MEDIJATOR Vlatka Adler

Guest Vlatka AdlerHosted by Srđan ŠimacMay 3, 2026

Vlatka Adler

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

Vlatka Adler's career path in law began not with a grand vision, but with what she calls 'pure destiny,' a pivot from her initial desire to study economics. Yet, it was in the demanding world of advocacy that she found a parallel to her entrepreneurial roots, quickly charting a course toward private practice. What started as a pragmatic choice evolved into a distinct approach to conflict, one that prioritizes reconciliation. For Adler, a seasoned attorney who has built practices in both Zagreb and Vienna, the traditional adversarial courtroom isn't the only arena. She describes herself not as a 'competitive attorney' driven by 'fights and attacks,' but as someone who always has 'reconciliation first in mind.' This philosophy drew her to mediation early on, making her one of the first dozen attorneys in Croatia to formally train in the discipline. Her story offers a compelling look at how legal professionals can redefine their role, moving beyond the binary of win or lose to seek solutions that serve all parties. Readers will consider how a strategic, less combative stance can not only attract a different kind of client but also fundamentally reshape the practice of law itself.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Vlatka Adler's entry into law was by 'pure destiny,' not a plan, despite her entrepreneurial family background and desire to study economics. The insight isn't to plan less; it's that the careers that stick often find you, demanding that you adapt your innate drive to an unexpected field.

Early in her legal studies, Adler realized that if she were to practice law, it had to be advocacy, because it was the only path she felt could be 'compared to entrepreneurship.' When your family's operating system is business, you'll find a way to run your own show, even if the label is 'attorney.'

Adler attributes her core understanding of advocacy to her former boss, attorney Eugen Zadravec, from whom she 'learned all the essential things I ever needed for advocacy, and I still use them today.' The most enduring professional principles are absorbed from a single, strong mentor, not accumulated from many sources.

Adler first heard about 'mirenje' (reconciliation/mediation) from a colleague in 2006, four years after finishing law school, and initially didn't know what to make of it. The seeds of a career-defining shift are often planted years before they sprout, appearing as a vague curiosity before becoming a concrete path.

In 2010, Adler was one of the 'first twelve attorneys' to complete the inaugural mediation training organized by the Croatian Bar Association. When a new discipline emerges, being part of the first small cohort signals a willingness to shape the field, not just participate in it.

Adler describes herself as not a 'competitive attorney' who enjoys 'fights, attacks,' preferring 'strategy, thinking things through.' In a traditionally adversarial profession, a less combative stance isn't a weakness; it's a distinct approach that can attract a different kind of client.

Clients frequently sought out Adler specifically because they heard she also practiced mediation, expressing a desire to 'try to resolve our dispute in that way.' Your reputation for offering a non-traditional path can become a powerful lead generator, drawing those who actively seek an alternative to confrontation.

Adler finds satisfaction not in 'exclusive victory' or 'blood,' but in seeking a solution that 'might require searching but which benefits both parties.' The most durable outcomes emerge from a willingness to explore complex, mutual-benefit solutions, rather than simple wins and losses.

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Explore further

ScenariosBusiness challenges CardsEducational cards TimelineTopic evolution