Starlinger Mayer Rechtsanwält:innen GmbH

Firm Profile

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Overview

Provided by Starlinger Mayer Rechtsanwält:innen GmbH

Managing Partners: Christian Mayer, Thomas Starlinger

Partners: Moritz Am Ende, Julia Andras, Markus Dax, Philipp Gamauf, Stephan Schmalzl

Number of partners: 7

Number of lawyers: 16

Firm Overview

sms.law – short for Starlinger Mayer Attorneys at Law – is a modern and dynamic Austrian business law firm based in Vienna. What began in 2015 with the founding of Starlinger Mayer Rechtsanwälte was driven by a shared vision of how legal work should function: at the highest professional level, with a clear focus on practical solutions – and in a cooperative spirit characterized by trust.

Christian Mayer and Thomas Starlinger, together with a dedicated team – which already included Moritz Am Ende – built a law firm that quickly established itself in complex areas such as EU & Competition Law and Energy Law.

In 2018, the firm merged with the team of Georg Schima – renowned for his expertise in Employment Law and Corporate Governance – to form SCHIMA MAYER STARLINGER. This strategic move expanded the firm’s legal focus to include Employment Law, Corporate Governance, Company Law, and Dispute Resolution.

In the years that followed, the team continued to grow steadily:

Stephan Schmalzl joined, now heading the Banking & Finance and Corporate/M&A practices;

Markus Dax brought in his comprehensive expertise in Real Estate Law;

Philipp Gamauf strengthened the Employment team and contributes across Corporate and Real Estate;

and in early 2024, Julia Andras joined the firm, reinforcing the firm’s capabilities in Dispute Resolution & Litigation.

A new chapter began in July 2025, when the firm rebranded as Starlinger Mayer Rechtsanwält:innen GmbH – the legal successor to SCHIMA MAYER STARLINGER Rechtsanwälte GmbH. The rebranding was accompanied by a structural realignment in best mutual agreement. Georg Schima has since been operating under the name conclusio Schima.

sms.law’s approach is to offer its clients not only efficient top-tier advice, spot-on communication, a quick response time, and availability – but, most importantly, innovative entrepreneurial solutions. The lawyers are fiercely dedicated to their work and are renowned for their in-depth knowledge and experience across a wide range of industries, from the energy sector to luxury products – providing the full spectrum of business law services.

The firm advises national and international clients across diverse industry sectors. One of its key assets in handling cross-border matters is its membership in MARCALLIANCE, one of the world’s most highly acclaimed law networks. This platform ensures access to a trusted international network of long-term partners and advisors across numerous countries.

Starlinger Mayer stands for legal excellence, commercial understanding, and personal reliability – with a well-coordinated team that supports its clients competently, pragmatically, and passionately in complex legal matters.

Main Areas of Practice

Employment | Key Contacts: Philipp Gamauf

Energy | Key Contacts: Thomas Starlinger, Christian Mayer, Moritz Am Ende

Competition & Antitrust Law | Key Contacts: Christian Mayer, Moritz Am Ende

Corporate/M&A, Corporate Governance | Key Contacts: Stephan Schmalzl, Christian Mayer, Philipp Gamauf

Dispute Resolution & Litigation | Key Contacts: Georg Schima, Julia Andras, Christian Mayer, Thomas Starlinger, Stephan Schmalzl

Banking & Finance | Key Contacts: Stephan Schmalzl

European & State Aid Law | Key Contact: Moritz Am Ende

Real Estate | Key Contacts: Markus Dax, Thomas Starlinger, Philipp Gamauf

Public Law | Key Contacts: Thomas Starlinger, Stephan Schmalzl

Private Clients, Succession Planning and Foundations | Key Contact: Stephan Schmalzl, Markus Dax

Industry Sector Expertise