Christian Schmelz
Hall of fameSchoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte)Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte)’s full-service offering includes administrative court proceedings, railway regulation, and public transport law knowledge with a noteworthy specialism in environmental law, including advice on planning and permitting procedures for infrastructure projects. Heading the regulatory department, Bernd Rajal‘s broad practice encompasses energy, trade, and foreign investment law. Christian Schmelz heads the planning and environment group, while Günther Leissler steers the data protection and privacy group and is adept at telecommunications law. Johannes Stalzer excels in public procurement matters with a particular focus on the renewable energy segment. Christoph Cudlik, who specialises in the full range of administrative and constitutional law, was promoted to partner in February 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'They are easily approachable, foster good collaboration, proactively follow and remind others of deadlines, and seek advice from experts on specific topics internally.'
‘Good professional knowledge and practical experience in handling cases.'
‘The lawyers are all excellent and make things happen.'
‘Bernd Rajal is very prudent, well connected, and always available. The collaboration is extremely pleasant.'
- 'Christian Holzer is a true thinker. He considers legal issues like hardly anyone else and often advances into previously unthinkable areas.’
Key clients
- Abbott Medical Group
- Allianz Capital Partners
- Alpiq
- Austrian Chamber of Commerce
- Austrian Association of Pharmacists
- Austrian Medical Association
- Autobahnen- u Schnellstraßen-Finanzierungs-AG (ASFINAG)
- BASF SE
- Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft m.b.H. (BIG)
- City of Graz
- City of Innsbruck
- City of St. Pölten
- Contour Global
- EBG MedAustron
- Ecoplus Alpin
- Energie Steiermark
- Energiepark Bruck/Leitha
- Burgenland Energie (BE Energy)
- Energiewerkstatt
- ENWA
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
- European Commission
- Essity Austria
- EVN AG
- EXAA Energy Exchange
- Federal Minister of Energy of Austria
- Flixbus
- Fresenius
- Gas Connect
- Gewista
- Grand Semmering GmbH
- Hitachi Rail GTS Austia GmbH
- ImWind
- Infoscreen (GEWISTA)
- Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe
- Internationale Rheinregulierung
- JCDecaux
- Kals municipality
- Klinik Ottakring
- Klinik Wiener Neustadt
- Laakirchen Papier AG
- Land Burgenland
- Land Kärnten
- Lime
- Monier Group
- Netz Niederösterreich
- Neue Heimat Tirol
- Ökoenergie
- OMV AG (E&P)
- Österreichische Bundesbahn (ÖBB)
- Österreichische Bundesforste (ÖBF)
- Österreichische Post AG
- Püspök
- Prezero
- Red Bull
- Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy
- Sony
- SpaceX / Starlink
- Sports Direct
- Stadtwerke Klagenfurt
- Stadt Wien
- Thales Austria GmbH
- TINETZ-Tiroler Netze GmbH
- TIWAG Tiroler Wasserkraft
- Trans Austria
- UBER
- UniCredit
- BLOCH3
- VERBUND
- Vienna International Airport
- Vienna Technical Museum
- WEB Windenegie AG
- Wien Energie
- Wien IT GmbH
- Wiener Linien GmbH & Co KG
- Wiener Lokalbahnen
- Wiener Netze
- Wiener Stadtwerke Holding
- Windkraft Simonsfeld
- Windlandkraft
- WIPARK
- Zellstoff Pöls AG
Work highlights
- Advised the Austrian Economic Chamber, the Austrian Industrial Association, and Österreichs Energie on various legislative projects, including the amendment of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, various ECJ proceedings, and the transposition of EU directives.
- Advised ImWind on the planning and permitting of the Loidesthal II wind farm in Zistersdorf.
- Advised Grand Semmering GmbH on the revitalisation of the famous Kurhaus in Semmering.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Bernd Rajal, Christian Schmelz, Günther Leissler, Johannes Stalzer