Department profile
Schoenherr

Public Law: Planning and Environment

Europe Guide 2026 : Austria

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Schoenherr

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About

Provided by Schoenherr

Schoenherr’s regulatory expertise and longstanding experience is recognised as the standard-bearer of regulatory-related advice. By providing a wide-ranging and consistently reliable service, the regulatory practice group, consisting of more than 20 lawyers, has successfully advised leading players in the infrastructure, energy (electricity, oil, gas), waste, pulp, paper, mining, steel, automotive, glass, food, utilities, entertainment, pharmacy and research sectors.

The team also advises stakeholders and public authorities on current legislation and implementation of EU Directives. The practice group’s expertise guarantees comprehensive first-rate legal advice in all matters of constitutional and administrative law, particularly regarding environmental, energy, life sciences, privacy and telecommunications law, as well as privatisations, public private partnerships and public procurement.

Clients (79)

  • Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien AG)
  • RED BULL
  • ASFINAG
  • TIWAG - Tiroler Wasserkraft AG
  • MedAustron
  • ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation)
  • The Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO)
  • Schustermann & Borenstein
  • EXAA Energy Exchange Austria
  • VERBUND Renewable Power GmbH (VRP)
  • ImWind Group
  • Püspök Group
  • Wien Energie, EVN AG
  • Under Armour
  • Lindt & Sprüngli
  • Energie Burgenland AG
  • WEB Windenergie AG
  • Windkraft Simonsfeld AG
  • Österreichische Bundesforste AG
  • Ökoenergie Group
  • Energiepark Bruck/Leitha
  • wind & energy GmbG
  • Ventureal
  • Allianz Europe Partners
  • Abbott Medical Group
  • Allianz Capital Partners
  • Austrian Association of Pharmacists
  • Austrian Medical Association
  • BASF SE
  • Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft m.b.H. (BIG)
  • Contour Global
  • EBG MedAustron
  • ECOPLUS ALPIN
  • Energie Steiermark
  • ENWA
  • Energiewerkstatt
  • European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
  • European Commission
  • Essity Austria
  • Federal Minister of Energy of Austria
  • Flixbus
  • Gas Connect
  • Gewista
  • Grand Hotel Semmering
  • Infoscreen (GEWISTA)
  • Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe
  • Internationale Rheinregulierung
  • JCDecaux
  • Kals municipality
  • Klinik Ottakring
  • Klinik Wiener Neustadt
  • Laakirchen Papier AG
  • Lime
  • Monier Group
  • Netz Niederösterreich
  • Neue Heimat Tirol
  • OMV AG (E&P)
  • Österreichische Bundesbahn (ÖBB)
  • Österreichische Post AG
  • Prezero
  • Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy
  • Sony
  • SpaceX / Starlink
  • Stadt Wien
  • Thales Austria GmbH
  • TINETZ-Tiroler Netze GmbH
  • Trans Austria
  • UBER
  • UniCredit
  • Vienna Technical Museum
  • Wien IT GmbH
  • Wiener Linien GmbH & Co KG
  • Wiener Lokalbahnen (passenger and cargo)
  • Zellstoff Pöls AG
  • WIPARK
  • Windlandkraft
  • Windkraft Simonsfeld
  • Wiener Stadtwerke Holding
  • Wiener Netze

Industries (22)

  • Automobiles & Parts
  • Banks
  • Chemicals
  • Construction & Materials
  • Energy
  • Forestry & Paper
  • Government
  • Health Care
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Insurance
  • Media
  • Mining & Metals
  • Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
  • Real Estate
  • Retail
  • Software & Computer Services
  • Sports
  • Technology, Hardware & Electronics
  • Telecommunications
  • Transportation
  • Travel & Leisure
  • Utilities

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Public Law: Planning and Environment - Austria

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Schoenherr enjoys an enviable market standing in the public law area. The team is highly active on constitutional and administrative challenges including politically sensitive cases. Further expertise lies in the handling of pharmaceutical, energy and broadcasting regulation mandates as well as product labelling law. Furthermore, the law firm is highly acclaimed for its strong expertise in environmental and planning law, with a particular focus on often cross-border EIAs for large infrastructure and energy construction projects as well as commercial property expansions. Equally, the team advises on planning procedures for the construction of energy plants, including photovoltaic and wind energy, and assists with nationwide hydrogen distribution systems. Waste management and public procurement proceedings also fall within the law firm's expertise.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Schoenherr acted for ASFINAG on the environmental and permitting aspects of various motorway developments in Austria, including regulatory compliance and environmental impact assessments.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Schoenherr's competence and size make it an important partner in all our project-related matters, helping us achieve our goals.

    Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

  • Thanks to Schoenherr's diverse expertise, we are always able to receive the appropriate support for each problem.

    Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Christian Schmelz
    Christian Schmelz

    Christian Schmelz

    Christian Schmelz often handles highly complex public law mandates ranging from pharmaceutical and energy regulations to constitutional proceedings. In addition, he offers excellence in EIAs, environmental regulation in relation to large scale projects and zoning law.

    • Christian Schmelz thinks in a highly professional, interconnected and always goal-oriented way. Like in a chess game, he is always two moves ahead, which ultimately leads us to our goal because we are always prepared.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

    • Christian Schmelz is a very experienced lawyer with profound knowledge in public law.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

    • Christian Schmelz is very strong in environmental law and planning projects.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
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  • Bernd Rajal
    Bernd Rajal

    Bernd Rajal

    Bernd Rajal is sought after by public entities as well as international corporates for his expertise in contentious and non-contentious public law mandates, with a particular focus on energy and broadcasting regulations.

    • Bernd Rajal is a very strong energy-focused lawyer.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
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  • Johannes Stalzer
    Johannes Stalzer

    Johannes Stalzer

    Johannes Stalzer is particularly active in the establishment of and participation in tender procedures as well as review proceedings, where he advises bidders as well as contracting authorities.

    • Johannes Stalzer is knowledgeable and someone you can talk to.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

    • Johannes Stalzer is doing a lot of good work and I have only positive experiences with him.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
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  • Christoph Cudlik
    Christoph Cudlik

    Christoph Cudlik

    Christoph Cudlik is known for his expertise in environmental and planning law. He regularly advises clients from the energy and infrastructure sectors on a range of matters, including regulatory issues and permitting mandates.

    • Christoph Cudlik grasps the issues quickly, thinks carefully and gets to the point with the right decision for the customer.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

    • Christoph Cudlik is very motivated and well known in this space.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
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Ranked Individuals at Schoenherr (5)

Austria

Members

Provided by Schoenherr

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