From dreaming of becoming a lawyer as a child to discovering an unexpected career in technology, Anna’s journey has taken a few surprising turns. In this conversation, she reflects on finding common ground between law and technology, her love of literature and travel, and the experiences that have shaped her perspective along the way.

Q: What first sparked your interest in law, and how has your attitude towards the profession changed over the years?

A: You could say that becoming a lawyer was written in the stars for me. I've always talked a lot, and when I was little, people would tell me I'd probably become a lawyer. By the time I was four or five, I was already confidently announcing, "I'm going to be a lawyer!"

At university, I developed a particular interest in civil law. I've always thought there's something beautiful about it, if you can say that about law. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to work with businesses.

My relationship with the profession has changed over time. When you're young and starting out, you tend to be more combative. You want to be right, argue your case and win disputes. I certainly felt that way, which is partly why I pursued articling and began working at a law firm.

I remember watching Philadelphia and being struck by something Tom Hanks' character says about what he loves most about being a lawyer: "Once in a while, we become part of justice being done."

That sense of purpose for a long time resonated with me. But eventually, I began looking at things differently. What if, instead of resolving disputes, you could help prevent them from happening in the first place?

What if you could draft a contract or contribute to developing a product in a way that avoided potential problems from the beginning?

That idea gradually changed how I thought about my career and led me towards working as an in-house lawyer.

Q: Why did you decide to move into a technology company, and how did you first come across Opera?

A: It started with a change in perspective. I realised that practising law didn't necessarily have to mean going to court. There were other ways to use my expertise, particularly by working directly with a business.

There's actually a funny story about how I discovered Opera.

A colleague called me one day and mentioned that Opera was hiring. My friends often tease me about how much I love opera, meaning the opera house here in Wrocław, so naturally, that's what came to mind.

I remember asking, "Wait, the Wrocław Opera? The place where people sing? What would I be doing there?"

He replied, "No, Anna, not that Opera. The browser!"

At first, the idea of joining a technology company felt a little overwhelming. It wasn't an environment I knew particularly well. But as I explored the opportunity, I began to realise that it might actually be the right place for me.

Q: Before joining Opera, what did you imagine working in IT would be like, and what surprised you once you were here?

A: My biggest concern was whether I'd be able to find common ground with people from such different professional backgrounds.

As a lawyer, I have my own way of thinking and communicating. People working in technology have their own expertise and a very specific, precise language. I wondered whether we'd understand one another.

What surprised me was how interesting that process of finding a common language turned out to be.

You don't necessarily have to come from the same professional world to understand each other. Discovering how to communicate across those differences, and actually making it work, has been incredibly satisfying.

That was one of my most positive surprises about joining Opera.

Q: During your studies, you spent some time at a university in Lithuania. What stands out from that experience, and how did it influence your career perspective?

A: It was a wonderful experience. I met so many people, and Vilnius itself is a beautiful city.

But beyond the personal experience, something important happened to the way I thought about my future.

For the first time, I realised that I could actually practise law in a foreign language. Until then, I hadn't necessarily considered all the different directions my career could take.

Studying abroad helped me see that being a lawyer didn't have to mean working only within one country or one legal environment.

It encouraged me to think about the profession more broadly and consider the possibilities of working internationally.

Q: Outside of work, what interests and hobbies have become an important part of your life?

A: I've always loved travelling, especially when I can organise everything myself. For years, my favourite way to travel was simply to take a backpack and set off. I enjoy the whole process of planning a trip and discovering new places.

Now that I have a daughter, my approach to travelling has naturally changed a little, but I'm trying to pass that passion on to her.

I'm also an avid reader. I particularly enjoy classic literature, and I love collecting books and returning to them over time.

That interest connects quite naturally with my love of opera and theatre.

People sometimes describe literature, opera and theatre as "high culture," which can make them seem inaccessible. But I don't really see them that way. I believe they're for everyone.

It depends on what you're looking for in a particular story and what you take away from it.

Q: Is there a particular journey that has stayed with you, or a book you find yourself returning to?

A: There are so many travel stories I could tell, but one journey that really stands out was a trip to Morocco with a group of female friends.

We hadn't booked anything in advance. We simply arrived and went with the flow, which made the whole experience quite an adventure.

Our visit happened to coincide with a religious festival involving ritual animal slaughter. I remember seeing sheep hides in the streets and noticing how different public life felt during the celebrations, including the absence of women in the places we visited.

It was a very direct encounter with a different religion and way of life. The journey was full of colour and unexpected experiences, including adventures in the desert. It has stayed with me ever since.

When it comes to books, choosing just one is difficult, but The Master and Margarita would certainly be among my favourites.

I love books that have many layers, where you can return to the same story at different points in your life and discover something entirely new.

For me, those are the books worth reading more than once.

Q: Is there a personal experience or challenge outside of work that has fundamentally shaped who you are?

A: Becoming a mother, without question.

It's been a truly unique experience that has profoundly changed the way I see the world and myself.

Q: With a demanding profession and so many interests, how do you find time to slow down and enjoy everyday life?

A: I love going to the mountains, as many of us do. But I've also learned that slowing down doesn't always require going somewhere.

Sometimes, the difficult part is simply allowing yourself to stop.

For me, that might mean sitting down with my daughter to do puzzles or spending time together on something creative.

Those little activities have absolutely nothing to do with the constant rush of everyday life, and that's precisely what makes them so valuable.

Q: Looking back at the experiences and decisions that have shaped your journey, what are you most proud of?

A: I think what surprises me most is that I ended up working in IT and genuinely enjoying it.

I don't think anyone expected that, including me!

I've never been a gamer or a particular technology enthusiast, but I was curious about this world and wanted to understand it from the inside.

And it turned out to be really interesting.

There's something quite funny about the contrast. Here's Anna, who loves reading Balzac and Tolstoy, sitting in a technology company and working on products.

I certainly wouldn't have predicted that when I was younger, but I'm very happy and proud of  where that unexpected turn has taken me.