Interview with: Veljko Dostanić, Partner

Veljko Dostanić, partner at MMD Advokati explains how the firm is adapting to clients’ changing needs.

 

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

At MMD Advokati, we differentiate ourselves through a comprehensive and personalized approach to legal services. We understand that every client’s needs are unique, which is why we take the time to tailor our strategies and solutions to each individual case. Our focus is not just on providing legal advice but on building long-term relationships with our clients, ensuring that they feel supported at every stage of their business journey.

One of the key strengths that set us apart from our competitors is our ability to foster enduring relationships with our clients. Many of our clients have been with us for over 10 years, which we believe speaks volumes about the level of trust and satisfaction they have in our services. This stability reflects not only the quality of our work but also the consistency and reliability we offer as a long-term partner in their legal and commercial endeavors. We take great pride in being seen as a trusted advisor, rather than just a service provider, and our commitment to their success is a core aspect of how we operate.

In addition, our team’s deep expertise in commercial law, combined with our personalized approach, allows us to address complex issues and provide strategic, proactive solutions that are aligned with our clients’ goals. This unique combination of experience, personalized service, and long-term client relationships truly sets MMD Advokati apart in a competitive market.

 

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 several key practice areas, driven by ongoing market and regulatory changes.

Firstly, regulatory compliance and data protection will continue to see substantial expansion. With increasingly complex regulatory landscapes, companies will need guidance to navigate the complexities of compliance. The growing focus on safeguarding personal data and ensuring corporate transparency will drive the demand for legal expertise in this area.

Additionally, we foresee a rise in mergers and acquisitions activity. As companies adjust to the current economic climate and market shifts, there is a strong likelihood of consolidation. Businesses will be looking for opportunities to strengthen their market position through acquisitions or strategic mergers.

The digital transformation underway across industries will also fuel growth in intellectual property rights and technology-related legal services. As companies increasingly rely on digital assets and innovations, protecting intellectual property and addressing emerging technology-related legal issues will become critical. With the rapid development of AI, block chain, and other technologies, we expect rising demands for specialized legal advice in these area.

Finally, we anticipate an uptick in redundancy procedures, especially in the automotive industry. The crisis currently affecting this sector in Europe is expected to lead to significant restructuring in Serbia as well, with companies implementing cost-saving measures and potentially downsizing. As a result, legal services related to redundancy procedures and workforce management will be in high demand. We already see this trend on the market.

 

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

One of the main changes we’ve implemented is the enhancement of our digital communication tools, allowing for more efficient and transparent interactions. We’ve adopted a client management system that facilitates real-time updates and feedback, streamlining our workflows and enabling us to respond more swiftly to client queries and needs.

 

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

Absolutely, it has significantly transformed both how we interact with our clients and the services we can offer them. Digital tools have streamlined many aspects of our operations, enabling us to communicate more efficiently.

From a client interaction perspective, technology has allowed us to offer more flexible and responsive services. Virtual meetings and secure digital platforms have made it easier for clients to connect with us regardless of their location, ensuring that we can meet their needs even in a remote or globalized business environment. Moreover, we can now use technology to provide clients with real-time updates on the progress of their cases or transactions, which helps to maintain transparency and build trust.

Technology has also enhanced the range of services we can provide. For instance, we are increasingly relying on advanced data analytics, AI, and automation to optimize legal research, document review, and contract management.

In summary, technology has allowed us to enhance the client experience, improve service delivery, and provide more sophisticated, forward-thinking legal advice across a range of practice areas.

 

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

Certainly. A recent example involves advising a client through a major restructuring process, which included the redundancy of approximately 300 employees (downsizing of around 15%). This was a particularly challenging situation, as it required careful navigation of complex labor laws and sensitive employee relations.

We provided comprehensive legal guidance throughout the entire process, from the initial stages of mapping legal risks and planning the entire process to the final implementation. Our role involved advising the client on the legal requirements for the redundancy process, preparation of compliant redundancy program, providing strategic support in negotiations with the authorities and ensuring that the process was as transparent and fair as possible. We also provided guidance on managing employee communications and mitigating the risk of potential disputes.

Given the scale of the redundancy, we worked closely with the client to ensure that the process was handled efficiently and in full compliance with employment related legislation, minimizing disruption to the business while also protecting the interests of the affected employees. One of the key areas where we added value was in preemptively addressing potential legal challenges, ensuring the client was well-prepared for any employee claims.

As a result of our professional advice, the redundancy process went as smoothly as possible under the circumstances, and notably the end result was the successful implementation of the program, with the margin of subsequent labor disputes being less than 5% of the total downsizing. This is a clear testament to the thoroughness and care with which we managed the situation. The client was able to complete the restructuring with minimal disruption to their operations, and the smooth process helped them maintain good relations with remaining employees and avoid lengthy, costly legal disputes.

 

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

Yes, absolutely. In today’s complex and rapidly changing business environment, clients increasingly seek stability and strategic direction from their law firms. They want legal advisors who not only understand the law but also understand their business goals and industry dynamics. Clients value firms that provide reliable, long-term partnerships, as well as the foresight to help them navigate future challenges. It’s no longer just about reacting to legal issues, but about proactively guiding clients toward sustainable growth and risk mitigation.

At MMD Advokati, we’ve built a reputation for offering both stability and strategic insight. Our long-standing relationships with clients, many of whom we’ve worked with for over a decade, reflect our ability to provide this kind of consistent, forward-thinking legal support. Our deep understanding of our clients’ industries enables us to offer tailored advice that aligns with their long-term objectives and helps them make informed decisions.

Looking ahead, in three years’ time, we see MMD Advokati continuing to grow and expand as a trusted advisor to businesses across diverse sectors. We plan to strengthen our position as a leading player in commercial law by expanding our expertise in key areas such as regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and technology law. As industries continue to evolve, we will stay at the forefront of developments in digital transformation and data protection, ensuring that our clients are always equipped to handle new challenges and opportunities. One example of this is that one of our partners has recently completed a master’s degree in digital law, and we expect to further enhance our capabilities in this area to better serve our clients as digital issues become increasingly important.

We also aim to further enhance the client experience by integrating more advanced technology into our services, streamlining processes, and improving efficiency. This will allow us to offer even more value, providing both cost-effective and high-quality legal services.

In summary, our focus will remain on offering strategic direction, stability, and a personalized approach to each client, while continuously adapting to the evolving legal landscape. We’re committed to being the law firm that businesses rely on for both today’s needs and tomorrow’s growth.