Founded in 1921, CERHA HEMPEL is among Austria’s largest and leading firms. Since the late twentieth century, the firm has been growing a network of offices in Eastern Europe that now encompasses branches in Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary,
Romania and the Slovak Republic.
The firm has a strong focus on all
corporate and commercial matters with especial strength in capital markets
regularly
representing leading listed Austrian
companies and issuers.
In banking and finance, the firm played a notable role
advising the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on a
high profile sale of 15% stake in Erste Bank Hungary
Zrt to the Erste Group Bank AG following the Hungarian government's exit from the ban.
Notably complex cross border and
inherent political challenges associated with the transaction.
In projects,
the firm is representing the
Republic of Austria in several state aid cases before the European Commission and the European Courts in high profile lawsuit against the European Commission in the Hinkley Point case state aid for the nuclear power plant - the Hinkley Point case is estimated to be valued at
€30 billion state subsidy.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development,
ERSTE Group
Bank
,
CYRRUS, a.s.,
RHI Magnesita,
UniCredit Bank Austria AG,
J.P. Morgan SE,
voestalpine AG,
VIG Vienna Insurance Group,
MFS Investment Management FCP,
Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederösterreich-Wien AG,
Vienna Stock Exchange,
OMV,
ASFINAG,
Vienna International Airport,
SES Spar,
Republic of Austria
“Very high expertise, still solution driven, pragmatic, hardworking.” – Capital markets equity
“High expertise, quick response, result-orientated, hands on if needed.” – Capital markets debt
“We have been working with CERHA HEMPEL for many years and appreciate the well-founded, always meaningful legal information, the good availability of the contact persons and the quick response.” – Investment funds
“Responsiveness, legal expertise and experience. Know our company and business as well as requirements and preferences very well. Very pleasant to work with.” – M&A
“Friendly, always responsive, smart, diligent.” – M&A
“Compared to other law firms, CERHA HEMPEL has a leading market position not only when it comes to quality of their services, but they also offer highly competitive rates and an outstanding 24/7 availability.” – M&A
“We have worked with Cerha Hempel for many years. Over the years, you learn to appreciate a trustful client-attorney relation. We are not only business partners,
we are friends.” – M&A
“Fast, great value for money, strong legal expertise.” – M&A
“We have worked with Cerha Hempel for more than 20 years. This is a well established long stemming business
relationship. They have been one of the leading firms 20 years ago and they still are. They keep up with legal development and provide the infrastructure of a large law firm. We grow
together. They are just
very good to work with.” – M&A
“They are able to handle highly complex and sophisticated matters while being responsive, business-minded, fully dedicated and with a great value for money.” – M&A
“They are excellent lawyers with a thorough grasp of the business reality. The transaction advice including SPA negotiations was proactive, thoughtful,
responsive and supportive of all our goals. In the current litigation they prove to be
absolutely firm bulletproof in the legal aspects and
highly understanding of the business logics.” – M&A
“Expert team, very responsive, clear answers.” – M&A
“Professional
behaviour, quick and exact answers.” – PPP
“Industry sector knowledge, legal knowledge and ability, negotiation skills, client
management, depth of team.” – Project development
“Quality of the partners, value for money, flexibility.” – Restructuring
“Albert Birkner is the star individual in Cerha Hempel. He has been advising us for more than 10 years without disappointments. He is the go-to partner in the firm.”
“Albert has
advised us for more than twenty years. We know each other inside out. He is the top shot on the Austrian legal market. Albert gets a deal done, Albert makes things go. He is a mighty lawyer.”
“Relationship management. Company knowledge. Flexibility.”
“Understands commercial and technical aspects of a project very well which is extremely helpful when aligning transaction documents with different workstreams inhouse.”
“He is an excellent, well-connected lawyer with a wealth of experience, whose advice is always well-founded and balanced. During negotiations, he has an excellent understanding of how to
take into account the legitimate interests of all negotiating parties and how to achieve the best possible negotiation result for his own client.”
– M&A
“He is a leading figure and top choice for high end M&A, being fully dedicated and on top of all aspects: legal knowledge, business-mindedness, negotiation strategy and skills and responsiveness.”
- M&A
“He is an excellent lawyer, a tough and successful negotiator. He has developed
a strong team, that
enables him to
leverage his time.” -
M&A
“Clemens is not only an outstanding lawyer with deep knowledge in M&A, corporate law and capital markets law, but he also has an in-depth understanding for the business needs and the strategy of our company. He makes the difference in complex negotiations.” – M&A
“Tremendous personal knowledge in specialised fields of law, good communication skills.”
“Extremely knowledgeable. Genius when it comes to drafting complex legal agreements/clauses.”
“Diligent work, quick responses, sound advice, thoughtful.”
