Department profile
Wolf Theiss

Competition/European Law

Europe Guide 2026 : Austria


Wolf Theiss

Rankings

About

Provided by Wolf Theiss

European and local enforcement authorities are increasing their scrutiny of companies in many sectors, particularly in matters involving competition law. Businesses need comprehensive advice to prevent unwelcome surprises down the road. Our Competition & Antitrust team helps companies assess and improve the compliance of their operations so they can focus on what is important for them: staying competitive.

We advise on EU and national competition law matters with an eye to our clients' success. This means providing reliable, predictable results, fast. For many years, we have advised and represented on all aspects of competition law, including cartel investigations, merger control, abusive practices, private enforcement (damages claims), co-operation and distribution agreements, state aid, as well as foreign direct investment (FDI) screening proceedings. Organising competition law audits, providing trainings and representing clients before national competition authorities, the EU Commission and courts are among our specialties – no small matter, when you consider that Wolf Theiss has offices in 13 countries throughout CEE/SEE and a central European hub in Brussels.

Clients (7)

  • ALSO
  • KKR & Co. Inc.
  • PORR
  • Altor Equity Partners
  • American Industrial Partners (AIP)
  • ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG
  • XXXLutz

Industries (18)

  • Automotive
  • Banks & Financial Services
  • Chemicals
  • Construction & Materials
  • Consumer Products Manufacturing
  • Energy
  • Food & Beverages
  • Forestry & Paper
  • Healthcare
  • Insurance
  • Media
  • Mining & Metals
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Retail
  • Technology
  • Telecommunications
  • Transportation
  • Utilities

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition/European Law - Austria

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For
Wolf Theiss often represents clients in behavioural investigations, including in relation to allegations of bid rigging, price fixing and information sharing. In addition to its work on behavioural matters, the team is very active in merger clearance and FDI notifications. It is also accomplished in compliance mandates. The firm's network of offices in the CEE region allows it to help clients with multi-jurisdictional matters in the area.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Wolf Theiss advised XXXLutz on the competition law aspects of its proposed acquisition of BRW.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • It's great to work with the team. The lawyers are very business-minded and solution-oriented. We get quick answers and a clear picture.

    Competition/European Law respondentEurope
  • We appreciated the team's major experience combined with easy-going but skillful and creative people.

    Competition/European Law respondentEurope
  • The team can explain complex matters in simple terms and is very responsive.

    Competition/European Law respondentEurope
  • We were able to get responses in tight deadlines and the team was able to leverage its other offices in time sensitive cases and able to staff up quickly.

    Competition/European Law respondentEurope
  • The team had a quick understanding of the industry and was able to recognise our success factors.

    Competition/European Law respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Günter Bauer
    Band 1Günter Bauer

    Günter Bauer

    Günter Bauer is an important figure in the Austrian competition law market, with notable activity in high-profile cartel investigations. He additionally defends clients in private enforcement damages actions and advises on merger clearance filings and foreign direct investment notifications, including those that require phase II investigations.

    • Günter Bauer makes every one of our projects an agreeable experience.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope
    • He is able to translate a complex topic into business language and to give advice to make sure we can remain compliant while still doing business.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope
    • He is a distinguished expert in the relevant practice area and has also proven to be an excellent strategist when tackling various legal challenges.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope
    • He has a broad knowledge and a very friendly and down-to-earth attitude.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope
    • Günter Bauer is fantastically experienced. He has an excellent grasp of the law and practice relating to antitrust and FDI. He is a fantastic team player and a good person to work.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope
  • Band 4Stefan Wartinger
    Band 4Stefan Wartinger

    Stefan Wartinger

    Stefan Wartinger moves up in the rankings this year following his involvement in a number of high-profile cartel and abuse of dominance investigations. He has further experience assisting clients with merger control filings and with competition law compliance issues.

    • He has creative ideas and is also very pleasant to work with.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope
    • He is a nice guy, who is very pragmatic, fast and very responsive.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope
    • The advice is very on-point, easily digestible and takes account of the issues I face in-house. The discussions get me to an easily digestible solution.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope
    • He was very responsive and it was a pleasure to be working with him.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope
  • Up and ComingRobert Wagner
    Up and ComingRobert Wagner

    Robert Wagner

    Robert Wagner enters the rankings this year on the back of notable activity in multi-jurisdictional merger control filings. He has further experience in competition law compliance matters, particularly around distribution strategies.

    • Robert Wagner has an effective approach in concrete cases, both with recognising the specifics of our business, as well as with applying legal norms to a specific factual situation.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope
    • He is able to meet tight deadlines. He is pragmatic and provides good drafting.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope

Ranked Individuals at Wolf Theiss (3)

Austria

Members

Provided by Wolf Theiss

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