The Legal 500

Arnold Rechtsanwaelte GmbH has strength across tax litigation, cross-border taxation, private foundations, real estate tax and Austrian stamp duty. With experience before the high, constitutional and supreme administrative courts of Austria and the European Courts, its tax litigation work in 2012 included a dispute in the broadcasting sector, and acting for two pharmaceuticals groups in a case relating to the financing of the Austrian social security system. Florian Arnold is highly rated by peers.

bpv Hügel Rechtsanwälte OG ‘shines out’ among the competition, with a dedicated tax team assisting a range of internationally renowned companies. It advised Shell on the structuring of an equity funding by way of grandparent cash contributions in respect of capital transfer tax issues; and gained Nestlé as a new client, advising on tax structuring and VAT matters relating to the sale of a unit of its Austrian business. It also worked with BAWAG P.S.K. and Raiffeisen Bank International in 2012. Hanns Hügel is recommended.

Dorda Brugger Jordis is known for its international tax planning work, with a focus on clients in the energy sector and on ‘technically challenging transactions’. Clients include oil and gas companies from Brazil, Russia, Kazakhstan and Norway. Paul Doralt – ‘a leading figure in Austria for international tax structuring’ – is widely recommended by peers and clients alike.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s tax practice is one of the oldest operating out of Vienna, with a focus on areas such as M&A, structured products and investment funds. It also handles tax litigation and general tax planning for private clients. It advised UPS on tax structuring in various EU countries in light of its acquisition of the TNT group; and represented bwin party digital entertainment in a VAT dispute. Michael Sedlaczek heads the team.

The team at Wolf Theiss advised America Movil on the tax issues relating to its acquisition of 5% of the outstanding shares in Telekom Austria, involving issues arising in Austria and the CEE region. It is also experienced in the reorganisation of private equity funds. The practice appointed international tax lawyer Elinore Richardson as co-head of the team, and Clemens Schindler is highly rated. Aéroports de Paris, Siemens, and Morgan Stanley are also clients.

Baker & McKenzie Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte GmbH’s practice includes wealth planning, transfer pricing and corporate tax matters, and is noted for its ‘very good internal teamwork’ and ‘excellent availability’. Head of department Imke Gerdes assisted the Schuler-Voith family on its sale of shares in Schuler to technology company Andritz.

Binder Grösswang Rechtsanwälte added three new lawyers to its team, led by Andreas Hable and Christian Wimpissinger. It has recently handled international tax auditing, planning and litigation matters for household names, and is noted for its ‘knowledge and expertise’.

CHSH Cerha Hempel Spiegelfeld Hlawati’s recent highlights include acting for Borealis on Austrian tax law issues relating to a private placement, and for Ecetra (an online broker) during a tax audit. Johannes Prinz is ‘highly competent and business driven’, and Clemens Hasenauer makes ‘great efforts to support clients’.

CMS’ tax practice offers a wide range of services, with specialisms including Austrian stamp duty. In 2012 it advised Japanese pharmaceuticals company Takeda on its €9.6bn acquisition of Nycomed. The team, led by Sibylle Novak, ‘stands out in terms of value for money, and its ability to see and explain problems in simple terms’.

Schoenherr delivers ‘the highest standard of work’, and is able to deal with ‘complicated, specialised questions’. The team is co-led by the ‘extremely good, and intelligent’ Peter Feyl, and Herbert Buzanich, who is ‘a very talented young tax lawyer’. The firm acted for France Telecom on the tax structuring aspects of the company’s sale of a stake in Orange Austria to 3G Austria.

Franz Althuber heads the team at DLA Piper Weiss-Tessbach, which grew with the addition of two lawyers. It recently acted for outsourcing company Visicare in a €5m dispute.

Boutique tax practice MMag Gustav Walzel was established ten years ago. It specialises in international tax matters for pharmaceuticals companies.

Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH advises mid-size and large companies on tax-driven structures. Gerold Wietrzyk is a certified tax adviser.

Minihold Rechtsanwalt’s practice ranges from tax structuring and international tax planning to disputes. Werner Minihold is a certified tax consultant.

With a ‘very good’ tax practice, Dr Robert Briem Rechsanwalt-GmbH is known for its advice to private foundations, and also works on corporate tax matters.

SchneideR’S Rechtsanwalts-KG is a family-owned firm with expertise in tax litigation and customs law. It has built a strong list of Russian clients since its formation in 2003.