Employment
Europe Guide 2024 : Austria
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+43 1 404 43 0About
Provided by CMS
We are not only Austria’s largest, but also the leading law firm in all fields of individual and collective labour law. Our areas of expertise include, in particular, the works constitution and all matters related to collective regulations as well as European labour law. Moreover, we specialise in pension fund law and the special labour regulations applicable to former state-owned companies.
We have been active in labour law for over 30 years, not only providing our clients with legal advice but also representing them in court (including the CJEU) and before public authorities. We also advise and support you in negotiations with unions and works councils. Our expertise in labour law extends far beyond Austria’s borders and encompasses a wide variety of different sectors. We provide guidance and support to banks, insurance companies and businesses in the industrial, telecommunications and service sectors as well as to health institutions and universities.
The main focus of our activities is on advising clients on the establishment and termination of employment contracts, on negotiating and concluding collective bargaining agreements and works agreements between employers and works councils, and on providing advice on labour law issues related to changes in working conditions and all aspects of employee data protection law. We also advise you on all labour law aspects of business transactions, restructurings and reorganisations.
Chambers Review
The market-leading employment law practice at CMS boasts an impressive bench strength that is highly sought after by clients from sectors including TMT, life sciences, education and financial services. The team regularly advises on remuneration schemes, working time arrangements and data protection issues, as well as contract revisions. Additionally, the law firm demonstrates prowess in handling M&A-related employment mandates, restructurings and social plans pertaining to mass redundancies as well as cross-border business and employee transfers, where the law firm leverages its excellent international office coverage. Its strength in employment litigation as well as working-from-home regulations further complements the law firm's holistic services.
Work Highlights
- CMS represented Siemens in over 200 legal disputes before Austrian courts in connection with company pensions and terminations.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"We are always excellently advised, supported and represented in court proceedings by CMS."
"CMS has the best employment team in a commercial law firm in Austria."
"Our contacts in CMS are available for us at almost any time and answer urgent enquiries in the shortest possible time."
"The CMS team is outstanding, competent and trustworthy."
"Through the many years of excellent cooperation between our company and CMS, a good, trusting basis for discussions and cooperation has developed and we can fully rely on the law firm's expertise."
"We are always excellently advised, supported and represented in court proceedings by CMS."
"CMS has the best employment team in a commercial law firm in Austria."
"Our contacts in CMS are available for us at almost any time and answer urgent enquiries in the shortest possible time."
"The CMS team is outstanding, competent and trustworthy."
"Through the many years of excellent cooperation between our company and CMS, a good, trusting basis for discussions and cooperation has developed and we can fully rely on the law firm's expertise."
Notable Practitioners
Bernhard Hainz is considered one of Austria's most experienced lawyers, capable of advising across the full spectrum of employment law including terminations, working time agreements and compensation issues. He also assists with restructuring mandates and is particularly active in the art and culture sector.
Christoph Wolf caters to a prestigious clientele from the TMT, retail and education sectors. He handles contentious as well as non-contentious employment matters ranging from dismissal proceedings and collective agreements to remuneration schemes and data protection issues.
"The close and excellent cooperation with Christoph Wolf has created a relationship of trust that makes the work easier."
"His expertise is of the utmost importance to our company and his advice is of the highest level."
"Christoph Wolf provides support in complex employment law issues with excellent expertise. He has a lot of experience in representing clients in court."
Advancing in the rankings this year is Jens Winter, who regularly advises on all employment law issues, including the negotiation of works council agreements, employee and pension transfers connected to restructurings, and working time models. He also represents companies in employment disputes, such as those concerning company pensions and terminations.
"He has been around for a long time and has a good portfolio of clients."
Ranked Lawyers at
CMS
Austria
Members
Provided by CMS
Clients
Provided by CMS
A1 Telekom Austria
Amgen
Burgtheater GmbH
Entire Austrian credit sector
General Motors
Johnson & Johnson
Otis
Siemens AG
University of Vienna
Vamed
Wiener Stadtwerke Holding AG
ÖBB (Austrian Railway Association)
Österreichische Post AG
Industries
Provided by CMS
Aviation
Banks
Consumer products
Education
Energy
Financial institutions
Government
Health Care
Insurance
Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
Retail
Software & Computer Services
Sports
Technology, Hardware & Electronics
Telecommunications
Transportation