Meet Me in HKV – Bibiána Záhorčáková

Bibiána Záhorčáková

• Can you briefly tell us about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in law?

I come from eastern Slovakia, specifically Michalovce, and I have always planned to study at university in Bratislava. Although I was initially hesitant about which field to choose, my fondness for history and civics, along with language tutoring and inspiration from family members who are lawyers, eventually led me to the decision to study law.

During my studies, I paid close attention not only to theoretical learning but also to practical experience, while also striving to improve my language skills. This interest led me to the decision to spend the whole of my fourth year at the University of Milan. I found myself enjoying law more and more each year, with the greatest joy coming from the work experience in law firms that I undertook during my studies. It was in these moments that I felt I was gaining the most valuable knowledge and really developing my legal skills.

• What areas of law are you most passionate about and why?

Before joining HKV, I worked in a firm that specialised in litigation. It was there that I realised I was most attracted to commercial law. I chose HKV in particular because it is one of the leading firms that focuses on mergers and acquisitions – an area I want to continue to improve in and plan to pursue in the future. I find this area particularly fascinating because it allows me to meet interesting clients and deal with a variety of situations and issues, making the work dynamic and less prone to stereotyping.

• What do you believe are the most important qualities for a successful lawyer?

One of the most important skills I’ve seen so far is the ability to organize. This skill is especially crucial in situations where lawyers are handling multiple cases at once. It is essential to allocate time efficiently and prioritize so that no task is neglected. Another important skill is adequate communication, which is an integral part of the legal profession. Equally important is continuous education, which enables lawyers to keep abreast of legislative developments not only in Slovakia but also in the world. In this way, they can keep up with the times and provide their clients with professional legal advice.

• Can you share a challenging legal case you’ve worked on and how you approached it?

I can’t think of a specific case, but an area that is relatively closely related to my professional focus is financial law. In the course of my practice, I have encountered several times complex issues in this area. In order to understand them better, I have carried out detailed analysis and consulted with more experienced colleagues. This approach has enabled me to reach the right conclusions and, I believe, to provide the best possible legal advice.

• How do you stay updated with the latest developments in the legal field?

In our office, students regularly prepare so-called legislative updates. As I was until recently a student myself, it is thanks to these updates that I have tried to keep myself as informed as possible about new developments in the field of law and to contribute to our lawyers being up to date with the latest changes in legislation. Nowadays, I regularly follow various platforms that deal with law, including internet portals, social networks and legal newspapers.

• How do you spend your spare time?

In my spare time I like to spend time with my family and friends, but I also enjoy moments with myself, for example a walk in nature or yoga. I like to cook and try new recipes, but I can also relax with a good movie or series. Although I’m a big fan of sci-fi and fantasy genres, most of the time I watch critically acclaimed films. I also never miss a live Oscars or Golden Globes broadcast.