You can't do without law

Unless you're a legal professional, you probably don't read the vast majority of those impossibly long contracts and consents you sign. Legal language is, after all, complicated and dull. But is it really? Yes, it is, but it can be explained in a way that even a child can understand.

When I describe my job to my ten-year-old nephews, they say I'm a pale office mouse, constantly buried in papers and staring at a computer. And that's not far from the truth. Reading, analysing and finding solutions are my job. I enjoy that. Insurance, the field I work in, is one of the most regulated and supervised industries.

Law isn't everything, but it means a lot to me

Although I already have a pile of tasks at work, and I'm also covering for a colleague on maternity leave, as a law graduate, I decided to continue my studies at the Belgrade Faculty of Law. Just when I thought I'd finally found time to read fiction again, I'm once more swamped with professional books. Nevertheless, I still make time for other things. Currently, I mostly follow sports on TV, but my competitive spirit, which I channelled into basketball as a student, hasn't been forgotten. My friends and I love participating in quizzes organised at local pubs; they've become quite the hit.

A passionate lawyer who embraces Triglav's culture

The relationships among us are wonderful. When I started this job a little over two years ago, I felt incredibly welcome. From the outset, I knew I was heard and considered. I've always felt that my colleagues trust me greatly. This significantly helped me maintain my self-confidence. What I find important is that I'm responsible towards my colleagues, the company and our partners, that our communication is up-to-date and that we are adaptable. We need to be proactive, comfortable with multitasking and fair to our colleagues. I'm aware that if I don't do my part, a colleague will pay the price. I'm someone who doesn't shift responsibility onto others.

Triglav is special

The attitude towards employees at Zavarovalnica Triglav cannot be compared to the culture in other companies in our region. At Triglav, the understanding of employees and attention to their needs are at a very high level. At the same time, we genuinely stick to never creating unnecessary panic. It's very rare for something to be urgent overnight. Of course, it happens, but it's not the norm. And that's truly invaluable. Part of feeling good in Bosnia and Herzegovina, of course, is coffee. My colleagues and I often meet for coffee (mine has to be proper Turkish black, without sugar or milk).

Now for real

So, what exactly does a lawyer do at an insurance company? My first thought was that they help write insurance terms and conditions. But in Banja Luka, others are responsible for that. I prepare recommendations, reports and warnings, and above all, I communicate a lot with all employees. Everyone turns to me, most often management. I explain and clarify solutions to legal problems or complications that colleagues encounter in documents and cannot interpret themselves. I overcome the company's legal challenges, including real estate disputes. I ensure the company operates in accordance with compliance guidelines. Above all, I am the legal support for directors, the executive board, and a whole host of other committees of which I am a member. You might also find me on the audit and disciplinary committees, where I take minutes and help organise meetings. My work benefits greatly from proactivity and self-initiative – qualities that were, quite rightly, named "Competencies of the Year" within the Triglav Group. These help us execute strategies that are beneficial for both us and the company.

Myth of the insurance lawyer profession

It's certainly a myth that lawyers are too serious and boring. Some might be, but I can hardly say that about myself. I always do my best to simply explain what everyone needs to know. I strive not to burden colleagues with unnecessary information, so they don't have to waste time on things that aren't their job. I don't want to complicate their lives. Yet, they still need to know certain legal matters. And when that's the case, it's beneficial if they also understand why they're necessary. Most of my work involves advising management on how to legally approach a question or decision within the company without fault. Above all, it's important that I don't shift responsibility onto others, but instead promptly warn if I detect the possibility of complications, approaching deadlines and the like. The colleagues I advise are all well-educated and perfectly capable of making decisions, but the devil is in the details. For instance, if a management decision isn't formulated with sufficient precision, flaws might not become apparent today, but they could well emerge tomorrow. To someone who isn't a lawyer, a discussion about the distinction between words like, say, 'resignation' and 'dismissal' might seem trivial, but from a legal standpoint, there can be a vast difference between them. I'm like a kind of clairvoyant, except instead of cards in my hands, I hold established and new laws and regulations, which often change. Simultaneously, I have a deep understanding of the insurance business. When I lay all this on the table, I can discern the current situation, as well as the possible development of events and complications in the future.

I need to know something about everything

This is precisely why lawyers are needed. Without us, the Group could face significant financial consequences. Indeed, any non-compliance – whether within the company or in its relationships with partners – can be painfully penalised through financial loss and, often worse, damage to its reputation. Therefore, to preserve Triglav's operations and reputation, it is crucial that we respond to any potential complication without delay and with the utmost seriousness. The Triglav Group enjoys a strong reputation throughout the region. This is hardly surprising. Not only does it strictly adhere to local laws and regulations, but even in countries that are not yet in the European Union, we abide by regulations applicable to member states. For example, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we already comply with the GDPR data protection regulation, which is significantly stricter than local provisions. Perhaps for this very reason, we in the region will face considerably fewer difficulties with EU accession than other companies that are not yet implementing such standards. The opportunity to advise means I need to have some knowledge in every area. Therefore, for me, learning never stops. There is always something new: new laws, new regulations, new areas to become acquainted with. Even artificial intelligence is now entering the world of law. Recently, in Brazil, ChatGPT was tasked with drafting a bill. None of those who read it realised it wasn't written by a human, and the bill was passed. Due to the rapidly changing market situation, the experience of my colleagues from other subsidiaries, with whom I regularly meet and consult, proves invaluable. Knowledge exchange is crucial, as is curiosity, even for what some might consider 'dry' law.

Dragan Todorović, a lawyer and independent specialist for secretarial and general affairs at Triglav Osiguranje, Banja Luka.