The firms are placed in alphabetical order. The research period is the year 2021. Since 24 February 2022 when the russian federation started its aggressive war against Ukraine, many law firms in Ukraine have announced their termination of representing russian clients. For ethical and moral reasons, as many people have joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and found themselves in difficult life situations, we have taken the decision not to publish ranking tables this year. We genuinely believe that we should be united as never before, and hope that you support our decision.

The white-collar crime practice of ADER HABER encompasses fraud investigations, misappropriation and embezzlement as well as abuse of authority. In a recent highlight the team renders defense of the interests of clients in more than 20 criminal proceedings regarding the appropriation of property in particularly large amounts, forgery of documents, legalization of property, abuse of authority, creation of a terrorist organization, illegal tariff formation, violation of environmental safety rules. It also handled defense of another client’s top managers and managers in criminal proceedings following an explosion in a building in the city of Kyiv, as a result of which five people died. The practice is headed by Eleonora Yemets, counsel.

Amber Law Company developed its white-collar crime practice rapidly with primary focus on anti-corruption proceedings and business related crimes such as tax evasion, abuse of office, crimes against property and other categories of crimes that representatives of business organizations were charged with. The key individuals are Serhii Peresunko, Liudmyla Koziatnyk, who are guided by Semen Khanin, managing partner.

ARIO Law Firm boasts a criminal law practice that acts on behalf of political figures, business owners, well-known human rights activists as well as victims of illegal actions. The experienced team is focused on allegations of bribery, embezzlement, theft, official crimes, crimes related to private property. In 2021 the firm continued representing Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy in allegations of abuse of power during the construction of an industrial park; represents Mikheil Saakashvili, former President of Georgia, in criminal proceedings in Georgia and his return to Ukraine. The team also represents the interests of families of victims of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, which was downed in Iran in January 2020; defends the director of the State Enterprise Pishchansky Quarry, who is accused of illegal mining of chalk and appropriation of funds from its sale. The head of the criminal practice, Yevhen Hrushovets, possesses recognized professional strength.

Finding itself among the largest criminal defense teams on the market, Asters covers all types of white-collar offenses relating to tax evasion, money laundering, fraud, professional negligence, bribery, misappropriation of property, business security, corruption and environmental crimes as well as politically-motivated prosecutions. The team defends ultra-high-profile individuals, international corporates, facing complex and sensitive cross-border business crime allegations and major national corporates, which typically do business on a global scale, in domestic and international criminal investigations. The team also contributes to improving policies and procedures applied to investigating and litigating white-collar crime cases in Ukraine, including those involving an international component. Public clients include Avgust Crop Protection, ED&F Man Trading Ukraine, Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Limited (IBRC), Pelagia AS. The team is led by partner Sergiy Grebenyuk, who acts on the most complicated and sensitive cases. Orest Stasiuk, counsel, is another key senior lead of the practice. The team members Viktor Duma, Tatiana Popovska, Igor Voronov, Volodymyr Boriak are visible in the peers’ community. Renowned tax litigator Larysa Antoshchuk (previously – KPMG Law) joined the team and is focused on tax-related cases.

Odesa-based AS Legal handles the protection of clients in the area of economics and business or public administration, as well as representation of victims interests in criminal cases in the pro-bono system. The team recently provided legal support to Empire Tobacco Ltd during the search by the State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine and illegal seizure of property and documents. The practice head is Diana Yakovleva, partner.

AVELLUM provide legal services related to defending businesses against criminal persecution in Ukraine and in foreign jurisdiction, representing victims in criminal proceedings and providing legal support during corporate fraud investigations. The firm’s portfolio includes representations in cross-border criminal investigations into alleged money laundering, tax evasion and document fraud, embezzlement, challenge of asset freezing orders. Partner Vadim Medvedev oversees the practice. Counsel Andriy Fortunenko is a certified fraud examiner whose focus is global investigations and WCC. Kostiantyn Likarchuk, senior partner, focuses on the international aspects of WCC.

The Ukrainian criminal defense boutique AVER LEX is at the vanguard of complex white-collar crime litigation in Ukraine, focused on high-profile economic crimes and politically-motivated prosecutions. The firm historically acts in the most complicated cases involving leading politicians, government officials, judges, top managers and business owners, as we as well as big corporate clients from a range of industry sectors. Among the landmark public representations were acting for Kyrylo Shevchenko, ex-Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, in a criminal proceeding regarding the alleged misappropriation of state budget funds; continued to defend the senior managers of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority in the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine in a large-scale case with numerous proceedings and episodes; defending Nova Poshta against an unprecedented fine of USD 11.5 million imposed by the State Service for Consumer Protection without justified grounds. The team is well-known for its long-lasting representation of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in an unprecedented large-scale case with numerous proceedings and episodes.[1] The 30-attorney strong team is led by five dedicated partners. Olga Prosyanyuk, managing partner, regularly represents her clients in courts, being noted for extensive experience of corruption proceedings. Vitaliy Serdyuk is assigned for defense in resonant cases. Igor Fedorenko, Artem Drozdov and Volodymyr Enich guides the team on business defense and WCC matters.

The Kyiv office of Baker McKenzie handles representation before law-enforcement authorities with respect to various issues related to criminal proceedings pending in Ukraine, including support during investigation actions, representation in courts, and cancellation of arrest of assets. Dispute resolution partner Ihor Siusel heads the dispute resolution practice group.

As one of rather few international law firms present in Ukraine, CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang provides legal advice and assistance on anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, tax evasion, embezzlement, forgery and white-collar crimes related criminal proceedings. The team expanded its practice in Ukraine in complex regulatory related criminal investigations regarding the pharmaceutical industry, specifically in the counterfeiting of medicines and medical devices area. The team represents most of the global top pharmaceutical companies as criminal complainants in the most significant criminal investigation regarding counterfeiting and illicit trade in medicines in Ukraine, also advising several other industry leaders on this investigation. Borys Danevych is a core contact in pharmaceutical matters. The dispute resolution and white-collar team is led by Olga Shenk, who was promoted to partner.

CREDENCE is a Ukrainian white-collar crime and litigation boutique with significant capabilities in high-profile and mostly politically sensitive cases. The key expertise is criminal law, including international cooperation and representing clients in international procedures to revoke financial sanctions and defense in alleged violations of anti-corruption legislation. In particular, the team represented Vadim Novinskiy, a former Member of Parliament, in a dispute with the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine on financial fraud arising from investigations by the relevant authorities into his annual tax declarations. The team recently represented Yaroslav Skolota, ex-head of the State Forestry Center, in a criminal proceeding on embezzlement of public funds. It also successfully represents private clients before European Courts on nullification of sanctions and restrictions as well as in negotiations with representatives of other countries on extraditions of Ukrainian citizenships under Ukrainian authority demands. Notablyб the case of Vladyslav Kaskiv, former head of the State Agency for Investment and National Project Management, stands out in the firm’s extradition dealings. One of the most resonant and high-profile cases is that involving DTEK’s top managers, Mr. Ivan Gelyukh and Mr. Borys Lisovyi, on Formula Rotterdam+. The practice is led by managing partner Vasil Farinnik and senior partners Artyom Trekke and Natalia Drigval.

EUCON Legal Group defends the interests of businesses, private individuals, high-ranking officials in cases involving raids, pressure from state authorities, illegal actions by law- enforcement agencies, cases of economic fraud and fraud, as well as other criminal and economic crimes. The firm is known for its many years of toughness in handling tax issues, and is highly active in representing clients in criminal proceedings for tax evasion. The practice is co-headed by two partners. The focus of Hanna Shyshko is on criminal defense of officials accused of economic and financial crime. Yevhen Petrenko’s[2] competence includes issues regarding tax evasion cases and anti-raiding, business protection, forensic investigation and procedural compliance.

The dispute resolution heavyweight EQUITY possesses an impressive portfolio of landmark representations of officials from the government sector and business leaders, as well as business owners. Among the most resonant public cases were defense of the Mayor of Odesa, Hennadiy Trukhanov, who is suspected of embezzling property through abuse of office, and Volodymyr Omelyan, former Minister of Infrastructure, in a case at the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine on suspicion of illegal enrichment. The team also defends Roman Nasirov (former Head of the State Fiscal Service), Dmytro Kryuchkov (former MP), Oleksandr Klyonskiy (former senior  manager of Ukrposhta), Oleksandr Tupalskiy (former head of Kyiv Customs Office), Evgen Kazmin, co-founder of Ukrainian Group of Companies KVV Group, ex-official head of the State Agency for Land Resources of Ukraine, and many others. The team represents an official body of energy giant Naftogaz of Ukraine in two criminal cases initiated by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine in connection with financial fraud and falsification of and signing of documents on extra payments (bonuses) for himself and his employees. In 2021 the firm launched a new sub-practice called international criminal defense, and represented a famous foreign businessman before the Interpol Control Commission in an appeal process of an Interpol Green Notice. Furthermore, the dedicated team represented one of the largest container shipping companies in the world, as a victim in criminal proceedings for the misappropriation of funds by the former management of a subsidiary in Ukraine. The sizeable team working on white-collar crime projects is guided by a number of partners – extra-strong Oleksandr Lysak, highly-experienced Vyacheslav Krahlevych and Taras Poshyvanuyk. Outstanding luminary Yaroslav Zeikan has more than 40 years of practical experience. 

The criminal law practice of Ukrainian law firm ESQUIRES has a well-established offering out of defense in cases of abuse of official position, illegal takeover, fraud, misappropriation and embezzlement. The team’s recent experience includes defense in criminal proceedings of a large logistics center in Ukraine in criminal proceedings; preventing the raider seizure of an enterprise, the owner of a unique property in Ukraine for chilling, sorting, transporting and processing frozen products, preventing the withdrawal and misappropriation of company assets. Opanas Karlin is lead partner.

During the past year the criminal defense team of EVERLEGAL had a great number of significant criminal law projects. For example, the dedicated team represented Resilient a.s. and Agromino in criminal proceedings in cases connected to resonant raider attacks on agricultural fields; represented OTP Bank, in the process of filing a criminal complaint on the fact of illegal actions against OTP Bank and accompanying criminal proceedings initiated against the bank’s employees; represented the National Bank of Ukraine and its employees in criminal proceedings and proceedings in cases involving administrative offenses. Tetiana Pavliukovets heads the criminal procedure and criminal law practice. Oleksandr Ruzhytskyi is lead partner.

GOLAW demonstrates broad expertise in handling combined complex white-collar crime and regulatory enforcement cases. The team acted on cases involving the seizure and legalization of state funds, abuse of official position, fraud, misappropriation, tax evasion. The firm’s practice, among other things, covers a client’s support at all stages of criminal proceedings; provides legal support to the negotiation process on the return of illegally-retained assets and documentation; represents the interests of its clients before law-enforcement agencies; organizes the process of determining the sum of material damages caused by criminal punishable actions, etc. Partner Igor Glushko heads the criminal and white-collar defense practice. Angelika Moisieieva, partner, has considerable practical experience as a forensic attorney in criminal cases containing an economic component. 

Gracers Law Firm is a fast-growing domestic criminal law boutique retained by business owners, top managers and companies. The firm’s comprehensive offering includes crimes involving property rights, misappropriation, embezzlement, forgery, tax evasion. The firm handles the defense of Evgeniy Dykhne, president of Ukraine International Airlines, former general director of state-owned Boryspil International Airport, who is accused of causing losses sustained by the airport in especially large amounts due to the client’s managerial decisions; acted for Helen Marlen on an alleged tax evasion issue. The team also acts on comprehensive anti-raiding business protection cases, and represents the interests of one of the participants of Krypton LLC in the course of illegal alienation of a shareholding. Managing partner Serhii Lysenko is an experienced criminal defense attorney who guides the team. Liudmyla Kusa, who was noted for her active role in many cases as head of dispute resolution was promoted to partner.

The criminal practice of Gramatskiy & Partners is divided into business protection, as led by Oleksandr Koval, and criminal defense headed by Mykola Voitovich. The firm represents corporate entities during searches and investigative actions, interrogations, answering inquiries from investigative authorities. The scope of representations includes tax evasion, theft, fraud. An important part of its work is anti-corruption investigations and investigations related to the state budget and assets. The firm is often enlisted for representation in the course of financial investigations carried out by the tax authorities.

Domestic tax boutique ID Legal Group provides tax advisory and criminal defense services for tax offenses and evasion cases during investigative actions and before courts. Oleg Dobrovolskyi is the responsible partner.

Odesa-based law firm Jurline is one of the go-to counsel in the region, and is sought after protecting the interests of its clients in the field of white-collar crime. The scope of practice includes work with criminal proceedings for tax evasion, legalization of proceeds from crime, fraud, misappropriation and embezzlement of property, illegal enrichment, abuse of office; other offenses in the field of official and professional activities related to the provision of public services. The team has significant positive court practice on issues related to the illegal seizure, arrest of property and bank accounts of clients by law-enforcement officers, with the subsequent removal of these arrests and the return of property to owners. The dedicated team recently defended the rights of one of the largest producers of mushrooms in Southern Ukraine in criminal proceedings based on erroneous conclusions that the producer allegedly imported grain mycelium (fertilizer for growing mushrooms) bypassing customs duties and fees. Volodymyr Zubar is lead partner. Maxim Kapelist is another point of contact.

Juscutum Law Firm acts for corporate clients in business crime matters, including comprehensive protection against raider capture of business, IP protection in criminal cases, as well as in IT-sphere, removal of arrests from accounts and the return of confiscated property. The firm further assisted clients in investigative and procedural actions, compensating for the damage caused by criminal acts. The team’s recent experience included protecting Mykola Kalensky, accused in a case regarding illegally withdrawing a UAH 1.2 billion loan issued by the NBU for the benefit of VAB Bank, include the removal of seizure of property. It also represents state officials and PEPs. The team provides defense of the Deputy Chairman of ARMA, Volodymyr Pavlenko, on suspicion of misappropriation of property, through abuse of office in a particularly large amount. Stanislav Borys, counsel, is the key contact.

KM Partners, a Ukrainian law firm prominent in taxation, possesses an established track record in the defense of clients in criminal proceedings on tax evasion. Over the last couple of years, the team represented clients’ officials in dozens of tax evasion proceedings and achieved court acquittals or closure of criminal proceedings against clients at the pre-trial stage. One remarkable case was an appeal against the legality of court rulings on the appointment of a tax audit delivered by investigating judges – before the issue of the legality of such resolutions has not even been raised. Alexander Minin and Alexander Shemiatkin act as practice leads.

Kharkiv-based Krolevetskyi & Partners provides legal assistance to officials of large state-owned enterprises and state authorities in criminal proceedings on alleged misappropriation, tax evasion, abuse of power at the stage of pre-trial investigation and court proceedings, including selection of preventive measures and seizure of property. Illia Tkachenko heads the practice.

LCF Law Group continued development of its criminal law practice in 2021. The firm represents clients in course of criminal cases in the field of service offenses, economic crimes, and supports in certain procedural issues of criminal proceedings. The portfolio includes successful cases of closing criminal proceedings and acquittals, appealing against illegal decisions of state bodies, preventing blocking of enterprises activities due to law-enforcement actions, returning illegally seized property, tax evasion matters. Maksym Sheverdin is lead partner. 

Legal Alliance Company provides comprehensive defense of client interests in criminal matters, including fictitious business, misappropriation, abuse of power, forgery of documents, declaring false information, appealing property and account seizure, returning of temporarily seized property, preparation of officials for interrogation. The team acted on resonant case and defends Dr. Yulia Kuzmenko who is suspected of murdering the journalist Pavlo Sheremet. During the pre-trial investigation, two complaints with the European Court of Human Rights were filed to protect Yulia Kuzmenko’s rights. Associate partner Taras Bezpalyy heads the practice.

LES – Legal and Economic Security attorneys at law protects companies and high-ranking individuals in criminal proceedings, including the return of illegally seized property, investigation of embezzlement of state funds, support for choosing preventive measures. Among the team’s highlights was criminal proceedings on suspicion brought against the 5th president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, MP Viktor Medvedchuk, former Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine Volodymyr Demchyshyn, businessman Serhiy Kuzyara in the case of illegal supply of coal from the occupied territories. Taras Ivanenko, Dmytro Bezmal, as led by the firm’s managing partner Serhiy Kolisnyk are notable team members.

Renowned Ukrainian full-service law firm Sayenko Kharenko enjoys a reputable dedicated white-collar criminal defense practice team with formidable experience across white-collar defense, anti-corruption compliance, and corporate investigations on board. The team also advises major corporate clients on preventive measures, compliance programs, criminal proceedings related to corporate/white-collar crime, tax evasion, embezzlement, fraudulent bankruptcy, and the potential consequences of criminal prosecution under new tax and anti-corruption legislation. Selected highlights include successfully defending the rights of Power Construction Corporation of China Limited (POWERCHINA), a major foreign investor, in the criminal investigation on an investment project to the value of about EUR 450 million; continuing to successfully defend the interests of the Auchan Group of Companies, a major foreign investor in Ukraine, within a high-profile case on the illegal alienation of the client’s land plots in Odesa Region; representing JSC State Savings Bank of Ukraine (Oschadbank) in several criminal proceedings; advising Porsche Finance Group companies on criminal law matters; and others. Partner Sergey Smirnov and counsel Zlata Symonenko are the core individuals of the firm’s white-collar criminal defense team. Partner Yevgeniy Solodko left the partnership and rebooted operations at his own law office.

Shkrebets & Partners, a law firm with offices in Kharkiv and Kyiv, has a powerful criminal defense practice team, acting on a wide range of white-collar crime matters. The firm is a constant counsel to big industrial companies in the region, municipal enterprises, officials of the regional state authorities, current and former members of Ukrainian Parliament, businessmen and private individuals. The portfolio spans illegal takeover, abuse of power, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds, tax evasion cases. Oleksii Meniv is lead partner.

A significant part of the criminal practice of Sokolovskyi & Partners is protecting criminal proceedings under tax evasion and separate economic crimes also related to taxation, including the return of illegally-confiscated property and cancellation of arrest over assets. Tetiana Lysovets, senior partner, leads the practice.

White-collar crime, dispute resolution and investigations boutique VB PARTNERS is known for resonant representations in the investigation of fraud, money laundering, theft, misappropriation of funds and assets, tax evasion and fictitious bankruptcy, power abuse, negligence and illegal enrichment as well as conducting corporate investigations and asset searches. The team has experience in extradition and Interpol proceedings. Representation of public personalities in anti-corruption authorities in high-profile cases is another side of the practice. The team leads in criminal law in the banking sector defending the interests of shareholders and top managers of Ukrainian leading banks in large-scale and high-profile cases, including those with anti-corruption elements. In a recent highlight the team renders defense of former top managers of USB Bank in court proceedings as to consideration by a court of charges in a criminal case on the fact of misappropriation of funds; protecting the interests of ex-chairman of the Board of Directors of Privatbank CB PJSC in criminal proceedings with regard to embezzlement of funds by an official; protecting the interests of the director of one of the largest machine-building enterprises in Europe manufacturing equipment for oil, gas and chemical industries in criminal proceeding brought on charges of abuse of office. It also acted in the first successful case of release an arrested vessel in Ukraine in criminal proceedings concerning the alleged violation of rules related to the protection of mineral resources and forgery of documents. The sizeable team has three partners on board. Denys Bugay, head of white-collar crime practice, has significant experience in banking crimes. Oleksandr Lukianenko specializes in business protection, representing interests in criminal proceedings and complex legal disputes. Denys Shkarovsky develops the practice of investigations and provides protection in several anti-corruption cases.

Vdovychen & Partners is traditionally active in various criminal issues. The spectrum of representations encompasses fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, appeals against property arrests and property seizure. Selected significant cases include protecting clients’ interests within the framework of criminal proceedings on the fact of tax evasion; defense in criminal proceedings on alleged embezzlement of state property; protection of client interests in criminal proceedings regarding unauthorized construction. Anatoliy Romanyuk is practice head. Oleg Vdovychen, managing partner, is another key figure.

Arzinger, Barristers, Vasil Kisil and Partners are among other law firms referred for handling white-collar crime cases.

 

 

 

[1] On 28 April, 2022, representation contracts with Viktor Yanukovych were terminated and reports have been sent to the competent authorities investigating the relevant criminal proceedings.

[2] He joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.