Praised by clients for providing ‘top-notch legal services and outstanding results’, Cerha Hempel combines a wealth of experience in white-collar crime with expertise in economics, business, and EU law. Advising corporates on crime prevention compliance is one of the team’s standout features, and one of Stefan Huber's specialisms. He leads the team alongside Hans Kristoferitsch and Peter Lewisch, who clients name as the ’first port of call when it comes to complex legal issues in the area of white-collar crime’. Kristoferitsch is an expert in matters requiring knowledge of regulatory law, and is recommended for in-house investigations with data protection elements.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Extremely careful case analysis, innovative legal solutions, client-oriented.’
‘Peter Lewisch is competent in white-collar cases and related human rights issues. ’
‘The team is among the top-tier firms in Austria. They provide top-notch legal services and outstanding results. Their capabilities in terms of quality and efficiency are second to none. ’
‘Peter Lewisch is the absolute expert in the field of white-collar crime law in Austria. His reputation speaks for itself, and he proves time and again why he is the first port of call when it comes to complex legal issues in the area of white-collar crime. Stefan Huber is outstanding - he is not only great with clients, but also super smart and very efficient. His results speak for themselves. I would always recommend him.’
‘The entire team combines decades of experience with up-to-date legal knowledge and legal know-how with the background of a full-service law firm. They all know their business very well. They are extremely well connected and very much dedicated to what a client needs.’
‘Peter Lewisch is in my view the best white collar crime lawyer in Austria. He knows the law, the courts, the prosecutors, he has seen it all. Still, he does not simply rely on his vast experience but is always willing to go the extra mile to add value to his advice.'
'Hans Kristoferitsch has incredible knowledge at the intersection of white-collar crime law and data protection law as well as administrative law. He will always come up with a solution in situations that appear complicated.'
'Stefan Huber has a very pragmatic approach to advising clients, based on in-depth knowledge. No other lawyer in Austria matches his turnaround times.’
Key clients
- Gas Connect Austrian GmbH
- GATX Rail Austria GmbH
- 3P GmbH
- Wiener Stadtwerke
- Wien Energie GmbH
- STRABAG SE
- SPAR Warenhandels-AG/SES
- Illwerke
Work highlights
- Represented Gas Connect in a corporate criminal trial for alleged environmental crimes, leading to a full acquittal of Gas Connect and its staff.
- Advising managers of GATX Austria as well as the company in criminal proceedings with regard to charges of negligent killing in the so-called Viareggio trial, relating to a railway disaster causing 38 casualties.
- Representing public officials in regard to their questioning in a parliamentary investigation committee on corruption charges related to a political party as well as in the Vienna investigation committee on the energy crisis.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Peter Lewisch, Hans Kristoferitsch, Stefan Huber