The Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world for 28 years. In a new series, The Legal 500 is turning its attention to the in-house function, shining a spotlight on the role of corporate counsel, and in particular those individuals who are driving both legal business and the profession forwards.
The aim of the UK: Rising Stars is to highlight those standout performers coming into their own at major companies, typically but not exclusively during their 30s – the GCs of tomorrow if you like….read more
Given the relatively flat nature of the career structure below group GC level and the increasing breadth of the UK in-house profession, identifying and then narrowing down the field to 100 was obviously going to prove more challenging than highlighting a group of GCs who had already climbed to the top of their ladder.
Our research, which was led by Legal Business news editor Caroline Hill and reporters Francesca Fanshawe and Sarah Downey, went through several stages, beginning with the online collection of hundreds of individual nominations before we moved to directly canvassing senior figures in the profession. Inevitably, pulling together such a list is not an exact science once you go beyond the easy-to identify standout chief legal officers at major companies, but the breadth of nominations and weeks of research among our established contact base means we feel we’ve made a very credible start on which to build in future. To widen the scope of the project, we have also built on the core UK Powerlist itself to solicit commentary on the changing demands made of up-and-coming in-house counsel and to provide analysis of how the career outlook and opportunities of working with major corporates are evolving. To keep continuity with last year’s report and the 100 senior UK GCs we highlighted in 2013, this group was again canvassed for their input on the best mid-level talent on offer and how they as GCs are looking to develop more of this breed.
David Burgess
Publishing Director
On 15th May 2025, Legal 500 celebrated the 2025 edition of its GC Powerlist: Austria in the historic offices of CERHA HEMPEL. This year’s Powerlist once again recognises a stellar collection of the country’s top senior in-house counsel, and leading practitioners came together to celebrate their achievement.
The evening commenced with a welcome from Isabel Caine, Event Content Editor at Legal 500, followed by an address from CERHA HEMPEL managing partner Albert Birkner.
Nicole Christ, Head of Legal at RHI Magnesita, then took to the stage to deliver a topical and considered keynote speech on key challenges in-house counsel face in today’s market and some of the curveballs, such as rapid advancements in AI, being thrown their way. Christ spoke to the constant adaptability, resilience and growth expected of general counsel – qualities demonstrated by those in the room.
The convivial atmosphere in the room saw honourees collect their certificates and take their picture with Isabel and Albert, with each other, their colleagues, and with various partners from CERHA HEMPEL. Attendees then enjoyed further networking opportunities, accompanied by drinks and canapés.
Legal 500 would like to thank CERHA HEMPEL for sponsoring the GC Powerlist Austria: 2025 and extend a warm and well-deserved congratulations to everyone who made it onto the list.
