About
Provided by bpv Huegel
Our competition practice is among the premier groups in the Austrian market, with one of its largest and most experienced teams. We regularly advise clients on a full spectrum of complex competition matters, including merger control, cartel defence (including leniency applications and dawn raids), abuse of dominance cases, follow-on private damages claims, the formation of joint ventures and cross-border M&A transactions, internal investigations, antitrust compliance, and various antitrust counselling matters. Our roster of blue-chip clients includes some of the largest organisations in Austria, as well as multinationals from around the world.
In addition to Chambers and Partners, we are also recognised as Band 1 by Legal 500, JUVE, and Global Competition Review.
Thanks to the firm’s affiliation with other top-ranked bpv Legal offices in the CEE as well as specialised firms across Europe, bpv Huegel provides a seamless cross-border service for the entire range of competition law issues arising in European jurisdictions, including multinational merger filings. With our office in Brussels, we also regularly advise in cases with a nexus to Austria or a bpv Legal jurisdiction on a merger, cartel, and abuse of dominance matters before the European Commission.
Chambers Review
bpv Huegel remains one of the leading competition law firms in Austria, with impressive experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters. The team represents clients in investigations into allegations of bid rigging and market inquiries, as well as in leniency applications and follow-on damages claims. It also assists with merger notifications for cross-border transactions and state aid queries for beneficiaries. Clients benefit from the firm's presence in Brussels for matters before the European Commission.
Work Highlights
- bpv Huegel represented Fond Of in a behavioural investigation before the Austrian and German competition authorities.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The lawyers are very responsive and understand the clarity of answers required to provide really useful advice."
"The lawyers have quick and profound understanding."
"The team gives clearly understandable recommendations for action and thinks outside the box."
"The lawyers are very responsive and understand the clarity of answers required to provide really useful advice."
"The lawyers have quick and profound understanding."
"The team gives clearly understandable recommendations for action and thinks outside the box."
Notable Practitioners
Gerhard Fussenegger is an Austrian law-qualified partner based in the Brussels office of bpv Huegel. He is known among market commentators in Austria as an important figure in the firm's competition law practice, earning praise for his work both on merger filings to the Austrian competition authority and on cartel investigations and follow-on damages claims.
Florian Neumayr is particularly active in contentious matters, representing clients in cartel investigations, leniency applications and follow-on damages claims. He also has experience in merger clearance mandates and state aid issues, as well as broader competition compliance matters.
"He is very knowledgeable and strategic, but user-friendly at the same time."
"It is a pleasure to work with him."
The outstanding Astrid Ablasser-Neuhuber is highly regarded for her ability to assist high-profile, multinational clients with both merger clearance notifications and cartel investigations. She also represents clients in sector inquiries carried out by the Austrian authorities.
"Astrid is very good in argumentation and answering difficult questions. We like to work with her and she gives us confidence in case something goes wrong; she is there for us."
"She is the best competition law expert we could wish for - competent, efficient and tirelessly supportive."
"She takes time for us and our concerns in the greatest stress without letting us feel it."