Our experience working with some of the world’s best lawyers, and getting to interview them for this series has taught us that the legal profession demands extreme focus, diligence, and motivation. WALLESS partner Alina Makovska is the very embodiment of these qualities. From dreaming of becoming a lawyer from the age of 12 to leading major M&A deals and driving AI adoption in legal practice, Alina’s journey is inspiring. 

As a partner at WALLESS, she wears two hats: corporate M&A and employment law. She embraces both with clarity, purpose, and a forward-thinking mindset, marrying her business skills with her people skills. In 2024, she was recognised as a Rising Star in Corporate Law in the EMEA region by Women in Business Law. Since joining WALLESS in 2019, she has helped elevate the firm’s relatively new employment practice to one of the leading ones in Lithuania, and is recognized as a notable practitioner.

We sat down with Alina to explore what drives her, how she motivates others, and why she’s become a vocal advocate for legal innovation.

Alina, let’s start from the beginning. How did your journey into law begin?

From the age of twelve, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. I was the kid who loved organizing papers, signing them, stamping them. I genuinely enjoyed it! Teachers often told me I had a talent for defending my opinion, and even for defending others. So, while many of my classmates were still comparing career paths, I already had this inner peace because I just knew. Applying to law school didn’t even feel like a decision; it was the only option.

What was your first job as a lawyer?

I started working at a small law firm while I was still studying. It was a small team, about 15 of us, and we all had to be generalists. One day it was an M&A deal, the next day a supply contract or administrative case. I quickly realized that this wasn’t for me. I didn’t want to be someone who “knew a little of everything but not enough of anything.” I wanted to specialize. M&A and corporate work felt like the right fit. I joined a large law firm, entered their M&A team, and spent eight years building my expertise.

And what led you to WALLESS?

I joined WALLESS in 2019, right from the firm's creation. We were a team of 30 back then. Today, we’re over 100 in Lithuania, and over 180 in Baltics, and still growing. I also added a new specialization: employment law. Initially, I thought I’d just help temporarily. But you know what they say; nothing is more permanent than temporary. Once I got into employment law, I saw how it expanded my perspective. It even made me better in M&A because I started seeing overlapping issues from different angles.

What makes M&A such a good fit for you?

I love working on a project basis. I enjoy starting something, completing it in 4–6 months, and then moving on. Every project is a fresh start; a new industry, new people, a new team. It keeps things dynamic. Everything changes with each new assignment – one day I might help a client to buy a quick commerce company, on another day I am helping a client sell a factory.

Another reason that I liked M&A was for the opportunity to improvise. I understood early that I am not by nature a regulatory person. I do not like strict rules. M&A has structure, but there’s flexibility, too. Plus, it’s very people-driven. You’re managing internal teams, working with clients, leading transactions. Our M&A teams are very project-oriented. It's about assembling the right team, bringing the right expertise into play, and making sure the client gets the best outcome. That blend of teamwork and strategy really energizes me.

Employment law seems like a very different world. How did it change your perspective?

In M&A, you're dealing with businesses. In employment law, you're dealing with people, sometimes in tough situations. As a firm, we represent employers, but even from that side, you must be mindful of the human impact. Employees come with emotions, and whatever you do or decide directly impacts their lives, influencing whether they receive bonuses, promotions, or even if they lose their job. They affect real lives and families. That human layer was new to me and required a mindset shift. This shift was substantial, but I learned how to adapt and grow into it.

When things get overwhelming, how do you stay motivated?

The desire to help both companies and individual people drives me forward every day, pushing me to become a better lawyer and a better business partner. I remind myself that I’m part of something bigger. I want my firm to thrive, and for that, we need clients who trust us. That sense of responsibility is a big driver for me.

I love helping people achieve their goals and make their lives easier. It is incredibly fulfilling for me to see the positive impact my work has on clients and their companies. We do not just work with abstract corporate structures; we work for real people. Establishing strong relationships with the people involved, seeing them succeed, and knowing that my work directly contributed to their success is extremely important and motivating for me.

How do you keep your team motivated?

Motivation is very individual. For some, it’s about growth; showing them how putting more effort in today can fast-track their careers. For others, it’s the quality of the work, being part of something meaningful.

Context is everything. I always take time to explain the “why” behind a project; why this transaction matters, what’s at stake, how it fits into the bigger picture. And yes, I invest time in one-on-one conversations, even when my schedule is packed. That personal connection can make a huge difference.

You’ve become quite an advocate for legal tech. What sparked your interest?

Technology always felt natural to me. I joke that I’m a lazy person, so if tech can help, I’ll let it. I like to build on existing knowledge and foundations. This allows me to focus on improving results rather than starting from zero. By using technology, I can make my own life easier, not only the lives of my clients. Legal innovation is about finding better ways to serve our clients and stay ahead. 

When I first heard about ChatGPT during my EMBA studies, my classmates joked that it would replace lawyers. I started using it immediately though, not just for school, but to understand how it might impact our profession. Step by step, I learned how to use it responsibly. I was one of the first people to start speaking at conferences about how employers should enable their employees to use AI tools while also putting the right precautions in place. Now I train our lawyers and even clients on how AI tools can support their work. 

I truly believe AI is not the future—it’s already here. As lawyers, we are part of the business community, and we serve business clients. We cannot afford to lag behind or ignore what is happening around us. We should not just keep up; we should be the front runners. Some people say that AI "thinks for people" and that it will make them less creative. I believe this is not true for people who care about their work and want to do a really good job.

What stood out to you about Legora when you first saw it?

Honestly? Within three minutes of the demo, I thought, this is it. I just didn’t say it out loud yet! I saw your pace of development, your commitment to improving constantly, and that gave me confidence. We wanted a partner, not just a provider.

Looking ahead—what’s your vision for the future of legal practice?

AI won’t replace lawyers. Clients need a professional to walk with them through a transaction, someone who understands their world and helps them feel secure. AI can assist, but it can’t replace that human connection.

That’s the challenge now; preserving the human touch in a digital world. So many deals are closed online. We don’t even meet the client in person sometimes. But I don’t believe that connection will disappear. If anything, I think we’ll start valuing it even more.

Any advice for young lawyers?

Stay curious, embrace change, and never stop learning. Whether it's about your craft, your clients, or the technology that can help you do better. We’re not just here to deliver legal services. We’re here to help people succeed. That’s what makes the work meaningful.