Europe Austria Competition/European Law

BINDER GRÖSSWANG moves into the top tier of the rankings this year on the back of impressive activity in both contentious and non-contentious competition law matters. The firm is well regarded for assisting with merger clearance filings, particularly in multi-jurisdictional transactions. Team members often represent clients in high-profile damages actions arising from competition investigations. It has further strength assisting clients with potential cartel and abuse of dominance infringements. The team also handles state aid matters.

bpv Huegel remains one of the leading competition law firms in Austria, with impressive experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters. The team represents clients in investigations into allegations of bid rigging and market inquiries, as well as in leniency applications and follow-on damages claims. It also assists with merger notifications for cross-border transactions and state aid queries for beneficiaries. Clients benefit from the firm's presence in Brussels for matters before the European Commission.

Schoenherr continues to be one of the most highly regarded competition law firms in Austria. The team covers the full range of antitrust matters, advising on merger clearance filings, cartel investigations, follow-on damages claims and state aid issues. It also assists with competition compliance, particularly in connection with commercial agreements and distribution strategies. Clients benefit from the firm's network of offices across the CEE region and in Brussels for assistance with multi-jurisdictional matters.

CERHA HEMPEL is well known for assisting clients with merger clearance mandates and foreign direct investment notifications. The law firm offers additional experience in behavioural investigations, as well as high-profile follow-on damages claims and state aid matters. Team members also act on competition compliance matters, particularly around commercial agreements.

E+H has a strong focus on advising clients on merger clearance mandates. The law firm additionally represents clients in behavioural investigations and in subsequent damages claims. Team members also handle state aid matters and competition compliance issues. The team is popular with clients from the technology and transportation sectors. The firm is able to handle matters before the European Commission as well thanks to its presence in Brussels.

Wolf Theiss often represents clients in behavioural investigations, including in relation to allegations of bid rigging, price fixing and information sharing. The law firm also assists clients with leniency applications. In addition to its work on behavioural matters, the team is very active in merger clearance and FDI notifications. It is also accomplished in compliance mandates. The firm's network of offices in the CEE region allows it to help clients with multi-jurisdictional matters in the area.

Baker McKenzie's Austrian team often works with the firm's network of international offices on the competition law aspects of multi-jurisdictional corporate transactions, advising on merger clearance and foreign direct investment notifications. The law firm also handles contentious competition law matters, including representing clients in behavioural investigations and acting for both claimants and defendants on follow-on damages litigation.

Barnert Egermann Illigasch is a popular choice with clients from the pharmaceutical sector, as well as private equity houses and industry associations. The law firm particularly advises clients on merger clearance and foreign direct investment notifications. The team also acts on abuse of dominance and cartel investigations.

DORDA has a broad competition law practice. On the non-contentious side, it assists clients with phase I and II merger clearance and FDI processes. The law firm's contentious practice represents clients in behavioural investigations, as well as in subsequent appeals and damages claims. The team often assists with competition compliance matters, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, and with state aid matters in the transport industry.

CMS is particularly active in merger clearance matters before the Austrian authorities, often collaborating with the law firm's offices in other jurisdictions on filings for multinational transactions. The team additionally handles contentious matters, representing clients in cartel investigations, leniency applications and follow-on damages claims.

SCHIMA MAYER STARLINGER often assists clients with merger clearance notifications and the competition law clearance for joint venture agreements and research collaboration agreements. The law firm also acts on competition compliance issues, including advising beneficiaries on state aid issues.