Peterka Partners is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and the firm recently marked a new chapter with the opening of a new office in Ljubljana, Slovenia, followed by the launch of a second office in Poland in Rzeszow. Founder and Managing Partner Ondrej Peterka and Head of the Slovenian office Pia Florjancic Pozeg Vancas talk about the strategic importance of opening a branch in Slovenia and what lies ahead.
CEELM: First of all, congratulations on the firm’s 25th anniversary. Can you tell us why Slovenia was the next natural step in your regional expansion?
Peterka: Thank you – it's a meaningful year for us. Reaching 25 years was never the goal in itself, but it does represent continuity and a lot of trust built with our clients and within our team. Expanding into Slovenia is both a strategic and symbolic step. It's a dynamic, EU-aligned jurisdiction with strong regional ties, especially with Austria, Italy, and the Western Balkans. Although Slovenia is small, it is highly developed and internationally active – exactly the kind of market where our integrated model thrives. We have had Slovenian clients for years, and more and more of our regional clients are doing business there.
Just two years ago, we expanded into Croatia, and that experience confirmed once again that our model works. It proved that there is a clear demand among our clients for high-quality, cross-border legal support in this region, delivered through a unified team. The Croatian office has already established itself and brought real value to our clients, which gave us even more confidence that Slovenia was the right next step. In that sense, this move was both natural and well aligned with what our clients are asking for.
CEELM: How did you identify the right person to lead this new office?
Peterka: For us, people always come first. As with every new office, the most important – and often hardest – part is finding someone who not only understands the legal market but also fits culturally with our firm. In Pia, we found someone who combines vast knowledge of Slovenian law with an international outlook and strong management instincts. We conducted multiple rounds of interviews, and Pia stood out from the start. She has a very practical mindset and communicates in a clear, straightforward way. At the same time, she thinks ahead and understands how to build something with a long-term perspective.
CEELM: Pia, what motivated you to join Peterka Partners and lead this new venture?
Florjancic Pozeg Vancas: I had been working in a Slovenian law firm and with international clients for years, but what impressed me most about Peterka Partners is its truly integrated structure. It’s not a network or an alliance – it’s one firm, one system, one philosophy across the CEE region. The opportunity to build something from the ground up in my home country, while being part of a larger regional operation, was incredibly compelling. Another thing that I liked is that it is rare to find a firm that offers such independence at the local level while still being so tightly connected internationally.
CEELM: How did you approach setting up the Slovenian office?
Florjancic Pozeg Vancas: When I joined, the office had just been established, so my main focus was to ensure we got off to a smooth start. That meant setting up daily operations, shaping internal workflows, and most importantly, building a solid team. I spent a lot of time meeting potential colleagues and making sure we found people who not only had the right legal expertise but also shared the firm’s collaborative mindset. Although we are still a small team, we have already formed a strong foundation, and thanks to close support from other Peterka Partners offices and its global BD & Marketing team, we have been able to start operating effectively from the very beginning
CEELM: What are your strategic goals for the Slovenian market in the near term?
Florjancic Pozeg Vancas: We want to become the go-to firm for international and regional clients who need clear, practical advice in Slovenia, especially in areas like corporate and M&A, employment, and regulatory. We are also focused on building long-term relationships with Slovenian companies looking to expand across the CEE region, because we can accompany them every step of the way.
CEELM: Ondrej, what has the Slovenia experience taught you so far, and what is next for Peterka Partners?
Peterka: Every market teaches us something. Even after 25 years, we do not assume we know every market – we build trust gradually. Looking ahead, our regional strategy remains focused on organic growth, meaning greenfield offices, not mergers, and deeper integration across the region. Slovenia continues our coverage of the EU countries of the former Austria-Hungary, which is significant to us historically and professionally. Beyond that, we are exploring Austria and Scandinavia. But for now, we are excited to grow our presence in Ljubljana and Poland.
CEELM: Finally, what does the 25th anniversary mean to you and the firm?
Peterka: It's a moment to reflect on how far we have come – from a small Prague-based firm in 2000 to a truly regional player across nine countries. But more importantly, it’s a chance to recommit to what makes us different: our integrated approach, our regional mindset, and our people. Slovenia and the new office in Poland aren't just new dots on the map – they are a symbol of everything we have built and what we aim to continue building in the years to come.
