The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, tier 5

Peter Polak leads the team at Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte, which picked up a number of mandates involving distressed assets and also acted on several banking disputes. The practice continued to advise longstanding client Valartis private bank, as well as acting for a high-net-worth individual in a €100m shareholder dispute with an Austrian banking group in Russia.

Within Central and Eastern Europe, tier 4

Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte’s CEE practice had a stable 2010, and represented the state-owned Slovenian energy company in an arbitration against an Italian energy company. Stefan Korab, Constantin Kletzer and Peter Polak are recommended.

Within Corporate and M&A, Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte is a third tier firm,

Standout transactions for Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte included advising Constantia Packaging on the sale of a stake in the company to a private equity investor. Peter Polak heads the team, which in 2010 saw the arrival of Robin Lumsden from Schoenherr. Stefan Korab and Bert Ortner are recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte is a third tier firm,

Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte had an active 2010 advising Constantia Packaging in various disputes relating to the Immofinanz scandal. Rudolf Fiebinger has first-rate arbitration experience, and ‘is smart, efficient and effective’.

Within EU and competition , Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte is a third tier firm,

At Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte, Peter Polak, Gerhard Kienast and Christian Mayer are ‘first-rate advocates and advisers: well grounded in Austrian law and savvy to its interplay with US law’. 2010 saw the firm advise a natural gas consortium on gaining an exemption to EU law during the building of a new pipeline through Austria.

Within Employment , Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte is a third tier firm,

At Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte, Bert Ortner is recommended for his advice on large-scale employment matters, and Karina Hellbert is noted for her solid knowledge of data protection issues. In 2010 the practice advised an Austrian audio manufacturer on establishing an internal HR database, payroll system and expenses scheme.

Within IT and telecommunications, Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte is a second tier firm,

Notable transactions for Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte in 2010 included advising Docfinder in setting up an internet start-up and representing wireless technology company Qualcomm on establishing its first research centre in Europe. Constantin Kletzer heads the team, which also features Karina Hellbert, Bert Ortner and Peter Polak.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery Other recommended firms

Within Intellectual property and media, Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte is a second tier firm,

Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte has a great track record in the life sciences and tech sectors, and in 2010 saw an up-tick in non-contentious work in this field. Clients praise the team’s ‘in-depth analysis of the legal issues and clear recommendations’. Standout work for 2010 included advising the designer shoe manufacturer Christian Louboutain in all its trade mark and product piracy cases in Austria. Constantin Kletzer heads the team, and is ‘not only knowledgeable in all fields of IP law but also for his very good understanding of the economic needs of his clients’.

Within Private client, Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte is a third tier firm,

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.

Within Real estate, tier 4

Fiebinger Polak Leon Rechtsanwälte ‘has a proactive attitude to solving problems’. Manuela Maurer-Kollenz heads the department, which also features Johannes Lindner, who is ‘really reliable and always reachable.’ Notable clients include Hild Home Desing and Desigual.