KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH > Vienna, Austria > Firm Profile
KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH Offices
FLEISCHMARKT 1
1010
VIENNA
Austria
KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH > The Legal 500 Rankings
Austria > Construction Tier 1
KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH offers clients ‘practical solutions and advice’ across the spectrum of construction law issues, assisting with the drafting of contracts for major projects, while also representing clients before the courts. The team is sought after for major infrastructure projects by public bodies, private developers and investors, whom it advises across the life cycle of construction projects, working closely with the firm’s procurement team. Leading the practice are co-founding partner Georg Karasek, whose expertise includes construction, procurement and architectural law, infrastructure project specialists Clemens Berlakovits and Paul Schmidinger, both of whom also assist with real estate transactions, as well as Jan Philipp Schifko, who handles both contractual matters and disputes.Practice head(s):
Clemens Berlakovits; Georg Karasek; Jan Philipp Schifko; Paul Schmidinger
Other key lawyers:
Vinzenz Waldhof; Julian Ring
Testimonials
‘Jan Philipp Schifko is very involved in every case, knows all the facts and gives great practical advice.’
‘Client-centric and practical solutions and advice, eager to find the best legal solution taking into consideration the business and technical surrounding the client is in.’
‘Efficient and fast communication, absolutely willing to go the extra mile in order to find the best solution for the client, great translator of legal language for business people.’
‘Extremely experienced in construction related legal matters.’
‘Jan Schifko is always available, supportive, experienced and professional.’
‘Excellent in construction law.’
‘Jan Schifko is professional, highly responsive and pragmatic.’
Key clients
ALU KÖNIG STAHL GmbH
Kamper Bau
Telegraphencentrale Bauträger GmbH
Schüller Bau
PSC Errichtungsgesellschaft m.b.H.
Metallbau Eybel GmbH
WK Development GmbH
Handler Group
ATP Innsbruck GmbH
FB Future Bauart Bauträger GmbH
SMB
Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft
BVAEB
Wiener Linien
Caritas Wien
Esterhazy Betriebe GmbH
Wirtschaftsagentur Wien. Ein Fonds der Stadt Wien.
Vasko + Partner Jabornegg & Pálffy Architekten
Work highlights
- Advised Wiener Linien GmbH & Co KG in connection with the drafting of contracts for the construction of the underground railway project Linienkreuz U2 U5.
- Assisted the architectural firm Vasko + Partner Jabornegg & Pálffy Architekten with contract negotiations in regard to an extensive renovation of a cultural institution.
- Represented PreZero in civil proceedings concerning damage claims against their Austrian contractor, who violated fire safety standards after which caused several millions of Euros of damage.
Austria > Data privacy and data protection Tier 3
KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH strengthened its data protection practice with the December 2022 arrival of Beatrice Blümel from the Austrian data protection authority, who heads the firm’s new technology and digitalisation group and assists clients in the event of data breaches. The team advises on trade secrets and e-privacy matters, handling ongoing IT projects and GDPR compliance. The team is jointly led by Anna Mertinz, who has extensive experience at the intersection of data protection and employment law, and Barbara Kuchar, who represents clients in the wake of data breaches and is also noted for her work on trade secrets.Practice head(s):
Anna Mertinz; Barbara Kuchar
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘For us, KWR’s network to central and eastern Europe is very important. KWR was able to support us quickly with issues in other countries by establishing contact with partner law firms or clarifying questions for us via these law firms.’
‘Anna Mertinz is easy and pleasant to work with. She makes time even on days with busy schedules and is always professional and friendly.’
‘Anna Mertinz has remarkable professional experience in data protection and it is always a pleasure to work with her.’
Key clients
Austrian Limited E-Commerce GmbH
AGRANA
Maispa
LOS 22 Wien
Ing. Armin Weinrath
DIALOG Bildungs- und Beratungsinstitut GmbH
myneva Austria GmbH
engcon Austria GmbH
Coca-Cola HBC Austria GmbH
Ryanair
Mister Spex AG
Nemo Healthcare BV
System 7 group
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE)
Rohde & Schwarz Österreich GesmbH
MAHLE Filtersysteme Austria GmbH
ASSA ABLOY Austria GmbH
Familie & Beruf Management GmbH
Diversity Think Tank Consulting GmbH
Arbeitswelten Consulting
Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH
De’Longhi Kenwood GmbH
Edizon Innovation GmbH
Ivellio-Vellin IT Services
Willis Towers Watson Austria GmbH
Work highlights
- Advised the Ryanair Group, particularly Lauda Europe, Malta Air and Ryanair DAC on airline-specific data protection questions.
- Advised Agrana on whether its head of legal was subject to full or only partial obligations under GDPR.
- Assisted Coca-Cola Hellenic on the transfer of data to third countries and the allocation of roles within of the group.
Austria > Intellectual property Tier 3
KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH handles a range of contentious and non-contentious IP matters, with a growing trade mark portfolio management practice complimenting its litigious patent, copyright and trade mark capabilities. The team represents clients both bringing and defending infringement claims, and is also well versed in handling the IP aspects of M&A transactions and licensing deals. Practice head Barbara Kuchar provides ‘insightful, clear and practical advice’ on the full spectrum of IP matters and unfair competition issues.Practice head(s):
Barbara Kuchar
Testimonials
‘Barbara Kuchar is hands-on, giving insightful, clear and practical advice. It gives you confidence that you are getting the best advice for your clients.’
‘The personal interaction that the firm maintains with its clients and customers not only ensures that all important information is fully shared, but also that one is always kept up to date.’
‘Barbara Kuchar is extremely experienced, thoughtful, fast and very pleasant to work with. She always proceeds strategically and appropriately for the situation, with a very good sense of proportion.’
‘Barbara Kuchar provides very user-friendly advice that shows she truly understands the nuances of the law and is able to apply them practically to help solve our client’s business problems, rather than just regurgitate legal facts that do not help clients!’
‘Barbara Kuchar’s advice is always spot on and clear and concise, such that I don’t have to ask a lot of follow-up questions; she also provides creative solutions, thinking outside the box on complicated enforcement matters and helping to try to solve problems instead of create more!’
‘Barbara Kuchar and her team have been a reliable and highly qualified business partner for many years. Understanding the particularities of our industry is one of their big assets.’
‘Barbara and her team act quickly and accurately. They ask clear questions to dive deeper into topics when necessary. The collaboration is appreciative and the communication clear, especially if you are not familiar with the subject matter.’
Key clients
Hearonymus GmbH
Roc8 GmbH
Peanuts Worldwider LLC
Ferring B.V.
Franke GmbH
Reckitt Benckiser
Apple Inc.
Earcandy entertainment GmbH
System 7 Railsupport GmbH
Loisium Holding GmbH
cargo-partner GmbH
ADA Möbelwerke GmbH
Sunpor Kunststoff GmbH
Work highlights
- Represented Franke GmbH in design infringement proceedings against a major Austrian chain of furnishing stores.
- Took over management of the Chamber of Notaries’ Austrian and international trademark portfolio of approximately 20 trademarks.
- Took over management of Ferring B.V.’s Austrian trademark portfolio of approximately 10 trademarks.
Austria > Public procurement Tier 3
KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH's procurement team brings a wide sectoral focus to bear, advising on projects revolving around construction, IT and consulting services for public contracting authorities. The ‘very competent’ Katharina Trettnak-Hahnl leads the team, combining a strong procurement practice with state aid law. Mats Schröder operates a broad practice, advising clients on matters of procurement in conjunction with public and private business law.Practice head(s):
Katharina Trettnak-Hahnl
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Katharina Trettnak-Hahnl is very competent, always available, very flexible and really understands the industry and her clients.’
‘They have expertise in procurement, combined with competence and a wide view.’
‘Katharina Trettnak-Hahnl is an expert in procurement, and also very personable. You get quick replies, engagement and practical solutions. The same applies to her colleague Mats Schröder.’
Key clients
Wirtschaftsagentur Wien. Ein Fonds der Stadt Wien.
Landeszahnärztekammer für Wien
BEST – Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbH
Energy IT Service GmbH
EDA EnergiewirtschaftlicherDatenaustausch GmbH
B&F Wien – Bestattung und Friedhöfe GmbH
Friedhöfe Wien GmbH
Österreichische Galerie Belvedere
Wiener Stadtwerke GmbH
Wiener Netze GmbH
Wien Energie GmbH
COVID-19 Finanzierungsagentur des Bundes GmbH
Österreichische Beteiligungs AG
Wien 3420 Aspern Development AG
Wien 3420 Umwelt und Baulog GmbH
Verein „Österreichs E-Wirtschaft“
Versicherungsanstalt öffentlich Bediensteter, Eisenbahnen und Bergbau
Wiener Linien GmbH & Co KG
Celebi Ground Services Austria GmbH
Nipro Medical Austria GmbH
Land Burgenland (Amt der Burgenländischen Landesregierung)
Land Niederösterreich (Amt der NÖ Landesregierung)
Montanuniversität Leoben
Materials Center Leoben Forschung GmbH
Wolfgang Traussner Bau GmbH
Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien
FCP – Fritsch, Chiari & Partner ZT GmbH
FCC Austria Abfall Service AG
Nationalfonds der Republik Österreich für Opfer des Nationalsozialismus
AGCS Gas Clearing and Settlement AG
Work highlights
- Advised Montanuniversität Leoben and acted as awarding authority regarding a pair of two-stage negotiation procedures.
- Advised Wirtschaftsagentur Wien. Ein Fonds der Stadt Wien and acted as awarding authority in a two-stage negotiation procedure for a tender for technical and project management consulting services for the new “Technologiezentrum Neu Marx.”
- Advised the State of Burgenland on the implementation of an award procedure concerning the conclusion of framework agreements on further education and training measures.
Austria > Real estate Tier 3
The ‘solution-driven’ KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH real estate practice oversees projects from start to finish, advising on initial construction contracts through to the disposal of property to investment funds via share and asset deals. The practice has expanded its presence in the hotel markets in recent years, frequently assisting with transactions in this space. The team is led by a four-man leadership group consisting of Clemens Berlakovits, Georg Karasek, Jan Philipp Schifko and Paul Schmidinger.Practice head(s):
Clemens Berlakovits; Georg Karasek; Jan Philipp Schifko; Paul Schmidinger
Other key lawyers:
Andreas Herrmann; Vinzenz Waldhof; Caroline Lessky
Testimonials
‘Solution-driven, reacts in an instant, super smart and delivers tailor-made legal solutions.’
‘Fast, efficient, productive and 100% reliable.’
‘Enthusiasm, excellent knowledge, legal and economic understanding, very pleasant.’
‘Jan Philipp Schifko’s team, in particular Ms. Lessky, use their subject knowledge and interpersonal skills to work on complex matters. We had multiple large projects that needed to be coordinated with multiple partners, and this worked perfectly.’
‘Jan Philipp Schifko is very knowledgeable about his area. Assertive but friendly representation in negotiations. Always available and always throws himself fully into a real estate project, going above and beyond.’
‘Caroline Lessky is knowledgeable in her area. She stayed on top of a very large number of contracts and documents. Very competent and friendly in negotiations and is always available, providing solutions very quickly.’
Key clients
Wirtschaftsraum Amstetten GmbH
Life at the Shore GmbH
Bastion Beta GmbH
PH Immobilien GmbH
3 SI Immogroup
Stadtgemeinde Amstetten
SIGS Immobilien
Christian Tschida
ORCADO/Haring Group
Wüstenrot Insurance Group
Kollitsch & Reichstamm
Caritas der Erzdiözese Wien
WILA
Immovate Group
Handler Immobilien
Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft
CORAG
Wirtschaftsagentur Wien
International Campus Group
WT 80 Group
Neumayer Projektentwicklung
Work highlights
- Advised Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft on real estate use agreements in the initial phase of the construction of a new building for the Medical University of Vienna.
- Acted for Handler Immobilien and Kollitsch & Reichstamm on the sale of a new residential project in Hirschstetten via a forward purchase share deal to Erste Immobilien KAG.
- Assisted International Campus Group on the acquisition of a real estate portfolio of five student residences in Germany and Austria.
Austria > Dispute resolution: commercial litigation Tier 4
KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH‘s team is recognised for its ‘great understanding of complex technical processes,’ and offers established experience with disputes in the construction sector. Exemplifying this is practice head and ‘top lawyer’ Thomas Frad, who is an expert in this field. Georg Karasek offers additional construction expertise, and also well versed in procurement and architectural law.Practice head(s):
Thomas Frad
Other key lawyers:
Georg Karasek; Clemens Berlakovits; Jan Philipp Schifko; Elisabeth Fischer
Testimonials
‘Jan Schifko – exceptional effort, great solutions. Clemens Berlakovits – always finds the best solutions for the client.’
‘Jan Schifko and his team provide profound legal advice and handle the huge workload in a very efficient and goal-oriented manner. They have a great understanding of complex technical processes.’
‘Jan Schifko always responds very quickly and in an understandable fashion.’
‘KWR has an exceptionally good working team of top lawyers for any legal need a company may have. They are still small enough to be accessible on partner-level, but deeply specialised for any legal action you may need. Besides that, they are part of an impressive international network. ’
‘Thomas Frad is a top lawyer not only from a strategic point of view, but also when it comes to battle in court.’
‘Honest assessment: great legal (litigation) experience, excellent know-how of different legal aspects.’
Key clients
Land Niederösterreich
PSC Errichtungsgesellschaft m.b.H.
Kamper
Schüller
Heidenbauer
Implenia AG/ Implenia Bau GmbH
ATP Innsbruck GmbH
AY-KA Bau
Schrack Technik GmbH
Handler
Joint Venture of AXIS and Jabornegg & Palffy Architects (ARGE GP Parlament)
Work highlights
- Represented Land Niederösterreich in asserting claims for damages against cartel participants.
- Represented ATP in civil proceedings regarding the development of a shopping centre in Slovenia.
Austria > Employment Tier 4
Providing ‘an outstanding service on HR topics’, Anna Mertinz leads KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH‘s team, with her multifaceted practice encompassing advice on cross-border staff deployments, employment contracts, assistance with company acquisitions, employee data protection, and compliance. Jennifer Held left the firm in February 2023, while Martin Lanner, whose workload includes employee participation schemes, joined in September 2023 from Schindler Attorneys.Practice head(s):
Anna Mertinz
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Anna Mertinz provides an outstanding service on HR topics.’
‘Prompt and precise answers to all my questions, very high knowledge on all legal issues, and great network.’
‘Anna Mertinz has very high standards concerning knowledge, and a high work ethic. She is for sure working hard.’
Key clients
apetito Österreich GmbH
Norgine Pharma GmbH
Salzburg Global
Ing. Armin Weinrath GmbH
Next MatterGmbH
Fleischeslust
Burtscher Durig
KIR
Lifecare Essentials
Merz Aesthetics GmbH
Milford Tee Austria
Agrana
Maispa
LOS 22
Ryanair
Crewlink
Familie & Beruf Management
Diversity Think Tank Consulting GmbH
myneva Austria GmbH
Mister Spex
Nemo Healthcare
Hornbach
Coca-Cola
Lyreco
Towers Watson
Handler Holding
Rohde & Schwarz
Assa Abloy
Diamond Aircraft
Lindner Group KG
Work highlights
- Advised Ryanair Group on a range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters.
- Advised Milford on managing directors’ employment contracts, workplace privacy, and new hires.
- Advised Agrana on the long-term cooperation and employment of a lawyer as head of the legal department and managing director in affiliated companies.
KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH > Firm Profile
KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH is one of the leading law firms in Austria with a strong focus on all areas of business law. KWR advises well-known national and international clients in all fields of Austrian, European, and international business law. KWR – lawyers boast a strong academic background and have gained extensive work experience in renowned law firms, as well as in the private sector, both in Austria and abroad, before joining KWR.
KWR’s international network of hand-picked lawyers and practices allows it to provide competent legal advice exactly where its needed, thus benefiting from KWR’s ‘no barriers’ working culture. KWR works and cooperates closely with Austrian and foreign academic institutions and all KWR – lawyers regularly contribute to leading law journals. The thorough understanding of the newest developments in academic doctrine, in addition to our experitise in the legal profession, enables KWR to offer its clients innovative solutions in developing new and highly specialized business areas. KWR is proud to offer innovative solutions and excellent legal representation.
www.kwr.at
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Dispute Resolution | Thomas Frad | [email protected] | |
Construction | Georg Karasek | [email protected] | |
Construction, Real Estate | Clemens Berlakovits | [email protected] | |
Real Estate, Construction | Paul Schmidinger | [email protected] | |
Corporate M&A, Competition | Jörg Zehetner | [email protected] | |
Corporate M&A | Thomas Haberer | [email protected] | |
Energy | Thomas Rabl | [email protected] | |
IP, Data Protection | Barbara Kuchar | [email protected] | |
Employment, Data Protection | Anna Mertinz | [email protected] | |
Public Procurement | Katharina Trettnak-Hahnl | [email protected] | |
Construction, Real Estate | Jan Philipp Schifko | [email protected] | |
Tax, Corporate M&A | Gerold Wietrzyk | [email protected] |
Lawyer Profiles
Staff Figures
Number of Lawyers : 53 At this office : 51Languages
German English French Bulgarian Spanish TurkishMemberships
unyerOther
Other offices : SofiaDiversity
KWR is a law firm, where diversity and equal opportunities have really a great significance.
The advancement of women is a matter close to our hearts and we are particularly proud that of our twelve partners, three are women and all have children.
It is important for us that we specifically support women in their professional development and that is why we place a special focus on our female associates and attorney at laws in our Job Enlargement Program. In addition, we have established a special women’s initiative, KWR+Women, in 2022. We regularly organise events, also with external partners such as the women’s network Die Paragraphinnen, to provide our female lawyers with different insights and perspectives and to give them the opportunity to exchange ideas with outstanding role models.
In addition, we have individualized models at our disposal in order to meet the different needs of our female colleagues.
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