An in-depth look at Emilija Apostolska of Apostolska Aleksandrovski & Partners covering her career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.
Career:
- Apostolska Aleksandrovski & Partners; Managing Partner; 2009-present
- Global Communications Networks; Head of Legal; 2007-2009
- Global Communications Networks; In-House Legal Counsel; 2006-2007
- Mens Legis Consulting; Junior Legal Advisor; 2005-2006
Education:
- University of Ss Cyril and Methodius Skopje – Law Faculty Iustinianus I; LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law; ongoing
- University of Strasbourg (Center for International Intellectual Property Studies); LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law; 2012
- University of Ss Cyril and Methodius, Skopje – Law Faculty Iustinianus I; LL.B; 2004
Favorites:
- Out-of-office activity: Hiking in the beautiful Macedonian mountains, but my recent passion is playing golf.
- Quote: “Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have traveled.” – Prophet Muhammad
- Book: The Navel of the World by Venko Andonovski
- Movie: Pulp Fiction (1994) by Quentin Tarantino
Top 5 Projects:
- Advising Liberty Ostrava a.s. and Liberty Galati S.A. on the refinancing of Liberty Steed’s debt, aligning with the GFG Alliance’s regional restructuring strategy. The work involved cross-border coordination and ensuring compliance with local financial regulations.
- Advising Big Energia Holding on the acquisition of local project companies and supported the legal aspects of developing solar parks with a total capacity of 200 megawatts.
- Advising Interenergo d.o.o on the development and launch of operations for the PERUN wind park, covering regulatory, contractual, and permitting aspects.
- Advising e& PPF Telecom Group on the acquisition of the direct-to-home business of SBB Serbia (United Group) and its North Macedonian branch, covering regulatory and transactional aspects.
- Advising Colgate Palmolive on regulatory and IP matters across the ADRIA Region, including Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.
CEELM: What would you say was the most challenging project you ever worked on and why?
Apostolska: One of the most challenging projects I have worked on was the development of a national optical fiber backbone network – a first of its kind since the independence of the country. The legal complexity was immense due to the lack of clear regulatory frameworks at the time. There were no established procedures for permitting, and we had to navigate a legal vacuum while ensuring compliance with constitutional, property, and infrastructure laws. The project required coordination with multiple stakeholders, including local municipalities and state authorities, each with differing interpretations of their competencies. This created constant delays, inconsistent requirements, and legal ambiguities that demanded creative yet compliant legal solutions. Adding to the pressure was the political sensitivity of the project – it had national importance and was closely monitored by the public and political actors. The challenge laid in balancing legal risk with the need to maintain project momentum. It was a true test of negotiation skills, regulatory interpretation, and legal foresight. What made it rewarding, however, was knowing that the legal groundwork we established contributed to setting a precedent for future infrastructure projects in the country. It was not just a legal assignment – it was shaping policy through practice.
CEELM: And what was your main takeaway from it?
Apostolska: What stayed with me most is how important it is to stay flexible and think ahead when the rules aren’t clear. That project showed me that as lawyers, we often help build the path as we walk it – and that’s both the challenge and the reward. It changed the way I approached every big project since.
CEELM: Name one mentor who played a big role in your career and how they impacted you.
Apostolska: While I have never had a mentor in the traditional sense, several individuals have significantly influenced my growth and shaped the professional I am today. One of them is my first “real boss,” Ljubica Ruben of Mens Legis – a trailblazer in Macedonian corporate law – who taught me that it’s not enough to simply be present in a crowded room; what truly matters is standing out and getting the deal done. Another key figure was Jeff Finley, my supervisor during my time as in-house counsel. Although I was still early in my career, his trust and unwavering belief in my abilities were instrumental to my development. Their support gave me the encouragement and drive to grow with each step, helping me become a better lawyer.
CEELM: What is the one piece of advice you’d give yourself fresh out of law school?
Apostolska: Wisdom is not something that can be taught at school – it is acquired through personal experience. Guidance of respected individuals can offer valuable insights but true wisdom must be discovered firsthand. Embrace life fully!
This article was originally published in Issue 12.3 of the CEE Legal Matters Magazine. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the magazine, you can subscribe here.
