Wettner_Vanessa

Dr. Vanessa Wettner

Wettner_Vanessa

Dr. Vanessa Wettner

Partner

Frankfurt + 49 69 27 10 78 201

Dr. Vanessa Wettner focuses on civil and capital market disputes, specifically shareholder class action litigation defense. She represented financial institutions, investment companies and investment funds in various high-profile cases against (classes of) private or institutional investors. Most recently, Dr. Wettner defended an investment company in one of the first cases handled under the revised Model Case Procedure Act (Kapitalanleger-Musterverfahrensgesetz, KapMuG), Germany's investor class action act.

Dr. Wettner also represents and advises clients in corporate disputes in the area of corporate governance, including disputes concerning board member liability and shareholder resolutions of stock corporations, limited liability companies and commercial partnerships. 

Furthermore, Dr. Wettner advises national and international clients on contentious and non-contentious matters in the field of intellectual property rights and unfair competition. Dr. Wettner has a particular focus on false claims and trademark litigation, but has also defended clients in copyright, media, and food and drug advertising disputes before German courts and the Court of Justice of the European Union. 

In addition to her litigation experience, Dr. Wettner also provides advice on licensing and cooperation agreements, marketing strategies and advertising campaigns as well as general contractual issues.

Professional Activities

Dr. Wettner is a member of the German Association for Industrial Property and Copyright (GRUR), the International Trademark Association (INTA), the German-American Lawyers' Association (DAJV), and the German Lawyers' Association (DAV).

Experience

  • Successful representation against around 400 investor claims relating to alleged prospectus liability

  • Successful representation against nearly 40 prospectus liability claims in connection with a closed-ended fund

  • Strategic advice and representation of digital platform providers in numerous legal disputes in Germany

  • Successful representation of one of the world's largest liqueur manufacturer in a complex unfair competition matter before German and European courts

  • Successful defense of one of the leading European pharma service providers in connection with the purchase of an online pharmacy in various press and media law cases

Recognition

  • Dr. Vanessa Wettner is consistently recommended by JUVE Handbuch for dispute resolution–litigation, most recently in the 2022/2023 edition (“very good and experienced litigator,” “meticulous & experienced,” – peer reviews).
  • Recommended in the 2016 edition of JUVE Handbuch for trademark and competition Law.
  • Legal 500 Germany consistently recommends Dr. Wettner since 2018 for commercial litigation. “The team works very collegially and has flat hierarchies (2021).”
  • Legal 500 Germany consistently ranks Dr. Vanessa Wettner since 2018 for intellectual property - trademark and competition law, highlighting her expertise at the intersection of competition, data protection and consumer protection law. “Excellent litigator, but always keeps the big picture in mind (2020).”
  • Recommended consecutively by Legal 500 Germany since 2021 for commercial law.
  • Recognized by Legal 500 Germany in 2019 for the healthcare sector.
  • Ranked in Handelsblatt Best Lawyers® in Germany List consistently since 2017 for litigation and intellectual property law.

Insights & News

View all of Vanessa's insights & news

Credentials

  • Education

    • Second State Exam, 2004

    • Dr. iur., University of Heidelberg, 2002

    • First State Exam, University of Heidelberg, 2000

  • Admissions

    • Frankfurt am Main

  • Languages

    • German

    • English

    • French

    • Spanish

Credentials

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