Austria 2026
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Senior Legal Counsel, Head of Global Practice Areas | Andritz
Head of Legal Department (in-house lawyer) | Österreichische Post
Head of Legal, Compliance & Risk Management Department Southeast Europe | Schenker & CO
Global Head of Legal & Compliance / General Counsel | Teufelberger Service
Managing Director Legal Affairs and Compliance | Casinos Austria Group
Group General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer | HOERBIGER Group
Leiterin Konzern-Recht | SPAR Österreichische Warenhandels
Senior Legal Counsel Global Ethics & Compliance EMEA | DS Smith
General Counsel, Compliance Officer & Site Manager Vienna | Semperit Group
Regional Counsel Europe & Regional Compliance Officer | GATX Rail Europe
Deputy General Counsel / Head of Compliance Office | Constantia Flexibles Group
General Counsel, Group Compliance Officer, Corporate Secretary, Board Member LD Cellulose | Lenzing Group
Head of Legal (Leiter Recht); In-house Counsel | Saubermacher Dienstleistungs
Executive Vice President Legal and Governance | Innomotics Group
Lead of Corporate & Antitrust Austria | STRABAG-Group, CML Construction Services
Head of Legal Austria | CML Construction Services (a service company of STRABAG)
Head of Legal | Eurest Restaurationsbetriebsgesellschaft
Head of Legal Austria & Legal Governance | SPAR Group Austria
Chief Service Operating Officer Zurich Austria & Managing Director ZSG | Zürich Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
Regional General Counsel & Group Compliance Officer | ANDRITZ
Head of Legal | Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)
General Counsel and Group Compliance Officer, Export and Product Compliance | IMS Nanofabrication
The Austrian legal market continues to demonstrate resilience, innovation and adaptability in an increasingly complex global environment. Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, economic pressures, technological disruption and evolving regulatory expectations, in-house legal teams are playing a more strategic role than ever before.
The lawyers featured in this edition exemplify the breadth and depth of talent within Austria’s corporate legal community. Beyond their traditional responsibilities, today’s General Counsel and senior in-house lawyers are trusted business advisers, risk managers, governance leaders and drivers of transformation. Whether navigating complex M&A transactions, implementing emerging regulatory frameworks, managing compliance challenges or supporting digital and AI-driven initiatives, they are helping their organisations adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
One theme that emerged consistently throughout my research was the increasing emphasis on agility. The ability to balance legal risk with commercial opportunity, provide practical guidance during periods of uncertainty, and foster strong cross-functional collaboration has become a defining characteristic of successful legal leadership. At the same time, issues such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, ESG, compliance and competition law continue to reshape the in-house legal agenda.
This year’s honourees also highlight the diversity of expertise across Austria’s economy, representing organisations from sectors including financial services, energy, manufacturing, transport, construction, telecommunications, insurance, consumer goods and technology. Their achievements demonstrate the critical contribution that legal departments make to long-term business success.
On behalf of The Legal 500, I would like to congratulate all those recognised in the GC Powerlist: Austria 2026. We are delighted to celebrate your accomplishments and thank you for your continued contribution to the legal profession and the wider business community.
Margherita Birri
Research Editor
The Legal 500
On July 1st, Legal 500 unveiled the fourth edition of the GC Powerlist: Portugal 2026, in partnership with PLMJ. Hosted once again on the rooftop terrace of the firm’s Lisbon office under a blazing summer sun, the event brought together many of Portugal’s most accomplished in-house lawyers to celebrate this distinguished community of legal leaders.
Returning to its individual-focused format, this year’s edition marked the reintroduction of the Rising Stars category, recognising some of the country’s most promising emerging in-house counsel. It also saw the world debut of the Transnational Leaders category, highlighting general counsel whose leadership and influence extend beyond national borders and whose responsibilities span multiple jurisdictions.
The evening commenced with a welcome address from Legal 500’s editorial lead Francisco Castro, who emphasised the importance of continuously evolving the publication to reflect the realities of Portugal’s in-house legal market. He highlighted the rigorous research and selection process behind the GC Powerlist series and congratulated the honourees for their outstanding contributions to the profession and the organisations they serve.
Following this introduction, Bruno Ferreira, Managing Partner of PLMJ, took to the stage to congratulate those recognised in this year’s edition. In his remarks, he underscored the increasingly strategic role of in-house counsel in supporting business growth, navigating complexity, and driving legal excellence. He also reflected on the transformative impact that AI is having on the legal function and the opportunities it presents for corporate legal teams.
Concluding the formal proceedings, Alexandra Reis, Senior Counsel at Tabaqueira and a recipient in the inaugural Transnational Leaders category, shared a few reflections on the significance of recognising in-house lawyers and the value of fostering a strong, connected legal community. Drawing on her own experiences, she spoke about the importance of networking, knowledge-sharing and celebrating a profession whose contributions often take place behind the scenes.
The launch of the GC Powerlist: Portugal 2026 proved to be a fitting celebration of the country’s leading in-house legal talent. The evening showcased the depth, expertise, and influence of Portugal’s corporate counsel community while reaffirming Legal 500’s commitment to recognising and championing its achievements. We extend our sincere thanks to all those who participated in this year’s research process, and to PLMJ for once again partnering with Legal 500 to provide a platform that honours these exceptional legal professionals.
