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Andreja Kumanović
Episode · #230

MEDIJATOR Andreja Kumanović

Guest Andreja KumanovićHosted by Srđan ŠimacMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

The public often holds a singular, sometimes negative, perception of lawyers — one Andreja Kumanović challenges every day. As a corporate lawyer and director of claims and legal affairs at Unica Insurance, she operates at the intersection of business strategy and legal principle, earning an award for her work in mediation. Yet, her approach is anything but rigid; she describes herself first as a woman, then a mother, and only then a lawyer, admitting her own husband sometimes tells her to "stop with your mediator tricks and just have a good old fight." This conversation explores how a modern legal professional navigates the complexities of corporate interests, personal values, and the shifting landscape of risk, revealing a perspective that redefines the role of law in business.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Andreja's husband sometimes tells her to "stop with your mediator tricks and just have a good old fight." It is a humorous moment that reveals how deeply ingrained professional skills can become, shaping even the most personal interactions, sometimes to the playful annoyance of those closest to us.
02
Andreja chose to study law after reading the book 'Rage of Angels,' a story about a young lawyer defending mobsters in New York, much to her father's initial concern. Career paths often begin with an unexpected spark, sometimes a fictional one, that shapes a direction far removed from the initial, somewhat naive, inspiration.
03
A law school colleague once offered Andreja a sympathetic "don't worry, it will get better" upon learning she had taken a corporate legal role in a trading firm. The perceived glamour of law often overlooks the strategic and complex work of in-house corporate counsel, which requires a broader skill set than traditional litigation.
04
Andreja insists that "everyone must act according to regulations" and understand the law in their specific field, not just lawyers. Legal compliance isn't just the domain of the legal department; every professional must understand the regulations governing their work, making legal literacy a universal business skill.
05
Andreja defines insurance not as a profit-making venture from unmaterialized risks, but as a professional service for recognizing and mitigating potential dangers. The core value of insurance lies in its expertise in risk identification and management, helping individuals and businesses proactively protect against foreseeable challenges.
06
The analogy of choosing between an umbrella and a raincoat for rain, only to realize the raincoat doesn't cover everything when one's legs get wet, illustrates a common insurance pitfall. Many clients focus solely on the premium cost, failing to fully understand the scope of coverage until a claim arises, only then realizing they chose an inadequate level of protection.
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