Dejan Stanić, Attorney at Law

In my view, practising law is, at heart, an art of combat, much like any martial art.

In the practice of law, in combat and in life, the most important thing is to adopt the right stance.
With the right stance, you will be both stable and agile, firm yet flexible.

Courage, strength and speed are essential in any fight, but none of them alone is enough to master legal technique to the level of an art.

Mastering that art takes years of learning and continuous improvement.

Sound legal technique may win a battle, but winning a war also takes effective tactics and a far-sighted strategy, and neither is possible without understanding both yourself and your opponent.

Naturally, success also depends on discreet work, choosing the right allies and understanding the spirit of the times.

A modern image and advanced tools and technology are imperatives for success in the legal market as well.

In the legal arena, victory rarely comes from a direct assault; success almost always requires a long wait, so winning takes a great deal of patience and endurance.

I always advise my clients that, if they lack the resources and the endurance to see a victory through, they are better off not going to war, because casualties, losses and pain are inevitable in every war.

For me, the only true victory in the practice of law is finding a way, and recognising the opportunity, to avoid an unnecessary fight whenever possible.

It is also turning an opponent into a friend, if that is possible, and carrying on with life in peace until the next battle that is already waiting around the corner.

After all, life and the practice of law alike are a constant struggle in which you either celebrate a victory or learn.