Cerha Hempel has advised ODDO BHF on establishing its Austrian branch.

On 17 December 2024, in a lawsuit brought by a tenant against his landlord for repayment of operating costs and rent increases based on indexation, the Supreme Court ruled (10 Ob 54/24z) that the landlord was obliged to repay the operating costs, but confirmed the validity of the value retention clause and provided some clarification on points that had previously been controversial.

Former Dorda Partner Bernhard Mueller has joined PwC Legal's affiliated Vienna office of Oehner & Partner as a Partner.

RPCK has advised Farm-ING on its conversion from a GmbH into a flexible company.

E+H, working with Willkie Farr & Gallagher, has advised Comply365 on its acquisition of Aviation Safety & Quality Solutions. Lindner Stimmler reportedly advised the shareholders of ASQS.

White & Case has advised the lenders on the financing for the acquisition of Cellnex's business in Austria. Binder Groesswang reportedly advised the lenders as well. Schoenherr, working with Hogan Lovells, reportedly advised the sponsors.

Brandl Talos has advised Highland Europe on its investment in SmaXtec as part of a round led by KKR. Dechert's Munich-based office advised the shareholders of SmaXtec. Gibson Dunn and Wolf Theiss reportedly advised KKR. 

E+H, working with Willkie Farr & Gallagher, has advised 3i Group on its investment in OMS Pruefservice.

Schoenherr has advised ImWind and Bloch3 on obtaining an environmental impact assessment permit in Austria for the Rustenfeld wind farm.

Wolf Theiss, working alongside Goodwin Procter, has advised McWin Capital Partners on its partnership with Austrian scale-up ElephantSkin.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

I have now spent more than 25 years in the legal advisory business world. With my core focus on cross-border M&A transactions for Austrian and international clients and having worked on many deals that also covered the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region, I have witnessed lawyering in CEE register remarkable growth and sophistication over the past years.

In recent years, accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis, the Austrian landscape of work has shifted, with remote working becoming a staple in the modern employment environment. In Austria, this development is reflected in the so-called 2021 “Home Office Act” which formalizes fundamental aspects of labor, tax, and social security law. However, the Home Office Act applies only to work performed from home.

E+H has advised ECOwind on its sale of the Baerofen wind park to Puespoek following an auction process. CMS advised the buyer.

TGS Baltic, working with Vinge, has advised Bergs Timber on the sale of its Latvian sawmill business Vika Wood to Nextwood One, part of the Austrian HS Timber group. Schoenherr advised HS Timber on the deal. Cobalt reportedly advised HS Timber as well.

E+H, working with Clifford Chance, has advised Interpath Holding on the acquisition of the Kerkhoff Group including its Austrian subsidiary Kerkhoff Consulting. Poellath advised the shareholders of the Kerkhoff Group on the sale.

Schoenherr has advised the managers involved on the Erste Group Bank’s issuance of EUR 1 billion 3% mortgage Pfandbriefe due 2032. Wolf Theiss advised the Erste Group Bank.

PHH has advised ATG Entertainment on establishing a new musical theater in Vienna together with the City of Vienna.