Dr. Dagmar Waldzus is a partner at the Hamburg office, where she works as an attorney specializing in corporate and distribution law.
She is the Head of the firms’ Practice Group “Commercial and Distribution Law” and supports businesses in all issues related to long-term purchase and supply agreements, the establishment and formation of distribution structures (commercial agents, authorized dealers, franchising, online stores), antitrust and competition law issues, the drafting and review of general terms and conditions, and aspects related to e-commerce and data privacy.
In the field of distribution law, one of Ms. Waldzus’ main areas of expertise is franchising. She drafts and reviews (master) license and franchise agreements as well as all contractual documentation relevant in franchising. Both start-up companies and already established and globally operating franchise systems rely on Ms. Waldzus’ many years of expertise in setting up, developing, structuring, expanding, internationalizing and optimizing their franchise networks.
In the area of corporate law and M&A, Ms. Waldzus specializes in transaction support and advice and assists companies in all corporate law matters, in particular on issues relating to restructurings, in connection with domestic and foreign joint venture investments and in connection with compliance issues.
Ms. Waldzus regularly speaks at (international) conferences of the IBA, the IFA, the DFI (Deutsches Franchise Institut) and the DFV (Deutscher Franchise Verband e.V. – German Franchise Association) on franchise and distribution law issues and publishes articles and contributions.
Awards
In the Juve Handbook for Commercial Law Firms, she is recommended for corporate law and distribution law (“one of the most distinguished lawyers in distribution law”, Juve 2016/17). She has been listed in “Who’s Who Legal” as a franchise expert for Germany for many years (“highly sought after by clients for her first-rate work handling licensing and franchising matters…” [Who’s Who Legal Germany 2018]; “highly recommended as a very specialized franchise lawyer with an immaculate international reputation…” [Who’s Who Legal Germany, Franchise, 2021]) and is also recognized as one of only three “thought leaders” in Germany in franchise law (Who’s Who Thought Leaders Germany [Franchise]).
Furthermore, Ms. Waldzus has been recognized by Best Lawyers in the field of corporate law.
Publications
The European General Data Protection Regulation and Franchise Networks, Dr. Dagmar Waldzus // International Journal of Franchising Law Volume 16 – Issue 3 – 2018
Overview of Franchise Laws in Europe, IBA Annual Conference in Rome, 2018 (panelist)
European GDPR – Time for a Change of Perspective, 34th Annual IBA/IFA Joint Conference 2018, A New Era in International Franchising, Washington DC (speaker)
E-Commerce in Europe, IBA Annual Conference in Sydney, 2017 (speaker)
Are You Getting Ready For A Joint Employment Case?, 32nd Annual IBA/IFA Joint Conference 2016, Washington DC (panelist)
Digital transformation: special challenges for franchise systems, Dr. Dagmar Waldzus // International Franchising Newsletter, September 2016, International Bar Association, Legal Practice Division
„Applicable Law and Jurisdiction in Franchising, Commercial Agency and Distribution Agreements“, Dr. Dagmar Waldzus (Co-Autor) // International Journal of Franchising Law, Volume 13, Issue 6, 2015, Clearhout Publishing Ltd.
