Pitkowitz & Partners > Vienna, Austria > Firm Profile

Pitkowitz & Partners
Schwarzenbergplatz 3
1010
Austria

Austria > Dispute resolution: arbitration and mediation Tier 2

Pitkowitz & Partners is well versed in matters with a significant technological background, which leads to instructions from clients in sectors such as energy, construction, and media. ‘Extremely experienced arbitration lawyer’ and certified mediator Nikolaus Pitkowitz handles a variety of domestic and international matters, including disputes in Asia and the Americas, and steers the practice alongside Peter Machherndl, who excels in corporate and investment disputes. Roxanne de Jesus covers joint venture disputes and is a key contact for private clients.

Practice head(s):

Nikolaus Pitkowitz; Peter Machherndl

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Nikolaus Pitkowitz is an extremely experienced arbitration lawyer.’

‘Great expertise in arbitration and in ethics law (which is a rare specialisation), especially in combination with arbitration.’

‘Nikolaus Pitkowitz has a unique combination of professional pragmatism with a deep understanding of the legal principles. They can easily handle international cases and provide representation before Austrian courts.’

‘Nikolaus Pitkowitz is the best Austrian disputes lawyer I have worked with.’

‘Great individuals and a great team. Very well positioned in the Austrian market.’

‘High-profile and experienced, broad minded and client focussed, always offering a wide range of options.’

‘This is a relatively new but well-known arbitration boutique in Vienna. They masterfully handle all the assignments. I would highly recommend them to deal with any international commercial arbitration in Vienna.’

‘Nikolaus Pitkowitz is a well-known practitioner with an exceptional caseload and experience in international commercial arbitration. He is not only the founding partner of the firm, but also a leading figure in arbitration in Austria, both as counsel and the (co-)arbitrator/chair.’

Work highlights

  • Represented a client in a $50m high-tech arbitration, involving expedited proceedings and measures for interim relief.
  • Represented a client in recognition and enforcement proceedings of an international arbitral award, involving among others sanctions and immunity issues.

Austria > Real estate Tier 3

Pitkowitz & Partners is instructed by project developers and asset managers across a range of mandates, ranging from leasing matters through to the completion and sale of assets in Vienna and further afield. ‘Standout lawyer’ Martin Foerster heads the practice, handling both acquisitions and disposals of land plots and completed properties, in addition to advising on planning and permitting issues. Eva Fitzka qualified into the team in May 2024, bringing ‘meticulous attention to detail’ to landlord and tenant matters as they relate to shopping centres.

Practice head(s):

Martin Foerster

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Martin Foerster’s combination of expertise, innovative thinking and client-focused approach makes him a standout lawyer. His unique qualities and dedication to his clients set him apart from competitors. In the last years, Eva Fitzka has definitely moved to the front row. Her meticulous attention to detail in contract drafting and legal procedures ensures that clients are well-protected and informed. This precision is a key differentiator in her practice.’

‘The firm is very active internationally, not so much through a formal network as through personal relationships with the international legal community. The firm hosts events such as the Weizmann Lectures and the Pitkowitz & Partners Real Estate Breakfast, which focus on current legal issues and trends. These events position the firm as a thought leader in the legal community.’

‘Martin Foerster is recognized for his innovative approach to legal challenges. He leverages technology and modern legal practices to enhance efficiency and deliver superior results for his clients. Eva Fitzka is a pleasure to work with. Eva’s ability to integrate her knowledge of landlord and tenant and insolvency law enables her to provide holistic legal solutions. This comprehensive approach ensures that clients receive thorough and practical advice.’

‘Based on my experience with Pitkowitz & Partners, their real estate practice is distinguished by its exceptional expertise in handling complex transactions and its client-focused approach.’

‘Several qualities make Martin Foerster exceptional and distinguish him from competitors: Martin possesses deep expertise in real estate law, particularly in handling complex transactions. His thorough understanding of both the legal and commercial aspects was crucial to the success of our transaction.’

‘Deep understanding of the law, professional service.’

‘Martin Foerster is an expert.’

Key clients

AMISOLA

ASPRIA

battenfeld-cincinnati Austria GmbH

BUWOG

Fleissner Group

General Dynamics

Le Burger

McArthurGlen

New Yorker

Regus/IWG

Vereinigte Bühnen Wien

WSE

WIAP

Wiener Prater Verband

Yunexpress Logistics

Work highlights

  • Advised McArthurGlen Group in all lease-related matters concerning two Austrian designer outlet centres.
  • Acted for IWG and Regus in lease negotiations.
  • Advised Wiener Standort Entwicklung GmbH on a city development project comprising some 800 apartments and a number of other educational and assisted living facilities.

Austria > Dispute resolution: commercial litigation Tier 4

Noted for its experience in the real estate and construction segments, Pitkowitz & Partners is competent in class actions, corporate litigation and a variety of cross-border disputes. The team is led by a capable duo: Nikolaus Pitkowitz demonstrates prowess in both civil litigation and arbitration and Peter Machherndl’s multifaceted practice extends to the defence of claims in investment matters and the representation of clients in proceedings against consumer protection associations.

Practice head(s):

Nikolaus Pitkowitz, Peter Machherndl

Other key lawyers:

Roxanne de Jesus

Testimonials

‘The dispute resolution team at Pitkovitz & Partners is absolutely top tier. Nikolaus Pitkovitz has a unique combination of professional pragmatism with deep understanding of the legal principles. They can easily run both international cases and provide representation before Austrian courts. Their record before the Supreme Court is outstanding.’

‘Nicolaus Pitkowitz is outstanding. Peter Machherndl is also highly recommended.’

‘Nikolaus Pitkowitz has a huge market presence.’

‘Nikolaus Pitkowitz has a huge market presence.’

‘The great reputation of Nikolaus Mitkowitz is a big sales point to clients. ’

‘Peter Machhernld is a very ambitious and talented litigation lawyer.’

‘The submissions they prepare are tailor made.’

‘When it comes to court hearings, we rely on the reputation of Nikolaus Pitkowitz. ’

Key clients

Allianz-Slovenská poisťovňa

Amisola

Calunius

Fleissner + Partner

Vereinigte Bühnen Wien

Vetoquinol

Work highlights

  • Advised Calunius Capital, a leading third-party funder, on a large-scale commercial litigation funding which is financing a class action on behalf of thousands of Austrian claimants relating to the Volkswagen emissions scandal.
  • Represented former board members of an Austrian public limited company listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange in appeal proceedings.
  • Represented a European UHNWI in a dispute over the control of several foundations into which substantial parts of a multi-billion-dollar estate had been transferred.

Pitkowitz & Partners, based in Vienna, is a leading commercial law firm with a strong international focus, providing legal advise at the highest level. The focus of the firm is on international arbitration and complex litigation as well as on real estate and construction law. Pitkowitz & Partners consists of a total staff of 25, including 14 lawyers. The team of the firm can rely on more than 120 years of professional experience. The client base of Pitkowitz & Partners is as diverse as the industries in which their clients operate. Whether market leader or market niche – Pitkowitz & Partners writes success stories in the most complex and largest cases on a national and international level.

Main areas of practice
Dispute resolution: Pitkowitz & Partners forms one of the largest dispute resolution teams nationwide. The team has for years been recognised as one of the leading disputes practices in Austria. With its involvement in cases spanning across the globe and through a myriad of industries, including amongst others construction, energy, real estate, technology, and media, the firm has acclaimed a stellar international reputation and is ranked among the top 100 arbitration practices worldwide by GAR 100.

The dispute resolution practice group, led by two partners, looks back on decades of experience in the areas of arbitration, litigation and mediation. Their lawyers regularly conduct arbitration proceedings in Europe, the USA and Asia under all leading institutional rules. The team was advising as counsel, among others, in the largest arbitration ever pending in Austria, as well as in the largest class action lawsuit ever pending in Austria. The clientele includes leading companies in the fields of production, technology, TMT, energy, and plant engineering.
Partners: Nikolaus Pitkowitz, Roxanne de Jesus

Real estate: The real estate and construction law practice group headed by Martin Foerster is one of the leading groups in this field. The dedicated team advises national as well as international clients comprehensively in all areas of real estate and construction law. The special focus of the real estate team includes drawing up and negotiating commercial real estate transactions (from individual properties to real estate portfolios), rental and lease agreements in the areas of office, retail and hospitality, development contracts, public permits as well as representation in public and commercial disputes. Austrian and international funds, investors and property developers are part of the long-standing client base at Pitkowitz & Partners.
Partner: Martin Foerster

Department Name Email Telephone
Dispute Resolution Dr. Nikolaus Pitkowitz [email protected] +43 1 01 413 01-0
Real Estate and Construction Law Dr. Martin Foerster [email protected] +43 1 01 413 01-0
Dispute Resolution Mag. Roxanne de Jesus [email protected] +43 1 01 413 01-0
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