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.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a broad group of commercial law practices with good, experienced teams covering all areas of work relevant to the ranking tables. The firm’s corporate practices are especially strong and capital markets is an area of work the firm is renowned for.

The firm is experienced in the banking work. It is known for assisting large corporates and lenders (international and domestic) in negotiating loans and has done recent notable work in the swathe of bank restructurings undertaken by some of Austria’s largest lenders.

Historically the firm was renowned for its equity capital markets advice, particularly on the issuer side, it continues to represent a number of large Austrian listed businesses. In line with the market, in recent years its team has been more active on the debt side. It often acts as issuer’s counsel on bond issues by the country’s larger corporates.

The firm has strong relationships with Austrian leading companies that often call on it to advise on cross-border M&A.

Sectors of focus for the firm include banking, oil and gas, real estate and telecoms. 

Key clients

The firm has strong relationships within the banking sector, advising clients such as Commerzbank and Erste bank. It also represents large Austrian companies, including CA Immobilien, S IMMO, XXXLUTZ Group, A1 Telekom Austria Group and OMV – a longstanding client that is among the 500 largest listed companies in the world.

Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

During the research period, the firm was active in banking and finance, debt and equity capital markets, M&A, project development and restructuring.

In banking and finance the firm worked on loans and financings for lenders and borrowers connected with the banking, manufacturing, energy and consumer goods sectors.

In debt capital markets the firm worked on bond issuances for clients linked to the financial services.

In equity capital markets the firm worked on IPOs and secondary share offerings for clients connected with financial services.

In M&A the firm worked on acquisitions for a mix of acquirers and sellers in the manufacturing, oil and gas and financial services sectors.

In project development the firm worked on projects for clients in the oil and gas, transport and utilities sectors.

In restructuring the firm worked on deals for a mix of shareholders and creditors in the construction, technology, energy and consumer goods sectors.

Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

AT&S €350 million note issue

Celebi restructuring

EG Group €614 million acquisition of OVM's Southern Germany filling station business

Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Bank lending : Borrower side

"They were very timely in their advice and availability. They were very knowledgeable and professional."

Banking and finance

"They had extensive knowledge and expertise in the area required, which was extremely helpful in the negotiation of the agreement."

Capital markets : Debt

"Preparation, review and examination of all documents involved. Representation of AT&S with regard to the legal side of the investment banks as well as to other parties involved (auditors, legal/risk representatives of investment banks). Submission and negotiation of the bond prospectus with the Austrian Capital Market authorities. - guidance and close attendance of the processes around the execution and tender period "

Capital markets : Equity

"They provide fast feedback to our requests, they know our industry very well and they are interested in understanding exactly what we do in order to provide their advice."

"Reliable, highly accessible, pragmatic and solution-driven, excellent knowledge."

"High competency, very pragmatic and solution-driven, reliable, hands-on mentality, always available when it matters."

Financial services regulatory

"Vast experience, quick turnaround, highly available, very well reputed, deep knowledge."

M&A

"1. Profound knowledge; 2. quick and professional responses; 3. available 'round the clock'; 4. international network."

"To the point, flexible, look over the edge."

"The CERHA team is always there when you need it, which is basically 24/7 in some transactions. Professional, experienced, knowledgeable, providing the right team for the respective task, very dedicated, result oriented, quick and flexible. Value for money."

"Very business-minded and responsive; great value for money."

"Thorough, hands-on, quick."

"They are fast, responsive, to the point, solution-oriented and apply a commercial mindset; they seek pragmatic positions rather than following endless dogmatic discussions."

"The firm has been providing us with very comprehensive advice on corporate transactions for many years, pointing out all the benefits and risks involved. "

"The firm goes the extra mile. They have advised us in M&A, PE/VC, insolvency, restructurings, litigations, everything. They offer great quality, are available whenever I ned them. It is just pleasant to work with them. "

"Responsive, well organised, high-quality, full service in the relevant jurisdictions."

"Professional, pragmatic, solution-oriented, fast and flexible."

"Most experienced; reliable; quick; very commercial."

"It is a full-service firm. Mostly we need corporate support. However, if it comes to labour, data protection, compliance or any other issue, the firm is well equipped and can support with quality advice. "

"In Austria, they are a leading firm in both corporate and M&A. They are particularly good at steering clients and finding viable solutions."

"Highly responsive, great industry knowledge, practical advice, top quality."

"Great understanding of business requirements, negotiation support, legal due diligence, high-quality legal support, very responsive."

"Good value for money and business-oriented approach."

"For us, the firm regularly is the perfect fit since it offers a perfect combination of utmost responsiveness, top-level legal advice, great value for money, a team that knows our firm very well and a great international network for partner firms to extend the team for further jurisdictions. "

"Excellent legal knowledge and ability. Business-driven and problem-solving advice. Depth of team and international network."

"Excellent client relationship management. Excellent depth of team. Excellent legal knowledge."

"Best M&A and one of the best corporate firms in Austria. On top of outstanding expertise, there is a true understanding of the client."

Project development : Energy

"Excellent depth of team. Excellent legal knowledge and ability . Excellent sector knowledge. Innovative solutions."

Project development : Infrastructure

"They are unique when it comes to client-oriented, top-notch legal work. They understand what we want to do and their input always brings added value to the project. Their knowledge as well as their quick turnaround times are to my experience unparalleled."

Registered funds

"Extremely thorough and proactive; they help us see 'around the corner'."

Restructuring

"Keep an overview when many issues at once get complicated. Experts in every required legal field."

"We (I and our client) were impressed by the high-quality and accurate advice provided, in a rather brief timeframe. In fact, the case has developed according to client’s wishes. "

Retail funds

"The firm is proactive and advises us of local changes/requirements before we know that we need to comply. Also, the firm takes care of all the local requirements, i.e., liaising with local bodies. This is particularly helpful as we don't have a local presence."

Albert Birkner

"Excellent lawyer and partner, accompanying us for more than 20 years now"

"Very experienced, very efficient, real M&A expert, deep knowledge, solution-oriented."

"No. 1 M&A lawyer in Austria. Brilliant. Very rounded and always on top."

"He is the leading individual in the firm and one of the leading individuals on the Austrian corporate M&A market; he is fast, always on top of things, a strong negotiator and his legal skills are impressive. He regularly outperforms his competitors."

"No. 1 in M&A in Austria; an outstanding lawyer and deal maker; a delight to work with."

"He has advised us for more than 18 years. He is our lawyer of trust. Albert is reliable, skilled, always dominating negotiations when we need it, at the same time rational and focused on our business aim. We always know that we have the best lawyer on our side. "

"He is the no. 1 in Austria for M&A, and one of the top five for corporate work. Simply brilliant."

"He is THE lawyer with the firm. He has been with the firm for 27 years. There is nothing he has not seen in his career. And still, he is very active in each file, drafts, negotiates. Great guy, could not think of anyone better. "

"Very experienced, excellent communicator, top M&A lawyer."

"Very business-oriented. Great focus on customer relationship."

Heinrich Foglar-Deinhardstein

"Knowledgeable, user-friendly, quick to respond. "

"Works very fast, understandable, very polite, solves and explains complicated problems very quickly, always available, solution-oriented, always offers economically reasonable solutions."

"Very good legal knowledge, very good communication."

Volker Glas

"Highly accessible, pragmatic, solution-driven, excellent knowledge, reliable."

"Highly proficient with huge experience in this area; calm and positive attitude; always available; perfect time management."

Claudia Hanslik-Schneider

"Her diligence and patience with impatient clients is unparalleled, as is her legal knowledge. "

Clemens Hasenauer

"Always keeps the overview, even in complex situations. Thinks strategically, extremely knowledgeable regarding legal expertise as well as industrial knowledge.
Friendly, positive attitude, problem-solver."

"Outstanding legal knowledge and ability. Outstanding negotiations skills. Outstanding innovative legal solutions."

"Excellent knowledge, translates knowledge easily into solutions, high reliability."

"Top negotiator. Understands business implications of legal issues. "

"One of the best lawyers in Austria, great negotiator, finds solutions that really work."

"He stands out as a market-leading M&A lawyer who really understands our business needs and always comes up with sustainable solutions due to his vast experience and great technical and negotiation skills. Also, he is available day and night and regularly makes the difference in tough and long-lasting negotiations."

"Extremely knowledgeable; convincing performance in every M&A transaction; great listening skills; highly intelligent and dedicated, puts himself in your shoes and develops legal solutions from there; educated; friendly; quick mind, great speaker."

"He is an excellent professional and very prudent adviser."

"Excellent legal knowledge and ability, innovative legal solutions. Excellent negotiation skills, business-driven and problem-solving work approach."

Stefan Huber

"Besides being an excellent regulatory lawyer, he is maybe the fastest lawyer I have ever worked with."

Peter Knobl

"Incredibly proactive, technically excellent and very personable."

"Extensive knowledge and expertise in the area required, which was extremely helpful in the negotiation of the agreement."

"Very responsive, meets deadlines, interested in finding good fee solutions for us."

"Highly experienced, hands-on, deep legal knowledge, highly accessible, always on the point."

Hans Kristoferitsch

"He is a great strategic thinker and has in-depth legal skills. He is very well connected with peers and politics. "

"Excellent know-how, clear analysis."

Thomas Trettnak

"Very business-minded, responsive and efficient; very good communication skills and team management."

"Provides comprehensive solution for clients."

"The high-quality and accurate advice provided and the perfect communication, verbal and in writing."

"Reachability; problem-solver; perfect knowledge; extremely helpful."