2023-10-30
Meet PwC Legal attorney Monika Bielskienė! With more than 15 years of VAT and customs experience in the public and private sector, Monika brought her knowledge to PwC Legal. Here, she’s successfully climbing the career ladder, expressing herself through work and additional initiatives, and enjoying a professional team of like-minded people.
Tell us more about your career path and choosing law field
The sense of justice accompanied me all my life. Since law was considered a prestigious specialty and suited my character, I decided to choose this field. I chose the direction of finance and tax law because I have multiple accountants in my family, so I always had some connection to it one way or another. After my studies, I built my knowledge in the Tax Disputes Commission, and after 7 years in this state institution, I decided to try myself in the private sector. I joined PwC Legal a few years ago.
What made you choose PwC Legal? Did the work and environment live up to expectations?
In addition to daily projects, you are involved in such initiatives as organizing a "Moot Court" competition for students, giving lectures at universities, projects with "Customs Practitioners Association" and other organizations. How do you find time and motivation for "extracurricular" activities?
You are active in the work environment. Is this trait also reflected outside of work?
I think so. Although my free time is often quite quiet - I like to read books and watch movies, especially if they allow me to get to know the culture of other countries, my family and I travel regularly. The most exciting trip - 4 months with children around South American countries such as Chile, Argentina. Traveling with children is a lot of fun, because thanks to them you see a lot of interesting things - you visit places that you probably wouldn't visit if you were traveling with adults.
The sense of justice accompanied me all my life. Since law was considered a prestigious specialty and suited my character, I decided to choose this field. I chose the direction of finance and tax law because I have multiple accountants in my family, so I always had some connection to it one way or another. After my studies, I built my knowledge in the Tax Disputes Commission, and after 7 years in this state institution, I decided to try myself in the private sector. I joined PwC Legal a few years ago.
What made you choose PwC Legal? Did the work and environment live up to expectations?
First of all, I would name internationality - I wanted connections, an international team, being able to see a wider context at work. Secondly, I was very tempted by the technology aspect. In law firms, work was more or less related to legal matters, while here, I have the opportunity to offer our clients various technological solutions, to use different digital tools. Of course, PwC's reputation as a big4 firm in the tax field also contributed to the decision.
In addition to daily projects, you are involved in such initiatives as organizing a "Moot Court" competition for students, giving lectures at universities, projects with "Customs Practitioners Association" and other organizations. How do you find time and motivation for "extracurricular" activities?
I'm just curious. When you see the meaning in something, it is easy to do things. For the last few years, it has been a challenge to choose the “most interesting” of the all interesting initiatives, because time resources are not unlimited.
For example, academic initiatives are extremely motivating for me, because it is fun not only to share knowledge, but also to expand my horizons on various topics. In order to teach others, you have to have a very good understanding of what you are talking about, so you always learn something new when preparing for lectures.
You are active in the work environment. Is this trait also reflected outside of work?
I think so. Although my free time is often quite quiet - I like to read books and watch movies, especially if they allow me to get to know the culture of other countries, my family and I travel regularly. The most exciting trip - 4 months with children around South American countries such as Chile, Argentina. Traveling with children is a lot of fun, because thanks to them you see a lot of interesting things - you visit places that you probably wouldn't visit if you were traveling with adults.
