V14 stands for trusted advice in times of change. With entrepreneurial thinking and pragmatic solutions, we support our clients efficiently and purposefully. Creativity and experience form the foundation for shared success.
“Vogel Heerma Waitz has a ‘very high density of outstanding partners and lawyers’, who are particularly experienced in the media and technology sector. Due to this sector specialisation, they are in close contact with the firm’s IP specialists. The team’s core competence is advising on growth capital rounds, including those involving PE funds, while it is also increasingly advising on M&A transactions in the context of buy-and-build strategies.”
Germany’s Law Firm of the Year 2022 – Venture Capital
Dr. Frank Vogel:
Lawyer of the Year 2022, Venture Capital
“Right in the middle of the start-up cosmos. Vogel Heerma Waitz, also known as ‘V14’, is one of the first venture capital boutiques in Berlin. Those who work there are quickly immersed in the start-up market. Fun at work is part of the deal here. Overall, the participants in the azur associate survey are satisfied more than average with their employer. One of them praised the Berlin law firm for ‘a very pleasant working environment, coupled with very good training at the highest level’. In addition, the firm is very committed to the topic of legal tech: V14 even develops its own applications.”
V14 ranks 1st tier in Venture Capital.
„Vogel Heerma Waitz enjoys a strong reputation in the market and stands out with a focus on technology, digital business models and growth capital. They act for investors, companies and founders. Frank Vogel and Clemens Waitz are key contacts.“
Dr. Frank Vogel:
Lawyer of the Year 2021, Private Equity Law, Berlin
Dr. Jan Heerma:
Lawyer of the Year 2021, Technology Law, Berlin
V14 ranks 1st tier in Venture Capital.
“Vogel Heerma Waitz, a law firm specialising in growth capital, technology and media, is one of the top addresses for advising start-ups and investors and advising them on financing rounds, transactions and related topics such as IP and data protection.”
Germany’s Law Firm of the Year 2020 – Venture Capital Law
Dr. Clemens Waitz:
Lawyer of the Year 2020, Venture Capital, Berlin
V14 ranks 1st tier in Venture Capital.
“Berlin-based venture capital boutique Vogel Heerma Waitz has become a notable market player in the short time since its inception in 2014. The team acts for start-ups and investors, including recently advising Earlybird on Movinga’s financing rounds with the total value exceeding $25m. Start-up Kreditech received advice on an €82.5m financing round. Frank Vogel and Clemens Waitz are highly regarded.”
Frank Vogel and Clemens Waitz are mentioned as leading names in venture capital, Frank Vogel is an „experienced all-rounder in VC business“, „very competent, strong negotiating partner”, Clemens Waitz is “very likable,” has “significant market presence,” Vogel Heerma Waitz is “one of the best addresses in the Berlin VC business.” “The boutique law firm, like no other, knows how to set a clear focus on advising founders and early stage financings for investors.”
Vogel Heerma Waitz is one of the „top corporate law firms 2017”
Frank Vogel:
Lawyer of the Year 2017, Venture Capital, Berlin
Germany’s Best Lawyers 2017, M&A
Germany’s Best Lawyers 2017, Private Equity
Germany’s Best Lawyers 2017, Venture Capital
Jan Heerma:
Germany’s Best Lawyers 2017, Venture Capital
“It was expected that the spin-off of SJ Berwin would be successful in the Berlin VC market in the first two years after its launch. But hardly anyone expected that the firm’s market share would grow so rapidly and that it would so quickly become the prototype of a firm that offers both advising investors as well as founders. By leaving a large organization, Frank Vogel was able to expand his investor client base beyond Earlybird and Peppermint; but the two remain the enviously gazed at cornerstones of the practice. However, the success of the firm is not based solely on Vogel’s work, but rather on a sustainable strategic positioning. This includes the broadly diversified IT and technology expertise of Jan Heerma as well as the contacts of the former Morrison & Foerster counsel Clemens Waitz in the startup scene. VHW thus made a tailor-made start and immediately proved its market position with prominent exits such as “6Wunderkinder” for Earlybird and regular activities in large financing rounds. VHW thus presents itself as a serious competitor for the established major law firms. The two younger associates are also already attracting attention. It all looks like VHW has built a solid basis for future success.”
Vogel Heerma Waitz is one of the „top corporate law firms 2016”
„As a boutique law firm, Vogel Heerma Waitz distinguishes itself from other law firms by its particularly strong focus on advising growth capital investors and startups and convinces with “excellent work”. … Frank Vogel (listed under “leading names”) is “widely recognized”, Clemens Waitz is “particularly active”).
Frank Vogel is one of “the most experienced and best VC-lawyers.”
Partner
Fully qualified German lawyer admitted since 2014, studied in Berlin and Shanghai. Joined V14 in January 2016, previously as legal counsel in an international start-up in Berlin with almost 500 employees worldwide.
Fokus: Venture and growth financing in all phases; M&A; employee participation; advice on general corporate law issues; together with Lorenz Frey responsible for the Legal Tech division at V14.
Legal Specialist
Since 2025, Legal Specialist in the M&A department at V14. Studied at the State University of Ivanovo, Russia, and at Humboldt University of Berlin, specializing in intellectual property law. Before the first state examination, worked as a student trainee at V14, then joined the M&A team to support transactions.
Partner
Fully qualified German lawyer admitted since 2011, specialized in commercial and corporate law, studied in Berlin, London and Moscow. Before joining V14, she worked at King & Wood Mallesons, formerly SJ Berwin.
Fokus: M&A, joint ventures, venture and growth financing, employee participation.
Counsel (employed lawyer)
Fully qualified German lawyer admitted since 2006, Certified Specialist in IP law since 2014, studied in Regensburg, Dresden and Strasbourg (CEIPI), previously worked at White & Case, Herbert Smith Freehills and as an in-house lawyer (legal expert) at Trade Republic.
Several publications, lecturer on IP law at Hagen Law School/Fern Universität Hagen, lecturer at the TU Dresden.
Fokus: patent, trademark, design and copyright law, IT (esp. open-source software), competition law, compliance and litigation for start-ups and other companies.
Associate
Fully qualified German lawyer admitted since 2021, studied in Passau, Münster and Cape Town, legal traineeship in Hamburg. Before joining V14, worked as a legal employee at White & Case and in company building at TruVenturo in Hamburg.
Fokus: Venture capital and employee participation, corporate disputes.
Associate
Fully qualified German lawyer admitted since 2020, studied in Berlin. Before joining V14, worked as legal counsel at finleap GmbH and as a research assistant at Noerr, Freshfields, and Dentons in Berlin and Frankfurt am Main.
Fokus: Venture capital (equity and mezzanine, in particular convertible loans) in all phases; employee participation and in the operational area.
Partner
Fully qualified German lawyer admitted since 2019. Studied in Berlin and Australia. Doctorate at the Free University of Berlin. Previous positions at CMS Hasche Sigle and the German Bundestag, among others.
Fokus: Venture capital (equity and mezzanine), M&A and employee participation as well as in the operational area, legal tech. Recognized as “One to Watch” in the 2025 edition of “Best Lawyers”.
Associate
Fully qualified German lawyer admitted since 2022. Studied in Berlin, London and Tel Aviv. Previously legal assistant at Universal Music.
Co-author of the commentary BeckOK KI-Recht on the KI-VO.
Fokus: Digital business models, AI, IP and IT law, competition law, know-how protection.
Associate
Fully qualified German lawyer admitted since 2025. Studied in Frankfurt/Oder. Legal clerkship in Brandenburg and Colombo. Previous positions include research assistant at international law firms and legal engineer at a legal-tech start-up.
Fokus: Venture capital, convertible loans, employee participation, and legal tech.
Partner
Fully qualified German lawyer admitted since 1996, studied in Bochum and Passau, further studies in New York and Dallas, among other places, doctorate in Passau. Founding partner of V14, previously partner at King & Wood Mallesons, formerly SJ Berwin.
Publishes regularly, e.g. as co-author of the copyright commentary by Wandtke/Bullinger. One of Germany’s best lawyers for VC according to Handelsblatt Ranking 2017. Recognized by “Best Lawyers” as Lawyer of the Year 2021 for Technology Law in Berlin.
Fokus: IP and technology transfer of all kinds, i.e. licensing, research and development, joint ventures; structuring of business models; M&A.
Associate
Fully qualified German lawyer since 2025. Studied in Berlin, Lisbon and Cape Town. Re-joined V14, after working in our IP/IT team, at Hengeler Mueller and the Federal Foreign Office as research and legal assistant.
Fokus: Venture Capital, employee participation schemes, and social-impact initiatives in the operational context.
Partner
With V14 since 2019, partner since 2025, studied in Passau, Hamburg and Cape Town, previously with Osborne Clarke.
Fokus: Venture capital (equity and mezzanine) in all growth phases, shareholder disputes and employee participation.
Partner
Since 2014 fully qualified German lawyer, studied in Heidelberg, Berlin and Durham (North Carolina, USA), doctorate in Berlin, previously worked at Greenberg Traurig.
Fokus: Venture capital and M&A, employee participation, joint ventures, advice on all aspects of corporate law.
Associate
Fully qualified German lawyer since 2024. Studied in Freiburg and London. Before joining V14, worked as a research assistant for IP law at Greenberg Traurig and Hogan Lovells.
Specialized in the legal support of start-ups and digital/innovative business models.
Fokus: Contract drafting, IT and IP law, AI and data protection law.
Associate
Fully qualified German lawyer since 2024. Studied in London and Berlin, legal traineeship in Berlin and Kuala Lumpur. Before joining V14, worked as a research assistant in a major international law firm and in two legal tech start-ups.
Fokus: Advising investors, founders and start-ups on venture and growth financing, M&A and all questions of corporate law.
Partner
Fully qualified German lawyer since 2008, studied in Freiburg, Stellenbosch and Edinburgh. Before V14 with King & Wood Mallesons, formerly SJ Berwin.
Recognized by “Best Lawyers” for Venture Capital & M&A.
Fokus: Venture capital and growth capital, M&A, employee participation, advice on corporate law issues.
Associate
Fully qualified German lawyer since 2021, studied in Berlin, Norwich and Edinburgh. Before joining V14, lawyer in IP/IT and data protection law at GSK Stockmann.
Fokus: Digital business models, AI, IP and IT law, data protection law, know-how protection. Special expertise in the field of AI and EVB-IT contracts.
Associate
Fully qualified German lawyer since 2022, studied in Berlin, Istanbul and Krakow. Previously research assistant at the major international law firm Morrison & Foerster. Lecturer at the TU Dresden.
Specialized in the legal support of start-ups and digital/innovative business models.
Fokus: Contract drafting, IT and IP law, AI and data protection.
Partner
Fully qualified German lawyer since 1994, studied in Berlin and Cambridge/UK, doctorate in Berlin. Founding partner of V14. Previously partner at King & Wood Mallesons, formerly SJ Berwin, for 14 years.
Recognised by “Best Lawyers” as Lawyer of the Year 2021, 2017, 2012 and 2011 for Private Equity in Berlin and as Lawyer of the Year 2024, 2022, 2018, 2016 and 2013 for Venture Capital in Berlin.
Fokus: Venture and growth capital in all phases, M&A, employee participation.
Partner
Fully qualified German lawyer since 2015, studied in Passau and Edinburgh, legal traineeship in Berlin, previously worked at CMS Hasche Sigle.
Fokus: Digital business models, IP and IT law, AI, data protection law, know-how protection. Special expertise in the areas of AI and digital health. Co-author of the commentary “BeckOK” on the AI Regulation.
Partner
Fully qualified German lawyer since since 2008. Specialized in commercial and corporate law, studied in Freiburg, Seville, New York, Shanghai and Berlin, doctorate in Freiburg, most recently worked at Hogan Lovells and Morrison & Foerster. Founding partner of V14.
Recognised by “Best Lawyers” as Lawyer of the Year 2023 and 2020 for Venture Capital in Berlin.
Fokus: Venture and growth financing of technology companies as well as all questions of corporate law – from incorporation to exit.
Counsel (employed lawyer)
Since 2000 fully qualified German lawyer, doctorate in Tübingen, studied in Bochum, Tübingen, Leiden/Netherlands and Philadelphia/USA (LL.M., and admission as attorney-at-law, New York). Many years of experience as a lawyer in major international law firms, including King & Wood Mallesons (previously SJ Berwin) and Herbert Smith Freehills.
Has commented since 2007 as an author in the Spindler/Stilz commentary on stock corporation law.
Fokus: Company acquisitions and sales and ongoing advice on corporate law. Special experience also in proptech/real estate related transactions.
Translator/Executive Assistant
Assistant since 2001, prior to joining V14 she worked at King & Wood Mallesons, formerly SJ Berwin, state-certified foreign language correspondent and graduate translator English and French.
Accounting
Assistant since 2001, prior to joining V14 she worked at King & Wood Mallesons, formerly SJ Berwin, state certified foreign language correspondent for English and French.
Accounting
Since 2009 assistant, including nine years as office manager in a medical care center, trained office administrator.
Office Management
Since 1999 assistant, including nine years in an international law firm (including office management), state-certified foreign language correspondent in English and French.
Executive Assistant
Assistant since 1999, including over 20 years in international law firms, state-certified foreign language correspondent in English and French.
Executive Assistant
Assistant since 2025, previously 7 years as front office manager in a medical care centre, 8 years as public & guest relations manager in England and Cyprus, trained hotel manager.
Translator/Executive Assistant
Assistant since 2019, state-certified foreign language correspondent for English and French, B.A. graduate in English language and literature.
You find our offices at Oranienburger Tor. These are rooms of the Friedrich-Gymnasium built in 1848 and the official residence of the director. After 1906, the house was used by various other schools. In 2001, the building – which had become a landmark – was extensively restored by Chipperfield. The Ullstein publishing house and various start-ups moved in.
If you are curious, we look forward to your visit.
