Department profile
CMS

Employment

Europe Guide 2026 : Austria


CMS

Rankings

About

Provided by CMS

We are not only Austria’s largest, but also the leading law firm in all fields of individual and collective labour law. Our areas of expertise include, in particular, the works constitution and all matters related to collective regulations as well as European labour law. Moreover, we specialise in pension fund law and the special labour regulations applicable to former state-owned companies.

We have been active in labour law for over 30 years, not only providing our clients with legal advice but also representing them in court (including the CJEU) and before public authorities. We also advise and support you in negotiations with unions and works councils. Our expertise in labour law extends far beyond Austria’s borders and encompasses a wide variety of different sectors. We provide guidance and support to banks, insurance companies and businesses in the industrial, telecommunications and service sectors as well as to health institutions and universities.

The main focus of our activities is on advising clients on the establishment and termination of employment contracts, on negotiating and concluding collective bargaining agreements and works agreements between employers and works councils, and on providing advice on labour law issues related to changes in working conditions and all aspects of employee data protection law. We also advise you on all labour law aspects of business transactions, restructurings and reorganisations.

Clients (13)

  • A1 Telekom Austria
  • ÖBB (Austrian Railway Association)
  • Burgtheater GmbH
  • Österreichische Post AG
  • Amgen
  • Otis
  • Vamed
  • Siemens AG
  • Wiener Stadtwerke Holding AG
  • General Motors
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • University of Vienna
  • Entire Austrian credit sector

Industries (16)

  • Aviation
  • Banks
  • Energy
  • Consumer products
  • Education
  • Financial institutions
  • Government
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
  • Retail
  • Software & Computer Services
  • Sports
  • Technology, Hardware & Electronics
  • Telecommunications
  • Transportation

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment - Austria

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

The market-leading employment law practice at CMS boasts impressive bench strength that is highly sought after by clients from sectors including TMT, life sciences, education and financial services. The team regularly advises on remuneration schemes, working time arrangements and data protection issues, as well as contract revisions. Additionally, the law firm demonstrates prowess in handling M&A-related employment mandates, restructurings and social plans pertaining to mass redundancies as well as cross-border business and employee transfers, where the law firm leverages its excellent international office coverage. Its strength in employment litigation as well as working-from-home regulations further complements the law firm's holistic services.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • CMS advised Österreichische Post on an alleged failure to implement the EU Working Time Directive through collective agreements.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • In urgent matters, CMS is immediately available and provides excellent support. The team's responses are always timely.

    Employment respondentEurope
  • At CMS, top-level expertise meets a practical and solution-oriented approach. The team demonstrates particular strength in complex and demanding matters.

    Employment respondentEurope
  • CMS has a well-established team, distinguished by a combination of high professional competence, a high degree of professionalism, practical and goal-oriented advice and a client-focused approach.

    Employment respondentEurope
  • CMS does very satisfying work on employment law. We get immediate, pragmatic solutions to our questions.

    Employment respondentEurope
  • The CMS team readily embraces new legal challenges.

    Employment respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleBernhard Hainz
    Senior StatespeopleBernhard Hainz

    Bernhard Hainz

    Bernhard Hainz is considered one of Austria's most experienced lawyers, capable of advising across the full spectrum of employment law including terminations, working time agreements and compensation issues. He also assists with restructuring mandates and is particularly active in the art and culture sector.

  • Band 1Christoph Wolf
    Band 1Christoph Wolf

    Christoph Wolf

    Christoph Wolf caters to a prestigious clientele from the TMT, retail and education sectors. He handles contentious as well as non-contentious employment matters, ranging from dismissal proceedings and collective agreements to remuneration schemes and data protection issues.

    • Christoph Wolf delivers services of a very high standard and provides us with outstanding support.

      Employment respondentEurope
  • Band 2Jens Winter
    Band 2Jens Winter

    Jens Winter

    Jens Winter regularly advises on all employment law issues, including the negotiation of works council agreements, employee and pension transfers connected to restructurings, as well as working time models. He also represents companies in employment disputes, such as those concerning company pensions and terminations.

  • Band 4Andrea Potz
    Band 4Andrea Potz

    Andrea Potz

    Andrea Potz operates a broad employment law practice, with notable experience representing clients in disputes related to discrimination claims and contract terminations. She further advises on collective bargaining agreements and internal investigations.

    • Andrea Potz immediately understands our problems and where we want to go with our questions.

      Employment respondentEurope
    • Andrea Potz impresses with her outstanding expertise and her consistently practical and solution-oriented approach.

      Employment respondentEurope
    • She is always up-to-date on current topics and readily available to offer advice and support. She stands out for her dedication and practical consulting of the highest calibre.

      Employment respondentEurope

Ranked Individuals at CMS (4)

Austria

Members

Provided by CMS

CMS has rankings in the following guides

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