Binder Grösswang

Binder Grösswang together with Clifford Chance advises MiddleGround Capital ("MiddleGround") on the acquisition of ZOERKLER Gears GmbH & Co KG ("Zoerkler"). As part of the acquisition, Zoerkler will be integrated into MiddleGround's portfolio company Xtrac, a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance transmissions and mechatronic solutions. The share purchase agreement was signed at the beginning of the year. The closing of the transaction took place on 8 May 2025. Zoerkler is a family-owned and owner-managed company based in Jois, Burgenland, with over 120 years of experience in the development and production of high-precision driving systems for the aerospace, automotive and industrial sectors. Zoerkler offers customised complete solutions from design to prototype construction and series production. MiddleGround is a Lexington, Kentucky-based private equity firm with over $3.85 billion in assets under management. MiddleGround makes control equity investments in middle market B2B industrial and speciality distribution businesses with the goal of developing them together with the management team. The Binder Grösswang deal team was led by Thomas Schirmer and Felix Fuith and comprised Anna Talos (Corporate / M&A), Helmut Buchroithner, Verena Müller (both Commercial and IP/IT), David Rötzer, Rafael Wiesner, Tobias Haralter (all Banking & Finance), Alexander Kramer, Yasmina Bouzid (both Real Estate), Johannes Barbist, Anian Gruber (both Regulatory) Finance), Regina Kröll, Anna Krottendorfer (both Sanctions & FDI), Dario Valentin Schmelz, Mathias Wallner (Litigation & Insurance), Clemens Willvonseder, Lisa Salbrechter (both Tax), Sabine Apfl-Trompeter and Livia Hoskovec (both Employment). About Binder Grösswang As one of the leading Austrian commercial law firms with a strong international focus, Binder Grösswang has been advising on all questions of commercial law for more than 60 years. Binder Grösswang employs more than 190 people in Vienna and Innsbruck. The law firm advises well-known national and international companies from all sectors. International legal directories such as Juve, Chambers, The Legal500 and IFLR 1000 regularly award top ratings to Binder Grösswang in all practice areas. These honours include international prizes such as the The Lawyer Law Firm of the Year Austria Award, Chambers Europe Austrian Law Firm of the Year Award and the IFLR European Law Firm of the Year Award.

Vienna, (28 May 2025) – The commercial law firm Binder Grösswang has reached another milestone in its digitalisation strategy with the company-wide introduction of the AI tool ‘James’. It’s specific aims are to reduce the burden of routine tasks, make work processes more efficient and thus create space for what really matters: personal client service and professional advice at the highest level. A generative AI-tool with the potential to grow ‘James’ is flexible, modular and develops according to the firm's requirements. The tool thrives on input from all employees and is constantly evolving with the aim of making knowledge more accessible within the firm as well as strengthening collaboration across the teams. It uses state-of-the-art AI models, including advanced reasoning models that, compared to conventional GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) systems, are able to structure complex legal issues, classify relevant connections and efficiently prepare information. The system thus supports routine tasks and provides a high-quality basis for evaluation by legal experts. In addition, the technology used enables the development of customised AI applications for specific use cases – a central component of consulting services that are precisely tailored to the needs of clients. The driving force behind the introduction of ‘James’ is law firm partner Ivo Rungg, a proven specialist in legal tech, information technology and data protection. He has been in charge of implementing the AI platform and is driving the strategic integration of intelligent technologies into the firm's workflows. "By using sophisticated reasoning models, we are creating a digital way of working that specifically supports our legal expertise – while not replacing it. It helps us to structure information more quickly, analyse complex issues more efficiently and thus makes our advice even more informed and client-oriented. This frees up time, especially when it comes to recurring tasks, which we can then use to focus on strategic and content-related issues,’ says Ivo Rungg. Innovation is firmly anchored in the firm's DNA. For Binder Grösswang, the responsible use of artificial intelligence is the next logical step in a long-standing innovation strategy. System security is a top priority: the model is provided and operated by the firm's own IT department and remains in a secure environment. ‘With “James”, we are expanding our digital foundation in a targeted and future-oriented manner. Innovative technologies such as these are not a self-serving purpose – they strengthen our way of working where they create real added value. Our claim remains clear: personal, excellent legal advice – supported by cutting-edge technology,’ emphasises Managing Partner Stefan Tiefenthaler. Artificial intelligence has long been more than just a buzzword for the future – it is becoming an integral part of legal practice, enabling us to work faster, more knowledgeably and with our clients’ needs in mind. About Binder Grösswang As one of the leading Austrian commercial law firms with a strong international focus, Binder Grösswang has been advising on all questions of commercial law for more than 60 years. Binder Grösswang employs more than 190 people in Vienna and Innsbruck. The law firm advises well-known national and international companies from all sectors. International legal directories such as Juve, Chambers, The Legal500 and IFLR 1000 regularly award top ratings to Binder Grösswang in all practice areas. These honours include international prizes such as the The Lawyer Law Firm of the Year Austria Award, Chambers Europe Austrian Law Firm of the Year Award and the IFLR European Law Firm of the Year Award.

19 February 2025 - Raiffeisen Bank International sells its shares in card complete Service Bank AG to EAVISTA. Raiffeisen-Invest-Gesellschaft m.b.H., a subsidiary of Raiffeisen Bank International AG, sold its shares (25.1%) in card complete Service Bank AG to EAVISTA Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH by way of a purchase agreement on 17 February 2025. At the same time, UniCredit Bank Austria AG also sold its 50.1% stake in EAVISTA. AVZ GmbH (AVZ Privatstiftung) remains a shareholder. The closing of the agreement is subject to approval by the regulatory authorities. Raiffeisen Bank International provides credit cards directly to bank customers of the Austrian Raiffeisen sector. card complete will continue to provide payment solutions for retailers as well as credit cards for private and corporate customers. EAVISTA Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH is owned by Arif Babayev, a British entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the banking and financial services sector. Together with Nurlan Zhagiparov, he founded the UK-based payment services company DNA Payments Limited. The Binder Grösswang transaction team was led by partner Thomas Schirmer and partner Mona Holzgruber (both Corporate / M&A) and consisted of and associate partner Stephan Heckenthaler (Banking Regulatory), Christopher Marchel (Corporate / M&A), attorney David Rötzer (Banking & Finance), attorney Christoph Raab (Competition Law), partner Clemens Willvonseder (Tax Law), attorney Dario Schmelz (Dispute Resolution), partner Ivo Rungg (IP/IT) and partner Regina Kröll (Regulatory/FDI). Dorda advised UniCredit Bank Austria AG under the leadership of Christoph Brogyányi and Christian Ritschka. EAVISTA was advised by bpv Hügel led by Christoph Nauer and Thomas Lettau. About Binder Grösswang As one of the leading Austrian commercial law firms with a strong international focus, Binder Grösswang has been advising on all questions of commercial law for more than 60 years. Binder Grösswang employs more than 190 people in Vienna and Innsbruck. The law firm advises well-known national and international companies from all sectors. International legal directories such as Juve, Chambers, The Legal500 and IFLR 1000 regularly award top ratings to Binder Grösswang in all practice areas. These honours include international prizes such as the The Lawyer Law Firm of the Year Austria Award, Chambers Europe Austrian Law Firm of the Year Award and the IFLR European Law Firm of the Year Award.

10 January 2025 - Binder Grösswang advised Aptiv PLC, together with the global law firm Clifford Chance, on the sale of Aptiv’s equity share in TTTech Auto AG to the Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductors NV. TTTech Auto is a leading provider of platform products and services focusing on system safety and security for the software-defined vehicle (4SDV) and is headquartered in Vienna. The USD 625 million transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. The Clifford Chance team for Aptiv was led by partner Mark Aschenbrenner and included partner Volkmar Bruckner and associate Mona Fuchs (all Corporate/Private Equity, Munich). The Binder Grösswang team consisted of partner Thomas Schirmer, senior associate Christoph Schober and associate Michael Mittermair (Corporate/M&A). About Binder Grösswang As one of the leading Austrian commercial law firms with a strong international focus, Binder Grösswang has been advising on all questions of commercial law for more than 60 years. Binder Grösswang employs more than 190 people in Vienna and Innsbruck. The law firm advises well-known national and international companies from all sectors. International legal directories such as Juve, Chambers, The Legal 500 and IFLR 1000 regularly award top ratings to Binder Grösswang in all practice areas. These honours include international prizes such as the The Lawyer Law Firm of the Year Austria Award, Chambers Europe Austrian Law Firm of the Year Award and the IFLR European Law Firm of the Year Award.

Binder Grösswang has won the race for the coveted “Austrian Law Firm of the Year” award from the respected legal publisher The Lawyer. The prize was presented at a ceremony in London on 28 November 2024. The Lawyer assesses both the current position, reputation, and influence of the law firm in its respective market, as well as its strategy for the future and innovations, including in the areas of client service, ESG, AI and legal tech tools. The quality of the advice and the entrepreneurial success also play an important role. “We are incredibly proud to accept this prestigious award. This recognition is well deserved by the entire Binder Grösswang team, whose tireless efforts in all areas have made it possible to achieve this kind of success,” said Managing Partner Stefan Tiefenthaler. “At the same time, we see this award as both an incentive and an obligation for the future. We will continue to support our clients with the same commitment and dedication.” The Lawyer The Lawyer recognizes leading law firms from across Europe for their outstanding performance each year. The winners are carefully selected by a jury of experts consisting of lawyers and renowned legal experts from various industries. All participating law firms must apply in advance by means of an extensive submission, which is evaluated by the jury. Go to The Lawyer European Awards 2024: The Winners  

Binder Grösswang has won the race for the coveted “Austrian Law Firm of the Year” award from the respected legal publisher The Lawyer.The prize was presented at a ceremony in London on 28 November 2024. The Lawyer assesses both the current position, reputation, and influence of the law firm in its respective market, as well as its strategy for the future and innovations, including in the areas of client service, ESG, AI and legal tech tools. The quality of the advice and the entrepreneurial success also play an important role. “We are incredibly proud to accept this prestigious award. This recognition is well deserved by the entire Binder Grösswang team, whose tireless efforts in all areas have made it possible to achieve this kind of success,” said Managing Partner Stefan Tiefenthaler. “At the same time, we see this award as both an incentive and an obligation for the future. We will continue to support our clients with the same commitment and dedication.” The Lawyer The Lawyer recognizes leading law firms from across Europe for their outstanding performance each year. The winners are carefully selected by a jury of experts consisting of lawyers and renowned legal experts from various industries. All participating law firms must apply in advance by means of an extensive submission, which is evaluated by the jury. Go to The Lawyer European Awards 2024: The Winners  

Dario Schmelz (31) supports the Dispute Resol­u­tion Team of Binder Grösswang as an attorney at law with immediate effect. He has already been working in this team as an associate since 2020. "I am looking forward to the exciting challenges of my new position as a lawyer and to continuing to provide our clients with comprehensive advice together with my great team," says Dario Schmelz. His areas of expertise include advice regarding national and international civil law disputes, insurance law disputes, white-collar crime and advice regarding the automotive sector. "Dario has been an important part of our practice group for several years and does outstanding work for our clients. I am proud to have him on my team and look forward to continuing our successful collaboration," says Christian Klausegger, Partner in the Dispute Resolution Team at Binder Grösswang. Dario Schmelz has been part of the Dispute Resolution Team since 2020. Previously, he gained practical experience in a renowned law firm specialising in litigation and as a legal trainee at the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office. He studied law at the University of Vienna (Mag. iur, 2019) and also worked as a legal assistant in a commercial law firm specialising in banking and insurance law. In January 2023, he passed the Austrian bar exam with distinction.