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
The Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Italy 2026 brought together some of the country’s most distinguished general counsel and senior in-house legal professionals for an evening of celebration, recognition and networking in Milan.
Held on 24 September 2026 at the Organics SkyGarden Rooftop at Hyatt Centric Milan Centrale, the event provided a fitting setting in which to recognise the outstanding achievements of the lawyers featured in this year’s GC Powerlist: Italy.
The evening celebrated an exceptional and diverse group of in-house leaders representing companies across a broad range of sectors, including financial services, energy and utilities, technology, healthcare, consumer products, luxury, manufacturing, transport and infrastructure, media and professional services. This breadth reflects both the diversity of Italy’s corporate landscape and the increasingly important role played by legal departments in organisations across the economy.
Guests had the opportunity to connect with fellow members of Italy’s in-house legal community, exchange perspectives and celebrate the achievements of this year’s Powerlisters. The strong representation of senior legal professionals from across sectors also reinforced the value of the GC Powerlist as a platform for building relationships and encouraging dialogue within the Italian in-house community.
This year’s research highlighted the continued evolution of the general counsel role. Against a backdrop of increasing regulatory complexity, geopolitical uncertainty, technological innovation and changing business priorities, in-house lawyers are being called upon to contribute well beyond traditional legal advisory work. Artificial intelligence and digital transformation are also reshaping legal departments, creating opportunities for greater efficiency while introducing new questions around governance, implementation and risk.
Throughout the evening, there was a clear sense of the strategic importance that legal teams now hold within their organisations. The professionals recognised in the 2026 Powerlist demonstrate how modern in-house counsel combine technical expertise with commercial awareness, leadership and an ability to anticipate and respond to rapidly evolving business challenges.
The reception also provided an important opportunity to recognise the teams behind these achievements. As highlighted throughout the research for this year’s publication, many of Italy’s leading general counsel place collaboration, talent development and knowledge-sharing at the centre of building effective legal functions.
The Legal 500 would like to congratulate everyone recognised in the GC Powerlist: Italy 2026 and thank all those who contributed to the research and joined us in Milan for a memorable evening.
