Clients praise her as someone who “offers pragmatic case management and always acts in a solution-oriented manner. Her exceptional negotiating skills and in-depth industry knowledge set her apart from the competitors. She always takes a practical approach and never loses sight of her clients' goals.” She is also described as “an outstanding litigator and strategist, always competent, open and unpretentious – a reliable partner!”
Biography
Sara Vanetta focuses on dispute resolution with a particular emphasis on insurance law. She has extensive experience in D&O insurance and advises and represents both insurers and policyholders. She is the author of several publications on this topic and regularly lectures on the corporate and insolvency law aspects of D&O cover.
Sara also advises and represents clients in liability proceedings with a technological background more broadly. She has particular expertise in the automotive sector, where she provides comprehensive litigation advice, including representation in complex disputes arising from product liability, regulatory compliance and contractual matters. Her experience spans individual claims and large-scale litigation, enabling her to develop effective strategies tailored to the specific challenges of the automotive industry.
Sara has a strong focus on technology-driven disputes, including matters arising from cyber incidents and cybersecurity risks. She represents clients in damages claims following cyberattacks and advises on coverage issues, notification duties and liability questions under cyber and other technology-related insurance policies. Her experience in this area allows her to navigate the complex interplay between technical facts, regulatory requirements and insurance wording.
In addition, Sara has significant experience in mass actions brought by investors based on alleged deficiencies in prospectuses and/or investment advice, in particular in relation to life insurance funds. In the context of M&A transactions, she advises on warranty & indemnity insurance. Sara is a member of White & Case’s EMEA Insurance Group and of the German Bar Association’s insurance working group, section on international insurance law, insurance supervisory law, reinsurance and industrial insurance law.
Experience
Litigation
Major Automotive OEM
We have been advising a major automotive OEM for several years on the multiple intricate dimensions of the alleged presence of defeat devices in some of its vehicles.
Several Insurance Companies
Advised several insurance companies in litigation proceedings.
Leading Market Research Organisation
Representing one of the world's leading opinion polling companies in its court action to enforce D&O liability claims of almost €40 million against its former CEO and CFO because of compliance breaches in connection with tax operations in Turkey.
Automotive
Diesel Engine and Drive Systems Manufacturer
Advising the client with regard to the assertion of liability claims against former board members in connection with corrupt payments in Asia, and their realization vis-à-vis the D&O insurer.
Payment Service Provider for a major Automotive OEM
Regulatory and Data Protection advice for the client.
Leading manufacturer of electric vehicles
Advice on the rollout of new product services.
Best Lawyer Germany in Litigation, Handelsblatt 2024/2025
Best Lawyers in Germany in Litigation, Handelsblatt 2025
D&O Update - Prevention, avoidance, tracking: "D&O insurance - current developments and trends (Organhaftung aktuell – Vorbeugen, Vermeiden, Verfolgen: “D&O-Versicherung – aktuelle Entwicklungen und Trends“), WM-Seminar, Frankfurt am Main, 13th of March 2018
D&O insurances in insolvency - a suitable remedy for mass generation? (D&O-Versicherungen in der Insolvenz – ein taugliches Mittel zur Massegenerierung?), Österbergseminar, Tübingen, 19th of October 2018
Collective Legal Protection (Kollektiver Rechtsschutz), Chapter on Consumer Rights Enforcement Act, Asmus / Waßmuth, 2026
Artificial intelligence in civil justice – prospects and challenges (Künstliche Intelligenz in der Zivilgerichtsbarkeit – Perspektiven und Herausforderungen), Der Betrieb 35/2025 (with Janna Vogt)
Mass proceedings and coping mechanisms (Massenverfahren und Bewältigungsinstrumentarien), Der Betrieb 47/2024 (with Janna Vogt)
ZPO in „Corona stress test" - Challenges and options for action in a slowed down litigation and business environment (ZPO im Corona-Stresstest – Herausforderungen und Handlungsmöglichkeiten in einem verlangsamten Prozess- und Geschäftsbetrieb), Betriebsberater, 2020
No liability of the D&O insurance for enticement of employees for the foundation of a competitor company (Keine Eintrittspflicht der D&O-Versicherung für Abwerbung von Personal zur Gründung eines Konkurrenzunternehmens), Die Aktiengesellschaft (AG), 06/2018
"D&O insurance is not obliged to assume responsibility for enticing away personnel to set up a competing company" (Keine Eintrittspflicht der D&O-Versicherung für Abwerbung von Personal zur Gründung eines Konkurrenzunternehmens) – Article in the AG, Verlag Dr. Otto Schmidt, Cologne, 2018
Co-author, "Siemens/Neubürger – Judgment Sets New Milestone for Compliance Standards in Germany", Corporate Disputes Magazine, Issue Oct-Dec, 2014 (with Christian Wirth)
Co-author, "Proceeding for documentary evidence and digital communications technology – Tactical considerations on the probative value of electronic documents under consideration of § 371 ZPO (Urkundenprozess und digitale Kommunikationstechnologie – Prozesstaktische Erwägungen zum Beweiswert elektronischer Dokumente unter Berücksichtigung von § 371 a ZPO)", Dispute Resolution – Das Online Magazin, Issue 3, Pages 11-13, 2014 (with Christian Wirth)
Co-author, "Between gentlemen's agreement and discovery – the reinsurer's contractual right of inspection in the event of a dispute (Zwischen Gentlemen's Agreement und Discovery – Die Behandlung des vertraglichen Einsichtsrechts des Rückversicherers im Streitfall)", Dispute Resolution – Das Online Magazin, Issue 1, Pages 16-18, 2014 (with Christian Wirth)
"Report on the symposium of the working committee „international insurance and insurance supervision law" on 15. February 2013 in Obernai (France) (Bericht über die Fachtagung des Arbeitskreises „Internationales Versicherungsrecht und Versicherungsaufsichtsrecht" am 15. Februar 2013 in Obernai (Frankreich))",
SpV, Issue 1, Pages 6-7, 2013
