Interview with: Veljko Dostanić, Partner

Partner Veljko Dostanić discusses the firm’s client-focused approach, its strong position in the corporate and commercial market, and how it continues to evolve in response to changing client needs

 

What do you see as the main points that differentiate MMD Advokati from your competitors?

What truly sets us apart is the depth and longevity of our client relationships. Many of the companies we advise have been working with us for over a decade and we see these clients not just as customers, but as true partners. This perspective shapes everything we do: we invest in understanding their business, anticipate challenges, and provide proactive, commercially driven solutions that go beyond legal advice.

Our approach combines the expertise of a leading corporate law firm with a personalized, partnership mindset. Clients know that when they face complex transactions or regulatory hurdles, they are not just hiring lawyers – they are gaining trusted advisors who are fully aligned with their long-term business goals. This combination of technical excellence and relational depth is what consistently differentiates us in the market.

 

Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

We expect continued growth in corporate/M&A, regulatory and compliance work, and dispute resolution related to commercial transactions. This is largely driven by increased investment activity in the region, ongoing regulatory developments, and the need for companies to adapt their business structures to a rapidly changing economic environment.

In addition, we anticipate significant development in the corporate bond market. This is being driven in part by initiatives such as the World Bank’s Catalyzing Long-Term Finance through Capital Markets Project, which aims to strengthen the enabling environment for capital market development. As capital markets mature, companies are increasingly exploring alternative financing options, and our firm is well-positioned to advise on these transactions, from structuring deals to navigating regulatory frameworks.

 

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

One of the most important developments has been strengthening collaboration across our practice groups and enhancing our responsiveness to client needs. By streamlining internal processes, we ensure that clients receive faster, more coordinated advice across different areas of law, allowing us to approach matters from a broader, strategic perspective.

To further support this, we recently strengthened our team by adding two young attorneys at law. This will allow us to handle increasing client demands efficiently and continue meeting (and exceeding) the high expectations our clients have come to rely on. This combination of process improvement and team expansion directly benefits our clients through more effective, practical, and timely legal solutions.

 

Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

 Technology, and in particular AI, is increasingly shaping the way we work and interact with our clients. At the beginning, we were very enthusiastic about AI utilization, but we soon realized-like many other businesses-that it is just another tool, effective only when combined with human insight.

The biggest progress we have made is finding the right balance between technology and team creativity. Instead of chasing every new tool, we focus on processes where AI truly adds value, such as automating legal research or quickly analyzing contracts, always under strict human supervision.

This approach allows us to spend more time on strategic client advice, ultimately delivering greater value and reinforcing the trust our clients place in us. However, despite its usefulness, we must keep in mind that there are many things AI cannot and should not do: it cannot replace human intuition, out-of-the-box creativity, or the careful handling of confidential client information, and it is still prone to errors or “hallucinations” that could have serious consequences in legal practice.

Technology has become a powerful enabler, not a replacement, enhancing both efficiency and the quality of our legal services.

 

Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

 We recently advised a client on a complex real estate asset acquisition, acting on the buy side. During the process, the client faced potential obstacles that could have jeopardized the deal, and at one point even considered exiting the whole transaction.

To address this, we proposed a series of additional mid-steps in the transaction structuring, carefully designed to reduce risk and provide flexibility. This included creative solutions regarding collateral arrangements and phased contractual protections, allowing the client to proceed with confidence.

By combining innovative structuring, risk mitigation, and strategic advisory, we enabled the client to complete the transaction successfully, preserve the value of the investment, and maintain optionality for future decisions. This illustrates our philosophy of treating clients as partners and delivering solutions that go beyond pure legal compliance to generate tangible commercial impact.

 

Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Clients increasingly expect their law firms to provide stability, foresight, and long-term strategic guidance. Our focus has always been on building deep, enduring relationships, understanding our clients’ industries and anticipating challenges before they arise.

Over the next three years, we aim to continue strengthening our position as a leading corporate law firm in Serbia. We will expand our expertise in key areas such as capital markets, corporate finance, and regulatory advisory, while deepening long-term partnerships with both domestic and international clients. Our goal is to be recognized not just as legal advisors, but as trusted business partners who help clients achieve sustainable success.