Irene Welser

Practice Areas

Litigation & Arbitration, Corporate, Public Law & European Law, Real Estate & Construction, IP & Unfair Competition, Private Clients & Trusts

Career

Irene Welser is head of the Contentious Business Department. She has been an equity partner at CERHA HEMPEL for more than 30 years and as of 2022, is the Senior Partner of the firm.

Irene is a passionate arbitrator and litigation and has a strong academic background, having been appointed the youngest honorary professor ever at the University of Vienna.

Irene is a dedicated arbitrator and litigator with an unparalleled record of accomplishment in the Austrian market. She consistently represents major domestic and international industry leaders in Austrian court proceedings. Her commitment to these clients and record of success is widely recognised and results in clients entrusting her on an ongoing basis with their most difficult and challenging cases.

In addition to her work as an attorney, Irene regularly publishes and lectures on current developments in litigation and arbitration. She is Global Chair Emeritus of the Litigation Arbitration Dispute Resolution Section of Lex Mundi, regularly speaks at conferences, and – in addition to being an honorary professor - lectures at universities on arbitration and D&O liabilities.

Professional Memberships

Vienna Bar Association, International Bar Association, Austrian Arbitration Association, ASA - Association Suisse de l‘Arbitrage, Arbitral Women, LCIA - The London Court of International Arbitration, CELA - Chinese European Legal Association, Wiener Advokatengesellschaft UNION

Personal

University of Vienna (Mag.iur. 1986, Dr.iur. 1988); Hon.-Prof. 2003