Firms To Watch: Dispute resolution: arbitration and mediation

Founded in January 2022, Peters Ortner Partners Rechtsanwälte GmbH is a boutique firm which focuses on the resolution of complex cross-border disputes before arbitral tribunals and state courts. The team is led by highly esteemed practitioners Philipp Peters and Helmut Ortner.

Dispute resolution: arbitration and mediation in Austria

DORDA Rechtsanwälte GmbH

Praised by clients for their ‘efficiency and out-of-box-thinking,’ DORDA Rechtsanwälte GmbH offers special expertise in construction arbitrations and matters concerning national or international trusts and leverages the expertise of other departments of the firm for a full-service offering. The team is also well versed in handling matters across multiple jurisdictions and is led by the ‘brilliant’ Veit Öhlberger and Florian Kremslehner, who both act as counsel and arbitrators under a range of arbitration rules, including ICC, UNCITRAL, LCIA, VIAC and CAM. Gunnar Pickl‘s broad practice includes construction and infrastructure litigation and arbitration as well as commercial liability insurance cases, with a specialism in matters with complex technical backgrounds.

Responsables de la pratique:

Veit Öhlberger; Florian Kremslehner


Autres avocats clés:

Christian Dorda; Gunnar Pickl; Philip Exenberger; Alexander Karl


Les références

‘In business law and business related legal areas, the firm covers all international and national clients may need. I am regularly impressed by their accuracy, solid skills and excellence in practising law. The brilliant Veit Öhlberger has recently taken the helm and shows significant presence, guiding and supervising other team members. An unreserved recommendation!’

‘Very strong team which is capable to deal both with arbitration and litigation. Court proceedings are always unpleasant, the team, however, supports you in a very good way making things easier. I like their efficiency and out of box thinking.’

‘DORDA has for many years been known as one of the best general service firms in Vienna that also has a strong arbitration practice.’

KNOETZL HAUGENEDER NETAL Rechtsanwaelte GmbH

With an emphasis on commercial arbitration, investment protection and arbitration-related court proceedings, KNOETZL HAUGENEDER NETAL Rechtsanwaelte GmbH is sought out by major regional and global corporations and is equipped to handle matters across an array of sectors, such as construction and engineering, energy, automotive, IT and healthcare. The team has noted expertise in matters spanning multiple jurisdictions and is jointly steered by Florian Haugeneder, who has vast experience as counsel and arbitrator under the rules of all major arbitral institutions as well as a ‘broad level of expertise and a good understanding of the need of clients,’ and Patrizia Netal, whose broad practice includes construction and engineering, post-M&A and energy matters and international sales contracts. Natascha Tunkel specialises in matters related to new technologies in areas such as life science or intellectual property, while Kirstin McGoldrick’s workload extends to matters involving multiple jurisdictions and multi-contract disputes.

Responsables de la pratique:

Florian Haugeneder; Patrizia Netal


Autres avocats clés:

Jurgita Petkute; Natascha Tunkel; Sophie Wotschke; Kirstin McGoldrick


Les références

‘Jurgita Petkute is a very professional, dedicated lawyer who never leaves questions unattended. As a co-arbitrator, this is very valuable and appreciated.’

‘Very reliable and competent law firm and probably one of the best in Austria in the area of dispute resolution. Diverse team, that also employs native English speakers.’

‘Florian Haugeneder: very experienced and competent partner with a broad level of expertise and a good understanding of the need of clients. He is reliable and delivers very good quality.’

Principaux clients

Casinos Austria International GmbH/Casinos Austria AG


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Casinos Austria in an ICISD investment arbitration against the Argentine Republic arising out of the expropriation of their gaming business in Argentina.

Wolf Theiss Rechtsanwälte GmbH & Co KG

Wolf Theiss Rechtsanwälte GmbH & Co KG‘s arbitration team is integrated into the firm’s Dispute Practice Group and works seamlessly with other practices, such as employment, regulatory and corporate for widespread advice on an array of arbitration matters, and has a dedicated construction arbitration team with Wolfgang Müller and Thomas Anderl as key contacts. The team frequently advises on cross-border matters and is recognised for its experience in both commercial and investment arbitration. ‘Fantastic lawyer’ Stefan Riegler offers particular expertise in the energy, construction and infrastructure sectors. Riegler heads the dispute group and co-leads the arbitration team with Venus Valentina Wong, who was promoted to partner in September 2022 and has notable knowledge of the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards.

Responsables de la pratique:

Stefan Riegler


Autres avocats clés:

Venus Valentina Wong; Thomas Anderl; Emmanuel Kaufman; Sofia Kovacevic; Alexander Zollner; Wolfgang Müller


Les références

‘Venus Valentina Wong provided service with professional thinking and efficient conduct. ’

‘Wolf Theiss is a fantastic firm for international arbitration. Their arbitration team is the best in Austria.’

‘Stefan Riegler is a fantastic lawyer. He is imaginative, responsive and thinks out of the box, he has a strategic mind and comes up with innovative solutions. Valentina Venus Wong is a smart and meticulous lawyer, with great emphasis on details. Sofia Kovacevic is a rising star in international arbitration. She is patient and very diligent.’

Principaux clients

PINUS Grundstückvermietung


STRABAG


Principaux dossiers


Zeiler Rechtsanwälte GmbH

Described by clients as ‘one of the best boutiques in Austria,’ Zeiler Rechtsanwälte GmbH advises on a broad range of national and international arbitration proceedings and commercial litigation, and is especially well-versed in employment law related matters. The team is furthermore recommended for its sector expertise in shipping and marine, logistics and transportation, energy and construction. Gerold Zeiler leads the group and is a member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, while ‘extremely smart and brilliant lawyer’ Lisa Beisteiner and Alfred Siwy are both experts in all aspects of commercial and investment arbitration, with Siwy having a track record in international arbitration proceedings, and Beisteiner being particularly proficient in handling matters linked to the energy and construction industries.

Responsables de la pratique:

Gerold Zeiler


Autres avocats clés:

Lisa Beisteiner; Alfred Siwy; Friederike Schäfer


Les références

‘They are one of the best boutiques in Austria. Lisa Beisteiner and Gerold Zeiler are both outstanding.’

‘A boutique law firm with strong individuals that are totally committed to their clients and their cases. Very professional and very experienced in the field of arbitration, litigation and dispute resolution. They are a go-to firm for energy arbitrations that needs a team of dedicated lawyers.’

‘Lisa Beisteiner is absolutely outstanding. She is extremely smart and a brilliant lawyer. Immediately understands the strengths and weaknesses of a case and develops a strategy to built on the strengths. She has a sharp perception for the minute details of a case.’

Principaux clients

Czechia


Bosnia and Herzegovina


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented a German energy major in an arbitration on a gas dispute in connection with delivery of gas from Russia.
  • Represented Czechia in a dispute with an Israeli investor.
  • Advised a Central European energy major on force majeure claims in a potential dispute with one of its customers. The contractual relationship is based upon a long-term gas supply agreement under Austrian law.

Baker McKenzie Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG

Baker McKenzie Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG‘s team combines practice lead Filip Boras‘ experience with working for clients from the SEE region with the firm's international network to comfortably handle complex cross-border disputes. The team advices across a wide ranges of sectors, with notable strength in energy and construction matters. Désirée Prantl is recommended for international commercial arbitration and state court litigation.

Responsables de la pratique:

Filip Boras


Autres avocats clés:

Alexander Petsche; Désirée Prantl


Principaux clients

RTI Rotalin Gas Trading AG/Rotalin Gaz Trading S.R.L.


Municipality of Vlora


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised and represented Rotalin Gas Trading AG and its Moldovan subsidiary, Rotalin Gaz Trading SRL, in an investment dispute under the Energy Charter Treaty. The claim was filed under the ICSID Additional Facility Rules. The arbitration is seated in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Represented the Municipality of Vlora in an arbitration against a former operator of parking payment systems after the early termination of a concession agreement. The entire claim was rejected.

Pitkowitz & Partners

Described as ‘quick, sharp and experienced,’ Pitkowitz & Partners specialises in international and high stakes arbitration, and acts in a range of sectors including construction, energy, technology and real estate. The team is jointly steered by ‘international arbitration star’ Nikolaus Pitkowitz, who continues to be nominated as arbitrator in various high-profile disputes while also regularly acting as counsel, and Roxanne de Jesus with her focuses on cross-border litigation and arbitration with special experience in the field of joint venture disputes.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nikolaus Pitkowitz; Roxanne de Jesus


Autres avocats clés:

Peter Machherndl


Les références

‘I had a very good experience working with Roxanne de Jesus.’

‘Nikolaus Pitkowitz is one of the leading arbitration lawyers in Austria. He and his team focuses on arbitration and arbitration related litigation and bring enormous expertise and dedication to their clients.’

‘Nikolaus Pitkowitz is an international arbitration star who plays in a different league than most of his competitors. He is enormously smart, has sharp analytical and great strategic skills.’

Principaux clients

General Dynamics


Integral


Kinve Solar Power


Liberty Steel Group


Slovalco


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Integral, an Austrian pipeline and plant construction company, as lead counsel in a complex London-seated ICC dispute against Italian and Slovakian opponents.
  • Advised Liberty Liège-Dudelange in connection with a cross-border dispute with one of its prime CEE customers relating to consequences of COVID-related price increases.
  • Represented Alperton and its shareholders in a cross-border dispute regarding Alperton’s shares in companies owning drill ships, including an arbitration with excess of $700m in dispute, conducted under ICC rules and seated in New York.

Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte)

Investor-state disputes under ICSID, UNCITRAL and other rules, as well as commercial disputes and ad hoc proceedings are at the heart of Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte)‘s practice, which clients describe as ‘determined, creative and result oriented.’ Led by Christoph Lindinger, the team’s areas of expertise include national and cross-border pharma, finance and data protection disputes as well as construction matters. ‘Outstanding advocate’ Leon Kopecký offers a specialism in investment-related matters, while dual-qualified (Austria and New York) Victoria Pernt covers the full gamut of international arbitration.

Responsables de la pratique:

Christoph Lindinger


Autres avocats clés:

Victoria Pernt; Leon Kopecký; Marina Stanisavljevic; Sebastian Lukic


Les références

‘The team is extremely dedicated, focussed, and highly professional with a lot of experience.’ 

‘They have longstanding experience and a great track record of arbitrations.’ 

‘We have received full support from the very beginning. We have also been advised in our language, which was highly appreciated. We have been advised in a very professional manner, anticipating potential risks. We had the impression that our advisors have wide knowledge of legal and arbitration matters. The availability of the team has also been very appreciated.’

Principaux clients

JCDecaux SA


KELAG-Kärntner Elektrizitäts-Aktiengesellschaft


DARDAFON


APG/SGA, Société Générale d’Affichage, ALMA QUATTRO DOO BEOGRAD


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented APG and its Serbian subsidiary, Alma Quattro, in a multimillion euro ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Serbia under the Switzerland-Serbia BIT.
  • Advised KELAG Austria and KELAG International in an investment dispute with Romania.
  • Represented Dardafon in its second ICC arbitration against the state-owned mobile network operator Kosovo Telecom.

Vavrovsky Heine Marth Rechtsanwälte

Vavrovsky Heine Marth Rechtsanwälte handles the full range of dispute prevention, representation before arbitral tribunals and the enforcement of judgements with strong legal and analytical skills’. Co-lead Nikolaus Vavrovsky, ‘one of Austria’s pre-eminent authorities in this field,’ excels in commercial arbitration and advises on post-M&A disputes, international commercial contracts, financial transactions and construction projects and regularly acts in cross-border matters, while co-head Florian Stefan focuses on technology, licensing and distribution-related matters and has experience in public international law and investor-state arbitration.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nikolaus Vavrovsky; Florian Stefan


Les références

‘Perfect mix between strategic thinking and great execution.’

‘Nikolaus Vavrovsky always gives you the impression that you are the only client in focus.’

‘They certainly offer one of Austria’s premier international arbitration and dispute resolution practices. The team is well versed in all different aspects that come along with arbitration proceedings. It is astute and truly innovative in its submissions.’

AKG ADVISORY Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH

With a broad practice that includes all stages of proceedings, from dispute prevention and planning to representation of clients in accordance with arbitration rules, AKG ADVISORY Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH is noted for its capabilities in cross-border disputes and offers particular experience in the energy sector. Practice lead Anne-Karin Grill, who clients praise for her ‘in-depth knowledge of international arbitration law,’ has a track record in treaty arbitration and especially in the field of mediation between investors and states.

Responsables de la pratique:

Anne-Karin Grill


Autres avocats clés:

Hrvoje Kurelec


Les références

‘The team is very agile and available round-the-clock to serve the client’s needs. The language capabilities of the team are diverse.’

‘Anne-Karin Grill is extremely sharp and combines attention to detail with long-term strategic thinking.’

‘AKG is a great Austrian boutique with one of the most experienced leaders. What differentiates them is that Anne-Karin Grill is, in her heart, a true mediator. She tries to avoid unnecessary conflicts but fights until the last round when her client is treated unfairly.’

Principaux clients

SREW N.V.


IVICOM Holding GmbH


Amazon Services Europe SARL


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented SREW N.V. in a treaty arbitration under ICSID Arbitration Rules concerning its failed investment in the renewable energy sector in Ukraine.
  • Represented IVICOM Holding GmbH in an ECT arbitration under the SCC Arbitration Rules concerning its failed investment in the energy sector in Albania.
  • Advised Amazon Services Europe SARL (Luxembourg) on online dispute resolution services as part of the CEDR Amazon Platform to Business Mediation scheme.

Binder Grösswang

Highlighted for the ‘exceptional quality of their service,’ Binder Grösswang‘s varied case load includes domestic and international arbitration under an array of rules such as VIAC, ICC and SCC, the enforcement of arbitral awards from various jurisdictions, as well as dispute resolution by means of mediation. The team is led jointly by Christian Klausegger, who has notable experience in IT and insurance disputes, and commercial cross-border disputes expert Ingeborg Edel.

Responsables de la pratique:

Christian Klausegger; Ingeborg Edel


Autres avocats clés:

Michael Kutschera; Elisabeth Tretthahn-Wolski


Les références

‘Christian Klausegger: great arbitrator, very diligent, extremely smart, interested in and good know-how of technical issues.’

‘The team was very professional, responsive and business-minded. They ensured great communication between all participants, a joint cross-jurisdictional effort.’

‘Ingeborg Edel stood out as a tough, yet affable lawyer. Her advice was always crisp and clear, with risks, solutions and recommended routes always pointed out. She was always constructive and pragmatic in her approach to difficult issues or discussions. ’

Principaux clients

Lenzing AG


State of Libya


Austrian Federal Railways


Starlinger & Co GmbH


Smurfit Kappa


Liebherr


City of Vienna


Renault


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented the State of Libya in enforcements proceedings in Austria regarding the enforcement of an ICC award in Austria.
     
     
  • Represented a petrochemical industry client in a multi-million euro ICC arbitration.

Cerha Hempel

Cerha Hempel‘s contentious business team is praised by clients for its ‘great competence’ and regularly represents clients as counsel in arbitration proceedings in a range of industries such as manufacturing, construction and energy. Described as ‘one of the top litigators and arbitrators in Austria,’ Irene Welser has a track record of acting as arbitrator in international arbitration proceedings and is recommended for construction, corporate, post-M&A and shareholder disputes.

Responsables de la pratique:

Irene Welser


Autres avocats clés:

Holger Bielesz; Alexandra Stoffl; Paul Krepil


Les références

‘Great litigation and arbitration practice. Very hands on, but at the same time academically thorough.’

‘Well connected and dedicated team.’

‘Irene Welser is an excellent and persuasive litigator.’

Principaux clients

MACON A.B.


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented MACON A.B., a Swedish manufacturer of refractory materials, as lead counsel in a VIAC proceeding against a Russian steel producer.

SAXINGER Rechtsanwalts GmbH

SAXINGER Rechtsanwalts GmbH has a strong pedigree in handling disputes in the construction industry, and is equipped to comfortably deal with cross-border matters, with the team’s experience including advice on matters with complex expert surveys and post-M&A proceedings. Exemplifying this in particular is practice head Markus Fellner, who also offers a specialism in handling large-scale construction projects and is described by clients as ‘highly knowledgeable and dedicated.’ Ria Kucera advises on the whole spectrum of commercial law and is well versed in arbitration proceedings under VIAC and ICC rules.

Responsables de la pratique:

Markus Fellner


Autres avocats clés:

Ria Kucera; Nina Pichler; Lukas Biermayer


Les références

‘Very experienced lawyers who have studied worldwide and understand a wide range of legal systems.’

‘All team members were highly available, and I am very happy with the results.’

‘Markus Fellner was recommended to me for being highly knowledgeable and dedicated, and I have made the same experience. I fully trust his judicious counsel and especially value his particularly meticulous conduct of international arbitration proceedings. His high attention to detail was pivotal for the case.’

Principaux clients

Bilfinger Bohr- und Rohrtechnik GmbH


HDI Global SE


Heaven Seven GmbH


Heaven Seven Swiss AG


Klenk & Meder GmbH


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented voestalpine in proceedings against the German metal company SMS.
  • Represented Heaven Seven in cross-border ICDR proceedings.
  • Represented Klenk & Meder in mediation proceedings related to enforcement of claims against a contractor.

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH provides clients with excellent support in a range of industries such as finance, construction, energy and engineering and transport, with the team’s areas of expertise including domestic as well as international arbitration proceedings and the enforcement of arbitral awards. Co-head Johannes Reich-Rohrwig specialises in corporate and commercial law, which is also a strength of co-head Daniela Karollus-Bruner, who also leads the firm’s insurance team. ‘Fast and diligent’  Sonja Otenhajmer offers particular knowledge of CEE jurisdictions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Johannes Reich-Rohrwig; Daniela Karollus-Bruner


Autres avocats clés:

Sonja Otenhajmer


Les références

‘CMS works great independently, which includes hitting deadline. We felt confident in the proposed steps and their execution.’

‘CMS was always able to manage the whole process in a way that we did not have to watch every step, deadlines etc. We felt confident in the steps proposed and executed by them.’

‘We work with Daniela Karollus-Bruner and Sonja Otenhajmer, their work is fast and diligent.’

Principaux clients

Strabag


PLATTE disputes.solutions

PLATTE disputes.solutions is ‘a stellar arbitration boutique’ that specialises in post-M&A, shareholder and sale of goods disputes. Practice lead Martin Platte is a member of the Advisor Board of the VIAC and an Austrian delegate to the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, and regularly acts as arbitrator in VIAC and ICC proceedings. Philipp Schwarz left the firm in October 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Martin Platte


Les références

‘Martin Platte is one of a kind. What really impresses is the fact that he managed to grow a fabulous team around him. Spot on, responsive and extremely knowledgeable – a stellar arbitration boutique.’

‘Martin Platte always keeps his calm, even in the most complex and contingent situations. He is always one step ahead.’

‘Martin Platte has a pragmatic and hands-on approach while still being well-acquainted with the law and its intricacies.’