Category: News

bpv Huegel strengthens its team with three new attorneys following internal promotions

Raphael Lehner, Filip Lukacic, and Philipp Stengg are continuing their careers at bpv Huegel. They respectively specialize in corporate/M&A, public economic law, and competition and antitrust law.

25 March 2026. Raphael Lehner (30), Filip Lukacic (31), and Philipp Stengg (32) start as attorneys at law at bpv Huegel. All three have already acquired in-depth expertise in strategically important practice areas at bpv Huegel and work in the Corporate/M&A, Public Economic Law, and Competition and Antitrust Law practice groups.

“We are delighted to welcome three outstanding colleagues from within our own ranks to our team of attorneys. Their professional expertise and dedication exemplify our values and will significantly strengthen our firm,” says Elke Napokoj, Partner and Co-Head of Corporate/M&A at bpv Huegel.

Corporate/M&A
Raphael Lehner, LL.B (WU), LL.B (WU), is a member of the Corporate/M&A practice group. He has gained extensive transaction experience at bpv Huegel as well as during two and a half years at specialized Vienna-based law firms, particularly in the areas of Corporate/M&A, Private Equity, Litigation, and Real Estate Law. He has been part of the Corporate/M&A practice group at bpv Huegel since October 2024. He completed his degree in Business Law at the Vienna University of Economics and Business in 2020.

Public Economic Law
Mag. Filip Lukacic is a member of the Public Economic Law practice group. He studied Law at the University of Vienna (Mag. iur. 2019) and, during his studies, worked inter alia as a student assistant at bpv Huegel and as a research assistant at the Institute for Constitutional and Administrative Law at the University of Vienna. Following two years at the Federal Administrative Court, and a subsequent nine-month secondment to the regulatory department of an electricity and gas distribution network operator, he has been part of Christian F. Schneider’s team since 2022.

Competition and Antitrust Law
Mag. Philipp Stengg, LL.M., LL.M., is a member of the Competition and Antitrust practice group. He has extensive experience in merger control as well as in all areas of traditional antitrust law, with a particular focus on advising in cartel proceedings. In addition, he is regularly engaged in academic work on antitrust matters, particularly in the fields of cartel law and abuse of dominance. His professional experience includes positions at JKU Linz, the Austrian Federal Chancellery, and a renowned Vienna-based law firm before joining bpv Huegel.

Press release

bpv BRAUN PARTNERS has once again secured its ranking in the Legal 500

bpv BRAUN PARTNERS, a leading law firm in Central and Eastern Europe, has once again been recognized in the Legal 500 in the following practice areas.

  • Banking, Finance, and Capital Markets (Czech and Slovak offices)
  • Real Estate and Construction (Czech and Slovak offices)
  • Commercial, Corporate and M&A (Czech and Slovak offices)
  • Employment (Czech and Slovak offices)
  • Projects and Energy
  • Dispute Resolution
  • TMT

We are delighted with the excellent results achieved by bpv Braun Partners, which are primarily a reflection of the work of our colleagues, who have been providing high-quality legal services to clients for 20 years.

Lucie Kalašová has been recognized for the second time as a Next Generation Partner in the field of Employment Law. Also worth mentioning are other colleagues who are recommended as key lawyers in their practice areas: Arthur Braun, David Vosol, Pavel Vincík, Jiří Bárta, Ondřej Poništiak, Pavel Vintr, Robert Matas, Martin Cír, Jindra Pozniaková, František Čech, David Plevka, Iva Wenzel, Alexandr Pech, Markéta Kleinová, Evelina Weagová, Nikola Ourodová, Ivana Horáková, Adam Dobiáš, Igor Augustinič, Martin Provazník, Juraj Gazda, Zuzana Dzilská a Monika Kardošová.

bpv BRAUN PARTNERS once again proves its quality in the Chambers Europe 2026 rankings

International law firm bpv BRAUN PARTNERS, providing its legal services throughout the Central and Eastern European region, has once again been ranked in Chambers Europe 2026, a prestigious legal directory that evaluates law firms and lawyers worldwide.

bpv BRAUN PARTNERS has been recognised for its expertise in Real Estate, Projects and Energy, and Employment Law. Client feedback particularly praised the firm’s real estate practice as “experienced and professional, with a good business understanding,” while also highlighting the team’s proactive approach, helpful recommendations, and reliable advice. In projects and energy, the firm was commended for its strong “knowledge of the business environment and the project itself.” The employment team was similarly well regarded for its proactive approach to clients, timely responses, and the clear dedication of its lawyers to their respective areas of specialisation.

The ranking also once again recognised Arthur Braun, Jiří Bárta, and Lucie Kalašová for their individual contributions. Arthur Braun, managing partner of the firm, was praised in corporate/M&A for offering “solutions tailored to the client’s specific needs and business objectives” and for demonstrating “a deep understanding of relevant legal principles and industry-specific regulations.” Jiří Bárta was recognised in real estate as “a proactive lawyer who gives helpful recommendations.” Lucie Kalašová was ranked in employment law, where clients valued her ability to explain issues clearly, recommend the best solutions, and address matters in a practical and effective way.

In response to the Chambers Europe 2026 rankings, Managing Partner Arthur Braun commented: “We are honoured to be recognised once again by Chambers Europe. This distinction is a testament to the consistent quality of our legal services provided for the past 20 years. The confidence our clients place in us, and the outstanding dedication of our colleagues across the firm. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the entire bpv team for their professionalism, commitment, and daily efforts. This recognition is not only an honour, but also an encouragement to continue building on our strong client relationships and the success of our firm in the years to come.”

Next high-profile partner hire at bpv Huegel: Sabine Fehringer and team strengthen the IP/IT, Data Protection and Digitalisation practice group

Sabine Fehringer brings decades of experience in IP/IT, technology transfer, research & development, life sciences, unfair competition law, as well as telecommunications and e-commerce law. With her arrival, the IP/IT/Data Protection practice group further consolidates its strong market position. bpv Huegel continues on its strong growth trajectory.

05 March 2026. As of March 2026, Sabine Fehringer joins bpv Huegel as a partner in the firm’s IP/IT, Data Protection and Digitalisation practice group. She joins the firm together with her established team, further expanding the practice. Stefan Panic joins as Counsel and Elisabeth Bernegger as Associate.

With Sabine Fehringer, the firm gains a highly regarded specialist with extensive transactional experience and an outstanding international profile, joining from DLA Piper. Her clients include numerous industrial and commercial companies as well as research institutions and universities. Stefan Panic is a recognised expert with extensive experience in strategically significant IT, technology transfer, data protection, telecommunications, digitalisation, AI and cybersecurity projects, advising clients across industries on complex matters.

With the addition of Sabine Fehringer and her team, bpv Huegel strengthens a key advisory area that is becoming increasingly strategic due to market-changing developments in new technologies, artificial intelligence and digitalisation, growing regulatory requirements, new IT compliance obligations and cyber risks, particularly in connection with the implementation of IT projects.

Sonja Dürager, Head of the practice group at bpv Huegel, commented:
“Sabine brings tremendous experience, an international outlook and extensive transactional and project expertise. She is both a professional and strategic asset to our team. We very much look forward to working together.”

Sabine Fehringer added: “bpv Huegel combines outstanding quality standards with exceptional personal commitment. These values, together with the team’s strong focus on IT and technology projects and the firm’s particular transactional strength in the TMT sector, provide the ideal environment to deliver excellent advice to my clients.”

Sabine Fehringer is also a sworn translator for the English language. She has an extensive international academic background (Mag. iur., University of Vienna; Mag. rer. soc. oec., Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration; Master of Laws, London School of Economics and Business Administration). She has been admitted to the Austrian Bar since 1996 and is the author of numerous professional publications.

Prior to joining bpv Huegel, she worked at several leading international law firms, most recently for nearly 16 years as a partner and head of the Intellectual Property & Technology practice at DLA Piper in Vienna.

Photo (from left): Sabine Fehringer, Stefan Panic and Elisabeth Bernegger
Copyright: bpv Hügel

Press release

bpv Huegel appoints Roland Juill as partner

Further strengthening of transaction advisory services at the intersections of corporate, M&A, and capital markets law. 

Vienna, 27 February 2026. bpv Huegel announces the appointment of Roland Juill as partner. With this move, the law firm is further expanding its expertise in transaction consulting at the intersections of corporate, M&A and capital markets law.

In recent years, Roland Juill has shaped and been responsible for groundbreaking transactions in these areas at the law firm. These transactions attracted particular attention in the market due to their innovative and, in many cases, first-to-market structures.

His appointment as partner underlines his outstanding expertise and his ability to combine economic and legal aspects into integrated solutions. Clients appreciate his clear focus on the essentials and his ability to develop sustainable strategies under considerable time pressure.

“With Roland Juill joining our team of partners, bpv Huegel is consistently focusing on growth and specialization in the transaction sector,” says Christoph Nauer, Co-Managing Partner at bpv Huegel. “Roland Juill began his career as an associate in our team. His professional expertise, economic insight, and dedication are impressive. It’s great to have him on board as an excellent team player and partner,” emphasizes Christoph Nauer.

Roland Juill remarks: “Becoming a partner at bpv Huegel is a special honor. Since I began my professional career at this law firm, this is an exceptional milestone for me. I look forward to successfully executing further challenging transactions for our clients and actively shaping the development of the firm.” 

Roland Juill has been named a “Rising Star” in capital markets and corporate/M&A in the IFLR1000 Central and Eastern Europe Lawyer Ranking and is listed as “Highly Regarded” in the International Tax Review (World Tax).

Roland Juill studied law at the University of Vienna and joined bpv Huegel as an associate in 2014. He was certified as a lawyer in Austria in 2018 and advises clients in German and English.

Press release

Arthur Braun in Chambers Global 2026

Our managing partner Arthur Braun was recommended again by Chambers Global 2026 for M&A / Corporate as one of 29 lawyers in the country (Czech Republic). Congratulations!

Arthur commented “I see this as praise for our entire M&A/corporate team: Guys and girls: you did great work last year and let`s keep it up in a transaction-driven year 2026!”

bpv Huegel secured Austrian merger-control approval in complex proceedings for Wabtec to acquire Dellner Couplers

Third unconditional clearance in Austria following in-depth Phase II merger control review.

18 February 2026. The competition practice of bpv Huegel secured a major success for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp (Wabtec) to obtain unconditional merger-control approval before the Austrian Supreme Court for the acquisition of Dellner Couplers. Wabtec has internationally been represented by Jones Day.

The completion of the acquisition was announced by Wabtec on 11 February 2026.

The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (Bundeswettbewerbsbehörde – BWB) and the Federal Cartel Prosecutor (Bundeskartellanwalt – together with the BWB the Official Parties) feared considerable reduction in horizontal competition partly attributable to high market shares of the involved companies. The Official Parties requested an in-depth Phase II review by the Austrian Cartel Court, which approved the merger. Following an appeal by the Official Parties, the case was finally cleared in favor of Wabtec by the Austrian Supreme Court.

Dellner Couplers is a Sweden-based highly engineered safety-critical train connection systems producer for passenger rail rolling stock. It has a global installed base of approximately 100,000 couplers and an extensive offering in train connection systems, with production, assembly and aftermarket services’ facilities in 13 countries serving over 200 customers. (www.dellner.com)

Wabtec (listed NYSE: WAB) is focused on creating transportation solutions that move and improve the world. The Company is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions and value-added services for the freight and transit rail industries, as well as the mining, marine and industrial markets. Wabtec has been a leader in the rail industry for over 155 years and has a vision to achieve an efficient rail system in the U.S. and worldwide. (www.wabteccorp.com).

The team of bpv Huegel led by Florian Neumayr, included Sebastian Reiter and Stefan Holzweber as senior members of bpv Huegel’s competition practice.

“In Austria, this is only the third merger control approval without remedies in Phase II (unconditional clearance), two of which were successfully obtained by bpv Huegel for our clients,” comments Florian Neumayr, Co-managing Partner at bpv Huegel.

Press release

bpv Huegel advises ams-OSRAM on the sale of part of its sensor business to Infineon

ams-OSRAM sells its non-optical analog/mixed-signal sensor business for automotive, industrial, and medical applications to Infineon for EUR 570 million. 

16 February 2026. bpv Huegel advised ams-OSRAM AG on Austrian law in connection with the sale of its non-optical sensor business to Infineon Technologies AG.

The transaction covers the non-optical analog/mixed-signal sensor business for automotive, industrial, and medical markets. The portfolio sold generated annual revenues of around EUR 220 million and adj. EBITDA of EUR 60 million in 2025. Around 230 employees will transfer to Infineon.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory clearance, including merger control approvals, and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2026.

A cross-practice team at bpv Huegel led by Christoph Nauer (partner, Corporate/M&A, Capital Markets) advised ams-OSRAM on the transaction. The team included Johannes Mitterecker (Corporate/M&A), Paul Pfeifenberger (Employment), Nicolas Wolski (Tax), Christian Schneider (Public Law), Sonja Dürager (IP), Patrick Nutz-Fallheier (Corporate/M&A, Capital Markets), Filip Lukacic (Public Law), and Daniel Maurer (Corporate/M&A).

Legal advice to ams-OSRAM was provided in cooperation with Linklaters LLP as transaction counsel.

The ams OSRAM Group (SIX: AMS) is a global leader in innovative lighting and sensor solutions. Around 19,700 employees worldwide focus on pioneering innovations related to societal megatrends such as digitalization, smart living and sustainability. The Group, headquartered in Premstätten/Graz (Austria) and with a co-headquarters in Munich (Germany), generated revenues of EUR 3.4 billion in 2024 and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange as ams‑OSRAM AG (ISIN: AT0000A3EPA4).

Infineon is a leading global provider of semiconductor solutions for power systems and IoT. Founded in 1999, the company is headquartered in Neubiberg (Munich district) and generated revenue of around EUR 14.7 billion in fiscal year 2025 with approximately 57,000 employees. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and in the US on the OTCQX International over-the-counter market.

Press release

bpv Huegel and Heuking advise Odewald KMU and HiOffice Group on the acquisition of Morawitz Consulting

04 February 2026. bpv Huegel has provided comprehensive legal and tax advice to the German investment company Odewald KMU and its portfolio company HiOffice Group in connection with the acquisition of Morawitz Consulting GmbH. Completion of the transaction took place at the end of January.

Thomas Lettau led the bpv Huegel team, which advised the buy-side together with Heuking on all legal and tax aspects of the transaction. This included conducting legal and tax due diligence, structuring the transaction, and preparing, negotiating and implementing the transaction documentation. Advice was also provided on transaction financing.

With the acquisition of Morawitz Consulting, the HiOffice Group is strengthening its position as a comprehensive provider of technology- and AI-supported end-to-end solutions in recruitment process outsourcing. The transaction represents a further step in HiOffice Group’s buy-and-build strategy.

bpv Huegel team: Thomas Lettau (Corporate/M&A), Nicolas Wolski (Tax), Johannes Mitterecker (Corporate/M&A), Kornelia Wittmann (Tax), Ingo Braun (Finance & Regulatory), Paul Pfeifenberger (Real Estate), Walter Niedermüller (Employment Law), Tim Pasternak (Corporate/M&A) and Laurenz Kainrath (Corporate/M&A).

Press release

 

 

bpv Grigorescu Ștefănică advises Motherson as local counsel on the €207 million global acquisition of Nexans autoelectric wiring harness business

Our team has advised leading global automotive systems supplier Motherson on the Romanian aspects of the transaction involving the acquisition of 100% of Nexans autoelectric’s global wiring harness business, for an enterprise value of €207 million on a cash-free and debt-free basis. The transaction, which encompasses operations across 22 facilities in 11 countries, including Romania, is subject to customary regulatory approvals, with completion expected by mid-2026.

Motherson is one of the world’s top 15 automotive suppliers, operating at over 425 facilities across 47 countries on five continents. The company is a global specialist in design, engineering, manufacturing, and assembly for the automotive and transport industries, serving a diverse range of customers, including nearly all leading automobile manufacturers worldwide.

Founded nearly 60 years ago, Nexans autoelectric is a global manufacturer of automotive wiring harnesses and vehicle wiring system solutions for passenger and commercial vehicles, operating 22 facilities in 11 countries, with more than 13,000 employees, and revenues of €749 million in 2024.

“We are delighted to support Motherson in this significant strategic acquisition that expands its global footprint and strengthens its position in automotive wiring solutions. This transaction involved navigating complex multi-jurisdictional legal aspects and coordinating closely with legal advisors across multiple jurisdictions. We thank the Motherson team for their trust throughout this landmark transaction,” said Iulia Dragomir, Partner at bpv Grigorescu Ștefănică.

bpv Grigorescu Ștefănică acted as local counsel to Motherson in relation to the acquisition of Nexans autoelectric’s Romanian wiring harness operations as part of the broader global transaction. The firm’s multidisciplinary team assisted Motherson throughout the due diligence process and with Romanian-law aspects of the transaction documentation and continues to support Motherson through the completion process and full implementation of the transaction in Romania.

Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner (FGvW) acted as lead international counsel to Motherson. bpv Hügel (Austria) and bpv Braun Partners (Czech Republic), member firms of the bpv LEGAL alliance, together with other law firms from the Motherson and FGvW networks, provided legal support across the relevant jurisdictions involved in the transaction.

Our multidisciplinary team was coordinated by Iulia Dragomir, Partner (M&A/ Corporate) and included Cătălin Grigorescu, Managing Partner (M&A/ Corporate), Managing Associates Raluca Marcu (Dispute Resolution) and Alina Tyelu (Real Estate), Senior Associates Roxana Daskălu (TMT/ Commercial) and Antonia Coman (Employment), and Associates Matei Tomi (M&A/ Corporate), Laurențiu Lungu (Real Estate), Diana Ciubotaru (TMT/ Commercial), Alexandra Modrogeanu (Employment) and Theodor Șerbănescu (M&A/ Corporate).

This mandate further strengthens the firm’s track record and underscores its continued activity in complex, multi-sector corporate and M&A transactions, including:
▸cbs on the acquisition of Skyconsult’s SAP Business, marking its entry into the Romanian market;
▸Autonom International on its strategic investment in the Romanian insurance company Eazy Insurance;
▸FOOTPRINTS AI on the latest investment by Catalyst Romania FUND II, to support the international expansion plans of Footprint’s AI-powered retail media platform;
▸SARMIS Capital on the acquisition of Total Technologies to consolidate Smart ID’s position as a regional market leader.