Frank van de Wakker has been a partner at Wijn & Stael since 2026. He specialises in financial litigation, commercial litigation and restructuring. As a litigator, he frequently acts for banks, technology companies and financial services providers. His practice includes enforcement disputes, proceedings concerning the banking duty of care and complex commercial disputes.

Energetic and decisive
Frank is a driven and decisive attorney. He quickly gets to the heart of a matter and then takes a clear stance: “I don’t look for the most obvious route, but for solutions that are legally robust, strategically sound and practically feasible. In doing so, I believe it is important to provide clear direction and then act decisively. I enjoy unravelling legal puzzles, but I never lose sight of the broader interests at stake.”

Extensive experience in private practice and banking
Frank previously worked for an international law firm and at a major Dutch bank. There, he gained experience with financial and legal issues from various perspectives. In addition, he has worked as a lecturer at the Law Firm School and continues to teach at the Professional Training Programme for Lawyers. He also contributes to commentaries on insolvency law and civil procedural law published by Sdu. He has also written various case notes.

Additional positions and memberships

• Member of the KnowHow Committee of the Dutch Restructuring Association
• Member of the Dutch Corporate Litigation Association
• Member of INSOL Europe
• Lecturer at the Professional Training Programme for Lawyers

Education

• Postgraduate programme in Corporate Restructuring, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2023, cum laude)
• Specialist course in Financing and Security, Grotius Academy (2017, cum laude)
• Master’s degree in Private Law, Radboud University (2013, cum laude)

Cases

• Represented ABN AMRO in proceedings concerning whether the bank was liable for the actions of an account holder due to an alleged breach of the duty of care.
• Represented Adyen in proceedings concerning whether the use of an algorithm to determine the deposit level constituted a breach of the duty of care as a payment service provider.
• Represented ING in a class action concerning the scope of the banking duty of care.
• Represented a private equity-owned General Sales & Service Agent (GSSA) in a cross-border earn-out dispute with former shareholders.
• Represented an international auction house in a dispute concerning the authenticity of a painting attributed to Rembrandt.