Irene Welser

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

Irene is a passionate litigator (and arbitrator) who 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. It is in large part due to her remarkable achievements as a commercial lawyer that she has developed a Private Client practice representing high net worth individuals and private estates.

Irene’s representation of prominent companies in Austria has attracted the interest of various business leaders, who want Irene to also handle their private legal affairs.

Head of the Contentious Business Department, equity partner with CERHA HEMPEL for more than 35 years and Senior Partner since 2022.

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.

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

University of Vienna (Mag. iur. 1986, Dr. iur. 1988)