Austria/CEE: Schoenherr ranked first in Austria and among top three firms in Central and Eastern Europe by deal count in Mergermarket's 2024 M&A rankings

The firm remains top-ranked by deal count in Austria, securing second place for total deal value. Across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Schoenherr is among the top three firms by deal count.

According to Mergermarket's comprehensive deal data, Schoenherr was credited with 98 public deals across qualifying regions, representing a disclosed deal value of over EUR 13.1bln. Confidential deals and values significantly exceeded these figures. With 38 Austria-related deals, Schoenherr advised on the highest number of qualifying M&A transactions in Austria in 2024, amounting to a total deal value of EUR 3.3bln. In the CEE region, Schoenherr advised on 55 qualifying deals, placing it among the top three firms regionally.

These results complement Schoenherr's recognition as Austria's M&A Legal Adviser of the Year at Mergermarket's annual European M&A awards on 27 November 2024.

"Schoenherr combines a long-established local and regional presence with jurisdiction-specific expertise and a global outlook," said Roman Perner, co-head of Schoenherr's corporate/M&A practice. "This enables us to deliver legal advice of the highest calibre, as these results once again demonstrate."

"Our M&A experts have a proven track record of delivering services tailored to our clients' commercial needs and industries, collaborating seamlessly across borders and practice areas," added practice co-head Alexandra Doytchinova. "This is what establishes us as leading firm in the CEE region."

Schoenherr's publishable M&A highlights in 2024 include advising:

• Vauban Infrastructure Partners, EDF Invest and MEAG on the EUR 803m acquisition of Ontower Austria GmbH, Austria's largest independent TowerCo, from Cellnex;
   
• Fresenius on the cross-border sale of VAMED Group's rehabilitation clinics to PAI-Partners;
   
• Carrier on the sale of its commercial refrigeration business to Haier for EUR 640m in several CEE jurisdictions;
   
• e& on the acquisition of a controlling stake in PPF Telecom Group's assets in Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia and Slovakia for EUR 2.15bln;
   
• Hartree Partners on its cross-border energy joint venture with Botres Group;
   
• Assa Abloy on its acquisition of Skidata; and
   
• B&C Group on the sale of a 15 % stake in Vienna-listed Lenzing AG to Suzano S.A.

Click here to read more about Schoenherr's deals.