Mihajlo Zatezalo

  • Regional Manager – Western Balkans
  • Head of Office - Serbia and North Macedonia
  • Attorney at Law
  • Trademark and Patent Attorney
  • European Patent Attorney *
  • Q&A

    • Besides being the head of our largest office in Belgrade, Serbia, in 2017 Mihajlo also assumed the position of a regional manager, overseeing the operations of all our offices in non-EU Balkan countries — Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. As a long-time member of our operations department and the firm’s management board, Mihajlo has helped establish and develop several of our offices in the region.

    Mihajlo has over 25 years of experience in the intellectual property field in Serbia and neighbouring Balkan countries and has successfully advised and represented major multinational companies from a variety of industries. He is highly skilled in handling complex trademark litigation and enforcement matters, including court appearances, negotiating with infringers and working closely with the customs, police and market inspectorate authorities.

    In 2007-2008, Mihajlo participated in a project funded by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) aimed at helping the Serbian IPO improve its organization and the processing of applications. In 2015, Mihajlo participated in an EU-funded project aiming to improve the capacity of the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina by establishing centers for information and education.

    He is an active member of several IP organizations and has represented PETOŠEVIĆ at numerous conferences and meetings. He occasionally lectures and holds trainings on the subject of IP.

    Before joining PETOŠEVIĆ in 2005, Mihajlo worked at another IP firm in Belgrade for 10 years.

    * Contractor

    Practice Areas

    Qualifications

    • European Patent Attorney, 2011
    • Trademark and Patent Attorney, Serbia, 2000
    • Attorney at Law, Serbia Bar Association, 1998

    Languages

    Native Serbian (similar to Bosnian, Croatian, Macedonian, Montenegrin and Slovenian), fluent English

    Education

    • Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade, Serbia, LLB, 1996

    Presentations

    • "Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Serbia," WIPO Training of Trainers Program on Intellectual Property and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Belgrade, Serbia, November 1-4, 2010
    • "Anti-Counterfeiting in the Balkan Region," United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Regional Seminar on Intellectual Property Rights, Commercialization and Enforcement, Skopje, Macedonia, April 1-3, 2009
    • "Intellectual Property and Industry in Serbia, Presentation on Intellectual Property Assets in Economy, with Special Reference on Small and Medium Size Enterprises. Why and What to Protect?", Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia, November 6-7, 2007

    Publications

    • Contributor for Serbia “Patent Enforcement in Europe”. European Patent Office. (2019)

    • “Serbia case summaries”. The Trademark Reporter Vol. 101 No.3. International Trademark Association. (May-June 2011)

    • “Tightening Up in the Balkans”. World Intellectual Property Review Annual 2010. Newton Media Limited (2010)

    Committees

    • Litigation Committee of the European Patent Institute (EPI) for the term 2023 – 2026
    • Litigation Committee of the European Patent Institute (EPI) for the term 2020 – 2023
    • Litigation Committee of the European Patent Institute (EPI) for the term 2017 – 2020
    • Litigation Committee of the European Patent Institute (EPI) for the term 2014 - 2017

    Membership

    • AIPPI
    • INTA
    • EPI
    • FICPI

    Professional Activities

    • Full Member of the 20th Council of EPI for the term 2023-2026
    • Full Member of the 19th Council of EPI for the term 2020-2023
    • Full Member of the 18th Council of EPI for the term 2017-2020
    • Full Member of the 17th Council of EPI for the term 2014-2017
    • Lecturer at IP workshops, EU-funded project "Capacity Building of the Institute for Intellectual Property through the Establishment of Information-Educational Centres", Consortium led by HD European Consulting Group, Bosnia and Herzegovina, November 2015

    Testimonials

    • A go-to practitioner for trade mark litigation and enforcement, Mihajlo Zatezalo is Western Balkans regional manager. A client has said: “Mihajlo Zatezalo and senior associate Ivan Matić are both very good and easy to work with.” Legal 500, 2023

    • Mihajlo Zatezalo advises a client portfolio of multinational companies on a range of IP matters. He assists with trade mark litigation and enforcement cases. Chambers Europe 2023

    • Mihajlo Zatezalo takes the reins as regional manager and has done much to nurture the firm’s consistent growth and prominence in the sector, through assisting in the establishment and development of several offices across Central and Eastern Europe. WTR 1000 Rankings 2023

    • Western Balkans regional manager Mihajlo Zatezalo routinely handles complex trade mark litigation and enforcement work. A client has said: “Mihajlo Zatezalo has the experience to navigate difficult situations, and we appreciate his deep specialisation and knowledge about Serbia and the Balkan states.” Legal 500, 2022

    • Mihajlo Zatezalo advises a client portfolio of multinational companies on a range of IP matters. He assists with trade mark litigation and enforcement cases. Chambers Europe 2022

    • Inspiring leadership comes from regional manager Mihajlo Zatezalo, who cuts a clear path through the trickiest of disputes and capitalises on over two decades in the game to devise winning litigation tactics. WTR 1000 Rankings 2022

    • PETOŠEVIĆ is widely respected for its assistance to multinational corporations with contentious and non-contentious IP matters, including patent and trade mark prosecution and enforcement. Other areas of expertise include the seizure of counterfeit goods, and large numbers of trade mark applications in Serbia and regionally. Mihajlo Zatezalo has approximately 25 years’ IP experience, also in neighbouring Balkan countries. Legal 500, 2021

    • Mihajlo Zatezalo advises a client portfolio of multinational companies on a range of IP matters. He assists with trade mark litigation and enforcement cases. Sources stress his expertise and state: “He is very easy to work with.” Chambers Europe 2021

    • The group takes its cue from regional manager and “excellent leader” Mihajlo Zatezalo, who capitalises on two decades in the game when navigating complex litigation and enforcement matters. WTR 1000 Rankings 2021

    • PETOŠEVIĆ’s Mihajlo Zatezalo is well known for his co-ordinating of cases involving multiple jurisdictions. He has over 20 years’ IP experience. A source has said: ‘Very outstanding partners and associates in multiple areas of intellectual property — including in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among others, I can name Ana Stojanović, Mihajlo Zatezalo and Tarik Prolaz, all of them with the highest level of integrity and professionalism.’ Legal 500, 2020

    • Regional manager Mihajlo Zatezalo is experienced in advising multinational companies in a range of IP matters. He is additionally active in trade mark litigation and enforcement cases. One interviewee comments that “he is reliable and has a good reputation,” while another notes that he is “an expert and a gentleman.” Chambers Europe 2020

    • The first name on the team sheet is Regional Manager Mihajlo Zatezalo, an “efficient, reliable partner with a complete understanding of what his clients need”. Zatezalo has 20 years’ experience on his CV, which he leverages in full to expertly navigate his clients through complex cross-border matters. WTR 1000 Rankings 2020

    • PETOŠEVIĆ’s key strengths are acting for multinational corporations in contentious and non-contentious IP matters, patent and trade mark prosecution and enforcement, and customs enforcement. The names to note are Mihajlo Zatezalo, Predrag Anokić, attorney at law Mirjana Živković and senior associate Ivan Matić. Legal 500, 2019

    • Interviewees say Mihajlo Zatezalo is a “prominent figure” in the Serbian IP market. He advises on anti-counterfeiting, representing clients in the retail sector, and also acts on matters relating to trade mark and patent litigation. Chambers Europe 2019

    • Regional manager for the Western Balkans, Mihajlo Zatezalo has a wealth of experience handling cross-border cases. WTR 1000 Rankings 2019

    • PETOŠEVIĆ is highly rated for the prosecution and enforcement of patents and trade marks, and customs enforcement. Former Serbia office director Mihajlo Zatezalo became regional manager (Western Balkans), while attorney-at-law Mirjana Živković was made Serbia office head. Ivan Matić is a highly regarded senior associate. Legal 500, 2018

    • Sources say that Mihajlo Zatezalo is an “excellent lawyer,” whose “good background knowledge gives him a broader view of matters.” He has a noted focus on trade mark litigation and also assists with trade mark clearance and registration.Chambers Europe 2018

    • Stewarding the firm’s offices in non-EU Balkan countries, Mihajlo Zatezalo is alive to the subtle differences in IP protection that exist across these jurisdictions. He is at his best in the courtroom, but also leverages his enforcement expertise to put together inviolable applications. WTR 1000 Rankings 2018

    • PETOŠEVIĆ ‘always meets clients’ expectations’ and is ‘excellent’ at managing its resources. Practice head Mihajlo Zatezalo, together with Ivan Matić, advised a global sports brand on design rights infringement, which resulted in the destruction of fake goods. Legal 500, 2017

    • Described by sources as “a very experienced lawyer,” Mihajlo Zatezalo is a highly respected practitioner within this field. He specialises in trade mark disputes and also advises on general trade mark matters, including clearance and registration. He possesses expertise in several industries. Chambers Europe 2017

    • Dynamic and persuasive Mihajlo Zatezalo leads the enforcement charge with brio. He recently advised FC Barcelona on a matter against Hissar and Faber-Castell on a dispute with a local infringer which had imported over 7,000 counterfeit products. WTR 1000 Rankings 2017

    • The 30-strong team in Belgrade, led by Mihajlo Zatezalo, handles all types of IP work on behalf of leading global brands such as Nike International, Bayer, PepsiCo, Harley-Davidson and Diageo. Legal 500, 2016

    • Sources describe Mihajlo Zatezalo as a “feted litigator” who “marshals the squad and will move mountains to ensure clients’ success.” WTR 1000 Rankings 2016

    • Sources describe office head Mihajlo Zatezalo as “an expert in IP. He is the main man and good to work with.” He focuses on trade mark litigation. Chambers Europe 2015

    • Serbia director Mihajlo Zatezalo is “efficient, effective, responsive and produces great results in a timely manner”. WTR 1000 Rankings 2015

    • Clients describe practice head Mihajlo Zatezalo as “perfect: he is easy-going, flexible and willing to listen when you have a problem.” Chambers Europe 2014

    • IP expert Mihajlo Zatezalo of PETOŠEVIĆ is qualified to practise in Serbia and Montenegro. Clients admire his expertise, commitment and leadership skills.

    • Clients enjoy working with Mihajlo Zatezalo, and admire his responsiveness and case management skills. He is a highly active member of the team. Chambers Europe 2013

    • Mihajlo Zatezalo was ranked in this year’s Chambers Global 2013 edition for general business law in both Serbia and Montenegro. Clients in the Montenegrin market admire Mihajlo for his “fast and precise advice.” He is singled out for his expertise in IP-related matters.

    • Clients observe that Mihajlo Zatezalo is “extremely solid and responsive.” They also noted that he is “prompt, precise and flexible” and also heavily involved with the work of our office in Montenegro. Mihajlo was ranked in Band 1 in Montenegro as a leading lawyer based abroad. Chambers Europe 2012

    • Clients observe that Mihajlo Zatezalo always “gets the work done in a simple and efficient manner – everything goes smoothly”. Chambers Europe 2011

    Awards