Event Report
The official launch celebration for The GC Powerlist: Austria 2026 took place on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, at the prestigious BelEtage premises of corporate law firm CERHA HEMPEL, in Vienna. Representing the fifth consecutive year that the firm has supported the event as the exclusive Austrian partner to The Legal 500. The gathering welcomed the elite of the corporate legal sector to celebrate the country’s most influential and innovative in-house legal counsel in an elegant, celebratory atmosphere.
The ceremony commenced with an opening address by Margherita Birri, Research Editor at The Legal 500, followed by a warm welcome from CERHA HEMPEL Managing Partner Clemens Hasenauer. The official keynote address was then delivered by Martina Wachernig, Head of Legal at VERBUND, who focused on the evolving demands placed on modern corporate legal teams and emphasized that today’s general counsel must blend strict risk mitigation with proactive commercial agility.
Throughout the evening, narrative and debate centred on the strategic hurdles facing Austrian businesses, specifically regarding the adoption and ethical implementation of artificial intelligence inside corporate legal workflows. Corporate leaders also addressed the challenges of navigating strict EU competition law, data protection, and modern cybersecurity protocols, whilst simultaneously driving compliance forward within expanding environmental, social, and governance frameworks. Attendees gathered for a lively evening reception featuring drinks and canapés, allowing the newly recognised honourees from the energy, financial services, tech, and manufacturing sectors to connect, benchmark, and celebrate their collective achievements.
Ultimately, the 2026 edition successfully cemented the vital importance of the in-house community to the Austrian economy, proving that after five years of continuous collaboration between The Legal 500 and CERHA HEMPEL, the event remains the premier national benchmark for legal excellence.