Wolfgang Lauss

Wolfgang Lauss advises domestic and international companies particularly on corporate and group law matters. He has extensive experience in the structuring of corporate groups, ranging from the preparation of reorganization concepts, the planning and implementation of all reorganization steps, and the management of merger control filings, to the design and implementation of modern corporate governance and compliance structures.

In addition, Wolfgang Lauss advises public-sector entities on privatizations, outsourcing projects, and public-private partnership (PPP) projects, including all related state aid and public procurement law issues.

Further areas of focus include advising on national and cross-border M&A transactions. Wolfgang Lauss supports clients in investments and divestments in the CEE and SEE regions, particularly in light of his admission to the bar in the Czech Republic.

He also advises on the corporate structuring of family-owned businesses, including the drafting of syndicate agreements as well as succession and exit arrangements, and private foundation models. Wolfgang Lauss has advised on the establishment of numerous family foundations and contributes his extensive experience in drafting foundation deeds, combined with practical insight gained from day-to-day foundation management.

• Privatization of public regional energy supply companies, regional utility providers, public tourism enterprises, and public banks.
• Legal support for several public-sector outsourcing projects, particularly in the areas of healthcare institutions of the Province of Upper Austria and the City of Linz, investment management, as well as the education, social services, tourism, culture, and innovation sectors of the Province of Upper Austria. He also played a leading role in the introduction of Austria’s truck toll system and in the establishment and consolidation of broadband infrastructure companies.
• Structuring and implementation of major infrastructure projects, particularly in connection with the construction of power plants, gas and district heating pipeline projects, rail infrastructure projects (such as the implementation of the regional light rail system in Linz, the tram extension to Traun, and the Gmunden–Vorchdorf local railway), as well as hotel and spa facilities, including all related financing instruments.
• Introduction of modern corporate governance and compliance structures in major energy supply companies, various industrial groups, and a large number of family-owned businesses.
• Structuring succession models for family businesses, advising on the choice between holding structures and private foundations, with extensive experience in drafting private foundation deeds and managing family offices, as well as acting as syndicate counsel for family syndicates.
• Sell-side and buy-side advice on M&A transactions with transaction volumes exceeding EUR 100 million, both domestically and internationally, including companies in the industrial services, energy and waste management, and cement industries, among others.
• Legal support for real estate projects, particularly the construction of central warehouse facilities for food retail chains in Austria and abroad.
• Advice on corporate law disputes, including arbitration and litigation proceedings, as well as the preparation and management of shareholders’ and general meetings, including contentious meetings.