Described as a ‘top team for all competition law matters,’ Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte) assists clients with filing merger control applications and clearing Phase I and II merger control proceedings, and is well versed in defending private cartel damages claims. The ’very hands-on’ Christoph Haid leads the team, advising on cross-border merger filings and leniency applications, while Hanno Wollmann represents an extensive range of clients in public and private competition litigation, including cartel damages claims. Franz Urlesberger supports clients seeking to implement antitrust compliance measures, as does primarily Brussels-based Volker Weiss, who also advises on FDI regulations. Stefanie Stegbauer adds expertise in internal audits and e-discovery.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The team is extremely well positioned for merger filings in Austria. No other firm knows the BWB (Austrian Competition Authority) as well and can offer as efficient and successful filings and proceedings.'

  • 'Volker Weiss has probably done most merger filings in Austria in the past decade or so. Franz Urlesberger is also extremely experienced and an asset to the market.'

  • 'Top team for all competition law matters.'

  • 'Franz Urlesberger: leading competition lawyer. Christoph Haid: very hands-on and pragmatic, good knowledge of eastern European jurisdictions. Stefanie Stegbauer: very responsive and excellent to work with.'

  • 'Schoenherr is the top team in Austria for EU and Austrian competition law, as well as central/eastern Europe.'

  • 'It is always a pleasure working with Volker Weiss, one of the most dedicated competition lawyers I know.'

  • 'The Schoenherr competition law practice is extremely broad because it covers all of eastern and south-eastern Europe. It is an excellent one-stop-shop for this region.'

  • 'Christoph Haid is one of the most responsive lawyers around. He gives quick and commercially sound advice.'

Key clients

  • Red Bull
  • Österreichische Beteiligungs AG
  • FUJIFILM Corporation
  • OMV
  • voestalpine Railway Systems
  • Google LLC
  • KONE
  • AGRANA
  • UNIQA
  • Silgan Holding
  • ORF
  • Herba Chemosan
  • Heineken Group/Brau Union Österreich
  • UBER
  • EXAA
  • Erste Group
  • UniCredit Bank Austria
  • Raiffeisen Bank International
  • REWE International AG
  • Oberbank
  • Nexi
  • Mediaset
  • ProPellets

Work highlights

  • Advised OMV on its divestment of their Slovenian wholesale and retail business.
  • Represented Daimler AG against damage claims following the EU Commission's trucks case.
  • Advised Red Bull in the European Commission's investigation into alleged infringements of antitrust rules.

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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Christoph Haid

Other key lawyers

Hanno Wollmann, Franz Urlesberger, Volker Weiss, Stefanie Stegbauer