Firm Profile > Baker McKenzie Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG > Vienna, Austria

Data privacy and data protection Tier 1

Baker McKenzie • Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG stands out for its strength in the contentious space. It recently represented one of Austria’s leading newspapers in a dispute that resulted in a ground-breaking decision where the Austrian Data Protection Authority (DPA) decided that the business model used by the newspaper is valid under data protection law. The team also has a strong record advising on non-contentious matters, including assisting with the implementation of online identity verification, and regulatory obligations when entering the EU market. Practice head Lukas Feiler made partner in July 2019.

Dispute resolution: white-collar crime (including fraud) Tier 2

Baker McKenzie • Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG's white-collar crime practice handles the implementation and development of compliance management systems, and also assists with internal investigations and acts as defence counsel. Acting for corporations, executives and directors, Georg Krakow and 'fantastic strategist' Alexander Petsche jointly lead the team.

Employment Tier 2

Baker McKenzie • Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG  solely acts for employers, advising on a range of matters from M&A support to corporate restructurings. Dr Philipp Maier heads the team, which handles work from high-profile clients such as Amazon and Austrian subsidiaries of international corporations. The practice's work includes advice on remuneration and terminations, as well as some contentious matters, such as aiding a firm in a multi-million Euro dispute against a former employee.

Dispute resolution: arbitration and mediation Tier 3

Baker McKenzie • Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG has a strong regional SEE focus and handles post-M&A disputes under the VIAC,  DIS and Swiss Rules; it also acts in disputes arising out of financial distress as well as investor-state matters. Dual-qualified (Austria and New York) Filip Boras and 'fantastic strategist' Alexander Petsche jointly lead the practice.

Dispute resolution: commercial litigation Tier 3

With a focus on the SEE region, Baker McKenzie • Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG acts for clients in disputes arising out of financial distress, restructuring and insolvency proceedings, but also handles private enforcement matters. Alexander Petsche, who has specific expertise concerning contentious distribution law, particularly termination payments and damage claims for investments, leads the commercial litigation department together with Filip Boras.

EU and competition Tier 3

Projects and energy Tier 3

Baker McKenzie • Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG's practice is headed by Andreas Traugott, who has led on competition law issues relating to energy procurement matters and water rights. The team, which includes former senior case handlers of the Austrian Competition Authority, recently represented Max Energy in a regulatory discrimination complaint against the dominant energy network operator. The practice also collaborated with the corporate department to advise Shell on its acquisition of sonnen.

TMT Tier 3

The practice at Baker McKenzie advises global and multinational clients on every aspect of TMT, with particular expertise in computer hard- and software, social media, search engines, and cloud computing, as well as data protection issues. Lukas Feiler leads the team, having previously worked as a software developer and system administrator at IT companies in Vienna, he has in-depth technical knowledge. Senior associate Martina Grama provides additional support, particularly on IP-related matters.

Banking and finance Tier 4

Baker McKenzie • Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG's 'very experienced and hands-on team' is led by Georg Diwok  and handles acquisition finance, refinancing and regulatory work and banking M&A issues. Following Dieter Buchberger and Wendelin Ettmayer's departure in mid-2019 to Buchberger Ettmayer Rechtsanwälte GmbH (KPMG Law), the firm recruited counsel Robert Wippel from Binder Grösswang into the team in late 2019; Wippel is responsible for banking law and financing transactions.

Capital markets Tier 4

Baker McKenzie • Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG's expertise in public takeover matters has been further strengthened by the recent arrival of counsel Wolfgang Eigner, formerly head of the legal department at the Austrian Takeover Commission. Other key areas of focus include assisting with capital markets compliance issues and advising on ordinary and extraordinary general meetings of listed companies in Austria. The practice also 'has a great advantage, as they have US-certified lawyers in the team', allowing it to offer integrated US and Austrian law advice. 'Very smart lawyer' Eva-Maria Ségur-Cabanac is the key name to note.

Intellectual property Tier 4

Baker McKenzie • Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG counts a number of high-profile international companies as IP clients. Practice head Lukas Feiler, who was promoted to partner in July 2019, specialises in IP issues arising in the IT sector, with expertise in digital copyright and open source licensing, among other areas. Recent work for the team includes trade mark and copyright litigation for technology firms, an unfair competition dispute for an entertainment organisation, and negotiating a design infringement settlement for a luxury goods firm.

Tax Tier 4

Baker McKenzie • Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG's tax practice is recognised for the close cooperation between the tax and criminal law teams in fiscal criminal matters, dealing with voluntary disclosures, VAT work and customs compliance. The group also continues to be a key name for tax advice on international corporate restructurings and reorganisations as well as transfer pricing issues and wealth management mandates. Christoph Urtz leads the department.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 5

Baker McKenzie • Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG is particularly adept at handling M&A and private equity transactions for clients in the TMT, life sciences and the financial sectors. The team, under Gerhard Hermann's leadership, also acts in contentious corporate matters and is regularly asked to advise on cross-border corporate restructurings. Wendelin Ettmayer and Dieter Buchberger left to set up Buchberger Ettmayer Rechtsanwälte GmbH (KPMG Law) in 2019, and Wolfgang Eigner joined from Pelzmann Gall Größ Rechtsanwälte GmbH.

Real estate Tier 5

Wolfgang Eigner joined Baker McKenzie • Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG in August 2019 to head the real estate practice. His key strengths include advising on M&A and private equity transactions. The team assists with a range of real estate matters, including transactions and lease agreements, focusing particularly on the retail, urban development and tourism sectors.