
Dr. Otto Waechter LL.M. (NYU) M.B.L.-HSG
PartnerT +43 1 401 17 - 0
Competences
Otto Waechter is Head of the Practice Groups "Banking and Finance" and "Projects/Public Procurement & Infrastructure".
He advises domestic and foreign banks, insurers, international companies and public institutions on all matters of banking and finance and on all types of financing.
He is a renowned expert on project and infrastructure financing including PPP’s and concessions in particular – he advised the highest bidder on the largest infrastructure transaction in Austria to date (Austrian road charges / toll collect).
Otto Waechter has broad international experience from his work in law firms in the United States and Australia – he is admitted to practice in New York and California. He is Austrian Co-Chapter Chair of the International Section of the New York State Bar Association.
He speaks German and English.
CV
- University St.Gallen (M.B.L.-HSG), 1998
- NYU School of Law (LL.M. in Corporate Law), 1994
- University of Vienna, (Dr.iur.), 1987
- University of Vienna (Mag.iur.), 1986
Publications
- 31.07.2019 Regulation of Virtual Currency
- 16.01.2018 Financing the transfer of goods under Austrian law and the use of warehouse receipts
- 16.01.2018 Financing the transfer of goods under Austrian law and the use of warehouse receipts
- 24.02.2012 Austrian Report in: International Securities Law and Regulation
- 27.07.2011 Criminal Liability - Information
- 19.09.2009 PLC Outsourcing - Austrian Chapter
- Die Fallen für Unternehmer im internationalen Handel, RechtsBlatt 28.11.2013
- Stolen Masters: The Sale of Stolen and Plundered Art - An Austrian Perspective, NYSBA International Law Practicum, Vol. 25, No. 2, Autumn 2012
- Key Amendments in the New Austrian Insolvency Code in: Comparative Law Yearbook of International Business, 2011
- Austrian Report in: International Securities Law and Regulation, Yorkhill Law Publishing 2007, updated 2014
- Unterschiedliche Strafbarkeit ausgewählter Korruptionsdelikte, Anwaltsblatt 9/2011
Korruptionsfalle: Was Unternehmen in England beachten sollten, Wirtschaftsblatt, 18. August 2011 - Anti-Korruptionsgesetz: Auswirkungen des UK Bribery Act für österreichische Unternehmen, Experteninfos zur neuen Gesetzeslage in Großbritannien, Advantage Austria, Austrian Foreign Trade Promotion Organisation
- Austrian Report in: Outsourcing Handbook, Practical Law Company, 2009, 2010/11
Advantages and Disadvantages of Negotiated Settlements During the Course of a Competition Procedure, Austrian Report, LIDC, 1999 - The International Telecommunications Services Agreement under Austrian, European and WTO Law, HSG, Thesis, 1998
- Essential Facilities Doctrine from an Austrian point of view, Austrian Report, LIDC, 1998
- Investing in Hungary, 2nd ed. 1990
- revised publications on labor, tax law and social security for ARD Betriebsdienst, Vienna (Publisher), 1982-1985
News
- 31.07.2019 Regulation of Virtual Currency
- 16.11.2018 Graf & Pitkowitz once again named as IFLR Top Tier Firm
- 16.11.2018 Ranked among „Top 50 Lawyers in Finance” in the Austrian Financial Magazine Boersianer (edition 10/2018)
- 27.09.2017 Agrobusiness, Land and Forestry – 30 Hints in 60 Minutes
- 29.07.2015 Graf & Pitkowitz represents the state of salzburg
- 14.07.2015 Sophia Strobl wins BDO Awards for the best scientific presentation
- 20.04.2015 NYSBA European Conference 2015
- 21.10.2014 Dr. Ferdinand Graf und Dr. Otto Wächter, Top50 Lawyers
- 01.10.2014 Graf & Pikowitz (Dr. Ferdinand Graf and Dr. Otto Wächter) advises the Land Salzburg in connection with the reclamation and cancellation of various financial derivatives
- 09.04.2014 Paris regional meeting NYSBA
- 23.09.2013 Graf & Pitkowitz advises Bayrische Landesbank on financing acquisition of Hilton Vienna Danube
- 17.04.2012 Otto Waechter speaks about European anti-corruption measures at the international conference of the NYSBA in the Czech Republic
- 09.08.2011 A rigorous crackdown - Succeed 4/2011
- 17.01.2011 American Lawyer, Winter 2011, Focus Europe - Austria
Conferences
- 05.10.2016 New York State Bar Associaton Seasonal Meeting 2016 in Paris, France
- 11.11.2014 First conference of the New York State Bar Association in Vienna with some 150 enthusiastic participants
- 17.10.2014 INTERNATIONAL SECTION SEASONAL MEETING 2014
- 14.09.2012 Libor Manipulation
- 21.06.2012 ARS Jahrestagung: IT-Compliance
- 04.04.2012 NYSBA International Section - Prague Regional Meeting
Job experience
- Since 1999: Partner with Graf & Pitkowitz Rechtsanwälte GmbH
- 1996 - 1999: Partner with Gabler & Gibel, Vienna
- 1994 - 1995: Foreign associate with law firms in New York City, USA and Adelaide, Australia
- 1994- 1995: Office of Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, New York
- 1987 - 1993: Associate with Preslmayr & Partners, Dr. Thomas Schröfl
- 1986 - 1987: Clerkship with courts in Vienna
Memberships
- Vienna Bar Association
- American, New York State and California Bar Associations
- Law Society of Australia
- Bankwissenschaftliche Gesellschaft ("Austrian Banking Society")
Awards
Chambers Europe Market Perception: "The attorneys at Graf & Pitkowitz are a pleasure to work with. All of them have profound overall knowledge and render legal services of the highest quality. The team was reliable, accessible, made itself available even at short notice, was proactive in negotiations and always met deadlines. It was great to work with and I would definitely appoint it in future."
- 03.05.2019 Graf & Pitkowitz once again ranked in Chambers Global Guide 2019
- 01.05.2019 The Legal 500 2019:
- 16.11.2018 Graf & Pitkowitz once again named as IFLR Top Tier Firm
- 16.11.2018 Ranked among „Top 50 Lawyers in Finance” in the Austrian Financial Magazine Boersianer (edition 10/2018)
- 21.02.2016 Legal 500 EMEA 2016
- 21.02.2015 The Legal 500 2015
- 21.02.2015 The Legal 500 2015
- 21.02.2015 Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2015
- 21.02.2014 Chambers Europe 2014
- 22.02.2013 ADVOCATUS Handbuch 2013
- 21.02.2013 Chambers Europe 2013
- 07.11.2012 Graf & Pitkowitz wins International Award for Project Finance, Equity Avoidance & Replacement
- 30.04.2012 Global Law Experts - Project Finance 2012
- 22.02.2011 The Legal 500 2011
- 22.02.2011 The Legal 500 2011
- 22.02.2011 The Legal 500 2011
- 22.02.2011 Chambers Europe 2011
Professional licenses
- California (1996)
- New York (1995)
- Austria (1994)
Other
- Otto Wächter was listed in the ADVOCATUS Handbook for 2013 for outstanding expertise and achievements the fields of insolvency administration, representation of creditors, representation of debtors and corporate reorganisation/recovery:
"Otto Wächter is head of Banking & Finance and in this capacity also deals with insolvencies and corporate reorganisations. Our clients confirm that Wächter develops excellent, unconventional solutions for complex cases." - "Chambers Europe" 2012. Band 3: Public Procurement
- "Chambers Europe" 2012. Band 4: Banking & Finance
- "Chambers Europe" 2011. Band 4: Banking & Finance
- "Chambers Europe" 2011. Band 3: Public Procurement
- "The Legal 500" 2011. Top 5:Banking & Finance
- "The Legal 500" 2011. Recommended Firm: Capital Markets
- "The Legal 500" 2011. Top 2: Public Procurement
- "PLC Which Lawyer Yearbook" 2011: Recommended individual - Finance