Austria

The legal framework for renewable energies is constantly changing as the world increasingly favours sustainable energy solutions.

E+H is pleased to announce that Hannah Kercz (34) has joined the firm as attorney-at-law. In her new role, she will support the IP/IT practice group. Hannah Kercz studied law at the University of Vienna and has specialised in all areas of IT law, including e-commerce and data protection law, in her previous work as a lawyer. A particular focus of her work is on all issues relating to artificial intelligence. She is the author of specialist publications and regularly shares her knowledge as a speaker at seminars and training events. "I am really looking forward to getting started at E+H! I find working with such a professional team and the opportunity to support clients with really crucial legal issues particularly exciting," says Hannah Kercz about joining the firm. Andreas Zellhofer, head of the IP/IT practice group, adds: "Hannah is a great addition to our growing team. She not only impresses with her professional expertise, but also with her passion for tackling even the most demanding challenges in a creative and solution-oriented manner." _________________________________________________________________ E+H is an international commercial law firm with offices in Vienna, Graz and Brussels that takes legal advice to the next level. The firm regularly receives awards and top spots in international rankings and directories, such as Chambers & Partners Global & Europe, Legal 500, JUVE, and Mergermarket. www.eh.at/en Inquiries & Contact Radostina Reiter Head of Marketing & Communication E+H Rechtsanwälte GmbH +43 676 8364 359 | [email protected]

As part of a succession plan, Munich-based VTC is acquiring all shares in NBG Holding GmbH. The NBG Group is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality fiber in metal tubes ("FiMTs"). E+H advised VTC on the legal aspects of this transaction. The E+H team was led by partners Josef Schmidt and Philipp Schrader. For over 25 years, the NBG Group in Gmünd, Austria, has been developing and producing highly specialized FiMTs, which are used worldwide in demanding applications, and special cables for energy infrastructure, telecommunications, and in-well and downhole services. As part of the partnership with VTC, the NBG Group will further expand its international presence, develop new areas of application, and invest in additional production capacity. Together with the existing management team, VTC intends to continue the profitable growth of recent years and further strengthen its market leadership in key segments. The transaction is expected to close in July 2025. Advisors VTC: E+H: Josef Schmidt and Philipp Schrader (lead partners, corporate + M&A), Jana Eichmeyer (partner, employment law/conflict resolution), Judith Feldner (partner, antitrust law), Helmut Liebel (partner, IP/IT), Georg Knafl (partner, public law), Hannah Kercz (permanent substitute/lawyer, IP/IT), Karin Köller (permanent substitute/lawyer, employment law), Yvonne Wohlmuth (associate, corporate + M&A), Lorenz Bogensberger (associate, employment law), Vessela Anastassova (associate, public law), Yvonne Handler (associate, antitrust law) Aigner Buzanich (Tax): Herbert Buzanich and Hans-Jörgen Aigner Alvarez & Marsal: Sébastien Catteau and Ilya Zvyaginstev NBG Bauer GmbH: HASCH und PARTNER Attorneys at Law: Franz Guggenberger and Alexander Milla Dealbridge M&A Advisors: Michael Stift and Simon Fabsits NBG Group: bpv Hügel (Bernhard Schatz and Thomas Capek) Restructuring trustee for the syndicate of financing banks: DKFE Attorneys at Law: Philipp Freimann and Philipp Dumfahrt SISCON Unternehmensberatung GmbH & Co KG: Wolfgang Fuchs _____________________________________________________________________ E+H is an international commercial law firm with offices in Vienna, Graz and Brussels that takes legal advice to the next level. The firm regularly receives awards and top spots in international rankings and directories, such as Chambers & Partners Global & Europe, Legal 500, JUVE, and Mergermarket. www.eh.at   Questions & Contact Radostina Reiter Head of Marketing & Communication E+H Rechtsanwälte GmbH +43 676 8364 359 | [email protected]

Binder Grösswang together with Clifford Chance advises MiddleGround Capital ("MiddleGround") on the acquisition of ZOERKLER Gears GmbH & Co KG ("Zoerkler"). As part of the acquisition, Zoerkler will be integrated into MiddleGround's portfolio company Xtrac, a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance transmissions and mechatronic solutions. The share purchase agreement was signed at the beginning of the year. The closing of the transaction took place on 8 May 2025. Zoerkler is a family-owned and owner-managed company based in Jois, Burgenland, with over 120 years of experience in the development and production of high-precision driving systems for the aerospace, automotive and industrial sectors. Zoerkler offers customised complete solutions from design to prototype construction and series production. MiddleGround is a Lexington, Kentucky-based private equity firm with over $3.85 billion in assets under management. MiddleGround makes control equity investments in middle market B2B industrial and speciality distribution businesses with the goal of developing them together with the management team. The Binder Grösswang deal team was led by Thomas Schirmer and Felix Fuith and comprised Anna Talos (Corporate / M&A), Helmut Buchroithner, Verena Müller (both Commercial and IP/IT), David Rötzer, Rafael Wiesner, Tobias Haralter (all Banking & Finance), Alexander Kramer, Yasmina Bouzid (both Real Estate), Johannes Barbist, Anian Gruber (both Regulatory) Finance), Regina Kröll, Anna Krottendorfer (both Sanctions & FDI), Dario Valentin Schmelz, Mathias Wallner (Litigation & Insurance), Clemens Willvonseder, Lisa Salbrechter (both Tax), Sabine Apfl-Trompeter and Livia Hoskovec (both Employment). About Binder Grösswang As one of the leading Austrian commercial law firms with a strong international focus, Binder Grösswang has been advising on all questions of commercial law for more than 60 years. Binder Grösswang employs more than 190 people in Vienna and Innsbruck. The law firm advises well-known national and international companies from all sectors. International legal directories such as Juve, Chambers, The Legal500 and IFLR 1000 regularly award top ratings to Binder Grösswang in all practice areas. These honours include international prizes such as the The Lawyer Law Firm of the Year Austria Award, Chambers Europe Austrian Law Firm of the Year Award and the IFLR European Law Firm of the Year Award.

Vienna, (28 May 2025) – The commercial law firm Binder Grösswang has reached another milestone in its digitalisation strategy with the company-wide introduction of the AI tool ‘James’. It’s specific aims are to reduce the burden of routine tasks, make work processes more efficient and thus create space for what really matters: personal client service and professional advice at the highest level. A generative AI-tool with the potential to grow ‘James’ is flexible, modular and develops according to the firm's requirements. The tool thrives on input from all employees and is constantly evolving with the aim of making knowledge more accessible within the firm as well as strengthening collaboration across the teams. It uses state-of-the-art AI models, including advanced reasoning models that, compared to conventional GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) systems, are able to structure complex legal issues, classify relevant connections and efficiently prepare information. The system thus supports routine tasks and provides a high-quality basis for evaluation by legal experts. In addition, the technology used enables the development of customised AI applications for specific use cases – a central component of consulting services that are precisely tailored to the needs of clients. The driving force behind the introduction of ‘James’ is law firm partner Ivo Rungg, a proven specialist in legal tech, information technology and data protection. He has been in charge of implementing the AI platform and is driving the strategic integration of intelligent technologies into the firm's workflows. "By using sophisticated reasoning models, we are creating a digital way of working that specifically supports our legal expertise – while not replacing it. It helps us to structure information more quickly, analyse complex issues more efficiently and thus makes our advice even more informed and client-oriented. This frees up time, especially when it comes to recurring tasks, which we can then use to focus on strategic and content-related issues,’ says Ivo Rungg. Innovation is firmly anchored in the firm's DNA. For Binder Grösswang, the responsible use of artificial intelligence is the next logical step in a long-standing innovation strategy. System security is a top priority: the model is provided and operated by the firm's own IT department and remains in a secure environment. ‘With “James”, we are expanding our digital foundation in a targeted and future-oriented manner. Innovative technologies such as these are not a self-serving purpose – they strengthen our way of working where they create real added value. Our claim remains clear: personal, excellent legal advice – supported by cutting-edge technology,’ emphasises Managing Partner Stefan Tiefenthaler. Artificial intelligence has long been more than just a buzzword for the future – it is becoming an integral part of legal practice, enabling us to work faster, more knowledgeably and with our clients’ needs in mind. About Binder Grösswang As one of the leading Austrian commercial law firms with a strong international focus, Binder Grösswang has been advising on all questions of commercial law for more than 60 years. Binder Grösswang employs more than 190 people in Vienna and Innsbruck. The law firm advises well-known national and international companies from all sectors. International legal directories such as Juve, Chambers, The Legal500 and IFLR 1000 regularly award top ratings to Binder Grösswang in all practice areas. These honours include international prizes such as the The Lawyer Law Firm of the Year Austria Award, Chambers Europe Austrian Law Firm of the Year Award and the IFLR European Law Firm of the Year Award.