Legal 500 (Privacy & Data Protection, 2021)
TMT, IP and data privacy boutique GEISTWERT has a strong track record in data protection that extends beyond the introduction of GDPR. Jointly led by Juliane Messner, Max Mosing, Alexander Schnider, Rainer Schultes and Constantin Kletzer, the practice is particularly experienced in advising finance, pharmaceutical and life sciences clients. To assist with GDPR implementation, the firm is able to call on its home-grown GDPR-tool. The fully bilingual and dual-qualified Messner is also in charge of the dedicated Italy desk, and Mosing is a CIS-certified Data Privacy Officer. Testimonials: “Communication is fast, competent and uncomplicated is probably the “secret of success” for GEISTWERT on the Austrian market. It is undoubtedly unique in Austria that so many partners in a law firm can serve the same area of law at such a high level – really a pleasure working with the GEISTWERT team”; “All partners are easy to reach, competent, uncomplicated and have at least basic knowledge of the projects of the other partners. That is definitely unique in Austria.” Juliane Messner is explicitly mentioned as “Leading Individual” in Data Privacy And Data Protection.
Legal 500 (TMT, 2021)
The team at IP and IT boutique GEISTWERT has a core focus on classic media, internet communication and high-tech matters with a strong presence in software and technology development, licensing and e-commerce. Constantin Kletzer, Juliane Messner, Max Mosing, Alexander Schnider and Rainer Schultes are equally involved in TMT work, with the dual-admitted Messner also in charge of the firm’s Italy Desk, which often assists publishing houses and tourism clients. Testimonials: “All partners are easy to reach, competent, uncomplicated and have at least basic knowledge of the projects of the other partners. That is definitely unique in Austria!’“; “My primary GEISTWERT contact is Max Mosing. However, it is impressive how the other partners from GEISTWERT can take over immediately if needed; the GEISTWERT internal communication seems to work just great.”’
Chambers Europe IP (2021)
Alexander Schnider is best known for his work on trade marks, frequently representing clients in infringement proceedings. He also assists with licensing matters. Clients commend his „pragmatic, concise, customer-tailored and clear advice,“ adding: „He is extremely tech-savvy, provides ultra-fast turnaround times and is fun and smooth to work with.“
Chambers Europe IP (2021)
Ranked in Gold Tier: What the team is known for: Increasingly visible firm, moving up to the top ranking due to its IP service comprising patent and trade mark-related advice, including portfolio management and infringement litigation. Additional experience in domain name as well as licence agreements and copyright disputes. Also assists with counterfeiting and customs measures. Attracts clients from various industries, including fintech, food and drink, life sciences and construction. Strengths: Source endorse the firm’s efficiency, stating: „All the partners are helpful, and in terms of responsiveness they deserve a gold medal. They also guarantee high quality.“ One client enthuses: „It is a think-tank of great and curious minds which no other firm can offer at this level.“
Chambers Europe TMT (2021)
Alexander Schnider is an experienced adviser on internet law, IP and IT matters and is especially regarded for his expertise in the area of digital games. A client states: „His advice to our legal enquiries is always easy to understand but professionally precise,“ adding that „his conversational style is very easy and amiable.“
Chambers Europe TMT (2021)
What the team is known for: TMT boutique offering dependable expertise in IT and related IP matters. Noted for high-quality work in software contracts and game development. Additionally handles related IP aspects, especially copyright and trade mark matters. Further areas of activity include data protection, international e-commerce and IT outsourcing. Often seen advising technology startups as well as numerous clients in the media, entertainment and electronics industries. Represents state-owned and private companies on both domestic and multi-jurisdictional matters. Strengths: A client describes the team as „dedicated, hard-working but fun, and always up to date. They recognise trends and set standards.“ Another satisfied client enthuses: „In any area that we need legal advice for, their expertise seems highly profound and state-of-the-art. If some matters are somewhat unrelated to their specialisation, their international network allows them to easily reach out to other law firms to enquire about their view on the matter.“
Chambers Global IP (2021)
Alexander Schnider is well known for his expertise in matters concerning trade marks, unfair competition and software development. In addition to trade mark clearance and other non-contentious issues, he represents clients in court proceedings and settlement negotiations. Schnider’s clients hail from a variety of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, food and drink, as well as IT and gaming. A client proclaims that „his qualities are definitely his analytical skills, his technical background, his enthusiasm for new technologies and his ability to put himself quickly in the position of a negotiating partner.“
Chambers Global IP (2021)
What the team is known for: Offers a well-regarded comprehensive IP service with a particular focus on patent and trade mark-related advice, including portfolio management and infringement litigation. Additional experience in domain name and co-existence matters as well as licence agreements and copyright disputes. Also assists with counterfeiting and customs measures. Attracts clients of various industries, including fintech, food and drink, life sciences and construction.
Annual Global Law Experts Awards (2021)
In the 12th Annual Global Law Experts Awards (2021), all GEISTWERT partners have been awarded as follows: Constantin Kletzer: Industrial Property Lawyer of the Year, Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year and Copyright Lawyer of the Year; Juliane Messner: Data Protection Lawyer of the Year and Privacy Law Lawyer of the Year; Max Mosing: IT Lawyer of the Year and Data Protection Lawyer of the Year; Alexander Schnider: IP Lawyer of the Year and IT Lawyer of the Year; Rainer Schultes: Patent Lawyer of the Year and Copyright Lawyer of the Year.
WTR 1000 (2021)
“A go-to for any and all trademark matters, GEISTWERT changed the face of the Austrian legal landscape when it was set up. Its unique strength comes from its five highly experienced, innovative and ambitious founding partners, who are all absolute stars in their respective specialisations. Their entrepreneurial spirit, ultra-quick response times and the results they achieve instil clients with utmost confidence.” First on the team sheet, “Alexander Schnider is an extremely clever strategist, skilled negotiator and logical thinker, and his courtroom presence is absolutely striking. The great thing about Alexander is that he never sees problems – only solutions. He cuts straight through any white noise and gets right to the heart of the issue”. “Both Rainer Schultes and Constantin Kletzer are extremely knowledgeable, quick and easy to work with. They know what rights holders need even before they do.” Schultes is a technology whizz who handles high-profile cases with ease; while Kletzer “combines a thorough knowledge of statutory and case law with a great business acumen, all to the benefit of his clients”. Max Mosing also comes in for particular praise: “He is a renaissance man in the area of intellectual property and somehow still manages to surprise with the breadth of his knowledge and forward thinking. As a practical and commercially minded litigator, he knows all the tricks when it comes to enforcing marks, while providing a comfortable environment for his clients. He is super-friendly, easy to reach, dispenses with the legalese and is always fun to work with.” Completing the line-up is Juliane Messner: “An outstanding negotiator, she drafts bulletproof contracts and handles corporate matters with great diligence. Her advice gets to the crux of each issue and her solutions are hands-on and business oriented.” Juliane is the first-choice for start-ups as well as established companies in the life sciences and ITsectors.
The Global IP Awards presented by iam and WTR
Global IP Awards – IP Firm of the Year 2020 – Austria
The 2021 Corporate Intl Magazine Global Awards
All GEISTWERT partners were honored by the 2021 Corporate Intl Magazine Global Awards as follows: Juliane Messner: Privacy Law Lawyer of the Year in Austria 2021 & Data Protection Lawyer of the Year in Austria 2021 (together with max Mosing); Constantin Kletzer: Industrial Property Lawyer of the Year in Austria 2021; & Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year in Austria 2021 & Copyright Lawyer of the Year in Austria 2021 (together with Rainer Schultes); Rainer Schultes: Patent Lawyer of the Year in Austria 2021 & Copyright Lawyer of the Year in Austria 2021 (together with Constantin Kletzer); Max Mosing: IT Lawyer of the Year in Austria 2021 (together with Alexander Schnider) & Data Protection Lawyer of the Year in Austria 2021 (together with Juliane Messner); Alexander Schnider: IT Lawyer of the Year in Austria 2021 (together with Max Mosing) & IP Lawyer of the Year in Austria 2021
The Patent Lawyer Law Firm Rankings 2020
GEISTWERT has been included within the top 10 Austrian Patent firms
Handelsblatt: Österreichs Beste Anwälte 2020 – in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
GEISTWERT wurde vom Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers für das Jahr 2020 in Österreich wie folgt ausgezeichnet: Kanzlei des Jahres für gewerblichen Rechtsschutz: GEISTWERT. Anwalt des Jahres für IT-Recht: Max Mosing. Unter den besten Anwälten für gewerblichen Rechtsschutz: Juliane Messner, Constantin Kletzer, Max Mosing, Alexander Schnider und Rainer Schultes. Unter den besten Anwälten für IT-Recht: Max Mosing & Alexander Schnider. Unter den besten Anwälten für Technologierecht: Juliane Messner & Alexander Schnider. Unter den besten Anwälten für Konfliktlösung: Constantin Kletzer
iam patent 1000, 2020
Nimble, aggressive and energetic, GEISTWERT brings the heat in Austrian patent litigation and cuts a dash at the deal negotiating table too. The partners in this outstandingly collaborative group link up well and play off each other’s strengths to carry the day in critical disputes. A team formed by Constantin Kletzer, Rainer Schultes and Alexander Schnider, for example, recently prevailed for TeleTan in a widely reported infringement claim against one of Austria’s largest banks, which had used TeleTan’s online banking authentication process on its own platform. Kletzer “works fast, thoroughly and effectively, with an intense focus on solutions. With him, you’re in the best of hands.” Schultes is hailed as an “extremely smart lawyer with excellent technical knowledge”; while Schnider is an authority on software and internet law. While these assured litigators all know how to cut a deal, the firm’s top transactional specialists are Max Mosing and Juliane Messner. Coming in for particular praise, Messner has a “deep understanding of business issues” and “only sees solutions, not problems”.