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Austria's legal market is anchored by a group of elite domestic firms and complemented by the Vienna offices of major international practices. For legal professionals evaluating career moves, understanding the landscape of top Austrian law firms is essential to making informed decisions.
This guide ranks and profiles the leading law firms operating in Austria in 2026, covering firm size, practice strengths, culture, and trainee programs. Browse current openings at these firms on our Austria legal jobs page.
Leading Austrian Law Firms
Schoenherr
With over 400 lawyers across 15 offices in Central and Eastern Europe, Schoenherr is Austria's largest law firm and one of the most prominent in the entire CEE region. Founded in 1950, the firm is headquartered in Vienna and handles the most complex cross-border transactions in the region.
Key Practice Areas: M&A, Banking & Finance, Competition Law, Dispute Resolution, Real Estate
Why Work Here: Schoenherr offers unmatched exposure to CEE-wide transactions. Associates frequently work across jurisdictions and gain experience that would take years to accumulate at smaller firms. The firm's Konzipient program is considered one of the most competitive and comprehensive in Austria, with structured training, international secondments, and early responsibility on major deals.
Culture: High-performance environment with a strong emphasis on teamwork. The firm invests heavily in professional development and has been recognized for its commitment to diversity initiatives.
Wolf Theiss
Wolf Theiss is a leading Austrian firm with a strong CEE focus, operating 13 offices across the region. The firm has approximately 350 lawyers and is known for its expertise in capital markets, energy, and technology transactions.
Key Practice Areas: Capital Markets, Energy & Natural Resources, TMT (Technology, Media, Telecommunications), Banking & Finance, Corporate/M&A
Why Work Here: Wolf Theiss provides excellent CEE exposure with a slightly more entrepreneurial culture than some competitors. The firm's trainee program emphasizes cross-office collaboration, and Konzipienten regularly work on matters spanning multiple CEE jurisdictions. The firm is also known for its progressive approach to flexible working arrangements.
Binder Grösswang
Binder Grösswang is widely regarded as Austria's premier firm for M&A and corporate transactions. With approximately 120 lawyers in Vienna and its focused approach, the firm handles many of the highest-profile deals in the Austrian market.
Key Practice Areas: M&A (market-leading), Corporate Law, Capital Markets, Competition Law, Banking & Finance
Why Work Here: If M&A is your target practice area, Binder Grösswang is arguably the top destination in Austria. The firm's smaller size means Konzipienten receive significant responsibility early. Partners are accessible, and the mentoring culture is strong. Compensation is among the highest in the Austrian market.
DORDA
DORDA has established itself as one of Austria's leading full-service business law firms with around 130 lawyers. The firm has particular strength in banking and finance, which reflects its deep relationships with major Austrian and international financial institutions.
Key Practice Areas: Banking & Finance, Real Estate, Competition Law, Employment Law, IP/IT Law
Why Work Here: DORDA is known for its collegial atmosphere and investment in training. The firm's Konzipient program includes structured mentoring, regular feedback sessions, and the opportunity to specialize early. DORDA also maintains strong relationships with major banks, providing trainees with access to significant financial transactions.
Cerha Hempel
Cerha Hempel (formerly CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz, now independent) is a major Austrian firm with approximately 200 lawyers and offices across CEE. The firm is a market leader in real estate and construction law.
Key Practice Areas: Real Estate & Construction (market-leading), Corporate/M&A, Banking & Finance, Employment Law, Public Procurement
Why Work Here: Cerha Hempel's dominance in real estate law makes it the top choice for lawyers interested in this practice area. The firm handles landmark property transactions and development projects across Austria and CEE. The training program provides excellent grounding in transactional work with a real estate focus.
CMS Austria (CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz)
CMS Austria is part of the CMS network, one of the world's largest law firms by headcount. The Vienna office employs approximately 100 lawyers and benefits from CMS's global platform while maintaining a strong Austrian identity.
Key Practice Areas: Corporate/M&A, Real Estate, Employment Law, Dispute Resolution, Life Sciences & Healthcare
Why Work Here: CMS offers the best of both worlds for trainees: a well-structured Konzipient program backed by an international network. Secondment opportunities to CMS offices worldwide (London, Frankfurt, Singapore) make it particularly attractive for internationally minded lawyers. The firm also has dedicated industry groups in life sciences and energy that provide specialized expertise.
International Firms with Vienna Offices
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Freshfields' Vienna office is one of the most established international law firm presences in Austria. The office focuses on high-end M&A, international arbitration, and competition law, regularly working with the firm's global network on cross-border matters.
Why Work Here: Freshfields offers Magic Circle training standards and compensation in the Austrian market. The office is selective but provides outstanding international exposure and the opportunity to work on landmark transactions.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper's Vienna office leverages the firm's massive global network to handle cross-border transactions and disputes. The office has grown steadily and is known for its corporate, real estate, and employment law practices.
Why Work Here: DLA Piper's global reach means associates frequently collaborate with colleagues in other jurisdictions. The firm's training programs benefit from international resources and structured career development pathways.
Other Notable International Presences
Other international firms with significant Vienna practices include Baker McKenzie (one of the longest-established international firms in Austria), Taylor Wessing (strong in IP and technology), and Dentons (growing CEE platform). White & Case and Clifford Chance also handle Austrian matters through their regional offices.
Best Trainee Programs in Austria
For aspiring lawyers evaluating Konzipient positions, these firms consistently rank highest for training quality:
- Schoenherr — Most comprehensive program with international secondments, structured training modules, and cross-jurisdictional exposure across 15 CEE offices
- Binder Grösswang — Smaller cohorts mean more partner contact and earlier deal responsibility, particularly valued for M&A training
- DORDA — Strong mentoring culture with regular feedback cycles and the chance to specialize early in banking or real estate
- CMS Austria — International secondment opportunities through the CMS global network set this program apart
- Wolf Theiss — CEE-wide projects from day one, with a culture that encourages initiative and cross-office collaboration
Choosing the Right Firm
When selecting a law firm in Austria, consider these factors:
- Practice area alignment — Match your interests to the firm's strengths (M&A at Binder Grösswang, real estate at Cerha Hempel, etc.)
- International vs. domestic focus — Schoenherr and Wolf Theiss for CEE work; Freshfields for global matters
- Firm size and culture — Larger firms offer structured programs; smaller firms provide earlier responsibility
- Compensation — Top-tier firms offer competitive Konzipient salaries of €3,200-€4,200/month
- Long-term career path — Consider partnership prospects and the firm's growth trajectory
View current opportunities at Austria's leading law firms on LegalAlphabet and sign up for job alerts to stay informed about new positions.