Rankings und Awards

The Legal 500 EMEA: Ranking Tier 3, Employment Law, Edition 2023:                                                        
Congratulations to Partners and Department Heads Georg Schima (Hall of Fame) and Birgit Vogt-Majarek and their team: Attorneys Stefan Burischek, Andreas Kezer and Johanna Pinczolits, as well as Associates Stefan Knotzer, Nikola Kasapovic, Daniel Theiner and Legal Trainee Lena Noé-Nordberg. Read more…

Chambers: Ranking Band 1, Employment Law, Edition 2023:
The sms.law Employment Team – Band 1
Special congratulations go to Partners Georg Schima (Band 1), who has been ranked for 17 consecutive years and Birgit Vogt-Majarek (Band 5), who entered the rankings this year! Of course none of it would be possible without our sms.law Employment Team: Partner Philipp Gamauf, Attorneys Andreas Kezer, Stefan Burischek and Johanna Pinczolits, our Associates Stefan Knotzer, Nikola Kasapovic, Daniel Theiner and legal trainee Lena Noé-Nordberg. Read more…

The Legal 500 EMEA: Ranking Tier 3, Employment Law, Edition 2022:                                                        
Schima Mayer Starlinger Rechtsanwälte GmbH’s team, led by Georg Schima and Birgit Vogt-Majarek, advises clients on high-profile employment matters including business restructurings, works council relations, social security, compliance and data protection, frequently within a cross-border context. The practice’s activities span a range of sectors including healthcare, telecoms, IT and transportation, to name a few. Schima is particularly known for his expertise in director’s and officers’ liability and contract matters and remuneration policies, while Vogt-Majarek is often instructed in questions pertaining to individual employment law. Read more…

Chambers: Ranking Band 1, Employment Law, Edition 2022:
The sms.law Employment Team – Band 1
Congratulations to Partners Georg Schima, Birgit Vogt-Majarek and Philipp Gamauf, Attorneys Andreas Kezer, Stefan Burischek, Manuel Mayr, Sarah Lurf, and our Associates Johanna Pinczolits, Karoline Saak, and Lisa Hittinger. Special congratulations go out to Georg Schima, who has once again been ranked Band 1 within the individual lawyer rankings! Read more…

Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders – Labour & Employment 2021:
Georg Schima und Birgit Vogt-Majarek unter den Top 7 des WWL Arbeitsrecht Rankings für Österreich.

JUVE: Ranking Band 1, Arbeitsrecht 2020:
Schima Mayer Starlinger Rechtsanwälte erneut unter den topplatzierten Kanzleien im aktuellen JUVE Arbeitsrecht Ranking.

Legal 500: Ranking Band 1, Employment Law, Edition 2020:                                                        
Formed in 2018 after a split from Kunz Wallentin Rechtsanwälte GmbH, the employment practice at Schima Mayer Starlinger Rechtsanwälte GmbH hosts a large team taking on cross-border work, such as advising a global gaming group and an international oil and gas company. The practice is headed by Georg Schima, who specialises in directors‘ and officers‘ liability and corporate governance issues, and Birgit Vogt-Majarek, who led the team in representing Austrian Airlines in 120 salary reduction claims. Work includes collective and individual employment law, restructurings, manager employment contracts and pensions.

Legal 500 Leading Individual 2020:
Georg Schima is named Leading Individual 2020

Chambers: Ranking Band 1, Employment Law, Edition 2019:
What the team is known for: Outstanding employment practice with particular strength in employment litigation. Further expertise lies in cases regarding pensions, benefits and social security. Also specialises in business restructurings, working time law, works council relations and collective bargaining issues. Attracts high-profile clients from a range of sectors, including the public sector, healthcare, telecommunications, IT, transportation and retail. Recent work has included advising employers on the implementation and consequences of the GDPR.
Strengths: Sources highlight the team’s efficiency, with one interviewee saying the lawyers ″are prompt and reliable and advise in a solution-oriented way.″
Another interviewee values the team’s practical approach and says: ″The lawyers are of very high legal quality but their advice is also very practically applicable.″
Notable practitioners:  The ″outstanding″ Georg Schima maintains a strong reputation for employment law topics, particularly in relation to litigation. He also advises clients on internal investigations. read more

Chambers: Ranking Band 1, Employment Law, Edition 2018:
″What the team is known for:  Outstanding employment practice with one of the largest teams in Austria. Particular strength lies in employment litigation, with expertise in cases regarding pensions, benefits and social security. Also specialises in business restructurings, working time law, works council relations and collective bargaining issues. Attracts high-profile clients from a range of sectors, including the public sector, healthcare, telecommunications, IT, transportation and retail.
Strengths: Praising the practice for its ″excellent knowledge″ in employment matters, one client goes on to endorse its superlative ″flexibility and availability.″ Sources also note the strength of the employment department at Kunz Schima Wallentin, noting that there is ″no doubt″ that it is a market-leading practice.  read more

Legal 500: Ranking Band 1, Employment Law, Edition 2018:
The law firm ″assists a wide range of national and international clients with contentious and non-contentious employment matters including works council negotiations, reorganisations, bonus schemes, working hours and pension law issues.” read more

The Legal 500 Hall of Fame:
Georg Schima has been highlighted in The Legal 500 Hall of Fame in the field of Employment for his constant praise by clients for continued excellence. The Legal 500 Hall of Fame highlights individuals who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence. The Hall of Fame highlights, to clients, the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession. In Europe, Middle East and Africa, the criteria for entry is to have been recognised by The Legal 500 as one of the elite leading lawyers for seven consecutive years. read more

Legal 500 Leading Individual 2016:
Georg Schima is named Leading Individual 2016

JUVE: Ranking Band 1, Arbeitsrecht  2018:
″Die häufig empfohlene Arbeitsrechtspraxis um den renommierten Georg Schima spaltet sich derzeit von ihrer ehemaligen Einheit ab und fusioniert mit der Kanzlei Starlinger Mayer. ….. Für Verstärkung sorgte kurze Zeit darauf Dr. Natalie Hahn, die nach nur einem Jahr bei Schönherr als Salary-Partnerin zu ihrem ehemaligen Arbeitgeber KSW zurückkehrte. Zuletzt begleitete das breit aufgestellte Team mehrere Restrukturierungen für österreichische und internationale Konzerne. Dabei war es nicht nur für ihre Stammmandanten wie ÖBB und Dell tätig, sondern konnte bspw. Johnson & Johnson über die projektbezogene Arbeit hinaus für die dauerhafte arbeitsrechtliche Beratung gewinnen.
Stärken: Renommierter, akquisestarker Namenspartner; Prozesse.
Häufig empfohlen: Prof. Dr. Georg Schima (″sehr guter Prozessanwalt für Vorstände″, ″stark in der Vertretung von Führungspersönlichkeiten auf beiden Seiten″, Wettbewerber)
Kanzleitätigkeit: Praxis mit umf. arbeitsrechtl. Beratung u. Prozesstätigkeit, vielfach in komplexen Projekten, Spezial- u. Leitthemen. Außerdem Vertretung von Organmitgliedern, Führungskräften u. ltd. Angestellten. Pensionsrecht, Bonussysteme (v.a. bei Banken), Datenschutz.″ read more

The Legal 500 EMEA: Ranking Tier 3, Projects and Energy, Edition 2022:   
Schima Mayer Starlinger Rechtsanwälte GmbH handles the full gamut of energy-related issues including day-to-day matters and regulatory aspects. The group is also experienced in handling mandates that cross over into other practice areas including competition law and civil law, enabling it to handle complex matters for domestic and international clients. With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, practice head Thomas Starlinger’s expertise spans regulatory frameworks for gas and electricity, contractual work and dispute resolution. Read more…

Legal 500 Edition 2020:
The projects and energy team at Schima Mayer Starlinger Rechtsanwälte GmbH is renowned for its expertise in energy law, and ‚outstanding‘ group head Thomas Starlinger is highly praised by clients. Work highlights include representing an energy infrastructure provider in a dispute relating to the validity of long-term contracts regarding EU and Austrian energy law, successfully representing an energy infrastructure provider in an appeal against a decision by Austrian energy regulator E-Control relating to infrastructure development plans, and advising a market participant on the restructuring of the Austrian gas balancing regime. Moritz Am Ende and Christian Mayer are key contacts for competition mandates.

Legal 500 Leading Individual 2020:
Thomas Starlinger is named Leading Individual 2020

AI Global Leading Adviser Awards 2019:
Thomas Starlinger – Leading International Energy Law Specialist of the Year from Austria

Legal 500 Leading Individual 2019:
Thomas Starlinger is named Leading Individual 2019

Legal 500 Edition 2019:
„With a superb reputation for energy sector work, Schima Mayer Starlinger Rechtsanwälte GmbH covers the whole spectrum of electricity and gas regulatory matters including state aid and competition law as well as contentious issues. Team head Thomas Starlinger is highly regarded in the market and supported by Moritz Am Ende; both ‚provide accurate and speedy answers.“

Legal 500 Leading Individual 2017:
Thomas Starlinger is Leading Individual as an expert in Projects and Energy. ″With a focus on energy law, Starlinger Mayer Rechtsanwälte GmbH is well versed in assisting network operators, industrial consumers, energy traders and suppliers with contentious and non-contentious energy contract matters alongside competition law and regulatory issues such as tariff setting. Moritz Am Ende and ‘outstanding and pragmatic energy lawyer’ and team head Thomas Starlinger advised the Austrian Hoteliers Association on the Austrian energy tax credit refund scheme and other energy law matters.″ read more

JUVE-Ranking Kartellrecht 2021:
Das Kartellrechtsteam zählt zu den dynamischen Akteuren im Markt und konnte seinen Mandantenstamm erneut ausbauen: Zuletzt vertraute erstmals ein Immobilienunternehmen bei einem Joint Venture mit einem Versicherer auf die Kanzlei, die dabei diverse nationale Anmeldungen in Osteuropa sowie in der Türkei und China koordinierte. Auch bei fusions-kontrollrechtlichen Anmeldungen bei der EU-Kommission vertrauten Mandanten Christian Mayers Team weiterhin. Neben dem klassischen Vertriebskartellrecht sowie der Beratung zu Beihilfe- und Compliance-Themen ist SMS regelmäßig in Prozessen und Schiedsverfahren gefragt. So führte das Team mehrere Verfahren vor dem Kartellgericht, darunter erstmals für das Start-up OE Service. Dieser neuen Mandantin verhalfen die Anwälte letztlich zu einem Start im Markt für Servicedienstleistungen für Fahrzeuge.
Oft empfohlen: Christian Mayer
Schwerpunkte: Fusionskontrolle u. kartellgerichtl. Prozesse, auch Schiedsverfahren; Branchenschwerpunkt im Energiesektor.
Mandate: Kartellverfahren: Alpine Metal Tech bei Kauf der IMT lnermato.
Fusionen/Kooperationen: Immobilienunternehmen bei Joint Venture für Immobiliendienstleistungen mit einer Versicherung; Österr. Hoteliervereinigung kartellrechtl. zum Vertrieb von Hotelzimmern über Buchungsplattformen sowie europa- u. beihilferechtlich.
Weiteres: OE Services zu Fragen des Marktzugangs. read more

JUVE Handbuch Kartellrecht 2018:
In den vergangenen drei Jahren gelang es dem Team um den Kartellrechtsexperten Christian Mayer sehr gut, Mandanten durch schwierige Kartellfälle zu lotsen, darunter den thailändischen Konzern Sri Trang in der Abwehr einer Kartellbuße. Auch komplexe Zusammenschlussanmeldungen bei der EU-Kommission und den österreichischen Behörden vertrauten etliche namhafte Mandanten aus dem In- und Ausland der Praxis erstmals an. Dafür hält die Kanzlei inzwischen ein deutlich größeres Team vor. Derzeit schließt sie sich mit dem überwiegend arbeitsrechtlich geprägten Team um Prof. Dr. Georg Schima zusammen. …
Stärken: Know-how insbes. an der Schnittstelle zum Energierecht.
Oft empfohlen: Christian Mayer (″leistet mit seinem Team unfassliches″, Mandant)
Schwerpunkte: Fusionskontrolle und kartellgerichtliche Prozesse, auch Schiedsverfahren; Branchenschwerpunkt im Energiesektor… read more

The Legal 500 EMEA: Ranking Tier 3, EU and Competition, Edition 2022:                                                        
Involvement in FDI control, merger filings, on-site inspections, and immunity applications are part of the caseload for the competition team at Schima Mayer Starlinger Rechtsanwälte GmbH. The team acts for domestic and international level in contentious and non-contentious matters with a focus on the energy, media, tourism and automotive industries. Healthcare also constitutes an increasing proportion of the team’s activities. Christian Mayer is the key contact and is frequently involved in merger control cases and multi-jurisdictional merger filings. Read more…

Chambers: Ranking Band 4 Competition/EU, Edition 2022:
The sms.law Competition/EU Law Team – Band 4
Once again Department Head and Partner Christian Mayer (ranked Band 3) has led his team to a notable ranking – congratulations to our Competition/EU Law Team: Partner Moritz Am Ende (entered this year the ranking at Band 4 as an individual lawyer), of Counsel Christoph Bezemek, Attorney Stephanie Turnheim and our Associates Lena Kersch, Laurenz Götzinger and Elisabeth Wielinger. Read more…

Chambers: Ranking Band 3 Competition/EU, Edition 2020:
Christian Mayer advises on merger notification, state aid and contentious distribution law issues. One appreciative client remarks: „He is a problem solver: he listens carefully, provides a solution and that is a gift. He is a very good networker and is able to negotiate impeccably with anyone to achieve the best results.″ read more

Legal 500 EU and Competition 2020:
Schima Mayer Starlinger Rechtsanwälte GmbH entered the market in 2018 following the merger between Starlinger Mayer and employment experts Kunz Schima Wallentin. Christian Mayer heads the EU and competition department with notable sector expertise in tourism, media and energy. He is well versed in handling immunity applications, on-site inspections, merger filings and anti-trust cases. Christoph Bezemek joined as of counsel in January 2019 to advise on state aid and competition matters.

Legal 500 Next Generation Partner 2020: EU and Competition:
Christian Mayer is named Next Generation Partner 2020

Chambers: Notable Practitioner, Competition/European Law Department, Edition 2019:

″Christian Mayer of SCHIMA MAYER STARLINGER Rechtsanwälte GmbH regularly advises clients on compliance and merger control matters. He has additional expertise in antitrust training for companies. Clients value him for his ″quick replies, flexibility and comprehensive understanding of matters,″ adding that he is ″highly service-oriented.″ read more

Chambers: Ranking Band 3 Competition/EU, Edition 2018:
″Christian Mayer of Starlinger Mayer Rechtsanwälte GmbH is ″very helpful and co-operative,″ and clients also appreciate that he is able to ″go beyond the legal questions and find appropriate paths to solutions.″ He recently advised Kurier Zeitungsverlag und Druckerei on merger control and other competition law matters related to the acquisition of Schau-TV. He also acts on antitrust matters and has a particularly strong reputation for his work in the media, energy and tourism sectors. read more

Chambers: Ranking Band 4, Competition/EU, Edition 2017

Chambers: Competition/EU, Edition 2016: Christian Mayer highlighted as “Up and Coming”

Legal 500 EU and Competition 2017:
Christian Mayer emphasised as Next Generation Lawyer
″Starlinger Mayer Rechtsanwälte GmbH’s ‘well connected’ team provides an ‘impressive service level’ as well as ‘quick responses’ and acts for a number of energy, infrastructure and media sector players. ‘Ambitious and solution-oriented’ team head Christian Mayer, who has ‘vast experience in dealing with the Austrian competition authorities’ and ‘is able to find the needle in a haystack when setting up a defence strategy’, advised KURIER Zeitungsverlag und Druckerei Gesellschaft on competition law issues pertaining to its acquisition of Schau-TV. Moritz am Ende is recommended.″
read more

Chambers: Ranking Band 4, Banking and Finance, Edition 2019:
Stephan Schmalzl of SCHIMA MAYER STARLINGER Rechtsanwälte GmbH offers varied structured finance expertise including debt financing and refinancing deals, real estate finance and banking litigation proceedings. Clients say: ″He thinks like a businessman. That is definitely very unique.″read more

Chambers: Ranking Band 4, Banking and Finance, Edition 2018:
″Stephan Schmalzl advises international financial services providers, investment funds and insurance companies, including in contentious matters. ″He is not only looking at the legal aspects of any issues, but also does his best to understand and challenge the financial implications,″ a client says. Stephan pursues a hands-on approach and has a clear focus on client oriented solutions. He is a senior finance lawyer with more than 17 years of experience in large and complex transactions and a strong track record and broad experience in a wide array of finance transactions such as project finance, corporate and M&A finance (incl. private equity financing structures), as well as banking litigation. ″read more

Chambers: Ranking Band 3, Dispute Resolution: Litigation – Austria, Edition 2019:
Said to have outstanding experience in the field, Georg Schima of Schima Wallentin Rechtsanwälte GmbH is a well-recognised litigator. He is particularly focused on employment matters. read more