked Lawyers at
CERHA HEMPEL
Austria