The Legal 500

Arnold Rechtsanwalts-Partnerschaft has a great reputation for its work with high-net-worth individuals and private foundations, and leverages off the firm’s strong tax department. In 2010 the firm developed its CEE client base and represented Austria’s largest private bank, Gutmann, as well as the Erwin Kelin foundation. Nikolaus Arnold and Florian Arnold head the team at this family-run firm, and both sit on the boards of numerous private foundations.

Dorda Brugger Jordis is ‘the best of the big firms’ for private client work. Theresa Jordis is a heavyweight player in the market and drives the practice. It represented the foundation of a major Austrian industrial family, the Stefanie Foundation, on the acquisition and disposal of major private equity investments held by the trust. The team was bolstered by the hire of Georg Birkner in 2010.

bpv Hügel Rechtsanwälte leverages off its well-respected tax practice to advise high-net-worth individuals, and is known for its work in the structuring of wills as well as succession issues. Florian Gibitz and Hanns Hügel are recommended.

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH’s team has good experience in private trusts and tax work. Johannes Reich-Rohrwig leads the team, which is recommended for representing board members in disputes against trust benefactors.

DLA Piper Weiss-Tessbach has good experience advising on private foundations. Practice head Christoph Mager led a team that advised a wealthy US oil magnate in setting up a private foundation and acquiring several new properties for an estimated €100m.

The team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer focuses on commercial and tax structuring matters on behalf of shareholders of family-run businesses. The practice continues to advise longstanding client the Porsche family, as well as sitting on the boards of several of the company’s private foundations. Günther Horvath advises on corporate issues, and Michael Sedlaczek is the name to note for tax advice.

The team at Gassauer-Fleissner Rechtsanwälte GmbH is headed up by Christian Gassauer-Fleissner, who acts as general counsel to several high-net-worth families and advises shareholders of family-owned businesses.

At Jakobl Jevich, Grave & Vetter, Christian Grave has an admirable standing in the market for his work with private foundations and trusts. Jörg Jakobl Jevich is also recommended.

Siemer-Siegl-Füreder & Partner, Rechtsanwälte has an excellent client roster and a solid reputation for its private client work. It continues to advise a wealthy client on the investment of the proceeds of the sale of an Austrian mineral water producer. Reinhard Brunar is the name to note for real estate work, while Hannes Füreder is recommended for corporate issues.

At Wolf Theiss Clemens Schindler is a firm favourite with clients, and is praised as ‘very proactive and dedicated to his clients’. The team represented the heiress Sophie Huvos Czernin in seeking €400m compensation from the Austrian government over the forced sale of her family’s Vermeer painting to the Nazis in 1940.

Dr Alexander Hofmann, LL.M., Attorney-at-Law has solid experience advising on trusts and estates matters.

Brauneis Klauser Prändl Rechtsanwälte GmbH has a solid reputation for property planning issues. Bernhard Girsch and Orlin Radinsky are the names to note.

enwc Natlacen Walderdorff Cancola Attorneys at Law acts for a number of wealthy individuals and private foundations.

Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte advises a number of high-net-worth individuals on private wealth and international tax planning issues. Christoph Leon and Peter Polak lead the team, which in 2010 advised a US citizen in multimillion-dollar dispute concerning an investment through an Austrian banking group.

The team at Graf & Pitkowitz Rechtsanwälte GmbH is led by the excellent Otto Waechter, and is rated for its experience in charitable trusts and probate proceedings.

Griss & Partner has experience advising on private foundations. Gunter Griss and Peter Griss are recommended.

Gerhard Hochedlinger is the name to note at HLMK Rechtsanwälte, which is recommended for its expertise in private foundations, company succession, inheritance and estates procedures. The team also built up its experience in contentious matters in 2010.

Thomas Fradis leads the team at Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH, which advised several private clients in connection with public building proceedings.

Kerres Partners Rechtsanwälte has good experience advising private clients on establishing private foundations and trusts. Christoph Kerres is highly rated.

Egon Sattler and Reinhard Schanda of Sattler & Schanda are known for their work on assets and wills.