Known for its deep-rooted legal expertise, active role in shaping regulatory reforms, and strategic counsel to both domestic and international clients, JMV has long stood at the intersection of tradition and transformation. This year, the firm marks 41 years of legal excellence— a milestone that speaks not only to its longevity but to the values of trust, integrity, and adaptability that continue to define its work.
In this interview, Vanja Mugoša, Managing Partner at JMV, reflects on the firm’s evolution, its hands-on involvement in key legal reforms, and the growing importance of cross-border collaboration. From mentoring young lawyers and advising on foreign investments to navigating EU integration and embracing legal tech, Mugoša shares how JMV remains ahead of the curve while staying true to the professional principles that built its legacy.
This year JMV celebrates 41 years of legal excellence and integrity. How does this rich legacy shape your firm’s identity, values, and client relationships today?
More than four decades of existence is not just a milestone – it is a testament to the values we have lived by since the very beginning. It reflects all the people shaped by this firm, the challenges we’ve faced, the decisions we’ve made, and the trust clients have placed in us over the years. This legacy doesn’t hold us back – it pushes us forward, reminding us why we started, how much effort was invested in becoming who we are today, and why staying true to ourselves still matters. In an age where everything is measured by speed and efficiency, we consciously choose to remain thorough and attentive — values that clients continue to recognise and appreciate.
Recognised by independent directories and business publications as the largest law firm in Montenegro, how do you maintain a personalised, boutique-style service while operating at this scale?
This significant growth was never our primary goal; it came as a result of decades of dedicated work and trusted relationships with clients. While we’ve long held the title of the largest law firm in Montenegro, certain principles remain unchanged — we approach every case with the same care as we did on day one.
Our boutique approach doesn’t mean doing less — it means doing things more deliberately. Every client, regardless of the complexity of their legal matter, receives a dedicated team that understands their context and needs. Quality is never left to chance, and knowledge is openly shared. Technology and structure help with efficiency, but what truly sets us apart cannot be automated — professionalism and trust. Responsibility and integrity continue to underpin all that we do, now applied in a modern context with expanded resources.
JMV is a long-standing member of regional and international networks. How have these affiliations enhanced your capacity for complex cross-border cases and strengthened client trust?
JMV has long been recognised as a firm whose expertise, client portfolio, and service quality justify its place in both regional and global professional networks. These affiliations open the door to projects and challenges that go beyond local boundaries and facilitate collaboration with renowned partners worldwide.
Our boutique approach doesn’t mean doing less – it means doing things more deliberately
They not only expand our capabilities but also provide our team with exposure to complex and innovative matters — fostering new skills and cross-border legal insight. It turns JMV into more than just a firm — it becomes a platform for professional growth, knowledge exchange, and value creation.
Your LinkedIn posts frequently comment on ongoing reform topics like mediation, court administration, and public law. How does JMV stay ahead of regulatory changes to proactively support clients?
Understanding the law is fundamental to our profession, but real advantage lies in understanding how that law is made. Our experience in legislative reform gives us a broader perspective — not just interpreting regulations, but also helping shape them for implementation.
Our LinkedIn posts are one way we share insights and encourage dialogue on topics we believe matter to both the legal and broader community. Our team strives to be proactive, not reactive — analysing draft laws and following practice trends. This allows us to offer clients not only interpretation of current regulations but also strategic guidance on what’s coming next. Our goal is to keep clients informed and prepared — something they value greatly. One of our core motivations is not just to follow change, but to understand it and help shape it.
Social responsibility and knowledge sharing (e.g., mentoring law students, supporting NGOs and sports initiatives) often appear in your communications. How do these civic engagements reflect and strengthen your firm’s core values?
We believe an organisation’s strength is measured not just by the quality of services or number of clients, but also by how much it invests in people — within and beyond its walls. Our first responsibility lies in developing our own people, both legal and non-legal staff. Continuous education and development are key to providing today’s clients with comprehensive and multidisciplinary legal support.
Externally, we aim to be recognised as responsible members of society. Through support for law students, NGOs, Montenegrin sports, and other initiatives, we aim to give back to the community that has supported us — its trust, its encouragement, and the space to grow. This is inseparable from our profession, which at its core is about serving both clients and society.
We believe our true strength lies not only in our legal expertise but in the values we live by — every day, for our people, our clients, and our community.
