Our legal practice

Reshaping business and maintaining values

Medium-sized businesses have been our business since 1999.

We understand you and listen to you. We use our expertise to develop pragmatic solutions – on a fair and transparent fee basis.

This has been the mission of CHG Czernich Rechtsanwälte since our founding partners laid the foundation stone for our law firm specialising in commercial law in Innsbruck in 1999. In addition to our head office, CHG Czernich Rechtsanwälte operates branch offices in Vienna, St. Johann/Kitzbühel, Bolzano (Italy) and Vaduz (Liechtenstein).

Clarity creates trust

We communicate as equals and take a fresh look at the complex issues in business life. We offer well thought-out, dedicated solutions.

It is not without reason that we have been listed in the news magazine “trend” (previous format) as one of the top ten law firms outside Vienna since 2012. We were also identified as the market leader in western Austria in the January 2016 issue of JUVE, the leading German journal specialising in commercial law. Our partners, Dietmar Czernich and Günther Gast, are mentioned as eminent lawyers.

Memberships

We are a member of Globalaw, a global network of leading law firms with its head office in Brussels. Currently, 115 law firms with over 5,000 lawyers in over 80 countries are members of Globalaw. Our large, well-established team is thus able to practise efficiently in all the main countries in the world. Contact us wherever in the world you require legal advice or assistance. Our law firm is a member of the German Chamber of Commerce in Austria and the Swiss-Austrian-Liechtenstein Chamber of Commerce.

Partners in our law firm are members of the Austrian Society for Construction Law and the Construction Business Management (ÖGEBAU) and the International Bar Association (IBA), a global bar association with its head office in London.

Our key values

We act: for you, for your company.
We develop solutions with in-depth legal knowledge and perception. Rapidly and pragmatically.
We act efficiently and stand for streamlined solutions. In line with this, our fees are structured in a solid and transparent manner.
We use our in-depth experience with a fresh perspective to achieve promising results.
We are constantly undertaking new qualifications and contribute significantly to research in the field and university level teaching of law.
We provide our clients with skilled advice and assist them in international situations. It is part of our day-to-day business to conclude contracts in English as well.
We invest in our relationships. Furthermore, we believe in long-term partnerships with our employees, our clients and our business partners.
We inspire confidence in our actions and provide leeway – for more business growth.
We believe in Austria as a location and in medium-sized businesses as an economic driver.

Our goal is your gain
„Some companies are faced with losses. Others, on the other hand, are permanently on a path to success. In each case, there can only be one way to proceed: to look ahead and take advantage of opportunities that arise. Those who are steadfast understand how to circumnavigate formal and material constraints appropriately and use legal leeway wisely.“

Dr. Günther Gast, LL.M.

Lawyer & Partner of the legal practice CHG CZERNICH RECHTSANWÄLTE

Our specialist areas

We maintain an overview

We ensure clarity when there are legal complications. At every stage of your business venture, you take chances. We transform risks into solutions.

This is because we have expertise in all aspects of business law. Do you have to deal with a variety of tasks? We offer a one-stop solution in commercial law.

Mergers & Acquisitions

We advise and assist you when it comes to the legal aspects of structuring an M&A deal. The many transactions which we have worked on in the past few years confirm that, at every stage of a business/investment purchase or sale, companies benefit from professional assistance.

We structure your transactions and perform M&A deals for you. We also ensure that the company is structured in such a way that your business remains sustainable.

You are responsible for your visions. We make sure that reality keeps pace with you.

Business Set-up and Restructuring

The excitement of conquering markets and customers – without making any concessions – is all part of launching a business or new business model. It is for this precise reason that it is so critical to success to choose the appropriate legal form and to draft foresighted contracts.

Irrespective of whether you are starting a new business, wish to reorganise your business or are buying into other companies. Even if you are considering shareholding or would like to arrange for your succession:

We should work together. This is because we have something in common: we are motivated by the highest standards.

Company law

We launch new businesses and undertake restructuring (spin-offs, mergers, fusions). One of our key areas is the avoidance and resolution of company disputes, especially with regard to family businesses.

Company and equity financing

We structure the acquisition of companies or their interests. Our law firm has a wealth of experience in these areas.

Banking and capital market law

We advise and represent banks and institutional investors in all areas of banking. We are frequently consulted by banks to defend them from customer claims for alleged false advice when purchasing securities.

Public procurement law and construction contract law

We advise and represent you in public procurement procedures. We create tenders and professionally check procurement procedures. We are also committed to acting for unsuccessful tenderers. From tender to contract award, from providing support in building approval procedures, claims management and anti-claims management to actions for building defects, we are a strong partner for issues concerning construction contract and procurement law.

Even if you are entertaining the idea of privatising or outsourcing, we will take care of legal matters. We also develop public-private partnership (PPP) models and provide you with constant support for their implementation.

You can rely on us.

International contract law

We are part of an international network. Writing multilingual – in particular English-language – contracts is part of our daily business. We know how to create a legally sound basis for your international transactions.

This means that we will advise you on any matters relating to supply and export contracts, conditions of purchase or other agreements. We will also help you to enforce your rights abroad. This includes cross-border litigation, representation and arbitration proceedings.

Your foreign transactions are safe in our hands.

Arbitration

There are legal disputes in which it is better for the parties to submit to arbitration, in order to avoid a lengthy litigation process. Especially with regard to international disputes, this offers a means of rapidly reaching an agreement.

We are well versed in arbitration. Dietmar Czernich is an arbitrator and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (London). He is listed as an arbitrator with the International Arbitration Court of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the German Institution of Arbitration (DIS) and the Singapore Arbitration Center.

Real estate law and property development contracts

Property development projects represent capital-intensive and risky activities. Even buildings in use which are leased out require professional management. We are your reliable experts in all matters relating to property development contracts, real estate and property law.

Your property development, project, purchase and lease agreements are in good hands with us. We also represent you in all tenancy and property matters. Even if you are faced with issues of land transaction laws, you have come to the right place.

You can rely on us!

Insolvency law and corporate restructuring

Insolvencies do not necessarily have to end in disaster. A positive turnaround is possible – assuming that investors believe in the future of the company.

Whatever crisis you are faced with, we will deal with the legal requirements relating to insolvency and corporate restructuring for you.

We have experience in dealing with insolvency practitioners, take care of reorganisation plans and represent creditors and debtors in insolvency proceedings.

Computer and software law, Internet law, domains

We issue and monitor IT contracts for you, such as licence agreements, project agreements and maintenance contracts as well as general terms and conditions.

We support and advise you in all legal matters relating to business projects on the Internet (B2B and B2C).

We represent you in computer proceedings and domain disputes.

Intellectual property (IP) (trademark, design, patent and copyright law)

Brand equity and proprietary products give your business a face and make you unique. Professionals know that taking legally sound protection measures is an indispensable strategic step.
We are committed to ensuring that your intellectual property is protected. At national and international level, we register trademarks and designs and represent you when a conflict arises.

We create brand concepts and work out agreements on demarcation. We take care of licence agreements and pursue your claims when your protected rights have been violated.

In addition, we are also a strong partner when it comes to trademark and privacy infringement on the Internet.

Protect yourself.

Competition law

Competition is a part of business. Yet, some market players pull some hard punches. We represent you if your market partners act unfairly. We also advise and represent you in anti-trust matters.

We help you to maintain healthy market conditions and to protect your rights.

Sales law

Finding and retaining customers is a key formula for success for business enterprises. In order to establish and use sales channels sensibly, it is necessary to form a stable legal basis for sales.

We advise you in matters concerning sales law. We draft and negotiate sales contracts for you – naturally also in an international environment.

Labour law

Employees are a valuable resource in any organisation.

We draft labour law contracts and advise you on employee inventions. We advise and represent you in any labour law-related disputes.

We are your expert advisor in all matters relating to labour law.

IT law

Legal issues surrounding information technology are complex. It is, therefore, all the more important that you protect yourself legally. We understand your business.

We ensure that your terms and conditions, privacy or licence agreements are legally sound.

We are your partner in all matters relating to IT law.

Trade law

We advise and represent you in all aspects of commercial law.

You can benefit from our in-depth experience in procurement and insolvency procedures.

Corporate criminal law

The economy is governed by its own laws and can catapult companies into critical situations involuntarily.

We are your partner in corporate criminal proceedings. We will support and defend you and your business in the event of economic and financial offences.

We are there for you – especially in difficult times.

Life sciences

From developments and research in life sciences, a separate industry has emerged which continues to grow and spread hope.
We have many years’ experience in providing legal advice with regard to the growing industry of life sciences. Our clients include biotechnology companies and research institutions.

We draft and negotiate national and international licencing, project, services and consortium agreements and advise on research partnerships. Trust us to handle your contract manufacturing agreements, research & development, clinical trials or compliance.

We are your legal experts on all issues relating to life sciences: because the chemistry is right.

Aerial ropeway law and EIA proceedings

Accidents and unplanned events present ropeway operators and insurance companies with sensitive and demanding challenges. We specialise in ropeway law.

We advise and represent ropeway companies, manufacturers, suppliers and insurance companies: from authorisation procedures, through liability issues, to environmental processes.

Professional associations and interest groups also regularly benefit from our expertise in this field.

Insurance and tort law

We represent and advise insurance companies and policy holders in insurance law matters.

Business mediation

Conflicts strain relationships and destroy trust. Especially where litigants take their dispute to court, nerves will be on edge. In addition, lawsuits cost time and money.
There is an alternative.

Business mediation supports parties involved in civil law disputes to develop constructive and sustainable solutions together. The advantage of this is that both parties determine the outcome of their negotiations themselves. We are mediators and moderate their conciliatory talks as a neutral third party. We ensure that both sides present their perspectives in a respectful way and treat each other fairly. In doing so, we enable the parties in dispute to develop an understanding for each other, to concentrate on looking forward and to find sustainable solutions.

When it comes to the crunch: from the reorganisation of a company, through its transfer, to existential crises and critical construction projects, we help you to resolve internal and external conflicts independently and to implement sustainable solutions.