The Legal 500

Brauneis Klauser Prändl Rechtsanwälte GmbH is highly recommended for its software, data protection, copyright and e-commerce expertise. Felix Prändl and Arno Brauneis are well-respected practitioners.

CHSH Cerha Hempel Spiegelfeld Hlawati recently advised Commerzbank on a multi-jurisdictional IT outsourcing project. In 2011, the team was particularly busy advising on data protection and cloud computing matters, and represented companies in both the travel sector and pharmaceuticals industry on implementing whistleblowing hotlines. Telekom Austria and Hewlett-Packard are longstanding clients. Georg Konrad is the main contact, and Julian Feichtinger is recommended for IT litigation.

Claudine Vartian heads DLA Piper Weiss-Tessbach’s group, which recently advised longstanding client Deutsche Telekom in various litigation and corporate matters. The practice was bolstered by the addition of Sabine Fehringer from Fellner Wratzfeld & Partners.

Dorda Brugger Jordis’ ‘brilliant’ team is ‘a real gem and a rare find’, and ‘provides reliable fee estimates’. It has an impressive roster of tech clients, and continues to advise eBay Austria on local IP and IT matters. On the telecoms side, it recently advised Telekom Austria on the sale of a major Spanish subsidiary. The ‘outstanding’ and ‘straightforward’ IT lawyer Axel Anderl has ‘the rare ability to explain and transform complex issues into clear language’. Stephan Polster is recommended for telecoms.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer was busy advising on contentious matters and technology M&A in 2011. It represented Hutchison 3G in proceedings before the Austrian telecoms regulator relating to mobile and fixed call termination, and advised software and data-processing company Domus Facility Management on a property purchase from ÖBB. Christof Pöchhacker and Bertram Burtscher are highly rated.

Gassauer-Fleissner Rechtsanwälte GmbH’s ‘price-performance ratio is good’, and the practice recently advised a worldwide photo agency on the implementation of anti-piracy software in Austria. Michael Wolner is Austria’s leading software licensing expert, and Max Mosing is ‘an experienced lawyer for tech start-ups’.

Andréewitch & Simon’s lead partner Markus Andréewitch is well known for his IT licensing and transactional prowess.

At Binder Grösswang Rechtsanwälte, Ivo Rungg is recommended for non-contentious work and Christian Klausegger for contentious telecoms work. Tele2 is a longstanding client for IP and regulatory issues, and the team recently advised Schenker on an IT project relating to transport software.

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH advised easybank and document sharing platform Newsgrape on IT matters, and saw an increase in outsourcing mandates in 2011. Practice head Johannes Juranek is recommended.

enwc Natlacen Walderdorff Cancola Attorneys at Law ‘understands the technology business and its related needs’, and has a strong record of advising telecoms clients in IP infringement and unfair competition cases. The practice continues to represent Telekom Austria in several unfair competition cases against mobile telecoms competitors. Dieter Natlacen and Martin Prohaska-Marchried are the main contacts.

Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte is recommended for its advice to internet start-ups and is advising Docfinder on such a matter. Constantin Kletzer heads the team.

Linz-based Hasch & Partner Anwaltsgesellschaft mbH’s Franz Guggenberger is recommended for licensing agreements and antitrust matters.

Thomas Höhne and Georg Streit of Höhne, In der Maur & Partner Rechtsanwälte GmbH are recommended for e-commerce and internet law advice.

Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH has experience on software licensing and data protection matters. The team recently advised an internet-based German bookseller in unfair competition proceedings.

Preslmayr Attorneys at Law’s Rainer Knyrim is ‘an expert in data protection issues’.

Schoenherr’s telecoms team recently advised France Télécom on its acquisition of Austrian mobile provider One and private equity fund Mid Europa Partners. Other clients include AT&T, Verizon Communications and Nortel. Christian Schmelz is recommended.

Wolf Theiss is particularly strong in contentious matters for technology clients. It recently advised Expedia on potential risks under local defamation laws pertaining to translation services. The practice has also developed relationships with a number of video game developers and attracted Activision, the publisher of Call of Duty, as a new client. Georg Kresbach heads the practice.

Cabjolsky & Otto Rechtsanwälte OG has a strong focus on IT and telecoms matters. In 2011, the practice advised a number of smaller internet companies on marketing and data protection. Telecoms expert Gerald Otto is recommended.

Eisenberger & Herzog was kept busy advising on a number of data protection and software licensing matters in 2011. Microsoft is a client of the practice. Andreas Zellhofer is recommended.

Legis – Cooperative Association of Attorneys is a small firm that focuses on technology and IT matters, and in 2011 it was particularly busy advising international corporations on data protection. Dietmar Huemer effectively acts as a sole practitioner in this field and is recommended.

Mag Marcus Essl, LL.M., M.E.S advises a number of longstanding Austrian technology clients on contractual matters, and also provides contentious advice.

DDr Meinhard Ciresa’s Meinhard Ciresa is highly recommended for e-commerce matters.

Dr Norbert Wiesinger, Law Offices ‘provides a lot of attention to the client’, and punches above its weight representing leading clients such as Verizon and Colt Telecom on regulatory issues. In 2011, it advised OnAir Switzerland, a subsidiary of Airbus and SITA that provides mobile phone services on Airbus aircraft. Norbert Wiesinger has ‘good knowledge of the telecoms industry’.

Sattler & Schanda’s Reinhard Schanda is recommended for internet and new media law advice, particularly matters involving internet service providers.

Siemer-Siegl-Füreder & Partner, Rechtsanwälte recently advised a technology consortium in a dispute with a subcontractor concerning the development and maintenance of a web sales tool. Reinhard Brunar and Michael Breitenfeld are recommended.

Stolitzka & Partner Rechtsanwälte OG has been advising various US companies on data protection matters, and has a good record advising satellite TV companies; in 2011, it advised a client on obtaining a satellite TV licence. Georg Röhsner is the main contact.

Willheim Muller Rechtsanwalte recently advised a multinational IT company on providing outsourced services for a bank. ‘The response times are very quick and overnight work is accomplished to a high standard’, says one client.

Two-partner Windisch : Law Offices recently advised Dueromedia Technologies Entwicklungs on IT laws relating to a new product. Bettina Windisch-Altieri is ‘straightforward and good at communicating’, and ‘she works in a small team which allows her to be constantly available to her clients’.