Our Pro Bono Policy

Based on a clearly defined pro bono policy that was approved by the General Meeting in December 2019 and with the regular support of the Pro Bono Committee, CERHA HEMPEL has provided pro bono advice that has been "of particular relevance to charitable, non-profit, social, environmental, labour and human rights issues" between the end of September 2025 and the beginning of October 2026, to the extent outlined below:
 

  • World Bank B-READY! (country assessment: Austria) - 2026 pro bono-flagship mandate: In a joint effort multiple lawyers from CERHA HEMPEL (Austria) contributed across various topics to the third edition of the World Bank’s corporate flagship report, the Business Ready (B-READY) 2026 Report, scheduled to be published later this year. Over an extended period, a total of 19 questionnaires across 10 practice areas were completed in cooperation with Lex Mundi and submitted to the World Bank (Business Ready team). The B-READY 2026 report targets to shape a groundbreaking global resource with the potential to inform policies and drive meaningful change. The mandate was led by Peter Knobl.
     
  • RHI-Magnesita – HELP (Association): Establishment of and ongoing rendering of legal advice for the “RHI Magnesita HELP – Association for the Support of Employees in Emergency Situations.” The association provides financial support to individuals and their family members who have been affected by accidents at work. The support services cover long-term medical costs, reintegration assistance, special equipment, and training opportunities. In addition, initiatives aimed at preventing accidents at work receive financial support. The beneficiaries are not only employees and suppliers, but all victims of accidents at work and their families. Donations can be made directly via the RHI Magnesita HELP iRaiser Page, a fundraising platform that operates in multiple languages and currencies. The association was founded on July 2, 2024. A managing partner of CERHA HEMPEL was appointed deputy chairman of the association's board. The consulting services comprised around 25 working hours for the reporting period up to October 1, 2026.
     
  • Ronald McDonald Children's Aid (registered association): CERHA HEMPEL is represented by an honorary member and another member of the supervisory board of this association. In 2026, the association was supported with advice on sponsorship, association law, employment law, and participation in supervisory board meetings. The scope of consulting services in 2026 amounted to approximately 50 working hours.
     
  • Association „Nachbarinnen” (Vienna): This association helps women from families on the margins of society to find self-determined employment, achieving this through personal networking and social space orientation. Assistance is provided through case management, home visits, coaching on the go, support for self-organization, parent meetings, assistance with administrative procedures, community orientation, and the use of a “work kit.” The association is financed by subsidies, service agreements with Vienna Child and Youth Welfare, income from the sewing workshop it operates, and small and large donations and sponsorships. CERHA HEMPEL supported the association in 2026 by providing tax advisory services and support on association law. Further, data protection training for employees, creating a processing directory in accordance with Art. 30 GDPR, and drafting a data protection declaration including a declaration of consent for events were part of comprehensive care by CERHA HEMPEL. The scope of consulting services in 2026 amounted to approximately 52 working hours.
     
  • Austrian-American Society (registered association): Following the revision and updating of the association's statutes and registry entries in previous years, a partner of CERHA HEMPEL acting as a member of the association's executive board undertook to prepare and organise general assemby’s meetings, the appointment of members of the executive board and amendments of the association’s bye-laws. The consulting services provided in 2026 amounted to around 27 working hours.
     
  • Catholic University ITI (International Theological Institute), Trumau: CERHA HEMPEL supported this ecclesiastical theological faculty, headed by the Archbishop of Vienna, His Excellency Mag. Josef Grünwidl as Grand Chancellor, on internal accounting, participated in board meetings, and advised on various legal issues, including the university’s bye-laws and employment law. The consulting services comprised approximately 49 working hours in 2026.
     
  • Radio Maria Österreich  (an Austrian radio station based in Vienna, owned by the aforementioned association): Radio Maria Austria belongs to the global radio network “World Family of Radio Maria,” which is recognized by the Catholic Church. CERHA HEMPEL advised this Catholic Christian radio station in 2026, particularly in connection with rental agreements and employment legal issues. The number of hours worked amounted to 3.5 hours in 2026.
     
  • House on Sonntagberg (spiritual seminar centre for retreats and weekend gatherings): The non-profit organization that runs this facility received legal advice in 2026 in connection with agreements and connected issues of entries into the land register. The scope of services amounted to approximately 15 hours of work in 2026.
     
  • MyAbility Social Enterprise GmbH: The purpose of this company is to provide management consulting services with a social mission to create a barrier-free and equitable society. CERHA HEMPEL advised the company in 2026 for approximately 4 hours on matters of corporate and civil law.
     
  • Therapy2people GmbH: This operating company of a pool of experts for new technologies in the areas of rehabilitation and health received more than 13 hours of corporate and civil law advice in 2026.
     
  • Tech2people GmbH: This operating company of a center for robotic neurotherapy received approximately 10 hours of corporate and civil law advice in 2026.
     
  • Advising two private individuals: In 2026, CERHA HEMPEL advised two private individuals on matters (i) of an appeal to the Austrian Administrative Court against an approval decree for operating facilities issued under a simplified procedure and (ii) of care allowance and adult guardianship. The total number of hours worked in 2026 amounted to just over 30.