The legal landscape for businesses in Austria keeps evolving, primarily driven by a new type of company called Flexcap, which offers improved tax treatment for employees and streamlined share transfers within companies, contributing to increased flexibility and opportunities for entrepreneurs, according to Herbst Kinsky Partner Phillip Dubsky.

Wolf Theiss has advised joint lead managers Erste Group Bank, Hypo-Bank Burgenland, Hypo Noe Landesbank fur Niederoesterreich and Wien, Raiffeisen Bank International, and UniCredit Bank on the Federal State of Lower Austria’s EUR 500 million issuance of 3.625% 2023-2033 bearer bonds. Fellner Wratzfeld & Partner reportedly advised the issuer.

Wolf Theiss has advised Ballingslov International on the acquisition of Dan-Kuechen. Binder Groesswang advised Dan-Kuechen on the sale.

Schoenherr has advised the Erste Bank on the legal implementation of the Financial Health Prototype text-based chatbot. 

Schoenherr has advised Wienerberger on its EUR 350 million issuance of 4.875% sustainability-linked 2023-2028 bonds. Wolf Theiss advised joint lead managers and bookrunners Commerzbank, Danske Bank, Erste Group Bank, and UniCredit Bank.

Dorda, working with Clifford Chance's Frankfurt office, has advised financial advisor Citigroup Global Markets Europe and co-financial advisor Erste Group Bank on the demerger of the telecommunications tower business of listed Telekom Austria Aktiengesellschaft and the subsequent admission of 166 million shares of the newly formed EuroTeleSites to trading on the Official Market of the Vienna Stock Exchange. CMS reportedly advised Telekom Austria.

Cerha Hempel, working with Cuatrecasas, has advised MW Holding and CAFS Invest, both affiliated with the XXXLutz Group, on the acquisition of Conforama Iberia from the current owner, a successor from the restructuring of the Steinhoff Group.

Binder Groesswang has advised P&V Holding Aktiengesellschaft on the sale of Hoelzel Verlag to Westermann Group subsidiary Medien Union. Eversheds Sutherland advised the Westermann Group.

Brandl Talos has advised Telos Impact on leading the EUR 12 million series A financing round of Kern Tec. Schoenherr advised EIC.

E+H has advised Burgenland Energie on its acquisition of a 25% stake in the Solah Group.

Cerha Hempel, working with Snell & Wilmer and Burges Salmon, has advised customized electronics manufacturer DiscoverIE Group on its acquisition of Slovakia-based antennas manufacturer 2J Antennas Group.

Graf Patsch Taucher has advised Sweden's ZetaDisplay AB on its acquisition of Austrian digital signage integrator Peakmedia Digital Signage. Schoenherr advised Peakmedia's founders on the sale.

On September 20, 2023, PHH announced that Kommunalkredit's EUR 37.5 million financing for the 63-megawatt Senyo photovoltaic plant in Hungary – commissioned by Green Source and Core Value Capital – (reported by CEE Legal Matters on August 7, 2023) had closed.

E+H, working with Osborne Clarke, has advised the Funke Mediengruppe on its acquisition of a stake in High Five. Brandl Talos advised High Five.

Cerha Hempel, working with Gattai Minoli Partners and Arendt & Medernach, has advised SES Spar European Shopping Centers on its acquisition of Il Grifone shopping center in Bassano del Grappa, Italy, from a company belonging to US hedge fund Marathon. Binder Groesswang, working with Legance, advised the seller. Risk Finance Brokers, acting on behalf of UlysseRe, arranged the warranty and indemnity insurance for the buyer.

Former Counsels Zeno Grabmayr, Adelina Iftime-Blagean, Maciej Olszewski, Aleksandar Ristic, Bruno Stefanik, and Stefan Wartinger have all become Partners in Wolf Theiss’ respective offices across CEE.

Wolf Theiss, working with Herbert Smith Freehills, has advised AustralianSuper on its EUR 1.5 billion investment to acquire a significant minority stake in Vantage Data Centers Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Schoenherr, working with Kirkland & Ellis, has advised Thoma Bravo portfolio company JD Power on the acquisition of the Autovista Group.