Press Release

DORDA continues to grow and expands its partnership from within its own ranks by announcing Magdalena Brandstetter, Stephan Steinhofer and Nino Tlapak as partners.

By strengthening its partnership in the areas of Real Estate, Litigation and IT and Data Protection, the leading commercial law firm DORDA is sending a strong signal during this still ongoing pandemic. With Magdalena Brandstetter, Stephan Steinhofer and Nino Tlapak, three lawyers who have rendered outstanding services in important growth areas of DORDA for many years are being made partner. This development is the result of DORDA's mentoring programme, which identifies and promotes exceptional talent at an early stage and in a targeted manner. It also clearly demonstrates that it is possible to develop proven specialists internally, as Axel Anderl, Managing Partner at DORDA and Head of the IT, IP and Data Protection Team, emphasises: "The three partner appointments are a very clear sign of our qualitative growth. They enable us to meet the continually sharp increasing demand for high-quality advice. I am very pleased that three of our team members, who have been with us for many years, have now become partners. This characterises our work with young talent and our corporate culture."

Magdalena Brandstetter (32) has worked for DORDA since 2013. She is a specialist in Real Estate M&A, Hospitality as well as Real Estate and Tenancy Law and has extensive know-how in advising Austrian and international clients. Most recently, Magdalena Brandstetter advised, among others, the joint venture partners UBM Development and S IMMO on the sale of the "Quartier Belvedere Central 1, 2 & 7". In 2020, she was named a Rising Star in the Real Estate Category at Legal500.

"Our Real Estate Practice has grown steadily over the last years - even during the challenges of the pandemic over the last year. I am therefore pleased to now be able to serve our clients, together with Stefan Artner, as partner and Co-Head of our Practice Group, with a full commitment to providing the quality they have come to expect."

Stephan Steinhofer (34) started his career at DORDA in 2011 after a period abroad at a leading commercial law firm in New York. Recognised as an expert in Civil and Commercial Litigation, he advises a wide range of national and international clients, particularly in the areas of contractual warranty and damage claims, IT disputes, public financing and culture, as well as post-M&A disputes. In recent years, for example, the native of Eisenstadt represented the Esterhazy Foundation Group in the successful resolution of its long-standing conflict with the Province of Burgenland.

"Particularly in these economically challenging times and with companies seeking to focus on their core business, the demand for professional and determined dispute resolution is increasing. I am looking forward to now supporting our clients as a partner in asserting their important claims and conducting crucial litigation during and after the pandemic."

Nino Tlapak (33) joined DORDA as a student in 2009 and has been working in Axel Anderl's IT, IP and Data Protection Team since 2012. His practice focuses on Data Protection, Cybersecurity, Outsourcing and, in particular, Cloud Contracts. Nino Tlapak also applies years of practical experience in his role as External Data Protection Officer for selected clients. A particular focus is on the regulated sector, specifically banks, insurance companies as well as companies in the life sciences sector. Nino Tlapak has been listed as a Next Generation Lawyer in the Legal500 Ranking TMT since 2018. In 2020, he was ranked as a Rising Star for TMT and Data Protection & Data Privacy. Almost at the same time as Nino Tlapak's appointment as partner, his team colleague Alexandra Ciarnau was sworn in as an attorney. The highly specialised IT, IP and Data Protection Team has thus experienced further qualitative growth. It now comprises two partners, a further three lawyers and five associates.

"We recognised the potential of focused and strategic advice in the data protection area well before 2018 and established a specialised practice group. Due to technological progress, international developments and case law, there continues to be a great need for practical advice and solution-oriented support - advancing digitalisation, in particular, means that new business models are constantly emerging. I would like to thank our clients for their loyalty over the years and look forward to accompanying them even further."