PETOŠEVIĆ PEOPLE: Q&A with Maja Žnidarič Plevnik

Senior Associate Maja Žnidarič Plevnik has been part of our Slovenia team for nearly 11 years. Her practice focuses on trademark and industrial design litigation and enforcement, as well as customs enforcement. We asked Maja about her work, her pastimes, the music she likes, and much more.

1. How did you start your career in IP?

   We discussed a few interesting IP cases at university and right then I decided I would like to work in IP. I was pleased when the opportunity came to work for PETOŠEVIĆ.

2. What is the most challenging aspect of your work?

   Informing clients about unpleasant news.

3. What do you most enjoy doing at work?

   A good trademark infringement case (not that trademark infringement is a good thing) and drafting any kind of filing for the IPO or the court, especially when I can be a bit creative.

4. What would you be working in, if you weren’t working in IP?

   Most likely in another field of law.

5. What was the first job you’ve ever had?

   I helped people fill out forms at the social work center.

6. What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

   Spending time with my family or reading a book.

7. What book did you read last?

   “Circe” by Madeline Miller.

8. What is your favorite song/music at the moment?

   “Overkill” by Men at Work.

9. What is your favorite dish of all time?

   The first slice of the Friday night pizza with a good glass of wine.

10. If you could meet anyone in the world, from the past or present, who would it be and why?

    Socrates — would love to have a dialogue with him.

11. What was your favorite subject in school and why?

    In elementary school it was biology, because, well, who doesn’t like nature as a kid (or as an adult); in high school it was psychology, because I like to learn about human behavior.

12. What did you want to be when growing up?

    A paleontologist or an Egyptologist.

13. Tell us three things most people don’t know about you.

    I love science fiction – the more we go into the future, the past, or space, the better.
    I’ve always had a soft spot for glam metal.
    I collected paper napkins as a kid.

14. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

    I always admired people who have a good memory. I would love to learn how to memorize better and forever. But on second thought, some wise people say that being able to forget can be a blessing…

15. What is your biggest frustration about the world around you?

    I am frustrated because my efforts not to be frustrated about the world around me are not fruitful.

16. What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?

    “Demand not that events should happen as you wish; but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.” (Epictetus)

17. What do you wish you could have told yourself at age 13?

    Go listen to this strange song by Baz Luhrmann “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” and act accordingly.

18. What cities/countries have you lived in?

    I have lived in several places in Slovenia, and I lived near Brussels for a couple of months.

19. If you could live in another country of the 30+ countries where PETOŠEVIĆ operates, which would you pick and why?

    I like to visit other countries, but there is no place like home.

20. If someone came to your city for 24 hours, where would you take them?

    There are a few very old artefacts in Slovenia, so maybe I would take my visitor to see some of those. For example, in Slovenia we have the oldest musical instrument in the world, a 60,000-year-old Neanderthal flute; the oldest wooden wheel, with an axle, 5,200 years old; there is also a 30,000-year-old bone needle, and a 450-year-old grapevine still growing in Maribor.