Karanovic & Partners o.a.d.

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Karanović & Partners from your competitors? This year, we celebrate 30 years of continuous work, as the only law firm in the region that was homegrown – and has remained so. While many competitors grew through integration with international law firms, we developed organically. We set our standards and ways of working, tailored to the specific needs and dynamics of this region. We established practice and industry groups early on, which allowed our cooperating lawyers to grow as specialists while staying closely connected across teams. Clients appreciate that we are a true one-stop shop that can provide fast, consistent, and practical support across multiple jurisdictions.   Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?  We see strong growth in energy and infrastructure, driven by the region’s push toward renewables. ESG and compliance work are also expanding quickly, as regulations become more demanding and businesses look for practical ways to meet those standards. Also, there is agrilaw, as food security, sustainability, and EU-driven standards remain at the forefront. We see clients across the agricultural value chain needing tailored advice on everything from land use and subsidies to supply chain and ESG compliance. Finally, the defence industry is also an area where specialised legal support is becoming essential.   What's the main change you've made in the firm that will benefit clients?  We’ve put a lot of effort into building real industry know-how. Our cooperating lawyers are trained both internally and externally to understand the specifics of our clients’ businesses, from sector regulations to the commercial realities of how those industries operate. This focus on deeper specialisation allows us to give advice that is legally sound, practical and directly relevant to the challenges our clients face. We also invested in professionalising our internal operations, from quality control to smarter use of technology. While these may seem like behind-the-scenes improvements, they have a direct impact, since clients benefit from greater efficiency and clarity in every matter.   Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients and the services you can provide them?  Absolutely. Technology has become an inseparable part of our work. It helps us deliver faster, manage better, and communicate more effectively with clients. We always have in mind that our clients want transparency, real-time updates, and practical tools that make their lives easier. We’ve embraced that shift, but always with the view that technology is here to serve these relationships, not replace them. As we closely follow the development of AI and adopt tools that help us work smarter, it is always with the goal of improving the quality and efficiency of what we deliver. We are very clear about our priorities: the interests of our clients and the quality of our services.   Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business? There are many examples of how we help businesses address their broader environment, not just legal issues. For instance, we work with clients to identify key stakeholders, understand their interests, and determine the best ways to engage with them. We also advise on strategic positioning and adapting approaches in line with the market developments. This combination of legal insight and business understanding enables clients to make informed decisions and strengthen their presence in the region.   Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms - where do you see the firm in three years’ time? Looking ahead, our ambition for the next three years is to be pioneers in emerging areas. We’ve built a regional platform that provides clients with a steady, consistent service, while placing strong emphasis on in-depth understanding of their businesses, industries, and emerging technologies. That is why we will go into deeper specialisation in areas that are still emerging, anticipating clients’ future needs and building expertise where it will matter most.

1) What do you see as the main points that differentiate Karanovic & Partners from your competitors? Throughout our 30 years long history, our firm has been driven by several core values: people, excellence, innovation, and pioneering. Since our founding, we have remained committed to investing in our people, believing it is essential to our success. We do it through continuous learning and development programs. These programs help improve their skills, ensuring they can excel and provide top service, keeping them leading in legal knowledge and innovation. We also use new technologies to change how we interact with clients and provide services. With advanced client management systems and AI-powered legal research tools, we make our work faster, more accurate, and more efficient. This gives our clients more reliable services and helps keep our firm competitive in today's digital world. 2) Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that? In the next 12 months, we anticipate significant growth in the areas of energy law, trade law, and arbitration. These practices are being driven by geopolitical influences that are reshaping global markets and regulatory frameworks. Energy law is becoming increasingly important as countries transition to renewable energy sources and address climate change mandates. Trade law is evolving in response to shifting trade policies and international agreements, affecting businesses that operate internationally. Arbitration is gaining significance as it increasingly becomes the preferred method for resolving disputes efficiently. In a time of unpredictability, this trend is driving the need for restructuring and arbitration. 3) What's the main change you've made in the firm that will benefit clients? We use technology to improve our knowledge management systems by utilising advanced data analytics and AI platforms. This helps our team quickly and accurately access legal information, which boosts our confidence in responding to client inquiries. It allows us to give timely and informed advice in complex situations. For instance, we take pride in our internally developed software platform K/ompas, a knowledge management platform. Our practice know-how, legal best practices and document templates are available to all our lawyers. Advanced search and filtering options enable fast and easy retrieval of desired documents, saving time of our lawyers and ensuring consistency and a standardised approach across all teams. We have also developed an internal AI chatbot K/chat, which is a secure, intelligent assistant developed particularly for our law firm. It enables smooth document handling while ensuring strict confidentiality and data security. Built with advanced encryption and compliance measures, it allows us to efficiently access, analyze, and collaborate on case materials without compromising sensitive information. Additionally, we also use other technologies that assist in our daily work such as: Green Meadow/Document Drafter, document automation platform for streamlining legal drafting, SharePoint Online, which enables seamless document collaboration, Definely and Luminance that optimise document review, GapApp automates compliance assessments. Also, Market Opportunities, an online platform that provides clients with exclusive regional investment insights, ensuring a user-friendly and efficient browsing experience. 4) Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them? Yes, but it is changing not based on our assumptions but in response to client preferences. We make it a priority to listen to our clients and implement technologies they find most useful. By staying responsive to their needs and feedback, we ensure that our technological advancements are not just innovative but genuinely enhance client experience and satisfaction. 5) Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business? Certainly. Recently, we helped a family-owned business restructure their debt and holding structure. Their team of in-house experts, collaborating closely with our lawyers, assessed their financial situation and developed a strategic plan to reorganise their debt and, subsequently, their holding structure. This move not only improved their cash flow but also provided stability for future growth. On top of that, we assisted them in succession planning to ensure a smooth transition and leadership. This proactive approach allowed the business to adapt to market changes while securing its legacy. 6) Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms - where do you see the firm in three years’ time? In three years, I believe clients will be looking for more than just stability: they’ll want innovative solutions from their law firms. With the rise of AI and data analytics, they’ll expect us to deliver more efficient, forward-thinking legal services that can predict trends and outcomes. Clients will want strategic direction and the ability to think outside the box, ensuring creative, proactive and customised advice that anticipates both their immediate needs and future challenges. Delivering on these expectations will take persistence, excellence, and vision—qualities we’ve always embraced and will continue to uphold in the years to come.