Nina Lenhard
Biography
Nina Lenhard heads the Antitrust & Competition and Energy & Infrastructure Practice Groups at Baker McKenzie in Vienna. She joined the Firm in 2019 and brings extensive experience advising international clients on EU and Austrian antitrust and competition law, foreign investment control, state aid as well as commercial and distribution agreements, and energy and infrastructure law.
Prior to joining the Firm, Nina worked at leading international law firms, a publicly listed company, and a bank, where she advised not only on antitrust and competition law but also on M&A, corporate law, compliance, and customs law.
Practice Focus
Nina advises clients on all aspects of EU and Austrian antitrust and competition law, including multinational merger control, foreign investment control proceedings, abuse of dominance, dawn raids, cartel investigations, and related litigation. Her practice also covers state aid and foreign subsidies. She regularly represents clients before Austrian and European authorities and courts. In addition, Nina has extensive experience in supporting clients with the set up and implementation of various distribution models, delivering compliance trainings, and advising on general contract law.
Nina further advises clients on energy law as well as sanctions and export control matters, and represents them in proceedings before authorities.
Representative Legal Matters
- Regularly advises and represents global clients, such as Johnson & Johnson, Accenture, Warner Bros., Colt Technology Services, Baxter, Platinum Equity Group, Embracer, EP Power Europe, YAGEO Corporation, in merger control and foreign investment control proceedings before authorities.
- Advised Sika AG on the EU merger control and Austrian foreign investment control aspects of the CHF 5.5 billion acquisition of Master Builders Construction Chemicals Group from Lone Star Funds.
- Advised Burgenland Energie on the power purchase agreements and regulatory aspects of its EUR 1.3 billion renewable energy project.
- Regularly advises leading pharma companies in relation to their distribution models and export control matters.
- Advised and represented Lindsay Corporation on the acquisition of a minority interest (49.9%) in Austria-based Pessl Instruments GmbH in the merger control and foreign investment control proceedings in Austria and coordination of filings worldwide.
- Advised Delachaux S.A. on all antitrust, multijurisdictional merger control and foreign investment control aspects of its sale of shares in Frauscher Sensor Technology Group GmbH.
- Advised a major global IT company on the energy requirements for the operation of a data center (including supply of power and access to grid).
- Advises and defends STRABAG in the proceedings before the Austrian competition authorities and Cartel Court as well as in court proceedings related to follow-on antitrust damages.
Professional Honors
- Legal 500 (2025 – present): "Key lawyer" in Competition Law
- Chamber's Europe Guide 2025: "Associate to Watch" in Competition / European Law
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Vienna Bar Association – Member
- International Association of Young Lawyers – Member
- Juristenverband – Member
Admissions
- Austria (2020)
Education
- University of Vienna (Magister iuris) (2014)
- La Sapienza University (Erasmus Program) (2012)
Languages
- English
- French
- German
- Italian
- Spanish