Svenja has substantial experience representing clients around the globe in contentious matters with an emphasis on U.S. related matters, preliminary legal protection, arbitration/litigation advice in M&A and private equity transactions and post-closing arbitration and litigation. Svenja has advised clients, especially in the private equity sector, on risk analyses during litigation and compliance due diligence in M&A transactions. She also acts as arbitrator in commercial and post M&A matters.
Prior to transitioning to her role as a Consultant, Svenja was a Counsel in the Firm’s litigation department. Svenja has advised clients on all stages of the contentious proceedings, from initial advice and settlement negotiations to advocacy during hearings and enforcement of judgment or arbitral awards. She has represented clients across a variety of sectors including pharmaceutical, manufacturing, automotive, and financial services, in cases subject to differing systems of law and under several institutional rules, including the DIS, ICC, LCIA and SCC arbitration rules.
Svenja is especially passionate about the changes and challenges that digitalization and digital transformation mean for the legal industry. She regularly speaks at industry events about arbitration matters with respect to digitalization and digital transformation, and is the founder of the Digital Coffee Break in Arbitration, an initiative to enhance the use of technology in the field of international arbitration and to allow for a broad education and diversity in this field by means of technology. She is Committee member of the Young Thailand Arbitration Center.
Who’s Who Legal (2022) recognised Svenja as a Future Leader in the area of Arbitration. She speaks German, English and Spanish.
Experience
Some of Svenja's recent representations include:
- Representing a U.S. pharmaceutical company relating to arbitration based on long-term contract for royalty payment
- Representing an international real estate fund in rental disputes before German courts
- Serving as sole arbitrator to a Frankfurt-seated DIS arbitration in a post M&A dispute under German law
- Representing a France-based private equity fund on disputes following closing and fraudulent behavior of managers as well as incorrect management accounts
- Representing a Swedish private equity fund in relation to competition law issues with competitors.
- Representing a German private equity fund in a DIS arbitration against a German company in relation to obligations under an SPA, in a post-M&A dispute
- Representing a German company in a DIS arbitration against a German company in relation to tax claims in a post-M&A dispute*
- Representing two international service delivery companies in a DIS arbitration against three foreign companies in relation to damage claims under a supply agreement and breach of duty*
- Advising a Germany company in potential DIS arbitration proceedings in relation to breach of fiduciary duties and payment claims under an SPA in a post-M&A dispute*
- Representing an international private equity fund in the enforcement of claims in a post-M&A dispute*
- Advising and representing an international pharmaceutical company in litigation proceedings in connection with the breach of duty of a service provider*
- Advising and representing an international flag carrier in numerous litigation proceedings in several jurisdictions*
- Advising and representing an international service delivery company in multi-jurisdictional arbitration in connection with the breach of duty of a service provider*
- Advising the shareholder of German A.T.U Group on litigation-related matters in the framework of the sale to French Mobivia Groupe*
- Advising a food company in a compliance-related issue and potential conflict of interest*
- Advising shareholders in a compliance issue relating to a board member*
* Svenja advised on these matters prior to joining Willkie.
Credentials
Education
Columbia Law School, LL.M., 2015 State of Hesse, Second State Exam, 2011 Kiel University, First State Exam, 2007