Public Law: Planning and Environment
Europe Guide 2024 : Austria
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+43 1 534 37 0About
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.
Chambers Review
The law firm Schoenherr enjoys an enviable market standing in the public law area. The team is highly active on constitutional and administrative challenges including compensation for COVID-19 restrictions and politically sensitive cases. Further expertise lies in the handling of pharmaceutical, energy and broadcasting regulation mandates as well as product labelling law. Furthermore, the 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 also falls within the firm's expertise.
Work Highlights
- Schoenherr assisted the City of Vienna and Wien Energie with the legal aspects of the project of decarbonising Vienna's buildings infrastructure.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team can only be described as outstanding. The response times are very short and the quality of the work is excellent."
"Schoenherr are known to provide straight-to-the-point advice, particularly on complex matters, and see problems long before they become too relevant."
"The lawyers were always available and gave very competent advice. I have had only good, practical experiences with the team."
"The team always find solutions in the interest of their clients, even in difficult legal issues. Their comprehensive knowledge of the required legal matters is impressive, and the team also always manage to answer legal questions precisely and to the point."
"Schoenherr produced work of exemplary quality in a very short time, with timely responses, and offered perfect coordination of multiple clients."
"The team can only be described as outstanding. The response times are very short and the quality of the work is excellent."
"Schoenherr are known to provide straight-to-the-point advice, particularly on complex matters, and see problems long before they become too relevant."
"The lawyers were always available and gave very competent advice. I have had only good, practical experiences with the team."
"The team always find solutions in the interest of their clients, even in difficult legal issues. Their comprehensive knowledge of the required legal matters is impressive, and the team also always manage to answer legal questions precisely and to the point."
"Schoenherr produced work of exemplary quality in a very short time, with timely responses, and offered perfect coordination of multiple clients."
Notable Practitioners
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 is actually the best lawyer I know. The collaboration and quality of his work is incomparably high."
"Christian Schmelz is the most sophisticated lawyer and the best colleague."
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 very professional and competent, with strong initiative to further client objectives."
"He has strategic thinking and awareness of the economic consequences of future laws."
"Bernd Rajal is always solution-oriented and impresses in particular with his ability to grasp even complex issues quickly. He is always concerned about the well-being of his clients and always takes the necessary time."
"He is very structured, organised and also proactive as a lawyer."
"Bernd Rajal is a lawyer with strategic vision."
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 accurate, precise and good."
Christoph Cudlik enters the rankings due to 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 is very responsive and knowledgeable."
"Christoph Cudlik has outstanding experience and knowledge when it comes to environmental questions and waste law management."
"He provides super clear, crisp advice."
Ranked Lawyers at
Schoenherr
Austria
Members
Provided by Schoenherr
Bernd Rajal
Head of Department
Clients
Provided by Schoenherr
ASFINAG
Abbott Medical Group
Allianz Capital Partners
Allianz Europe Partners
Austrian Association of Pharmacists
Austrian Medical Association
BASF SE
Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft m.b.H. (BIG)
Contour Global
EBG MedAustron
ECOPLUS ALPIN
ENWA
EXAA Energy Exchange Austria
Energie Burgenland AG
Energie Steiermark
Energiepark Bruck/Leitha
Energiewerkstatt
Essity Austria
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
European Commission
Federal Minister of Energy of Austria
Flixbus
Gas Connect
Gewista
Grand Hotel Semmering
ImWind Group
Infoscreen (GEWISTA)
Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe
Internationale Rheinregulierung
JCDecaux
Kals municipality
Klinik Ottakring
Klinik Wiener Neustadt
Laakirchen Papier AG
Lime
Lindt & Sprüngli
MedAustron
Monier Group
Netz Niederösterreich
Neue Heimat Tirol
OMV AG (E&P)
ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation)
Prezero
Püspök Group
RED BULL
Schustermann & Borenstein
Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy
Sony
SpaceX / Starlink
Stadt Wien
TINETZ-Tiroler Netze GmbH
TIWAG - Tiroler Wasserkraft AG
Thales Austria GmbH
The Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO)
Trans Austria
UBER
Under Armour
UniCredit
VERBUND Renewable Power GmbH (VRP)
Ventureal
Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien AG)
Vienna Technical Museum
WEB Windenergie AG
WIPARK
Wien Energie, EVN AG
Wien IT GmbH
Wiener Linien GmbH & Co KG
Wiener Lokalbahnen (passenger and cargo)
Wiener Netze
Wiener Stadtwerke Holding
Windkraft Simonsfeld
Windkraft Simonsfeld AG
Windlandkraft
Zellstoff Pöls AG
wind & energy GmbG
Ökoenergie Group
Österreichische Bundesbahn (ÖBB)
Österreichische Bundesforste AG
Österreichische Post AG
Industries
Provided by Schoenherr
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