Thomas Schönenberger

Practice Areas

For many years, Thomas Schönenberger has mainly been practicing in the field of construction and real estate law, with a focus on real estate transactions, construction and planning contracts, turnkey and general contractor agreements as well as construction litigation. His national and international clients predominantly include professional property developers and investors, real estate companies and major construction companies.

Thomas Schönenberger advises and represents companies and private individuals in all matters of construction and real estate law. Furthermore, he advises and represents clients in corporate transactions (M&A), contracts and competition matters.

Co-Head of the Industry Group Construction, Real Estate and Hotels

Member of the Industry Group International Practice

Member of the Industry Group Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare

Member of the Practice Group Contracts

Member of the Practice Group Corporate and Transactions

Member of the Practice Group Litigation and Debt Collection

Admitted to the Swiss Bar since 2001.

Career

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bratschi Ltd. (2017-2022)

Member of the Board of Directors of Bratschi Ltd. (2015-2017)

Partner at Bratschi Ltd. (since 2008)

Associate attorney at Buob Staub & Partner (2002-2007)

Trainee with focus on corporate taxation within the tax administration of the Canton of Geneva (2001-2002)

Legal internship at law firm, St. Gallen (2000-2001)

Legal internship at the District Court of Wil SG (1999-2000)

Professional Memberships

- Swiss Bar Association (SBA)

- St. Gallen Bar Association

- Chamber of Specialist Lawyers SBA in Construction and Real Estate Law

- International Bar Association (IBA)

Publications

- Verabschiedung der Teilrevision des Bauvertragsrechts in: bratschi real estate blog January 2025

- Switzerland - Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers - Thomas Schönenberger together with Elisa Aliotta, Reto Arpagaus, Michael Barrot, Claudio Bazzi, Adrian Bieri, Kurt Blickenstorfer, Nicola Corvi, Tobias Herren, Barbara Jecklin, Cédric Jenoure, Florian S. Jörg, Harald Maag, Martin Moser, Daniel Mosimann, Thomas Peter, Pascal Rüedi, Christian Wind and Sascha Wohlgemuth in: Begg Peter F.C. (ed.), International Handbook - Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers, The Netherlands 2024. This is a reprint from the «International Handbook – Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers: Switzerland» , published by Wolters Kluwer, The Netherlands 2024, with the permission of Kluwer Law International. Copyright: Bratschi Ltd. 2024

- Auswirkungen der neuen Nachhaltigkeitsanforderungen beim Bauen in der Schweiz auf Verträge der Bauherrschaft mit Planern und Unternehmern - Bigna Heim and Thomas Schönenberger in: bratschiLetter Real Estate November 2024

- Lexology In-House View: Swiss M&A 2024 in: Markus Aeschbacher, Ion Eglin and Thomas Schönenberger in: Lexology In-House View: Swiss M&A 2024, August 2024

- Real Estate Transactions with a Special Focus on Hotel Acquisitions - Markus Aeschbacher, Thomas Schönenberger and Ion Eglin in: Lexology GTDT Practice Guide - Swiss M&A, 2023

- Switzerland - Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers - Thomas Schönenberger together with Elisa Aliotta, Reto Arpagaus, Michael Barrot, Claudio Bazzi, Adrian Bieri, Kurt Blickenstorfer, Nicola Corvi, Ion Eglin, Tobias Herren, Barbara Jecklin, Cédric Jenoure, Florian S. Jörg, Harald Maag, Martin Moser, Daniel Mosimann, Thomas Peter, Pascal Rüedi, Christian Wind and Sascha Wohlgemuth in: Begg Peter F.C. (ed.), International Handbook - Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers, The Netherlands 2022. This is a reprint from the «International Handbook – Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers: Switzerland» , published by Wolters Kluwer, The Netherlands 2020, with the permission of Kluwer Law International. Copyright: Bratschi Ltd. 2022

- Swiss M&A Practice Guide - Real Estate Transactions with a Special Focus on Hotel Acquisitions

Markus Aeschbacher, Thomas Schönenberger and Ion Eglin, in: Lexology GTDT Practice Guide - Swiss M&A 2022

- Switzerland - Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers - Thomas Schönenberger together with Elisa Aliotta, Reto Arpagaus, Adélaïde Babey, Michael Barrot, Claudio Bazzi, Adrian Bieri, Kurt Blickenstorfer, Walter Boss, Myriam Dannacher, Ion Eglin, Tobias Herren, Barbara Jecklin, Cédric Jenoure, Florian S. Jörg, Harald Maag, Stefanie Monge, Martin Moser, Daniel Mosimann, Thomas Peter, Pascal Rüedi, Alain Villard, Christian Wind, Sascha Wohlgemuth and Pascal Zgraggen in: Begg Peter F.C. (ed.), International Handbook - Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers, The Netherlands 2020. This is a reprint from the «International Handbook – Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers: Switzerland» , published by Wolters Kluwer, The Netherlands 2020, with the permission of Kluwer Law International. Copyright: Bratschi Ltd. 2020

Personal

- Co-Head of the Construction, Real Estate, Hotels industry group (since 2022)

- Chairman of the St. Gallen Bar Association

Languages Spoken

German

English

Education

Awards