Founded in 1921, CERHA HEMPEL is among Austria’s largest and leading firms. Since the late twentieth century, the firm has been growing a network of offices in Eastern Europe that now encompasses branches in Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary,
Romania and the Slovak Republic.
The firm has a strong focus on all
corporate and commercial matters with especial strength in capital markets
regularly
representing leading listed Austrian
companies and issuers.
Highlights
In capital markets, the firm advised listed company, voestalpine AG, on its successfully issue of its first green corporate bond for EUR 500 million with a term of five years and a coupon of 3.75%. This transaction is notably innovative as the first Green bond in the European Steel industry.
In M&A, the firm played a role advising OMV in the high profile strategic acquisition by ADNOC of Mubadala's interest in OMV. The acquisition, valued at $4.1 billion, is one of the largest M&A deals in the Austrian market.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development,
ERSTE Group
Bank
,
CYRRUS, a.s.,
RHI
Magnesita,
UniCredit Bank Austria AG,
J.P. Morgan SE,
voestalpine AG,
VIG Vienna Insurance Group,
MFS Investment Management FCP,
Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederösterreich-Wien AG,
Vienna Stock Exchange,
OMV,
ASFINAG,
Vienna International Airport,
SES Spar,
Republic of Austria
Testimonials
2025
“Professional, Fast, Hands on, Result oriented.” – M&A
“The firm is really outstanding when it comes to responsiveness and dedication to support the client.” –
M&A
“Very good value for money.” – M&A
“The team is very responsive and competent.” – M&A
“The firm's professionals combine legal
expertise with a strong awareness of commercial and strategic considerations, ensuring practical and business-focused advice.
The public law team – especially Hans
Kristoferitsch, Stefan Huber, and Claudia Hanslik-Schneider– impresses with its deep legal knowledge, strategic foresight, and comprehensive understanding of both national and EU legal frameworks. What I particularly appreciate about the team is their combination of legal excellence and practical insight. They
don’t just deliver technically sound legal advice – they take the time to understand the broader business context and tailor their guidance accordingly. Their responsiveness, collaborative mindset, and ability to simplify even the most complex legal issues make working with them both effective and enjoyable.
It’s rare to find a team that combines such deep
expertise with genuine client focus and strategic thinking. Furthermore, they collaborate effortlessly with other teams within the firm, ensuring a seamless and integrated service.” –
Project Development
“He is the mastermind, very analytic, very pragmatic, very solution oriented.”
“Excellent lawyer and very good in keeping the relationship with client.”
“Very professional and always available.”
“Hans
Kristoferitsch is an exceptional legal strategist with extensive knowledge. He has a strong network, both within the legal community and in political circles.”
“One of the best lawyers in Austria. He knows how to resolve difficult situations with the best outcome.”
2024
“Very high expertise, still solution driven, pragmatic, hardworking.” – Capital markets equity
“High expertise, quick response, result-orientated, hands on if needed.” –
Capital markets debt
“We have been working with CERHA HEMPEL for many years and appreciate the well-founded, always meaningful legal information, the good availability of the contact persons and the quick response.” –
Investment funds
“Responsiveness, legal expertise and experience. Know our company and business as well as requirements and preferences very well. Very pleasant to work with.” –
M&A
“Friendly, always responsive, smart, diligent.” –
M&A
“Compared to other law firms, CERHA HEMPEL has a leading market position not only when it comes to quality of their services, but they also offer highly competitive rates and an outstanding 24/7 availability.” –
M&A
“We have worked with Cerha Hempel for many years. Over the years, you learn to appreciate a trustful client-attorney relation. We are not only business partners,
we are friends.” – M&A
“Fast, great value for money, strong legal expertise.” –
M&A
“We have worked with Cerha Hempel for more than 20 years. This is a well established long stemming business relationship. They have been one of the leading firms 20 years ago and they still are. They keep up with legal development and provide the infrastructure of a large law firm. We grow
together. They are just
very good to work with.” –
M&A
“They are able to handle highly complex and sophisticated matters while being responsive, business-minded, fully dedicated and with a great value for money.” –
M&A
“They are excellent lawyers with a thorough grasp of the business reality. The transaction advice including SPA negotiations was proactive, thoughtful,
responsive and supportive of all our goals. In the current litigation they prove to be
absolutely firm bulletproof in the legal aspects and
highly understanding of the business logics.” – M&A
“Expert team, very responsive, clear answers.” –
M&A
“Professional
behaviour, quick and exact answers.” – PPP
“Industry sector knowledge, legal knowledge and ability, negotiation skills, client
management, depth of team.” – Project development
“Quality of the partners, value for money, flexibility.” –
Restructuring
“Albert Birkner is the star individual in Cerha Hempel. He has been advising us for more than 10 years without disappointments. He is the go-to partner in the firm.”
“Albert has advised us for more than twenty years. We know each other inside out. He is the top shot on the Austrian legal market. Albert gets a deal done, Albert makes things go. He is a mighty lawyer.”
“Relationship management. Company knowledge. Flexibility.”
“Understands commercial and technical aspects of a project very well which is extremely helpful when aligning transaction documents with different workstreams inhouse.”
“He is an excellent, well-connected lawyer with a wealth of experience, whose advice is always well-founded and balanced. During negotiations, he has an excellent understanding of how to
take into account the legitimate interests of all negotiating parties and how to achieve the best possible negotiation result for his own client.”
– M&A
“He is a leading figure and top choice for high end M&A, being fully dedicated and on top of all aspects: legal knowledge, business-mindedness, negotiation strategy and skills and responsiveness.”
- M&A
“He is an excellent lawyer, a tough and successful negotiator. He has developed
a strong team, that
enables him to
leverage his time.” -
M&A
“Clemens is not only an outstanding lawyer with deep knowledge in M&A, corporate law and capital markets law, but he also has an in-depth understanding for the business needs and the strategy of our company. He makes the difference in complex negotiations.” – M&A
“Tremendous personal knowledge in specialised fields of law, good communication skills.”
“Extremely knowledgeable. Genius when it comes to drafting complex legal agreements/clauses.”
“Diligent work, quick responses, sound advice, thoughtful.”
