LAWYER PROFILE

Christian Schmelz

Europe 2026

Schoenherr

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Public Law: General

Austria

9 years ranked

Public Law: Planning and Environment

Austria

13 years ranked

About

Provided by Schoenherr

Europe

Practice Areas

Environmental Law (incl. planning, permitting and climate change law), projects & energy, digitalisation & technology, life sciences and other fields of public law

Career

Christian Schmelz is partner of Schoenherr and part of the regulatory practice. He is specialised in project development, planning & permitting, environment & climate change, and has also a track record in technology regulation and communications. He has been serving not only national and international corporate clients but also municipalities, provinces, the federal administration, the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and the European Commission. He frequently acts for clients in the energy, infrastructure, automotive, steel, food, retail, waste, research, pulp and paper industry as well as the financial industry. Christian has a strong expertise in all kinds of power plant, storage and grid infrastructure projects. Christian graduated from University of Vienna (Dr. iur., 1979). He is honorary professor and a lecturer at the University of Vienna and regularly member of advisory boards on legislative projects.

Professional Memberships

IBA

Vienna Bar Association

Austrian Water and Waste Management Association

Publications

Author of many books and articles on public law, especially on environmental law, energy & infrastructure

Personal

University of Vienna, Vienna/Austria (Dr. iur. 1979)

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers European Guide

Public Law: Planning and Environment - Austria

Senior Statespeople

Individual Editorial

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.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Public Law: General - Austria

Senior Statespeople

Individual Editorial

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Christian Schmelz is very strong in environmental law and planning projects.
Public Law: Planning and Environment Chambers European Guide
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 Chambers European Guide
Christian Schmelz is a very experienced lawyer with profound knowledge in public law.
Public Law: Planning and Environment Chambers European Guide