With legal services in a constant state of technology-driven evolution, Austria-based Legal Tech Hub Europe is trying to revolutionize the legal industry by fostering innovation and embracing the digital future. Partners from Dorda, E+H, Herbst Kinsky, and Schoenherr – four of the five firms spearheading the hub – talk about the initial set-up of the LTHE and its milestones over the last six years.

The Austrian government has recently enacted the Start-Up Promotion Act to nurture its start-up ecosystem and enhance employee participation in corporate growth. Wolf Theiss Partner Hartwig Kienast analyses how this legislation integrates with Austria’s existing legal framework and its implications for start-ups, employees, and the broader economic landscape.

An in-depth look at Francine Brogyanyi of Dorda covering her career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about her as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.

Kinstellar has advised Dutch aircraft maintenance provider SAMCO Aircraft Maintenance on the acquisition of Austrian Airlines Technik – Bratislava. CMS, working with Netherlands-based BarentsKrans, advised Austrian Airlines on the sell side.

Schoenherr has advised Euro Real Estate Holding on the indirect acquisition of the City Tower Vienna via United Benefits Holding from Immofinanz. Reportedly, Jank Weiler Operenyi advised Immofinanz and Wolf Theiss advised UniCredit Bank Austria.

E+H has advised PAI Partners on the acquisition of VAMED Group's rehabilitation business from Fresenius. Schoenherr, working with Latham & Watkins, advised the sellers. Reportedly, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, Novacos, Baer & Karrer, KNPZ Rechtsanwaelte, and Havel & Partners advised on the deal as well.

Felix Prechtl – the former S IMMO Head of the Corporate Office & Capital Markets – has returned to private practice by joining Doralt Seist Csoklich in Vienna as an Attorney at Law.

It has been a long time coming and is among the most requested changes in criminal procedure law. Finally, on 24 April 2024, the Austrian government presented a draft bill aimed at increasing the contribution to legal costs for suspects acquitted in criminal proceedings. While it is a giant step forward, serious doubts remain about whether it goes far enough.

PHH has advised RGreen Invest on its EUR 50 million financing for the CCE Group to start construction of a 400-megawatt portfolio of photovoltaic projects. Dentons and Dumfarth Klausberger advised CCE.

Taylor Wessing has advised a syndicate of international banks on their EUR 600 million facility agreement for Wienerberger AG to refinance its acquisitions of the Terreal and Creaton groups. E+H reportedly advised the borrower.

Dorda has advised the Czech RSBC Investment Group on its strategic acquisition of Austrian firearm manufacturer Steyr Arms.

Taylor Wessing has advised the shareholders of the international Denkstatt Group on its integration with EY in Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia. EY Law reportedly advised EY.

Binder Groesswang, working with Hengeler Mueller and Baer & Karrer, has advised private equity investor Trill Impact on its partnership with cleanroom plastics manufacturer TT Medic.

DLA Piper has promoted Ekaterina Larens to Partner in Austria, effective May 1, 2024.

Wolf Theiss has advised the Arkema Group on its acquisition of a nearly 78% stake in ionic liquid start-up Proionic.

Austria’s real estate business currently faces multifaceted challenges following the unexpected rise of interest rates and inflation in 2022, according to Knoetzl Partner Bettina Knoetzl, with “the SIGNA Holdings insolvency sending shockwaves throughout the industry and the country.”

On the evening of April 25, 2024, the Deal of the Year Awards Banquet brought together, under the same roof, top-tier lawyers from Central and Eastern Europe's leading law firms in the region in Warsaw.

Dorda, working with Wilson Sonsini, has advised fintech company IXOPAY and shareholders Rene and Nathalie Siegl on the merger with US cloud tokenization provider TokenEx. Wolf Theiss, working with US-based Morris Manning & Martin, advised TokenEx.