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
Legal 500, in exclusive partnership with BKM | Berkemeyer, co-hosted the launch of the GC Powerlist: Paraguay 2026, on June 10, at Luna 21, located in the World Trade Center in Asunción. Marking the second edition of the publication, the event brought together leading in-house counsel from across the country to celebrate excellence within Paraguay’s corporate legal community.
The evening began with opening remarks from Francisco Castro, Research Editor at Legal 500, who recognised the achievements of this year’s honourees and reflected on key themes emerging from the research process led by fellow Editor, Allan Cohen. In particular, he noted the growing influence of in-house legal teams within core industries and their increasing involvement in strategic, business-critical decision-making – a testament to the growth of corporate legal departments in the country.
Manuel Arias, Partner at BKM | Berkemeyer, followed with his address, congratulating those featured and sharing his perspective on the development of Paraguay’s legal market. He highlighted the evolving expectations placed on legal departments and the importance of continued collaboration between private practice and in-house teams.
To conclude the speeches, Ana Garrido of Constructora Heisecke, and one of this year’s honourees, was invited to share a few words from an in-house perspective. In her remarks, she emphasised the importance of in-house lawyers developing a deep and practical understanding of their business, while also underscoring the value of collaborating with external counsel to handle highly specialised matters that may fall beyond the time or resource constraints of internal legal teams.
With more than 60 attendees, the event provided a valuable platform for connection among senior in-house lawyers, reinforcing Legal 500’s commitment to supporting and recognising this dynamic and increasingly influential community. As the role of general counsel continues to expand, their contributions remain central to the success and resilience of modern organisations.
Legal 500 extends its sincere gratitude to BKM | Berkemeyer for its continued collaboration and support in bringing this publication and event to fruition.
