Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte) acts for a variety of Austrian and foreign multinationals, in addition to public bodies, on both sides of cartel damages claims and in coordinating complex merger control proceedings before Austrian, EU and other competition authorities. Active across this spectrum of matters is Christoph Haid, who spearheads the practice, while Hanno Wollmann appears for both claimants and defendants in cartel damages proceedings, with further expertise in the regulations governing state aid. Franz Urlesberger represents clients in private and public cartel hearings, while Stefanie Stegbauer, who joined the partnership in February 2025, assists clients facing merger control and FDI challenges in Austria and before the European Commission.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • Best law firm in Austria, with a great network in Eastern Europe.
  • Volker Weiss is my go-to partner at Schoenherr. I have worked with him numerous times over the years. He is super-responsive, provides concise advice, and is open to finding practical solutions for the client's needs. He also has strong connections with the BWB's team.
  • Hanno Wollmann is an exceptional competition lawyer with vast knowledge about many different industries and extraordinary experience.
  • Excellent competition team with whom we regularly work for matters concerning Austria and Eastern European countries. Good knowledge and a very practical approach. Highly recommended.
  • Great all-around experience, great depth of team, competitive rates.
  • Christoph Haid is extremely responsive and a very experienced practitioner.
  • Schoenherr is the one competition team in Austria that clearly stands out. They also have a very strong network in CEE, which is extremely helpful in handling multijurisdictional matters in the region.
  • Franz Urlesberger: great practice group head, very good to work with. Volker Weiss: well connected in Brussels. Christoph Haid: ideal for FDI, but also competition law! Stefanie Stegbauer: top lawyer, very convincing in front of clients.
  • The partners Clemens Rainer, Christoph Haid, Johannes Frank, and associate Anna Reumann are always approachable and reachable in case there are some urgent issues to deal with. With their wide expertise and at the same time understanding the requests and business topics very well from a commercial point of view, with a focus on practicability, their support is outstanding.
  • Volker Weiss is top; he always provides to-the-point, practical advice to clients.

Key clients

  • Red Bull
  • Österreichische Beteiligungs AG
  • FUJIFILM Corporation
  • OMV
  • voestalpine Railway Systems
  • KONE
  • AGRANA
  • UNIQA
  • Schwarzmüller Group
  • REWE
  • Silgan
  • Brau Union
  • Acerinox
  • Gerresheimer

Work highlights

Appointed by OMV as lead regulatory counsel in connection with the envisaged $60bn+ merger of Borealis, Borouge and Nova Chemicals.
Advised Red Bull on the European Commission's investigation into it, following concerns of anti-competitive business practices.
Represented Daimler Truck Holding AG against damages claims arising out of the Trucks case.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

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Leading partners

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Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

Christoph Haid

Other key lawyers

Hanno Wollmann; Franz Urlesberger; Stefanie Stegbauer; Evelin Hlina