Irena Dajkovic

Dr. Irena Dajkovic is the Founding and Managing Partner of DALIR Law Firm, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in private practice and in-house legal roles. Fluent in English and French, she specializes in financial services and commercial law, advising clients on corporate transactions, regulatory compliance, and business disputes.

Throughout her career, Dr. Dajkovic has worked with a diverse client base, including financial institutions, private equity firms, and multinational corporations. Recognized for her exceptional technical expertise and strategic approach, she has successfully assisted businesses in global expansion, intra-group structuring, and navigating complex financial regulations.

She has extensive experience advising fintech companies, particularly on EU Payment Services Directive 2 and its impact on licensing, regulatory compliance, and operational processes. Before founding DALIR, she served as General Counsel and Head of Compliance at Checkout.com, overseeing regulatory relationships with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and major financial institutions such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. She played a pivotal role in securing and maintaining industry licenses, negotiating high-value agreements, and building a robust legal and compliance team.

Prior to her role at Checkout.com, Dr. Dajkovic worked as a legal consultant for global fintech leaders such as WorldPay and PayPal, where she helped shape the European Payments Institutions Federation (EPIF). Her early career included years at Clifford Chance, where she specialized in competition and financial regulatory law, advising on EU and national payment regulations, licensing frameworks, and SEPA rulebooks.

Dr. Dajkovic holds a PhD in Law from the University of Nantes in France. She is admitted and registered as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales and as an Avocat à la Cour in Paris, enabling her to offer cross-jurisdictional legal support. Her practice is distinguished by a commitment to excellence, high ethical standards, and a client-centered approach.