Europe Austria Capital Markets

With one of the leading capital markets teams in Austria, Freshfields provides full-service capital markets advice including high-value rights issuances, securitisations and large IPOs. The firm houses excellent capabilities in bond issuance and repurchasing, and medium-term note issuance. The group frequently advises on cross-border deals, working in collaboration with other Freshfields offices. The team also assists with derivatives and regulatory matters.

Schoenherr's excellent capital markets department offers wide-ranging expertise in DCM and ECM matters, including high-yield bonds and hybrid notes, EMTN programmes, share buy-backs and compliance advice. The firm has significant experience advising on large sovereign bond issuances for the Austrian treasury. Schoenherr routinely acts for well-known clients from the banking, energy and insurance fields, as well as for governmental clients, and is active on high-level cross-border transactions.

Wolf Theiss showcases an outstanding capital markets team particularly known for its prowess in advising domestic as well as global banks as issuers and bookrunners. The practice is acclaimed for its proficiency in large-scale bond transactions, including green bonds, hybrid bonds, Tier 1 notes and EMTNs. It also showcases capabilities in blockchain syndicated loans. Wolf Theiss offers the benefits of a strong CEE-wide network, frequently assisting with cross-border mandates in the region.

BINDER GRÖSSWANG represents both companies and underwriters in ECM, structured finance and DCM matters. The practice's particular strengths include the structuring and updating of debt issuance programmes and handling housing bond transactions, including convertible bonds. The team also advises on regulatory and compliance matters and has notable expertise in prospectus approvals with the Austrian Financial Market Authority.

CERHA HEMPEL houses a well-regarded capital markets practice that advises on prospectus preparation and updates, debt issuance programmes and a variety of bond placements, including green bonds and bank bonds. The team possesses further strength assisting with structured finance matters as well as regulatory issues. CERHA HEMPEL is particularly well versed in advising clients from the real estate and financial services sectors, often on cross-border deals.

DORDA is well known for assisting financial services providers with both ECM and DCM mandates. The team's expertise includes advice on private placements, public offerings, capital increases and directed share programmes as well as note issues and placements. The law firm's broad offering further includes advising clients on derivatives products and licensing procedures. DORDA regularly acts as Austrian counsel on cross-border transactions.

DLA Piper acts on the issuance and refinancing of corporate bonds and provides assistance with prospectus topics. The firm has recently worked on sustainability-based bonds. The team also advises on regulatory issues and fintech transactions. It frequently acts for companies and startups in the real estate and energy sectors, as well as financial services providers and public entities.

Weber & Co. is an active boutique with a longstanding DCM practice, assisting clients with sustainability-linked notes, debt issuance programmes and convertible bond transactions. The law firm also demonstrates expertise in ECM mandates, such as capital increases and accelerated bookbuilding matters, as well as advising on compliance issues. It represents banks, insurance groups and corporates and is active on both issuer and arranger sides.

CMS is added to the rankings due to its increased presence in the Austrian capital markets space. The firm primarily advises on DCM transactions including note and bond issuances, but also displays capabilities in share flotations and IPOs. CMS is particularly strong in cross-border transactions.

Herbst Kinsky joins the rankings due to its increased presence on the Austria capital markets scene. The firm is particularly active in ECM matters, advising on capital increases, IPOs and convertible products. Herbst Kinsky also has strong expertise in blockchain technologies and cryptocurrency matters including ICOs and compliance.