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.
Recognitions
Dagmar Waldzus is recognized by Lexology (formerly “Who’s Who Legal”) for her franchise expertise, particularly in an international context (“highly recommended for her extremely specialized franchising practice that pays dividends to clients seeking to establish reliable supply and distribution agreements” [WWL Franchising 2022]) and is one of the few “Thought Leaders Global Elite” in franchising in Germany. In the Juve Handbook for Commercial Law Firms, Dagmar Waldzus has been recognized also based on clients’ recommendations for many years for corporate law and distribution law (“one of the most prominent lawyers in distribution law,” Juve 2016/17, “absolutely satisfied with the professional advice on trademark applications, purchase agreements, and in general terms and conditions law, always available at short notice,” Juve 2023/24, always competent and goal-oriented, especially when drafting service contracts with clients,“ ”can translate sometimes very abstract statements and briefs into concrete language, can recall details at any time and present them in court, very satisfied.”, Juve 2025/26). Since 2021, she has been ranked in “Best Lawyers in Germany” in the field of corporate law by Best Lawyers/Handelsblatt. According to a comprehensive study and survey of clients, she is considered as outstanding lawyer (Thomson Reuters Standout Lawyer 2023/24).
Publications
The European General Data Protection Regulation and Franchise Networks, Dr. Dagmar Waldzus // International Journal of Franchising Law Volume 16 – Issue 3 – 2018
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.
Lectures/Presentations
40th IBA/IFA Joint Conference in Washington, D.C., May 2025 (Co-Chair/Speaker)
“That’s none of your business!” How to Enforce System Standards and Contractual Terms in Franchise Networks
IBA Annual Conference in Mexico City, September 2024 (Chair/Speaker)
“Avoiding and Combating Copycats in franchise systems”
39th IBA/IFA Joint Conference in Washington, D.C., May 2024 (Chair/Panelist)
“Is it franchising or what?”
IBA Annual Conference in Paris, October 2023 (Speaker)
“Franchising in Europe: Navigating in Disrupted Times”
38th IBA/IFA Joint Conference in Washington, D.C., May 2023 (Moderator)
“Franchising – what is it good for?”
IBA Annual Conference in Miami, October 2022 (Co-Chair/Speaker)
“Is that green?” How franchise and distribution networks adapt to customers’ increased awareness for climate change and the demand for carbon neutral products and services
37th Annual IBA/IFA Joint Conference in Washington, D.C., May 2022 (Panelist)
“Supply Chain Challenges and Their Impact on International Franchising”
36th Annual IBA/IFA Joint Conference (virtual), May 2021 (Chair of Roundtable Session)
