The ‘fantastic team’ at Binder Grösswang is sought after for representation in major multi-jurisdictional cartel matters and high-value mergers, with noted expertise in Phase II merger control proceedings and particular experience advising the automotive, food retail and wholesale sectors. Leading the team is ‘smart strategist’ Raoul Hoffer, whose practice spans Austrian and European merger control and antitrust law. These are also areas of focus for ‘excellent competition lawyer’ Christine Dietz. Isabelle Innerhofer specialises in cases of unfair competition and market dominance, and both she and Christoph Raab handle private enforcement proceedings.

bpv Hügel acts for a number of household names on EU competition proceedings and also advises on antitrust and FDI regulations, working closely with the firm’s Brussels-based team. The practice is frequently requested for high profile cartel proceedings, where it acts for defendants in a variety of sectors, most notably energy, telecoms and waste management among others. The firm’s competition matters are led by Astrid Ablasser-Neuhuber and Florian Neumayr, who handle proceedings before the Austrian competition authority and the courts, while Christian Schneider leads on European competition matters. Gerhard Fussenegger splits time between Vienna and Brussels, advising on antitrust, merger control and market dominance. Austrian FDI regulations fall under the remit of Sebastian Reiter.

Bringing to bear a ‘profound comprehension of Austrian and EU competition law,’ Cerha Hempel is often instructed on mergers and cartel cases spanning multiple European jurisdictions, assisting on merger control proceedings, and providing advice on FDI regulations and subsidy screenings. The firm acts for clients bringing private enforcement claims for damages as a result of cartel operations and is also noted for its state aid practice. Practice head Bernhard Kofler-Senoner frequently appears before EU bodies on both cartel matters and merger proceedings, including Phase II hearings. Anna Wolf-Posch offers extensive experience in merger control and FDI notifications, which she coordinates in Austria and across the CEE region, while Hans Kristoferitsch is noted for his knowledge of state aid regulations, representing clients in such matters before the ECJ.

E+H Rechtsanwälte GmbH‘s ‘proactive, pragmatic and solution-oriented’ team advises clients in the pharmaceutical, healthcare and transport sectors on cartel and merger proceedings in the EU, with Jochen Anweiler leading on such matters from the firm’s Brussels office. The firm also takes instructions concerning Austria’s FDI regulations. Dieter Thalhammer spearheads the firm’s competition group, specialising in antitrust compliance, cartel investigations and merger controls. Judith Feldner represents clients in EU and Austrian merger and investment control proceedings, while Andreas Zellhofer combines abuse of dominance expertise with a strong IP/IT practice.

Described as a ‘top team for all competition law matters,’ Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte) assists clients with filing merger control applications and clearing Phase I and II merger control proceedings, and is well versed in defending private cartel damages claims. The ‘very hands-on’ Christoph Haid leads the team, advising on cross-border merger filings and leniency applications, while Hanno Wollmann represents an extensive range of clients in public and private competition litigation, including cartel damages claims. Franz Urlesberger supports clients seeking to implement antitrust compliance measures, as does primarily Brussels-based Volker Weiss, who also advises on FDI regulations. Stefanie Stegbauer adds expertise in internal audits and e-discovery.

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH advises clients on a broad spectrum of Austrian and EU competition matters, including merger control and abuse of dominance proceedings, issues surrounding state aid and private damage claims hearings, among several others. The practice is led jointly by Dieter Zandler, who takes on cartel-related instructions, antitrust matters and merger controls, and Bernt Elsner, whose practice straddles competition and procurement law, advising consortia on the competition aspects of tenders, bid rigging and intra-group competition. Marlene Wimmer-Nistelberger specialises in EU state aid law.

Wolf Theiss Rechtsanwälte GmbH & Co KG delivers ‘high quality and prompt legal advice’ on a spectrum of competition matters, with longstanding expertise in merger controls, cartel matters and abuse of dominance proceedings, and a growing focus on both FDI controls and private enforcement claims resulting from cartel operations. ‘Exceptional antitrust lawyer’ Günter Bauer leads the practice, handling Austrian and EU cartel investigations and leniency applications for a broad range of clients, and Robert Wagner focuses on private enforcement proceedings and cooperation agreements. Stefan Wartinger, who was promoted to partner in September 2023, handles a mixture of cartel and merger control issues.

Baker McKenzie Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG handles a wide breadth of competition matters, with EU cartel investigations a particular area of strength but also covering merger and FDI control matters. The team is especially well versed in competition proceedings in the energy sector. Leading the team is Andreas Traugott, who acts for national and international clients on merger control matters and in cartel proceedings, in addition to state aid-related mandates. Anita Lukaschek focuses on leniency filings and contentious competition matters.

Barnert Egermann Illigasch Rechtsanwälte GmbH offers clients from Austria and further afield advice on merger controls and cartel investigations, and is also active in supporting investors in FDI control proceedings. The team is led by Isabella Hartung, who has particular experience in advising the energy sector on competition questions, including merger controls and cartel matters. She is also well versed in the area of state aid and proceedings under Austria’s Investment Control Act.

DORDA Rechtsanwälte GmbH‘s competition team is noted for its work in EU and Austrian antitrust and merger control proceedings, and also acts for both claimants and defendants in private enforcement cases concerning cartels. The ‘always on point’ Heinrich Kühnert has a broad practice, encompassing merger control, abuse of dominance, and state aid matters, and advising a spectrum of clients that range from energy and transport to media and healthcare. Elisabeth König left for an in-house role in January 2023.

Working in a ‘goal-oriented and focused manner,’ SAXINGER Rechtsanwalts GmbH specialises in multi-jurisdictional merger filings and also represents clients in cartel matters before the courts. Practice head Christina Hummer marshals a ‘remarkable depth of knowledge’ of European antitrust law, and is instructed by clients seeking to submit merger filings and those facing cartel investigations. Markus Fellner frequently appears before Austrian and European courts in relation to cartel and abuse of dominance proceedings.

The ‘highly skilled, solution-orientated’ team at Schima Mayer Starlinger Rechtsanwälte GmbH acts on merger filings, antitrust cases and immunity applications in Austria and within the EU, with key clients coming from the energy, healthcare, tourism and automotive sectors. ‘Competition expert’ Christian Mayer leads the team, focusing on antitrust matters and merger control proceedings, while also advising clients facing sector inquiries by regulatory bodies. Moritz Am Ende, who is also admitted to the Frankfurt Bar, is noted for his knowledge of state aid law in addition to Austrian and European competition law.

Taylor Wessing enwc Rechtsanwälte GmbH represents clients before Austrian and European authorities in competition and antitrust matters, and is also sought after for compliance advice. Martin Eckel leads the team, handling multi-jurisdictional merger control filings across the CEE region, in addition to covering abuse of dominance and penalty proceedings before the courts.

Covering a broad range of competition and antitrust matters, the ‘highly co-ordinated’ team at DLA Piper Weiss-Tessbach Rechtsanwälte GmbH handles multi-jurisdictional merger control proceedings and abuse of dominance cases in addition to FDI controls. Marc Lager leads the practice, assisting with cartel issues, horizontal and vertical agreements and merger control hearings. Nicole Daniel, who was promoted to partner in May 2023, handles pan-European competition proceedings.

EY Law - Pelzmann Gall Größ Rechtsanwälte GmbH brings together ‘great experience and expertise’ and its international network to advise clients on merger and FDI control proceedings in Austria and Europe, while also assisting clients with maintaining competition compliance and mitigating risks. David Konrath heads the team and specialises in antitrust proceedings and cross-border merger control matters.

Fellner Wratzfeld & Partners acts for clients in the banking and retail sectors among others, advising on merger control filings and with particular expertise in overseeing distressed mergers where restructuring or insolvency proceedings are necessary. Heading the team is Lukas Flener, who handles cross-border merger filings and cartel proceedings, and has further experience in private enforcement matters.

Herbst Kinsky Rechtsanwalte GmbH‘s competition team is instructed by both domestic and international clients on merger and FDI control hearings, taking on Phase I and II proceedings before Austria’s competition authorities. The team is led by a three-person team consisting of Christoph Herbst, who is a judge on Austria’s Constitutional Court, Sonja Hebenstreit, who advises on antitrust matters in addition to merger and investment control issues, and Valerie Mayer, who frequently appears before cartel regulators and courts in merger proceedings.

MMRA - Michael Mayr and founding partner Michael Mayr specialise in the full spectrum of Austrian and EU competition law, handling cross-border merger filings and joint ventures, cartel proceedings and abuse of dominance matters. Clients come from a diverse range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and media among others. Mayr also has experience in handling FDI control issues.

Schindler Attorneys brings a ‘competent, effective approach’ to Austrian and EU competition law, advising clients on FDI and merger control proceedings. The team is led by Philippe Kiehl, whose practice encompasses merger control and compliance matters, cartel issues, and cases concerning distribution and sanctions.