IN MEMORIAM: Rudi Šelih (1929–2024)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rudi Šelih (1929–2024), the founder of our law firm and an eminent figure in Slovenian law. His passing is a great loss both for the Slovenian legal profession and for the many people who knew him as a trusted advisor, champion of justice and a prime example of work ethic.
Rudi was born the third of eleven children of a farming family in Dobrova, near Slovenske Konjice, and joined the partisan resistance against the occupying forces at the age of sixteen. The wrongful post-war persecution and imprisonment only further encouraged his desire to become a lawyer. Many years later, the Supreme Court of Slovenia overturned his conviction, the criminal proceedings against him were terminated and Rudi received compensation from the state, which he donated entirely to charity.
With all this baggage, it seems almost impossible that in 1961 he and his two colleagues could have set up an independent law firm. This goal seemed unrealistic even to himself, but he achieved it anyway thanks to his hard work, ingenuity and perseverance. On the way to this goal, while still studying, he worked as a warehouseman at the Unior factory in Zreče and then began his legal career as assistant head of the legal department at the Velenje coalmine.
After starting his firm, his career has been on a steep upward trajectory. With his exceptional expertise and unwavering commitment to the fairness, independence, and autonomy of the legal profession, he quickly gained the trust of his clients and colleagues. Over time, he became one of the most sought-after and respected lawyers in the country and in the international business environment. He represented Slovenian and Yugoslav companies abroad and advised international companies in Slovenia. His exceptional intelligence, in-depth knowledge of domestic and international law, and foreign language skills soon made him a leading expert in international commercial law. He specialised in international commercial contracts, arbitration disputes with an international element and intellectual property law. He successfully represented both domestic and foreign clients with precision, analytical skills and strategic approach. His law firm has become one of the leading go-to firms on the Slovenian legal market, but despite his professional success, he has always been very modest and dedicated to his work. He was able to combine high standards of legal practice with personal attention to his clients, which was one of his strongest virtues.
Rudi Šelih was several times President of the Slovenian Bar Association, a member of the Presidency of the Federation of Yugoslav Bar Associations and several times Vice-President of the International Association of Lawyers. In this capacity, he made a crucial contribution to the international integration of the Slovenian legal profession and to the preparedness of the Slovenian judiciary for democratic and economic change. His principles and vision contributed significantly to the preservation of the independence of the legal profession under socialism. He was awarded the Majaron award for his work and received numerous awards from other bar associations. He also served with great success as Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Denmark for nine years, for which he was awarded by Queen Margrethe II.
In addition to his work as a lawyer, Rudi Šelih has also made a significant contribution to the development of the Slovenian legal system and the education of young lawyers. He himself has listed more than 30 prominent Slovenian lawyers who have been trained in his office as trainee lawyers and candidates. He accompanied them on the path to becoming independent lawyers, equipped with knowledge, a well-oriented ethical compass, integrity and, as a rule, a couple of clients, who would help them start building their own law firms.
One of the many qualities in which Rudi was far ahead of his time was his commitment to women’s equality in the legal profession. It was probably also because of his unwavering admiration for the professional achievements of his wife, Dr Alenka Šelih, that Rudi paid special attention to women in the legal profession. In addition to his daughter Nina and his granddaughter Špela, he enabled the professional development of many young women lawyers, whom he always considered to be fully equal members of his firm. It is thanks to him in particular that our firm has developed into a commercial law team with a high proportion of women partners.
For his colleagues at Šelih & partnerji, Rudi remained “the Boss” right until the end of his 52-year career, a role model to whom, even in his old age, we could turn to with our professional challenges, as well as with our personal problems. His advice was professional, practical, warm-hearted and always supported by an anecdote from his abundant practice.
In his book “I Was a Lawyer”, Rudi quotes the obituary he wrote for the magazine Pravnik about Dr Ferdinand Majaron – Nande. In it, he wrote: “Bitter tears, dark sorrow, these will slowly fall away, but what he created will for ever stay. This verse of consolation, coined by his wife at the time of his father’s death, can equally be bestowed upon him.” The lasting and unforgettable values of noble work and life will stay behind Rudi too. The mixture of professionalism, dedication and justice he possessed will long remain a prime example for many generations of lawyers to come.
We commemorate the life and work of our founder with utmost respect and mourn this great loss. Rudi’s influence and legacy will remain deeply ingrained in our mission, and we will strive to continue his vision and commitment to excellence in the legal profession.
