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Dr. Elias Schönborn
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Dr. Elias Schönborn

Lawyer

Elias Schönborn is an attorney at law and founder of the law firm. After graduating with honours in law (diploma and doctorate) from the University of Vienna and the London School of Economics and Political Science, he has specialised in criminal law, compliance and internal investigations since the beginning of his career. He represents individuals, companies and public institutions, in particular in the areas of criminal defence, internal investigations and civil liability issues.

His contributions to legal literature include co-editing the first Austrian practical handbook on Criminal Compliance, the first commentary on the Austrian Whistleblower Protection Act (HSchG) and a forthcoming practical handbook on Medical Criminal Law. In addition, Dr. Schönborn is a sought-after lecturer who regularly shares his knowledge and practical experience at renowned events and universities in Austria and internationally.

Career
Publications
Experience
Memberships
Languages

Career

2025

White Collar Crime & Compliance Law Firm of the Year in Austria

2024

Advisory Excellence – Compliance Law Firm of the Year in Austria

2023

Legal 500 – Honoured as ‘Rising Star’ (White Collar Crime)

since 2023

Independent Attorney at Law & Criminal Defense Lawyer (law firm es.law in Vienna)

2018 – 2023

Associate/Attorney at Law at DORDA (White-Collar Criminal Law, Medical Criminal Law, Compliance, Civil Procedural Law)

2022

Certified Whistleblowing Officer training at the Institute for Internal Auditing Austria

2022

Recipient of the Promotional Award by Juristische Blätter

2021

Secondment as Inhouse Legal Counsel at GlaxoSmithKline Pharma GmbH in the area of Compliance

2021

Certified Compliance Officer training at Wirtschaftsförderungsinstitut Wien

2020

Bar Exam in the district of the Higher Regional Court of Vienna with honours

2016 – 2019

Doctoral studies in law at the University of Vienna, merit scholarship holder; graduated with honours

2016 – 2017

Judicial clerkship in the district of the Higher Regional Court of Vienna with honours

2012 – 2016

Diploma studies in law at the University of Vienna and the London School of Economics and Political Science, specialising in criminal justice and criminal science; top
10% of graduates in the 2015/16 academic year; recipient of three merit scholarships

“The professionals I had the opportunity to work with, most notably Dr. Elias Schönborn, are exceptional in terms of their customer service and went above and beyond my expectations. Right from the beginning, there is a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. […] In essence, it is stress free and easy to work with him, and the atmosphere he cultivates is one that is replete with confidence and clarity.”

Client feedback

Publications

Experience

  • Successful defense of a managing director of a multinational corporation in an international white-collar crime investigation concering allegations of embezzlement, fraudulent banktruptcy, grossly negligent impairment of creditors’ interests, and falsification of evidence – discontinuation of the criminal investigation.
  • Successful defense of a leading global technology company in the healthcare sector in a criminal case as an accused association, achieving the termination of the investigation within a few months.
  • Represented an aggrieved investor as a private party against an Austrian entrepreneur in cross-border criminal proceedings with a total amount of damages in the double-digit million range.
  • Successful defense of a managing director in an international criminal investigation for allegations of fraud in the millions – termination of the investigation proceedings.
  • Successful defense of a doctor in a complex medical criminal law case concerning the accusation of grossly negligent killing of a patient – termination of the criminal investigation proceedings after a few months.
  • Successful defense of a public official in a politically controversial case concerning allegations of abuse of office – termination of the criminal investigation proceedings.
  • Private participation and assertion of claims for damages on behalf of a pharamcist in high-profile criminal proceedings relating to allegations of fraud through falsified COVID-19 tests in over 70,000 cases.
  • Conducted an internal investigation for a listed company due to significant allegations of environmental offences.
  • Developed an anti-corruption guideline and provided ongoing criminal law compliance advice for a global medical device manufacturer.
  • Succesful defense of a managing director of a subsidiary of a global corporation in complex white-collar crime proceedings for extortion, forgery of documents, acceptance of gifts and money laundering – discontinuation of the criminal investigation.
  • Successful defense of a doctor in a high-profile case involving allegations of contributing to embezzlement – termination of the preliminary criminal proceedings
  • Advised and supported a global automotive supplier during an internal investigation following a whistleblower report of criminally relevant allegations.
  • Created a compliance guideline and conducted a workshop for a state institution on anti-corruption and the avoidance of conflicts of interest.
  • Successful defense an accused managing director in a criminal investigation for allegations of embezzlement in the millions – proceedings were terminated after a few months.
  • Advised and represented a whistlblower in a case of accounting fraud and other serious economic offenses in one of Austria’s largest healthcare groups.
  • Successful defense of a doctor in a criminal medical investigation on suspicion of negligent bodily harm – discontinuation of the investigation within a few months.
  • Represented a former professional soccer player as a private participant in an investigation related to a crypto fraud case with a six-figure amount of damage.

Memberships

  • Association of Austrian Defense Lawyers (VÖStV)
  • Austrian White Collar Crime Association (AWCCA)
  • Association for Commercial Criminal Law (Wistev)
  • European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA)
  • Vienna Bar Association (RAK Vienna)

Languages

German | English

CLIENTS FEEDBACK

"Dr Schönborn represented me during the investigations in a very complex case and was ultimately able to refute the accusations made against me by the other side, which were completely unjustified - and prevent an indictment."
"Dr Schönborn has specific knowledge and extensive experience in medical-legal issues. Dr Schönborn was also able to resolve the complex legal situation with the help of excellent research and interpretation. There was a continuous exchange of information, without which numerous questions could not have been clarified. Such legal support is worth its weight in gold when you need it."
"Thanks to his dedicated work, I achieved the best possible result in my case. I felt very well looked after throughout the entire process and am incredibly grateful for the great support I received. I can recommend Dr Schönborn without reservation and would call on his expertise again at any time if required!"
"Dr Schönborn was recommended to me by a friend. Very nice, very human - and very competent. The digital communication also saves a lot of time and money. We feel we are in the best hands with Dr Schönborn. Simply top 👍"
"In the most difficult time of my professional life, I am very happy to have Dr. Schönborn at my side. He gives me the feeling that he is always there for me and is always available with his legal knowledge and advice. In particular, Dr. Schönborn has a friendly manner and is able to explain even the most complicated legal situations to me in a clear manner. Dr. Schönborn always has his eye on the goal and guides me confidently towards it. I can recommend Dr. Schönborn with a clear conscience and would choose him as my legal representative again at any time"
"A lawyer who can be trusted without hesitation, because the way Dr. Schönborn looks after his clients could not be better. His professional, objective and determined way of working is downright impressive! I would highly recommend this expert in legal matters, especially as his human nature during the discussions conveys a strong sense of security, and subsequently his work has been reflected in the result to my complete satisfaction."
"We would like to thank Dr. Elias Schönborn for his extremely professional and humane legal representation in criminal proceedings. His competent intervention led to a positive outcome for us. This was only possible thanks to Dr. Elias Schönborn's truly experienced approach. We would like to thank him once again and give him our best recommendations."
"The professionals I had the opportunity to work with, most notably Dr. Elias Schönborn, are exceptional in terms of their customer service and went above and beyond my expectations. Right from the beginning, there is a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. Dr. Elias Schönborn is able to assess the situation from a variety of perspectives and clearly outline all of the possible courses of action and options. He also sketches out all of the potential developments of events. In essence, it is stress free and easy to work with him, and the atmosphere that he cultivates is one that is replete with confidence and clarity."
"A really very sympathetic and competent lawyer. Explains things clearly and acts quickly. You feel very well represented. Can recommend Dr. Schönborn with a clear conscience!"
"He always took the time to explain each step clearly and go through everything in detail. Thanks to this extremely high level of commitment, I felt informed and reassured throughout the entire process. In summary, I can recommend Dr. Elias Schönborn as a lawyer without reservation. Should I ever need legal support again, there is only one person I would choose. I am very grateful for the support and can highly recommend him."
"Dr Elias Schönborn from Tyrol, who lives in Vienna, provided us with excellent support in a case in Tyrol right up to the acquittal. We are very grateful to Dr Schönborn for his remarkably eloquent, competent and very humane approach and are very happy to recommend him with a clear conscience."
Advisory Excellence 2024 Winner

es.law is your specialised law firm for Criminal Law, Compliance and Investigations. We advise and represent you throughout Austria.

Services

Schönborn Rechtsanwalt GmbH

Stoß im Himmel 3/11b
1010 Wien