Fielding a team of ‘excellent lawyers’, Binder Grösswang handles a busy workload including advice on management terminations, employment aspects of business closures, working time law, and discrimination allegations, with the department receiving instructions from a broad sector range including retail, healthcare, insurance, and construction. The practice is jointly steered by Horst Lukanec, who excels in employment law advice related to restructurings, and Angelika Pallwein-Prettner, whose areas of expertise include collective labour law and employee data protection.

Employment boutique Burgstaller & Preyer Rechtsanwälte GmbH is highly competent in work surrounding reorganisations, staff secondments, collective bargaining agreements, and working time models. The practice is co-headed by the experienced litigator Helmut Preyer and Gerald Burgstaller, who handles co-determination rights, remuneration topics, and discrimination matters. Patricia Burgstaller‘s recent work highlights include advice on the closure of a production side and employment aspects of restructuring measures in the defence sector. Dominik Stella left the firm in August 2024, while Birgit Vogt-Majarek arrived in October 2024 from Schima Mayer Starlinger Rechtsanwälte GmbH.

Well-versed in employment law aspects of post-merger integration, CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH offers a wealth of experience in EU labour law, strike and antidiscrimination law, as well as niche expertise in the theatre and higher education sectors. Bernhard Hainz is well regarded for vast knowledge of labour law, including advice on collective agreements, social plans, and pension fund matters, and co-leads the practice alongside Christoph Wolf, who handles a broad scope of work, extending to the implementation of new working time models and restructuring measures. Daniela Krömer is a port of call of international matters with focus areas including industrial action and the Anti-Wage and Social Dumping Act.

Wolf Theiss Rechtsanwälte GmbH & Co KG is lauded for a track record in contentious matters such as proceedings regarding compensation during parental part-time work before the Supreme Court as well as well-rounded experience in corporate pensions schemes, collective bargaining agreements and employee poaching. Ralf Peschek sits at the helm of the practice with his multifaceted portfolio encompassing executive agreements, European employment law, and manager liability matters. Matthias Unterrieder is adept at cross-border staff assignments with a focus on the CEE region, management contracts, and employment aspects of reorganisations. Isabel Firneis is well versed in social plan negotiations, work council matters, and internal investigations.

Leveraging the firm’s international network, Baker McKenzie Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG is renowned for representing multinational corporations and demonstrates proficiency in labour disputes, restructurings, internal investigations and collective agreements. The group receives instructions from a variety of sectors such as consulting, food, construction, and technology and is led by Philipp Maier, whose focus areas extend to advice on insolvency-related employment topics, transfer of undertakings, and union law. ‘Highly experienced team member’ Simone Liebmann-Slatin is recommended for litigation matters as well as advice on business expansions and disruptions, while Andrea Haiden specialises in employment advice on transactions including post-merger integration.

Cerha Hempel is recognised for expertise in employment law aspects of M&A including due diligence, and court proceedings arising from the termination of employment, with a strong reputation in the education sector. Practice co-head Julian Feichtinger is an experienced litigator who handles the full range of employment and labour law, while fellow co-head Christopher Peitsch is a name to note for administrative proceedings relating to employment law. Susanne Molitoris specialises in market entry topics and advice related to outsourcing.

Noted by clients for providing a ‘high quality of service’, DORDA Rechtsanwälte GmbH is geared to handle the full range of employment matters including advice on clauses in employment agreements, reorganisations, and managing director agreements. Well versed in employment aspects of restructurings and reorganisations, Thomas Angermaier steers the team and frequently acts in employment court and arbitration proceedings, while Lisa Kulmer is another key contact.

Praised by clients for a ‘very high level of professional expertise’, E+H Rechtsanwälte GmbH  is well positioned to advise clients on employment aspects of corporate transactions, employee participation programs, and termination proceedings. Heading the department, Jana Eichmeyer‘s multifaceted repertoire extends to settlement negotiations, labour insurance topics, and advice on executive employment contracts. Natalie Hahn  left the team in September 2023, while Karolin Andréewitch-Wallner  departed in February 2024.

Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte)‘s team works together closely with experts across the firms various CEE offices and offers clients a full-service approach which extends to expertise in areas such as collective agreements, employment litigation, and cross-border posting of employees. Stefan Kühteubl ‘s broad practice extends to advice on management board-related matters and employee participation rights. Karin Pusch‘s focus areas include discrimination matters and the employment of foreign nationals. Teresa Waidmann was promoted to partner in February 2024 and is a key contact for employment law advice related to M&A, including due diligence, TUPE transfers, and post-merger employee integration.

Engelbrecht und Partner Rechtsanwälte is reputed for in-depth knowledge of collective agreements, contractual issues and employee benefit matters with a specialism in representing employers in the public sector such as outsourced companies and institutions. Leading the practice alongside Maria Schedle, whose areas of expertise include working time law, personnel leasing and EU employment law, Helmut Engelbrecht advises on a broad range of topics and is highly competent in pension insurance law.

Employment disputes are a core pillar of Fellner Wratzfeld & Partners‘ practice, which is reputed for proven knowledge of pension schemes, employee terminations, and international employment matters. The team is frequently sought out by clients from a variety of sectors, including banking, fast-moving consumer goods and financial services, and is led by Kurt Wratzfeld, whose multifaceted portfolio encompasses the full spectrum of employment, labour, and pension law. Florian Dauser offers niche expertise in the application of AI in HR management.

Praised by clients for exceptional technical competence, Gerlach Rechtsanwälte‘s team represents both employers and employees, including management members and work councils with focus areas such as employment advice on restructurings, unfair dismissals and benefits. Co-head Roland Gerlach‘s practice extends to social security law, HR aspects of M&A, and advice on employment contracts, whereas co-head Michaela Gerlach excels at the intersection of employment and corporate law.

Taylor Wessing enwc Rechtsanwälte GmbH handles a busy caseload encompassing matters related to international mobility, compliance, and employee representation. Practice head Wolfgang Kapek also leads the firm’s CEE practice and is a name to note for advice on the Whistleblower Protection Act and the full spectrum of compliance topics. Karolin Andréewitch-Wallner arrived in February 2024, strengthening the firm’s capabilities in cross-border transfers of undertakings, collective employment law, and ESG-related matters.

Eversheds Sutherland Rechtsanwälte GmbH‘s comprehensive offering is highly capable at supporting clients with transactions and entries into the Austrian market. The team works together closely with the firm’s IT and data protection specialists and advises on contracts, due diligence procedures, and transfer of undertakings. Practice head Silva Palzer is well versed in matters with cross-border elements.

Well versed in EU regulatory topics such as the EU Pay Transparency Directive, KPMG Law - Buchberger Ettmayer Rechtsanwälte GmbH is equipped to support clients with labour mobility topics, including work permits for foreign employees and representation before administrative authorities, negotiation of social plans, and restructuring measures. The practice is headed by the ‘brilliant expert’ Elisabeth Wasinger who frequently advises on the implementation of policies, labour law aspects of M&A deals and workforce downsizing.

Equipped to advise on the full range of employment matters, KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH  is recognised for established experience in employment-related data protection topics, contentious termination proceedings, and transfers of undertakings. Recently, the team developed new focus areas including works councils, remote work, and whistleblowing. Exemplifying the team’s strength in employee data transfers and data usage and protection, practice head Anna Mertinz also chairs the firm’s data protection group. Stefan Burischek joined the department in September 2024 from Schima Mayer Starlinger Rechtsanwälte GmbH after the departure of Martin Lanner.

Highlighted by clients for its ‘very pragmatic approach,’ PHH Rechtsanwält:innen GmbH‘s employment offering under the leadership of Nicolaus Mels-Colloredo spans litigation in court and administrative proceedings, cross-border employee leasing, and employment-related tax advice. Benefiting from the team’s noteworthy expertise in M&A advice, restructurings, and reorganisations, the group’s client roster ranges from start-ups and SMEs to international organisations.

SAXINGER Rechtsanwalts GmbH is well positioned to advise clients on both domestic and EU employment law and is reputed for experience in court proceedings, including the representation of employers in administrative penalty proceedings. The practice is co-led by the Wels-based Roland Heinrich, who offers vast knowledge of collective agreements, cross-border transfer of employees, and mass termination matters, and Linz-based Bettina Poglies-Schneiderbauer, whose broad practice extends to advice on collective agreements and management contracts.

Led by Georg Schima, Schima Mayer Starlinger Rechtsanwälte GmbH‘s ‘highly knowledgeable’ team provides expert advice on working time law, works council matters, collective bargaining issues, and internal investigations with a track record in litigation before courts. Philipp Gamauf‘s client roaster includes international corporations, SMEs, start-ups, investors, and real estate companies. Stefan Burischek departed in September 2024, while former co-head Birgit Vogt-Majarek left the firm in October 2024.

Housing a team of ‘highly valued experts in the field of labour law’, Zeiler Rechtsanwälte GmbH operates comfortably across the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment law including pensions, benefits, and data protection matters. The team’s focus areas include advice on performance management, executive contracts, unfair dismissal and discrimination claims. Hans Georg Laimer heads the practice and is reputed for a wealth of experience in court proceedings, restructurings and employment aspects of white-collar crime. Andreas Tinhofer  left the firm in December 2023.

Barnert Egermann Illigasch Rechtsanwälte GmbH is well regarded for advice on the establishment and termination of employments, compliance law, and business transfers, with particular strength at the intersection of employment and data protection law. Clemens Egermann heads the practice and frequently represents clients before public authorities in proceedings regarding cross-border assignment of employees.

Jank Weiler Operenyi is recommended for established experience in works council and collective bargaining agreements, employment and management contracts as well as advice on employment aspects of restructurings. The team is led by Stefan Zischka , who excels at the intersection of employment, social, and immigration law, and receives frequent instructions from various industries, including banking and finance, technology, retail, logistics, and automotive.

Drawing on the firm’s wider international presence, DLA Piper Weiss-Tessbach Rechtsanwälte GmbH‘s portfolio spans advice on employment disputes, internal investigation, work council negotiations and redundancies with the firm’s client roaster including numerous international corporates. Practice head Stephan Nitzl is well versed in supporting clients with company transfers and sales.

GRAF ISOLA  advises employees and management member on from various industries such as energy, life sciences, IT, and entertainment on company pensions, collective agreements, and penalty notices by authorities regarding wage and social dumping provisions. Jakob Widner chairs the practice and is an expert in contentious matters and employment contracts.

Herbst Kinsky Rechtsanwalte GmbH is proficient in employment law advice related to outsourcing transactions, M&A, and the privatisation of public enterprises and covers transfers of undertakings, employee data protection as well as disputes between employers and works councils. Co-head Anna Diensthuber specialises in immigration matters, administrative penalty proceedings, and virtual employee stock option programs steers the team alongside Johanna Pincolits, who joined the team in June 2024 from Schima Mayer Starlinger Rechtsanwälte GmbH and is a name to note for employment contracts and employee terminations.

Described by clients as a ‘professionally excellent boutique that is very pleasant to work with’, KÖRBER-RISAK Rechtsanwalts GmbH is led by the experienced litigator Katharina Körber-Risak and specialises in the full range of employment and labour law, with key areas of work such as advice to employers on sexual harassment in the workplace, collective bargaining law, and whistleblowing topics. The practice group’s former co-head Raphael Elia Schanda departed in October 2024.

Highlighted by clients for providing ‘an excellent service’, PwC Legal Austria-oehner & partner‘s multidisciplinary offering encompasses advice on management agreements, business transfers, cross-border mergers, and employee participation models. Leading the group, Ursula Roberts is well regarded for proficiency in foreign employment contracts, remote work issues, and the EU Whistleblowing Directive. Sandra Popp  joined the team in September 2024, strengthening the team’s capabilities in equal treatment and flexible working matters.