“KNOETZL’s strengths are its analytical skills, best-in-class legal knowledge, strategic thinking and broad experience.”

We are honored to receive top-tier recognition in dispute resolution in the latest edition of Chambers and Partners Global Guide 2025. Our arbitration and litigation practices have been distinguished with a prestigious Band 1 ranking,  as well as in the category International & Cross-Border Disputes, reflecting our firm’s unwavering commitment to excellence. We are particularly proud of the esteemed individual recognition awarded to Bettina Knoetzl and Katrin Hanschitz (Litigation), Florian Haugeneder and Patrizia Netal (Arbitration) for their outstanding expertise and leadership in the field.

Chambers describes KNOETZL as “a Vienna-headquartered” “ high-class” “dispute resolution and white-collar crime boutique” “offering clients impressive local and international expertise. The firm operates frequently on cross-border proceedings, with dedicated desks focusing on CEE-related disputes and those involving Latin American jurisdictions. Clients in need of multi-jurisdictional support will also benefit from the team’s ties to overseas practices and members’ experience of working in conjunction with international practices on multi-jurisdictional matters”. “KNOETZL [also]  houses a leading arbitration practice and is frequently involved in high-value international arbitration for clients in the energy, real estate and transport sectors.”

Clients, through Chambers, describe us as “ always responsive, prepared and has a strong client focus”, with “ an excellent understanding of how […] business functions”, “responding quickly and with great precision”. We proudly commend our team for their unwavering dedication to excellence and extend our deepest gratitude to our valued clients for their trust in us. Their continued support and generous recognition inspire us to uphold the highest standards in delivering exceptional legal counsel.

Bettina Knoetzl, leading practitioner in Litigation, is described as a “top lawyer in the dispute resolution space who is commended for her experience advising clients on a range of big-ticket litigation mandates”. Clients  laud her for being “one of the best lawyers in her field”, noting that “[we] could win the case because Bettina Knoetzl really put in extra effort on our behalf’ and she is “an excellent litigator”

and “one of the best lawyers in court”, with “very keen leadership abilities.”

Katrin Hanschitz, partner in our litigation team, is described as “an experienced litigator who acts for clients on shareholder and investment disputes, insolvency-related litigation and post-M&A disputes. Her expertise lies in areas such as the banking, energy and construction sectors.” She is commended for her “excellent understanding of civil and commercial law” and “negotiation skills“, she “is outstandingly responsive”. Clients prefer her on the team, because she is a “smart lawyer who drafts submissions very well “ and “somehow [she] knows everything off by heart and is super great in court because she destroys her opponents”.

Florian Haugeneder, well recognized as a leading practitioner in arbitration and the co-head of the international arbitration practice at KNOETZL, is identified by Chambers as “a strong lawyer with excellent experience in arbitration matters”. Clients recognize him “at the top of his market. He is a responsive and intelligent operator who has been indispensable to the success of this complicated project” and “his performance is excellent”. Others note that “he has extremely good judgement and always attends to the most important issues thoroughly and quickly. Peers emphasize that he is “really experienced, has good control over his cases and shows good cooperation skills. He is a really good arbitrator.”  

Patrizia Netal, co-head of the international arbitration practice, is singled out for “regularly advising on arbitration pertaining to damages claims and contractual disputes”. Peers laud her skills, as she is “a very well-prepared and excellent arbitration lawyer. She is open to different possibilities and is convincing. She is an excellent practitioner” and “extremely well known in the Austrian arbitration community”, with “an excellent track record”. Clients appreciate working with her, “although she already has in-depth, broad legal knowledge, she is open-minded and demonstrates a willingness to learn. ” and she is “always focused and highly analytical”.

For more details, please visit Chambers Global 2025– KNOETZL.