KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH‘s ‘highly motivated team’ tackles the gamut of construction-related challenges, advising contractors, architectural firms and investors on the structuring of construction contracts and assisting on both tender- and bidder-side issues. The practice demonstrates particular strength in construction litigation, acting for both defendants and claimants in disputes arising out of delays, cost overruns and damage claims. Representing clients in such disputes are Georg Karasek and Clemens Berlakovits, both of whom also offer expertise in architectural law. Karasek and Berlakovits lead the team alongside infrastructure specialist Paul Schmidinger and Jan Philipp Schifko, whose practice spans contract drafting, damage and warranty claims and arbitration proceedings. Julian Ring offers further contract drafting and disputes capacity.

Wolf Theiss Rechtsanwälte GmbH & Co KG ‘combines legal expertise with technical knowledge’ to support clients engaged in construction litigation tied to, inter alia, projects spanning the infrastructure and energy sectors. Practice head Wolfgang Müller is frequently tasked with representing individual contractors and construction consortia in both court and arbitration proceedings arising out of cost overruns and completion delays. Müller heads the practice alongside Thomas Anderl, who leverages in-house experience to advise clients on contentious matters, including hearings before FIDIC Adjudication Boards. Michael Müller provides non-contentious advice across a range of projects, including tunnels, power stations and transport infrastructure projects, in addition to appearing for clients in a variety of courts and ADR proceedings.

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH advises investors requiring assistance across a range of building projects and associated transactions and tax liabilities, while also appearing for major contractors before the courts in damage and warranty claims. Clients rely on practice head Nikolaus Weselik for representation in all manner of construction disputes (both before the Austrian courts and via ADR) and also turn to him for assistance with the non-contentious aspects of infrastructure, hotel and residential projects, among others. Lukas Peissl offers additional litigation expertise, acting for several major Austrian construction companies in arbitration proceedings spanning ICC, VIAC, UNCITRAL and Swiss Rules hearings.

Müller Partner Rechtsanwälte is sought after by construction and engineering companies, both with regard to construction contracts and in disputes, where the practice handles claim management procedures for clients and appears for them in damage claims and compensation hearings before the Austrian courts. The team has seen its partner contingent expand at the turn of the year, with public construction law specialist Christoph Gaar and Roman Gietler, whose practice spans contentious and non-contentious construction matters, both being made up in January 2024. Continuing to spearhead the team are Katharina Müller, an expert in compensation and damage court and arbitration proceedings, and Bernhard Kall, whose focus lies in bidder-side procurement advice in addition to challenges brought against tenders and broader construction litigation.

Vavrovsky Heine Marth Rechtsanwälte is noted for its capacity to accompany clients ranging from construction companies to investors across the lifecycle of a project, advising on the drafting of contractor and project management contracts through to the sale or lease of facilities upon completion. Transactional matters form the core of ‘exceptionally talented deal-maker’ Christian Marth‘s practice, covering forward funding and purchase deals in addition to public law and planning matters. Marth leads the group alongside ‘leading and respected construction lawyer’ Nikolaus Vavrovsky, who appears for clients before the courts and arbitral panels in disputes stemming from issues between developers, contractors and investors, including contractual non-performance issues.

Ateus Rechtsanwälte GmbH is frequently called upon by both individual construction and engineering contractors and consortia in relation to challenges affecting major infrastructure projects, covering disputes arising out of cost overruns, contract terminations and defect and damage claims, while also assisting contractors with subcontracting matters. The practice’s leadership group consists of anti-claim management specialist and litigator Alexander Strehn, Dieter Stibi, who handles restructuring matters alongside his construction litigation work, and Rana Gomari, whose practice encompasses planning matters.

Cerha Hempel provides both advisory and contentious services to clients engaged in construction projects, assisting with project tenders, contracting and planning matters while also representing clients in warranty and damage claims both in the courts and via arbitration proceedings. Practice head Peter Vcelouch is active across the spectrum of construction and real estate issues, acting for clients making planning and zoning applications, assisting with the drafting of contractor agreements and appearing before the courts in costs and contractual disputes.

The construction team at DORDA Rechtsanwälte GmbH assists clients with public construction law issues and is well-versed in supporting them in transactions following the completion of projects. Heading the practice is a team consisting of Stefan Artner, who leverages his expertise in real estate transactions to assist development projects, construction litigation and arbitration specialist Gunnar Pickl and Magdalena Brandstetter, who handles forward funding and purchase deals in addition to civil engineering and plant construction matters.

Fellner Wratzfeld & Partners‘ construction practice incorporates expertise in public and environmental law to provide comprehensive planning advice to clients undertaking major building projects, ranging from residential and retail space to energy and transport infrastructure. Leading the practice is Michael Hecht, whose work covers planning and permit applications and environmental impact assessments in addition to public procurement challenges. Josef Peer provides further environmental law capacity and is also well versed in regional planning law.

Haslinger / Nagele Rechtsanwälte GmbH assists clients across a broad range of construction projects, with infrastructure forming a notable part of the practice’s core focus, but also supporting both public bodies and contractors involved in commercial space and hotel construction projects with planning matters. Leading the team in tandem are Wolfgang Berger, a specialist in environmental impact assessments and broader construction matters, and Roland Zauner, whose practice covers construction and regional planning law.

Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte)‘s construction team advises clients across a range of sectors, including infrastructure, residential and retail, on the development of critical projects, assisting with the drafting of general contractor agreements in addition to FIDIC and EPC contracts. Jointly leading the practice are Constantin Benes, who represents developers, construction companies and investors in construction disputes in addition to advising them on the development of industrial facilities, and Michael Lagler, who straddles the divide between real estate and construction law.