Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte) fields a team of environmental experts and also exhibits proficiency across product compliance, gaming, pharma and public transport-related mandates. Noted by clients for offering a ‘full service on all aspects of public law’, the firm is especially recommended for its experience with environmental impact assessments, permission procedures, public procurement, and regulatory issues in the tech sector. Christian Schmelz heads the planning & environment team and is described as ’the leading expert in his field’, while Bernd Rajal leads the firm's public law group and Günther Leissler heads up the data protection & privacy group. Johannes Stalzer leads on public procurement matters, while Benjamin Schlatter‘s focus areas are environment, energy and tech.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Christian Schmelz, Christoph Cudlik and the team are skillful. Good cooperation with the authorities has contributed to accelerating the proceedings. The quick and reliable work, as well as the excellent legal and strategic knowledge, is priceless. Clients receive advice that is easy to understand and sophisticated down to the last detail.’
'Christoph Cudlik has become an excellent attorney under the leadership of Christian Schmelz. We can recommend him for delivery of winning strategies and their relentless execution. Christoph delivers concise and easy to read, but very precise verbal and written pleading that is backed with deep expertise. We treasure him as a very seasoned and thoughtful counsel who has flawlessly accompanied us.’
‘Schoenherr has an impressive public law practice group, which is well known as market leader. They attract the most prominent clients and the most complex mandates. The excellent team is especially well known for their unparalleled expertise in environmental and climate change law with focus on all kinds of infrastructure, renewable energy and industry projects. They offer full service on all aspects of public law.
'Christian Schmelz, who is known as setting the standards of high quality in regulatory work in Austria, has formed an extraordinary strong team of leading lawyers in the various sub-fields of public law.'
‘Christian Schmelz is the leading expert in his field. He is setting the standards of high quality in regulatory work in Austria and he is the one you rely on when it comes to highly complex matters. His expertise is not restricted to legal questions, but extends also to procedural, tactical, technical and ecological aspects. It is great fun and always a pleasure to work with him.'
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
- BASF SE
- Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft m.b.H.
- Contour Global
- EBG MedAustron
- Ecoplus Alpin
- Energie Steiermark
- Energiepark Bruck/Leitha
- Energiewerkstatt
- ENWA
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
- European Comission
- Essity Austria
- EVN AG
- EXAA Energy Exchange
- Flixbus
- Gas Connect
- Gewista
- Grand Hotel Semmering
- ImWind
- Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe
- Internationale Rheinregulierung
- JCDecaux
- Klinik Ottakring
- Klinik Wiener Neustadt
- Laakirchen Papier AG
- Lime
- Monier Group
- Netz Niederösterreich
- Neue Heimat Tirol
- Ökoenergie
- OMV AG
- Österreichische Bundesbahn
- Österreichische Bundesforste
- Österreichische Post AG
- Püspök
- Prezero
- Red Bull
- Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy
- Sony
- SpaceX / Starlink
- Stadt Wien
- Thales Austria GmbH
- TINETZ Tiroler Netze GmbH
- TIWAG Tiroler Wasserkraft
- Trans Austria
- UBER
- UniCredit
- Ventureral
- VERBUND
- Vienna International Airport
- Vienna Technical Museum
- WEB Windenergie 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 European Commission on the legislative process for the Gas Directive Recast by identifying legal and regulatory barriers to the timely development of cross-border hydrogen infrastructure in Europe.
- Advised UBER on various public law disputes with the local regulatory authorities and on defending its transport business models against competitors in administrative proceedings.
- Advised the Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft, ÖBB, ASFINAG, and Wiener Linien on the roll-out of the 5G network in Austria.
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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Benjamin Schlatter
Schoenherr (Schönherr Rechtsanwälte)Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Bernd Rajal, Christian Schmelz, Günther Leissler, Johannes Stalzer