Written by: Rosie Kuglie Photos: Mara Bratoš
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In the legal world, where laws decide destinies, one woman stands out as a pillar of expertise, eloquence, and distinctive style. That woman is none other than Jadranka Sloković. Together with her partner and highly respected lawyer, Čedo Prodanović, she runs one of the most prominent law firms in the country, specialising in criminal law. Their law firm represents many well-known individuals, yet the tale of Jadranka Sloković goes beyond legal battles and regulations.
The first chapter of Jadranka Sloković’s book of life took place in the world of literature, within which she worked as a translator and writer. But fate had other plans, and criminal law took over as the new setting of her professional and life story. Her unconventional path from literary dreams to judiciary reality testifies to an incredible ability to adapt and a passion which far exceeds initial ambitions.
Jadranka Sloković serves as inspiration to those who are at the crossroads of their career paths, showing that it is possible to successfully navigate the ever-changing waters of professional life and leave an indelible mark in the process.
– Literature was my first career choice, and I was convinced that I would dedicate my life to something along the lines of writing, translating, or editing books. However, life can throw curveballs, so I ended up taking a different path led by the passionate desire to pay my bills. I started off as a trainee at the Municipal Court in Zagreb, then went to the State Attorney’s Office. After passing my bar exam, I became a deputy at the Municipal State Attorney’s Office in Zagreb. Eventually, I decided that it was time to take the next step, so I launched my own law practice. Having worked at the State Attorney’s Office, I was a hundred percent sure that criminal law was the right choice for me since it held me spellbound and hostage to its many charms. You see, criminal proceedings take place in real time, immediately before the court, and no subsequent submissions can make up for omissions during the hearing. Criminal trials run on adrenaline and tension, so they require undivided attention – says Mrs Sloković.
Today, she is known as the first lady of big-league cases, widely regarded for her unwavering dedication, expertise, and ability to meet the most complex challenges of criminal law.
One of the toughest challenges she tackled over the course of her career was defending Croatian generals against accusations made by the Prosecutor in The Hague. Faced with a completely different case-law, she bravely engaged in communication with the court that was new to her, and her expertise and consistency brought forth a defence that made legal history.
– Defence before the Hague tribunal demanded not only a thorough understanding of the specific case-law nuances, but also the adoption of new cross-examination techniques, as well as a completely different approach to writing submissions. I had to master rules and procedures that differed considerably from those I was used to, and I always had to stay ahead of the game, anticipating prosecution’s moves and fine-tuning my strategy. This went well beyond the legal domain and into the realm of psychology. I was supposed to articulate complex legal arguments in a clear and convincing manner, be thorough in my preparation, and leave nothing to chance, which ultimately led to a strong defence. I am glad that I took heart and gained this truly invaluable experience.
Throughout her impressive career, she took on other challenging and high-profile cases. She had the hardest time, both in professional and emotional terms, dealing with the case against former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader.
– The cases against former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, as one would expect, aroused great public interest. On top of that, the media in Croatia were very eager to add insult to injury by fuelling the public’s negative perception of him. In his book called Sudnji dani, lawyer Peter Čeferin stated: “There are trials in which we cannot win and verdicts that we must withstand.” These exact words can be applied to the cases against the former prime minister.
In my opinion, the assumption of his guilt largely determined the outcome of the proceedings because the court ruled, at least to some extent, under the influence of the prevailing public and media narrative. In addition, I must mention that the international arbitrations stated that the trial in the INA-MOL case was unfair and biased – says our interlocutor.
In a world where the media can dexterously shape public perception and opinion, Sloković reminds us of the fundamental values that assure justice – integrity, impartiality, and unwavering dedication to protecting clients’ rights. However, she admits that with all legal representation comes great pressure and responsibility, pointing out that there is no room for bias in the legal profession. This is also the guiding philosophy of her work:
– Every case, no matter its nature, merits equal treatment. It is completely irrelevant whether the defendant is a famous person or whether the case is of public interest. Every representation of clients comes hand in hand with pressure and responsibility, so there is no difference in approach. Great media interest should only concern the presiding court, not the defender.
In her approach, she makes a clear distinction between the public’s expectations and her fundamental responsibility towards the client. When asked how she strikes a balance between protecting her clients’ interests and the public’s expectations, she readily answers:
– There is no balancing between the two. I don’t concern myself with the public’s expectations. The defence attorney is hired by the client and should only focus on representing them and protecting their interests. All that matters to me is my client’s opinion, and I couldn’t care less about the public’s perception of my actions or their expectations – she claims.
Certain moments in a career act as catalysts for personal and professional development, especially when it comes to the legal profession. For lawyers, these moments may include key court victories, challenging cases, ethical quandaries, or profoundly humane interactions with clients. Sometimes they also involve a deep connection with clients whose lives and fortunes depend on the lawyer’s ability to effectively represent their interests.
The most memorable moment in Jadranka Sloković’s career was when judge Patricia Wald, presiding over the Appeals Chamber in The Hague, exonerated the Kupreškić brothers from criminal liability.
– I was by their side throughout all four difficult years of their trial and detention, and what frustrated me the most was the fact that I was convinced of their innocence from day one. However, I had to prove this to others over the course of this lengthy proceeding. That’s why it gave me immense satisfaction when the president of the Appeals Chamber apologised to them, saying that they had been wronged by the criminal proceeding. After the verdict, even the Hague prosecutor in the case, Franck Terrier, wrote me a letter saying that the acquittal was a just outcome – she recalls.
Breaking the glass ceiling is a hot topic shattering misconceptions all around the world. However, many women in male-dominated fields tend to adopt male patterns of behaviour, especially in leadership positions, thinking that this is the only way to survive as a young pup in a dog-eat-dog world. Considering that, up until recently, women were seen as men’s trophies with no minds and rights of their own, and their purpose of existence was reduced to giving birth to offspring and taking care of the home, it does not come as a surprise that, upon entering the world of business, they presumed that following in men’s footsteps was the only way to be successful. But that is not the case. What Sloković also showed in The Hague is that a woman does not have to play by men’s rules:
– I don’t think I have to turn into someone else or start acting or looking like a man just to be taken seriously. I always came to the courtroom in high heels and with red lipstick on, and I didn’t face any discrimination because of that. When I worked as a defence attorney at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, I did not like the standard set by the women who worked in the prosecutor’s office, who wore their usually grey hair short and styled like a man’s, had no make-up on and waddled around in flat shoes. It seemed to me that they were deliberately trying to look like men because they thought that way they would appear more serious, dedicated to their work, and more business-like than those of us who still looked like women. I believe that women are now equal to men in the courtroom, although some prejudice still persists.
This is exactly why Jadranka Sloković is not only a legal figure, but also a style icon. Her trademark beach waves and red lipstick, as well as exquisite elegance, are her fashion signature. Her distinctive style, often applauded by the media, proves that she rightfully holds the title of one of the best-dressed Croatian women. She is both dead-serious when it comes to work and dressed to kill, which poses the question whether the outward appearance plays a decisive role in the courtroom.
– I believe that business attire, with its own set of rules, is there for a reason, and the dress code for the courtroom is even stricter. Anything too tight, too short, too risqué, or too flashy is considered unacceptable and inappropriate. Courtroom attire must not detract from what is going on at the trial, but it also has to convey one’s attitude towards work and respect for the court. Fashion theorists say that our clothes speak volumes about us, meaning that they also point to our attitude towards the work we do. Considering that I normally don’t like anything too intricate, neither in cut nor in colours, and that I prefer minimalism and clean lines (while I’m not so big on colour), it’s easy for me to adapt to the fashion requirements of the work I do.
In a world where attire reflects professionalism and attitude points to determination, there is another, equally important element – women’s solidarity. It is a force that empowers women to navigate the sea of challenges more easily, counting on mutual support and experience of a joint struggle for equality, paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.
– Women’s solidarity is the basis of strength and progress, and every act of solidarity a stepping stone on which future generations of women can build their careers and make their dreams come true. When women support each other, they open doors that men left out of the blueprint, shatter old patterns, and forge new paths. In solidarity lies power – power to change the world – so let’s support each other.
Sloković also emphasises that the challenges and difficulties of legal work are blind to gender, but reminds that women carry an extra burden in the form of responsibilities towards the family, household, and raising children.
– First of all, I think that women’s position in the courtroom is the same as that of men. The work I do is equally difficult for both men and women, but women also end up handling most of the household chores when they get home. That hasn’t changed to this day, and I often see how hard and difficult it is for my younger female colleagues. We have more or less all gone through that. That’s why I would advise all women at the beginning of their careers to take their job very seriously. In addition to acting in accordance with the law, which is inherent in this profession, they must also stick to their own principles, which they must insist on in the face of various temptations, challenges, as well as external influences and pressures.
There’s a common misconception that it’s very easy to get rich as a lawyer, so this can be a motive for pursuing this profession. However, this is the wrong approach. Just like any other profession, ours demands a sincere approach, dedication, and persistence, which is the only way to achieve good results.
Being a woman in the legal profession means courageously treading an unconventional path and giving future generations a trail to follow. Currently, out of the total number of lawyers in Croatia, which is around 5,200, there are almost 2,400 women – just a little short of a half. There are much more women in the judiciary, especially in lower courts. Therefore, I think it’s safe to say that the legal profession is becoming a mixed-gender courtroom.
In today’s fast-paced and demanding environment, balancing a high level of professionalism and leisure time is becoming increasingly challenging. Tight deadlines, desire for success, and constant multitasking can lead to overwork, fatigue and, in extreme cases, the so-called burnout syndrome. And since lawyers do not have a fixed work schedule, they often work on weekends, with no Sundays off. Sometimes they even have to give up planned vacations…
– As for maintaining the necessary level of professionalism and preventing burnout, I can say that passion is my only remedy. Even after all these years in the legal profession, I can get so immersed in the case that neither the amount of work nor its difficulty fazes me. But I also have a life outside the law firm. At the moment, my greatest passion in life is spending time with my lovely five-year-old grandson, Fran. I enjoy hanging out with him – we play games, watch cartoons, and build Legos and Transformers together. It’s a completely different relationship from all the others I’ve established so far. Since I spend most of my free time with him, whatever’s left I devote to reading books, going to the theatre, sometimes an exhibition, as well as hanging out with friends, which is very important to me… – concludes Jadranka Sloković.
