
About
Provided by Wolf Theiss
Our capital markets practice is one of the leading in Austria and the CEE/SEE. We support issuers in each stage of the transaction and help them to achieve a successful offering and/or listing.
Our Role
We help companies raise capital through IPOs, secondary offerings, and convertible and straight debt offerings. We advise on all aspects of issuing debt, equity and hybrid securities. Our work typically includes stand-alone corporate bonds and sovereign issues, exchangeables, MTNs and debt issuance programs, convertibles, hybrid and Tier 1, securities, structured products and equity.
Our Regulatory Expertise
We advise on Basel IIICRR V/CRR 2, BRRD II/SRMR 2, MiFID II/MiFIR, MAD II/ MAR, the new EU prospectus regime, AIFM/UCITS, derivative structuring and trading (EMIR, SFT), Solvency II, and capital market issues resulting from Brexit.
Our Cases
Our cases are often innovative, new and as such ground-braking. With the development of digital currency market, we have worked to establish our presence as a recognized expert in Austria. We have advised Bitpanda on the first ICO in Austria. We also advised Erste bank on the first European bond issue based on blockchain technology, paying special attention to ensure legal certainty and carefully map the blockchain-based processes that were used for the first time in Europe for such kind of transaction.
Chambers Review
Wolf Theiss showcases an outstanding capital markets team particularly known for its prowess in advising domestic as well as global banks as issuers and bookrunners. The practice is acclaimed for its proficiency in large-scale bond transactions, including green bonds, hybrid bonds, Tier 1 notes and Pfandbriefe. Its expertise additionally covers ECM deals, such as capital increases, as well as fund formation matters. Wolf Theiss offers the benefits of a strong CEE-wide network, frequently assisting with cross-border mandates in the region.
Notable Practitioners

Claus Schneider is highly regarded for advising Austrian and international banks on high-value transactions, including the issuance of bonds, notes and Pfandbriefe. Clients emphasise Claus Schneider's seniority and high status in the market: "Some refer to him as the guru of capital markets law because he is very experienced and sees a lot in terms of developments. When there is something difficult that needs coordinating he can easily communicate with the regulator."

Alexander Haas is particularly active advising banks as issuers or bookrunners on DCM transactions, including the issuance and listing of bonds and notes as well as AT1 capital. One client appreciates his straightforward, collaborative working style, noting: "He is very hands-on: one of his strengths is to deal with difficult situations by gathering all the parties involved and organising the communication."
Ranked Lawyers at
Wolf Theiss
Austria
Members
Provided by Wolf Theiss
Clients
Provided by Wolf Theiss
Advent International
Anadi Austria Bank
Apollo Global Management
BNP Paribas
Bank of America Merrill Lynch International
BlackRock
Borealis
Citi
Credit Suisse
Deutsche Bank
EBRD - European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
EIB - European Investment Bank
Erste Group Bank
Goldman Sachs
IFC – International Finance Corporation
ING Bank
JP Morgan
Kommunalkredit Austria
Meta
Mizuho Bank
Morgan Stanley
Oberbank
PORR Beteiligungen und Management
Raiffeisen Bank International
Société Générale
UniCredit Bank Austria
VIG - Vienna Insurance Group
Industries
Provided by Wolf Theiss
Banks
Construction
Energy
Financial Services
Funds
Information & Communications Technologies, Software
Infrastructure
Insurance
Private Clients
Private Equity
Professional Services
Public Sector
Real Estate