·
All episodes
Damir Primorac
Episode · #621

POSLOVNI ĐIR Damir Primorac

Guest Damir PrimoracHosted by Ojdana KoharevićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

Damir Primorac left a secure judicial career with two young children to start his own law firm in 2008, at the height of a global recession. He admits to moments of doubt, questioning the decision to trade a steady paycheck for the unknown. Yet, fifteen years later, his firm, Primorac & Partneri, stands as an example of building a legal practice on entrepreneurial principles. He counters the common idea of lawyers as an 'elite' class, insisting the profession is a business like any other, with its own spectrum of successes and struggles. This conversation delves into the strategic decisions behind building a modern law firm, the necessity of specialization, and the often-overlooked business realities of legal practice. Readers will come away rethinking what it takes to build a professional services firm that endures.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Damir Primorac left a secure judge's salary with two young children in 2008, just as the recession hit, admitting he questioned the decision multiple times. The moment to launch an entrepreneurial venture is rarely 'right'; conviction and the willingness to navigate uncertainty often matter more than market timing.
02
Instead of a traditional solo practice, Primorac started a law firm with partners and specialized lawyers from the outset, with offices in Split and Zagreb. The future of professional services isn't a single practitioner trying to cover all areas; it's a specialized team structured like a modern business.
03
Primorac likens legal specialization to medical fields like orthopedics or pediatrics, arguing it's 'irresponsible and dangerous' for one lawyer to practice all branches of law. When your field is vast, deep specialization within a team is not just a competitive advantage; it's a professional obligation to clients.
04
The perception that lawyers are an 'elite' class with expensive cars and lavish lifestyles is a myth, Primorac states, comparing it to any other business where some succeed, some struggle. Don't mistake public or media-driven sensationalism for the underlying business reality; most professional services firms face the same entrepreneurial challenges as any other venture.
05
When a client first approaches the firm, Primorac believes the initial question should always be whether the dispute can be resolved peacefully, not just legally. Litigation is often a last resort; a good lawyer first explores resolution because long, drawn-out court cases rarely serve anyone's best interest.
06
Primorac suggests that the frequent media sensationalism around criminal cases, while perhaps temporarily good for readership, ultimately 'does not leave a good impression' and is detrimental to the justice system. The goal of the legal process is fair resolution, not public drama; a quiet, efficient system builds more trust than a constantly publicized one.
07
Lawyers in Croatia operate under a strict, transparent fee schedule, meaning clients know costs upfront and 'everything is transparent.' The idea that legal fees are arbitrary or excessive is often a misconception; transparency and adherence to established tariffs are fundamental to ethical practice.
Explore further
ScenariosBusiness challengesCardsEducational cardsTimelineTopic evolution