DSC Doralt Seist Csoklich Rechtsanwälte GmbH‘s team is described as’ a powerhouse of legal talent’ and operates across the whole spectrum of banking work, with notable experience in cross-border financings, litigation, and advice on market entries. The team is jointly steered by Markus Kellner, who is recommended by clients for his ’deep economic understanding and strategic acumen’, and Christoph Diregger, with both exemplifying the team’s broad practice. Fabian Liebel is another key contact and regularly represents clients before the Austrian Supreme Court as well as the European Court of Justice.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is my go-to choice for banking law issues. It consists of highly knowledgeable, academically outstanding experts. Moreover, they understand our economic environment, are proactive, very client focused and highly responsive in all circumstances. In addition, they are very adept in matters involving EU law.'

  • ‘Markus Kellner leaves no stone unturned to secure the best possible outcome for his clients. He is the top-choice lawyer for complex issues, matters with technical difficulties or tricky, unprecedented legal questions. He has a quick grasp and strong comprehension of any situation, is gifted with incredible foresight and very detailed focused while always having the big picture in sight.'

  • ‘The team is a powerhouse of legal talent. Their strengths include a deep understanding of not only the legal intricacies but also the nuanced business aspects of our industry. Their ability to provide commercially sound advice, coupled with their extensive industry knowledge, ensures that they are always a step ahead in addressing our needs.'

  • ‘Markus Kellner's expertise extends beyond the boundaries of the legal field. His deep economic understanding and strategic acumen make him an invaluable asset in not only resolving legal disputes but also in shaping our long-term business strategy. His dedication to keeping us informed about legal developments and his direct communication style ensure that we are always well-prepared.’

  • ‘The team unites high-level skills on complex matters, is remarkably responsive and able to deliver impeccable results on tight schedules. Based on their extensive experience, they are used to work with international players and understand exactly the key issues of any matter. Further, they are available, truly client focused and understand our priorities.’

  • ‘Markus Kellner a wizard in his field. He knows the banking sector inside out, is extremely knowledgeable and, thus, very clever when it comes to out of the box solutions. He is very meticulous, eloquent and a hard worker. What makes him an invaluable partner is that Kellner understands our business needs, is a gifted strategist and advances our matters efficiently. He is someone whose judgment we can truly trust.'

  • ‘Very good expertise.'

  • ‘What sets Christoph Diregger and his team apart is that he combines premier expertise in both banking & finance as well as corporate and M&A. The team's advice is legally impeccable and very business savvy, they’re up to date on legal developments.'

Key clients

  • Bank für Tirol und Vorarlberg AG
  • BAWAG Group AG
  • BAWAG P.S.K. Bank für Arbeit und Wirtschaft und Österreichische Postsparkasse Aktiengesellschaft
  • ERSTE Bank der Österreichischen Sparkasse AG
  • Österreichische Ärzte- und Apothekerbank AG
  • Raiffeisen Bank International AG
  • Raiffeisen Centro Bank AG
  • S Immo AG
  • UniCredit Bank Austria AG
  • Wiener Privatbank SE

Work highlights

  • Represented members of the Austrian banking industry in litigation regarding losses stemming from foreign currency loans following ECJ case law such as Dziubak.
  • Advised several Austrian banks in a precedent-setting ECJ/Austrian Supreme Court case involving lawsuits for the reimbursement of loan processing fees in the case of early loan repayments.
  • Represented around 400 banks in lawsuits by a consumer protection agency regarding credit payment deferrals during the COVID-19 pandemic in a case that went to the Austrian Supreme Court and Austrian Constitutional Court.

Lawyers

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Markus Kellner, Christoph Diregger

Other key lawyers

Fabian Liebel