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Legal 500 EMEA 2026
The Legal 500 EMEA Ranking 2026 has been published! Haslinger / Nagele is recognized in several categories – overall, 6 practice groups and 10 individual lawyers. This ranking once again reflects the experience and expertise of our competent and dynamic team.
Top ratings for our practice groups
With two newly ranked practice groups in the areas of Public Procurement and Projects and Energy, the strong positioning in the European comparison has been further expanded. Our teams received the following rankings:
Administrative law and public sector: TIER 1
Wilhelm Bergthaler: Hall of FameWolfgang Berger: Leading Partners
Mario Laimgruber: Leading associates
Martin Stempkowski
Thomas Riesz
Dispute resolution: white-collar crime (including fraud): TIER 2
Bernd Wiesinger: Next Generation PartnersRené Haumer
Administrative law and public sector
In this ranking, the strong expertise in environmental law as well as in infrastructure and energy transition matters is particularly highlighted. In particular, the advisory work on large energy projects is in focus. In addition, Mario Laimgruber (advising on environmental law matters as well as administrative penal proceedings) and Thomas Riesz (expert in public law, health law, as well as data protection and telecommunications matters), both of whom were promoted to Partner in February 2025, are highlighted.
The practice group and the lawyers received the following references:
“Mario Laimgruber has been an invaluable asset to our project teams. His hands-on approach, combined with his broad experience in administrative law and with key stakeholders such as regulatory authorities, makes him stand out from competitors in the field.”
“The team has a long-standing reputation and expertise in environmental and sustainability law.”
“Mario Laimgruber is one of those highly competent and capable lawyers who is fully committed to implementing measures to achieve the set goals.”
„The firm provides comprehensive problem analysis in various legal areas.”
Dispute resolution: white-collar crime (including fraud)
In the current ranking, the team led by René Haumer and Bernd Wiesinger is highlighted as one of the most experienced and agile teams in Austria in the field of white-collar crime. Particular recognition is given to their work in post-insolvency proceedings, fraud and embezzlement cases, as well as in complex criminal and administrative investigations.
The practice group and the lawyers received the following references:
„Well-known and excellent team with a lot of experience, always a pleasure to work with.”
„We mostly work with Bernd Wiesinger, a leading white collar crime lawyer. He is excellent and has a hands-on approach.”
“Haslinger / Nagele’s white-collar crime unit is one of Austria’s most experienced and agile teams in business-related criminal law. We highly appreciate them for combining substantial legal expertise with courtroom strength as well as a deep understanding of regulatory and corporate environments.”
„René Haumer, a driving force behind the practice’s reputation, unites extensive trial experience with an ability to anticipate prosecutorial dynamics, making him a trusted advisor in politically sensitive or multi-layered mandates.”
„Bernd Wiesinger stands out as an exceptional practitioner who has earned a stellar reputation within a remarkably short time, both among clients and among Austria’s most respected criminal defence lawyers. His profound expertise, analytical precision and calm authority in high-stakes matters make him a key figure in the firm’s success.”
„Bernd Wiesinger and René Haumer are both very renowned colleagues in the Austrian white-collar crime market. Bernd Wiesinger in particular has a very comprehensive criminal law knowledge – he is well experienced and a perfect team player, who is always a great pleasure to work with in defence cases.”
EU and competition
The competition law practice of the team led by Martin Oder, Martin Stempkowski and Alexander Hiersche is highlighted for covering a broad spectrum of antitrust and merger control matters, in particular with strong expertise in defending companies in antitrust proceedings. In addition, their regular work in antitrust proceedings, merger filings, as well as in proceedings before the cartel court and in arbitration is emphasized.
NEW: public procurement
In the current ranking, the practice group’s expertise in public procurement law is particularly highlighted, as the team advises both contracting authorities and bidders on the structuring and implementation of procurement procedures – particularly in the construction, IT, and healthcare sectors. Also recognized is the combination of procurement and competition law, through which clients are supported, for example, in self-cleaning proceedings, with the work of Martin Oder, Martin Stempkowski and Alexander Hiersche as members of the core team being particularly emphasized.
Construction
The firm’s support for a wide range of construction law projects – from energy and rail projects to office and hotel developments – including environmental impact assessments and the drafting of complex contracts between public contracting authorities and construction companies, is particularly highlighted in the current ranking. Also recognized is the leadership role of Wolfgang Berger and Roland Zauner, who are active with proven expertise in construction, planning, and zoning law, as well as in the regulation of industrial and commercial zones.
The practice group and the lawyers received the following references:
„Wolfgang Berger brings deep insight in environmental impact assessments and permitting.”
„Highly competent and capable employees who implement measures with full commitment to ensure that the given goals are achieved.”
„What truly sets Haslinger / Nagele’s construction law team apart in my view is their rare combination of legal know-how and practical, hands-on guidance throughout a project’s life cycle. I’ve always appreciated how they cut through legal jargon and genuinely work to find solutions – whether we’re dealing with early project planning, permitting, or those tense moments resolving construction disputes.”
NEW: projects and energy
Particular emphasis is placed on the firm’s comprehensive expertise in environmental and sustainability matters, as well as in infrastructure and energy transition projects, including the advisory work on large-scale projects in this sector. Also recognized are the contributions of Wilhelm Bergthaler, who regularly advises on environmental impact assessments and complex project structures, as well as Martin Stempkowski, who particularly advises in energy law and in the field of regulated industries.
The practice group and the lawyers received the following references:
„Beyond his technical skills, Mario Laimgruber is also actively engaged in shaping policy and regulatory developments, which adds significant value to our projects. His hands-on approach and dedication truly embody the spirit of partnership we rely on.”
„The team consists of different specialised lawyers that I can recommend warmly, such as Mario Laimgruber, Wolfgang Berger and Wilhelm Bergthaler.”
„Mario Laimgruber is very competent in public environmental law. HIs working method is extremely efficient and he always delivers convincing solutions that lead to success.”
„What I find truly exceptional about Haslinger / Nagele’s projects and energy team is how fully integrated their lawyers become in our project teams. They don’t just work alongside us as external advisors, they actively join team meetings, collaborate closely with our planners, and maintain constant, open communication with project management.”
„Their expertise in regulatory affairs across German-speaking countries and the wider EU is invaluable, allowing seamless navigation of complex cross-border challenges.”
„They don’t limit themselves to advising on current rules but help shape policies and lobby for practical, forward-looking solutions.”
The entire Haslinger / Nagele team is delighted with all these accolades!
For 34 years, The Legal 500 has been analyzing law firms in over 150 countries around the world. This comprehensive ranking is revised and updated annually. The research is based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms, interviews with leading practicing lawyers, as well as on a team of researchers with extensive experience in the legal market.
25. March 2026
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