EU and competition

Cerha Hempel

Cerha Hempel excels at assisting clients with securing Phase I merger clearances, coordinating these efforts at the Austrian and EU level, and is also instructed in private enforcement and follow-on damage claims arising out of cartel investigations. ‘Star individual’ Bernhard Kofler-Senoner steers the practice, wielding his understanding of Austrian and EU cartel law for clients on both sides of cartel proceedings, where he works alongside Michael Mayer, and with additional expertise in navigating Phase I and II merger hearings. Handling both the defence side of cartel proceedings and acting for clients in relation to merger control matters, Anna Wolf-Posch is called upon by clients requiring competition advice on cross-border acquisitions and for assistance with day-to-day competition issues.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Very efficient and intellectually brilliant.'
'Bernhard Kofler-Senoner is a star individual - sharp, efficient and with a relentless drive to the client's goal.'
'The team works with great precision, is very responsive and delivers consistently high quality.'
'The CERHA HEMPEL team provides high-quality advice, in particular in the areas of EU and competition law and litigation in a fast, precise and pragmatic way. We like their proactive and business-oriented approach.'
'Bernhard Kofler-Senoner is one of the top competition lawyers in Austria, combining high level know-how with the ability to manage big cases.'
'The lawyers here are not only specialists in their fields but also excel at explaining complex legal matters in an understandable way. We felt well supported at all times, and it was clear that the firm is driven by passion and dedication to its clients' interests.'
'Bernhard Kofler-Senoner's strategic thinking and attention to detail were invaluable. He has a unique ability to distil complex issues into clear, actionable steps.'
'Extremely responsive, with a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of our business and the market. Easy to deal with and a very high level of service.'

Key clients

Cisco Systems Inc.
OMV AG
RHI Magnesita N.V.
STRABAG SE
Pittel+Brausewetter Gesellschaft m.b.H.
SPAR HOLDING AG and Hervis Sport - und Modegesellschaft m.b.H.
Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG
City of Vienna
Miodrag Kostić/AGRI EUROPE CYPRUS LTD
SUNPOR KUNSTSTOFF GmbH/O N Sunde AS
Republic of Austria
Verband österreichischer Banken & Bankiers
Dyno Nobel
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Investindustrial Group Holdings S.A.
IRMA Investments GmbH
Kirschenhofer Holding GmbH
NUO S.p.A.
OSI Europe Foodworks GmbH
Epta S.p.A.
KTM AG
Lundbeckfond Invest A/S
Metso Austria GmbH
Panasonic Corporation
Welser Profile Beteiligungs GmbH

Work highlights

Advised Cisco Systems Inc. on merger control challenges tied to its acquisitions of Isovalent Inc, Splunk Inc. and Accedian Holdings Inc.
Advised RHI Magnesita N.V. on the merger control aspects of its acquisitions of Resco Products, Inc. and P-D Refractories.
Advised Agri Europe Cyprus Ltd on the merger control and FDI aspects of its intended acquisition of shares in Addiko Bank AG.