Department profile
Wolf Theiss

Public Law: Planning and Environment

Europe Guide 2026 : Austria


Wolf Theiss

Rankings

About

Provided by Wolf Theiss

Public Law

Businesses are facing ever increasing economic regulatory requirements at European and local levels and often require sector-specific compliance advice. Our regulatory team advises clients across the CEE/ SEE region on the complex regulatory frameworks affecting their businesses and helps them prepare for future sector-specific compliance requirements.

Our team members have specialized expertise in a variety of sectors, including life sciences & healthcare, banking, data protection, insurance, waste management, infrastructure, energy and utilities, defence, sanctions and export control. Clients benefit from the team’s regional and industry-specific expertise and local regulatory knowledge which help them meet their specific compliance requirements.

Public Procurement

We assists both public and private contracting parties to ensure compliance with procurement rules while minimizing risks. We are frequently retained by public bodies and utilities operators to prepare and implement tender procedures. We advise private bidders by ensuring the compliance of their bid, negotiating with contracting authorities, and challenging unfair tender provisions and award decisions.

Our services include advising contracting authorities as full service provider, strategic tender planning, drafting tender documents, acting as awarding entity, maintaining comprehensive and audit-proof documentation, tender review proceedings, advising bidders in tender procedures and compliance.

Clients (33)

  • Vienna International Airport
  • KELAG
  • ÖBB - Austrian Railways
  • PORR
  • City of Vienna
  • Wiener Wohnen Kundenservice
  • Wiener Gesundheitsverbund (Vienna Hospital Association)
  • Albertina
  • Belvedere
  • Merck, Sharp & Dohme Corp.
  • NÖ Landesgesundheitsagentur
  • Abfallwirtschaftsverband Liezen (AWV Liezen)
  • Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
  • ADB Safegate
  • ALUKÖNIGSTAHL
  • The Government of Lower Austria
  • BERKA
  • BKH Lienz
  • Bodner
  • E-Control
  • Equans
  • Evora
  • Fonds Soziales Wien
  • HABAU
  • Hartl Bau
  • JTI
  • MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
  • PayCenter
  • Schloss Hof
  • Schloß Schönbrunn (Schönbrunn Palace)
  • Technisches Museum Wien (Technical Museum Vienna)
  • Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Schönbunn Zoo)
  • University of Vienna

Industries (25)

  • Healthcare
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Insurance
  • Real Estate
  • Construction & Materials
  • Telecommunications
  • Software & Computer Services
  • Government
  • Energy
  • Banks
  • Media
  • Transportation
  • Utilities
  • Retail
  • Private Clients
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Food & Beverage Producers
  • Mining & Metals
  • Financial Services
  • Consumer Product Manufacturing
  • Aerospace & Defence
  • Travel & Leisure
  • Technology, Hardware & Electronics
  • Art & Culture
  • Sanctions & Export Control

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Public Law: Planning and Environment - Austria

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For

Wolf Theiss houses an excellent public law department with expertise across procurement, planning and environmental as well as constitutional and administrative law. The team is renowned for its strength in large scale nationwide procurements and tender procedures, especially in relation to the transportation, infrastructure and healthcare sectors. Tender framework agreements and review proceedings are also handled by the law firm. Furthermore, Wolf Theiss offers strength in energy, telecommunications and gambling regulations with a particular skill set in mandates across CEE. Similarly, the law firm advises on constitutional and administrative proceedings and handles FDI restrictions. Clients further benefit from Wolf Theiss' strength in planning and environmental mandates including planning approval and permit procedures for construction and energy development projects. EIAs and mining and nature conservation law also fall within the law firm's comprehensive offering.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Wolf Theiss advised Wiener Gesundheitsverbund on a tender procedure related to the modernisation of Klinik Hietzing.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • I would describe Wolf Theiss' service as top-level legal advice. The team is very knowledgeable and adapts quickly to changes and innovations in the market.

    Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
  • Wolf Theiss knows everything that is going on in Austria.

    Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
  • Wolf Theiss clearly knows its stuff and its markets. I am always happy to recommend the team.

    Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
  • They understand our needs instantly, remain fully committed and consistently deliver the highest level of legal service. It is a genuine pleasure to work with them.

    Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Kurt Retter
    Band 1Kurt Retter

    Kurt Retter

    Kurt Retter is well placed to advise on a plethora of public law mandates, ranging from administrative proceedings to energy and telecommunications regulations and FDI restrictions.

    • Kurt Retter is a very nice colleague who is very confident.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
  • Band 1Manfred Essletzbichler
    Band 1Manfred Essletzbichler

    Manfred Essletzbichler

    Manfred Essletzbichler is an excellent practitioner and is widely appreciated by contracting authorities and large private companies for his strength in complex procurement proceedings and tender procedures often in relation to energy, transport and construction projects.
    • Manfred Essletzbichler is a true legend in the procurement sector. He is an exemplary lead of his team and one of the top procurement lawyers Austria has ever seen. I am very happy to know him and to work with him.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
  • Band 4Sebastian Oberzaucher
    Band 4Sebastian Oberzaucher

    Sebastian Oberzaucher

    Sebastian Oberzaucher often assists contracting authorities with procurement mandates including large tender framework agreements across the healthcare, transport and infrastructure sectors.
    • Sebastian Oberzaucher is really great. If you need him, you can talk to him. Every time you need help, he is open minded and able to translate legal terms for you. I am very happy he is on my speed dial.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
  • Band 4Silvia Fessl
    Band 4Silvia Fessl

    Silvia Fessl

    Silvia Fessl is widely recognised for her expertise in complex public procurement and public law matters in Austria. She is regularly instructed on high-profile and multifaceted tender procedures, particularly involving cultural landmarks, healthcare projects and urban infrastructure.

Ranked Individuals at Wolf Theiss (4)

Austria

Members

Provided by Wolf Theiss

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