Interview with Mate Lapis of UNIQA Biztosito

Head of Compliance at UNIQA Biztosito shares his career trajectory, his team's role in the ethical deployment of AI solutions, the strategy for communicating complex regulatory issues to internal stakeholders, and more.

Interview with Marian Husar of J&T Finance Group and J&T Banka

General Counsel at J&T Finance Group shares his approach to aligning the legal strategy with business needs, what market dynamics are currently having the biggest impact on the banking sector, and more.

Interview with Andrius Digrys of BLRT Grupp

BLRT Grupp's General Counsel explains the benefits of building a career with the same company for more than two decades, the profound impact of geopolitical developments on the shipbuilding and maritime sector, and more.

Interview with Milan Lomic of L’Oreal

General Counsel of L'Oreal Adria & Balkan shares how his role has changed in the 13 years with the company, the impact of changing consumer expectations on the legal strategy, and more.

CEE Legal Matters

Winter Gala

November 20, 2025

Budapest

Inside Insight: Interview with Marek Kundrat of Corwin

Corwin Head of Legal Services Department discusses balancing legal precision with business agility, the realities of cross-border in-house work, and the shifting regulatory landscape in Slovakia’s real estate sector.

Inside Insight: Interview with Martina Ondrasova of Heineken Slovakia

Heineken Slovakia Legal & Compliance Director discusses her career, the realities of moving in-house, and the challenges and opportunities shaping the GC role in Slovakia.

Interview with Hasan Doruk Ozdemir of Hitay

Hitay’s Legal Counsel discusses his nearly-decade career at the organization, what regulatory themes come up often across the group’s portfolio companies, and more.

Interview with Anton Petrov of First Investment Bank

Chief Compliance Officer at First Investment Bank shares his professional journey, what challenges are most pressing for the banking sector in Europe, how the role of compliance leaders will evolve, and more.

Interview with Baris Ozturk of Teleperformance

Head of Legal at Teleperformance shares his views on leadership, the decision-making process on engaging outside counsel, and the regulatory challenges that are most pressing for the BPO industry.

Interview with Minerva Ionita of Beko Romania

Beko Romania's Head of Legal & Compliance shares how she facilitates collaboration across a geographically dispersed legal team, the role of legal and compliance leaders in driving ESG initiatives, and more.

Interview with Elena Iacob of Cencora/ Alliance Healthcare Romania

CEE Regional Senior Legal Counsel at Cencora/ Alliance Healthcare Romania shares her professional journey, how she navigates different regulation and business practices across multiple jurisdictions, and her approach to managing relations with outside counsel.

Interview with Goran Arsic of DDOR-Garant

Head of Legal and General Affairs at DDOR-Garant Beograd discusses his approach to mentoring junior lawyers, balancing regulatory obligations with business growth goals, and legal and compliance risks facing the sector.

Interview with Vesna Paunkoska Dodevska of Pivara Skopje

Vesna Paunkoska Dodevska discusses her philosophy on building and retaining strong in-house teams and regulatory challenges and opportunities in the FMCG sector in the region.

Inside Insight: Interview with Dunja Hasanovic of AMA Group

Hasanovic focuses on leading legal projects across the group and monitoring legal and regulatory developments that affect its operations, always working to support both compliance and business needs.

Interview with Andras Gelencser of AMC Networks International

Andras Gelencser discusses his extensive career in the media and entertainment sector, his approach to working with outside counsel, and the legal challenges that the sector should be prepared for.

2025 HU GC Summit Sneak Peek: Interview with Marton Horanyi of Baker McKenzie

Backer McKenzie Partner Marton Horanyi shares his thoughts about the upcoming event and what he's looking forward to the most.

2025 HU GC Summit Sneak Peek: Interview with Istvan Szatmary of Oppenheim

With preparations for the 2025 CEELM HU GC Summit in full swing, Oppenheim Partner Istvan Szatmary shares his thoughts about the upcoming event and what he's looking forward to the most.

Inside Insight: Interview with Basak Gurbuz of Alliance Healthcare Turkiye

Basak Gurbuz reflects on her nearly two-decade legal journey, from private practice to leading in-house roles across media, tech, and now healthcare.

Inside Insight: Interview with Elena Velkova of Nova Broadcasting Group

Elena Velkova reflects on her transition from advisory to in-house, building a specialized legal team, and assuming a more strategic role in the media industry.

Inside Insight: Interview with Mihaela Scarlatescu of Farmexim

Farmexim Head of Legal and Compliance Director Mihaela Scarlatescu discusses her 25-year legal journey, leading in-house strategy across pharma and retail, and balancing legal precision with business impact.

Inside Insight: Interview with Ana Zakovska of IT Labs

IT Labs Group General Counsel and DPO Ana Zakovska discusses her transition from private practice to in-house roles in the ICT sector, the evolving nature of legal work, and how privacy and AI are shaping the industry.

Cybersecurity in the AI Age

As AI increasingly intersects with nearly every dimension of digital security, so too does the consciousness of creating conditions to use it in a secure cyberspace.

Inside Insight: Filip Knezevic of Vezuv

Vezuv Director of Legal Affairs Filip Knezevic talks about his career and the challenges of navigating the regulator’s relationship with the gambling sector.

Inside Insight: Natalia Lysa of Nestle

Nestle South Eastern Europe Head of Legal & Compliance Natalia Lysa discusses her career, the rewards of working closely with business operations, and the challenges of navigating legal complexities during Ukraine’s war.

Ukrainian GCs on Trends in Hiring Local Counsels and Use of Legaltech

We interviewed Ukrainian GCs to understand current trends in engaging local counsels and use of legaltech in their day-to-day activity.

Inside Insight: Interview with Eva Kovacic of Belupo

Belupo General Counsel Eva Kovacic reflects on her journey from law firm beginnings to steering legal and compliance in the fast-paced pharmaceutical world.

Inside Insight: Pawel Szczepaniak of mBank

mBank Deputy General Counsel Pawel Szczepaniak talks about his path to banking and reflects on how his varied background continues to shape his approach to complex legal challenges.

Inside Track: Summer Recharge

As summer is a time to unwind, we asked: With summer here, what is your one favorite yearly activity to disconnect and switch off?