NEWSARCHIVE
June 2010
 Two Austrian groups acquire mutual holdings. Based on the results of the due diligence and due to some minority interests and a few Slovak holdings the transaction requires a complex structure of equity financing and corporate governance.
May 2010
 In connection with an acquisition overseas, an Austrian group grants its
management stock. A balanced corporate, tax and accounting structure can be
achieved.
January 2010
 We advise an international investor on the defense against a substantial tax
claim. In this rare cross-border case we must also enforce the procedural
rights of the group.
October 2009
 An international group takes over all shares in a domestic payment service
provider that it does not already own. We advise on corporate, anti-trust,
and intricate banking issues.
Sepember 2009
 We are pleased to open our offices in Bratislava. This optimizes our services for clients in and from Slovakia.
June 2009
 We represent an international raw materials trading group in arbitration
proceedings in the US. Careful preparation of the arbitration request
substantially improves the client's chances to enforce their rights
efficiently.
February 2009
 Entertainment has gone mobile. We advise on an acquisition in this innovative business.
January 2009
 Mergers & acquisitions in the USA are a challenge. We provide a concept for tax efficient structuring and manage corollary corporate transactions for an international steel processing group.
December 2008
 China remains a substantial market of the future. We advise an international steel processing group on the acquisition of a holding.
October 2008
 What if a substantial part of the liquid funds of an institutional investor has been deposited with an Icelandic bank? Resolute but prudent action is required to steer the business through the storm on the financial markets.
September 2008
 An international investor completes the restructuring of a part of its group. We structure and manage the transactions for the Austrian holding company.
August 2008

The European activities of a group of Austrian, UK and Romanian investors are being newly structured. The concept was devised at the “prettiest meeting place ever”.
June 2008
 Closing of a spin-off and buy-out with respect to a Central and Eastern European machinery and equipment group. Insolvency of a group company requires prudent planning and management of corporate law aspects.
May 2008
 Economic stagnation, scarce liquidity, banking crisis – and in this environment highly questionable transactions within Immofinanz group. We represent international and domestic institutional investors. There is encouraging response from the media.
April 2008
 We welcome an Arab investor in Austria. New projects require planning of an array of tax, corporate and other matters.
Juli 2007
 Concept for streamlining the corporate and tax structure of a steel processing group with a worldwide presence.
June 2007

Advising an Arab investor on streamlining the tax structure of his activities in Austria. The structure reflects worldwide activities and cashflow resulting therefrom.
April 2007
 Advising a telecom company on the vendor due diligence for a mobile payment joint venture.
January 2007
 Advising a German bank on the transfer of a claim from a loan facility granted to the Republic of Austria.
October 2006
 Closing of the financing of a Slovene banking group by an Austrian bank.
June 2006

Advising a mobile payment provider on regulatory banking law. Regulatory, contractual, and tax issues have to be reconciled.
May 2006
 Advising an Eastern European group on the purchase of a Dutch production line. The group structure is designed to minimize tax exposure for future dividend distributions.
April 2006
 Advising a shareholder on a spin-off or buy-out with respect to a Central and Eastern European machinery and equipment group. Careful analysis of the financial statements enables the buyer to negotiate favorable terms and conditions.
March 2006
 Joint venture of two mobile phone operators (and indirectly two banks) with respect to a highly innovative mobile payment system closed. Before establishing the corporate structure groundbreaking regulatory research in banking law had to be performed.
December 2005

Sale of 75% of a shopping mall in downtown Vienna. Advised the management of the target company, in particular on the due diligence.
August 2005
 Advising the owners on the $220M sale of the largest hotel in Vienna. To prepare the deal a balance must be achieved between the interests of the owners in further project development, of the international operator, and of the financing banks.
April 2005
 We are pleased to advise an Austrian mobile phone operator on a planned joint venture with a competitor. Despite the notoriously hard fight for market shares a cooperation with respect to innovative services is possible.
March 2005
 For the re-structuring of a project financing in Russia with inclusion of an Austrian group company a creative approach could be developed with the financing bank to maintain a satisfactory level of security. Details are confidential as yet.

Major Bulgarian group will maintain its holding company in Austria. Even after recent substantial tax cuts in other European countries the Austrian tax regime for holding companies remains very attractive. This holds true in particular for complex group structures as in the analyzed case.

January 2005
 $200M crude oil export financing of a Russian oil group closed. Due to the experience of both the financing bank and its legal advisers in Austria and Russia with similar transactions the deal could be closed in record time.
October 2004
 Gerhard O. Rettenbacher opens an independent international law office in Vienna. Reactions of clients are overwhelmingly positive. Main areas of expertise are mergers and acquisitions, project finance, and international taxation. Clients are international businesses from Europe and the U.S., some of them stock listed. One geographical focus is on Central and Eastern Europe, mainly Russia and Bulgaria.
 
   

Legal notice