A decade ago, Austrian law firms stood out in terms of their regional presence in CEE. Wolf Theiss Partner Claus Schneider and CMS Managing Partner Johannes Juranek share insights into the growth trajectory of these regional law firms and the current landscape of the Austrian legal market.

Former Weinrauch Lawyer Wolfgang Gabler has joined the Real Estate team in Taylor Wessing’s Vienna office as a Partner.

Wolf Theiss, working with Baer & Karrer, has advised Farner International on the transaction that saw The Skills Group becoming part of European agency group Team Farner. Haider Obereder Pilz reportedly advised the sellers.

This article is part of a series on developments in Austrian environment and climate change law in 2022 and, in particular, focuses on case law developments. For further details on legislative developments see, "Key developments in Austrian environment and climate change law in 2022: part one – legislation".

Herbst Kinsky has advised AG Capital on the acquisition of majority stakes in Intelia and Embers and on the merger of the companies into a new group of companies. 

Herbst Kinsky has advised Star Capital Partners on obtaining a majority shareholding in the Myflexbox Austria corporate start-up – a spin-off from Salzburg AG fur Energie, Verkehr, und Telekommunikation – in the course of a capital increase. 

A spectre is haunting Europe – the spectre of… the Unitary Patent. With Germany having deposited its ratification document on 17 February 2023, this spectre is finally coming to life: the European Patent with Unitary Effect ("Unitary Patent") and the Unified Patent Court ("UPC") system will enter their preparatory phase. The actual launch date (the date as of which Unitary Patents will be in effect and actions can be filed with the UPC) is set for 1 June 2023.

2022 was a busy year marked by the late effects of the covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The latter has led to the rethinking of energy matters. Austrian legislation in 2022 was, therefore, characterised above all by new developments and amendments in energy law, with a focus on the expansion of renewable energy. This article is part of a series on developments in Austrian environment and climate change law in 2022 and, in particular, focuses on legislative developments.

Schoenherr, working with Raue, has advised Allmyhomes on establishing a joint venture with a consortium of Austrian real estate experts operating as Allmyhomes Venture Partner AT. Frimmel Anetter Schaal reportedly advised the consortium.

Taylor Wessing has advised the Amedes Group on its acquisition of the remaining 49% stake in ArchimedLife from VLSI Holding. KPMG Law advised the seller.

Wolf Theiss has advised the JP Hospitality Investors Club and the JP Immobilien Group on two hotel development and lease agreements for projects in Kitzbuehel and Trieste. DSC Doralt Seist Csoklich and Graf von Westphalen reportedly advised the two hotel operators.

On February 13, 2023, E+H announced that Airports Group Europe's increase of stake in the Vienna Airport through a voluntary public offer (reported by CEE Legal Matters on August 16, 2022) had closed.

Binder Groesswang, working with Davis Polk & Wardwell, has advised Lone Star on the American Chapter 11 restructuring of GTT Communications.

CMS Partner Daniela Karollus-Bruner has been elected to the Board of the Vienna International Arbitral Center of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

Wolf Theiss has advised Austrian state holding company OeBAG on the extension of its partnership with America Movil concerning Telekom Austria. Schoenherr reportedly advised Telekom Austria.

Wolf Theiss, working with Clifford Chance, has advised private equity investor Altor – on behalf of Altor Funds – on the acquisition of an 80% majority stake in Kommunalkredit Austria and entering into a partnership with the existing owners and the management of the bank.

Baker McKenzie, Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka, and Marek Partners have advised the Migros Group and its start-up incubator Sparrow Ventures on their investment in Revendo. Baer & Karrer advised Revendo's founders.

The ascendant popularity of ESG across business sectors has also empowered the rise of its evil twin: greenwashing. To look at the interplay between the two and their implications for the pharma industry in CEE, we sat down with CMS Partners Gabriela Staber and Tomas Matejovsky.