Asters’ antitrust and competition practice is renowned for its longstanding presence on the market, extensive expertise, and success in securing Phase II clearances for complex merger cases. The firm is actively involved in high-profile antitrust probes and investigations, covering a wide spectrum of cases. The firm made the first wartime merger notification, the first notification of an emergency cooperation arrangement between parties whose manufacturing facilities suffered from military combat, and the first court appeal against a decision of the competition authority in wartime. During the research period the team obtained merger clearances for the acquisitions by Microsoft of control over Activision Blizzard; Blackstone in control over Emerson’s Climate Technologies business; Covéa in control over PartnerRe (controlled by EXOR), which is active in reinsurance; Cameco and Brookfield in joint control over the Westinghouse Electric Company; the acquisition by Aristocrat of Playtech; merger clearance for the creation by Renault Group and Volvo Group of a joint venture; creation by Daimler Truck AG, TRATON SE and AB Volvo of a joint venture; acquisition by SEB of Lufthansa AirPlus Servicekarten GmbH from Deutsche Lufthansa AG, etc. In addition, the firm’s lawyers represented the State Savings Bank and PrivatBank in an AMCU abuse of dominance investigation regarding interchange fees. The firm is highly proficient in antitrust litigation, lately representing Novo Nordisk A/S and Novo Nordisk Health Care AG with respect to alleged anticompetitive concerted practices with Ukrainian distributors that led to overpricing of medicinal products manufactured by Novo Nordisk group, having carried out a full-scale representation before the courts. The practice is co-led by two versatile and highly regarded partners – Igor Svechkar and Oleksandr Voznyuk. Peers provided positive references for the professional approach of Pavlo Verbolyuk, counsel. Sergiy Glushchenko, counsel, is another important team member endorsed for his deep knowledge of European competition regulations. Tetiana Bebik, associate, received endorsement for her performance in the research period.[1]

Baker McKenzie is a point of choice for prominent multinational public and private companies seeking merger control support in Ukraine. The firm consistently handles a diverse range of antitrust violations, such as abuse of dominance and anticompetitive concerted actions, and is highly sought after for representing clients before the AMCU in various infringement cases. Other areas of expertise include competition compliance programs. The Kyiv practice team holds considerable expertise in guiding clients across diverse sectors, such as pharma, agribusiness, consumer goods, IT services, heavy industry, and automotive companies, regarding the implications of various vertical arrangements with Ukrainian customers, along with addressing investigations. Among the practice highlights were representation of Platinum Equity Group, a global investment firm, in connection with multiple merger control and concerted actions filings concerning the acquisition of High Temperature Solutions Business from Imerys; advising Alimak Group AB a global provider of sustainable vertical access and working at height solutions, in connection with the merger control filing regarding the acquisition of Tractel, a global provider of work at height products and safety systems from Cinven. The team assisted Nike with respect to competition law issues which may arise due to renewal of its distribution agreement covering Ukraine. Partner Oksana Simonova is a highly regarded and seasoned expert in competition law. Olga Mikheieva, counsel, is another key figure at the firm.

Sayenko Kharenko’s antitrust and competition practice is one of the largest in Ukraine, being acclaimed for its exceptional cutting-edge expertise. The distinguished team enjoys an outstanding reputation for defending domestic and international blue-chip clients in projects regarding merger clearance and filing work, and successfully handling antitrust investigations. The firm currently represents several multinational corporations and local companies in relation to the unfair competition and anticompetitive concerted practices investigations before the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine. Work highlights of the antitrust team for the period under research include presenting of Goldman Sachs Asset Management in partnership with Everstone Capital Partners in its acquisition of Cprime from ALTEN Group, having acted as legal counsel for all the parties in obtaining merger clearance in Ukraine; Italian holding company Exor on the sale of Bermuda headquartered reinsurance company PartnerRe to French mutual insurer Covéa; acquisition by Booking of Etraveli Group from CVC Capital Partners; being legal counsel for both parties in Xella’s sale of its insulation business unit URSA to Etex, etc. The sizeable practice is co-led by three partners – Vladimir Sayenko, Valentyna Hvozd, and Maksym Nazarenko. Oleksandr Nagorny (endorsed for broad knowledge of competition economics) and Mykhailo Sus make up the core senior team in investigations. Senior associates Julia Kuyda and Igor Pomaz have garnered positive feedback from the market, showcasing their proficiency in competition law practice. 

The competition practice of Ukrainian law firm ADVANQ encompasses merger control, investigations on violations of economic competition (anticompetitive concerted actions, abuse of monopoly position, concentration without obtaining a permit), antitrust compliance, and appeals against regulatory decisions. The firm’s projects included legal support to Pulp Mill Print, one of the largest printing companies, in cases of violation of legislation on the protection of economic competition due to concentration without obtaining a merger clearance and initiating a merger clearance application within the same cases; advising a leading Polish producer of agricultural chemicals on establishing a joint venture in Ukraine and developing a compliance strategy with antitrust regulation. The firm is also retained for challenging regulatory decisions. For example, it handled representation of Kyiv-Dniprovske Intersectoral Enterprise of Industrial Railway Transport in appealing the decision on abuse of monopoly position and imposition of a fine. Support for procurement by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is also part of its workload. Olga Gonchar, Oleh Tarasiuk, and Daria Kotova are the main points of contact. 

Ante Law Firm is focused on aviation and pharmaceutical markets, handling a variety of competition matters, among others investigations, compliance, public procurement and subsequent appeals. The firm boasts unique antitrust expertise in aviation, representing the majority of international airlines operating in Ukraine and Danylo Halytskyi Lviv International Airport. Most recently Ante represented Sanofi-Aventis Ukraine in a precedent-making investigation against the Ministry of Health of Ukraine which resulted in recognizing violations by the Ministry when forming the nomenclature for Gaucher disease medicines. Another investigation highlight is advising Sanofi, Perrigo, esparma GmbH, AbbVie on recent AMCU investigation regarding distribution channels. During the research period the firm supported Mizol, a Ukrainian importer of isolation systems, in a few public procurement procedures including AMCU claims; supported Zdravo within a few procurement claims procedures in 2023, and as defence in various criminal proceedings concerning competition issues in state procurement procedures of medical devices in various regions of Ukraine; advised Perrigo Ukraine with regard to possible violations of competitors and checked advertising materials compliance with antimonopoly legislation. Managing partner Andriy Guck stands out for his unique aviation and pharmaceuticals expertise. 

ANTIKA law firm is notably recognized in the market for its well-established practice, which includes merger control work, antitrust compliance, protection against anti-competitive actions, and addressing unfair competition issues. The firm also represents clients in  appealing AMCU decisions, and advises on different matters related to public procurement. The clients’ portfolio includes AWT Bavaria Group, Henkel Bautechnik (Ukraine), as well as other important players. Dr. Oleksiy Kot, senior partner, leads the firm’s most sophisticated projects. The team includes Oleksander Tretiakov and Mykhailo Voitsekhovskyi, senior associates.

The competition law boutique-firm CLACIS focuses on matters of competition law, regulatory and compliance. Throughout the research period, the team was engaged in managing merger control approvals, providing support for market inquiries by the AMCU, addressing distribution issues, and offering day-to-day competition and regulatory advisory services. Among the recent highlights is representing Mastercard in obtaining the repeated approval for adjusted reduction of domestic interchange fee rates in Ukraine in wartime. The firm represents major international and national market players. For example, Maersk Corporation, British American Tobacco, COSCO, HHLA Group (Municipal Hamburg Port, Germany), InBev, MasterCard, and others. The founding and managing partner Antonina Yaholnyk is endorsed for her exceptional knowledge of European competition practice, and is actively engaged in pro bono work for NGOs and the Business Ombudsman of Ukraine.

Backed by the global presence of an international law firm, the Dentons team in Ukraine is sought after to handle merger control filings in connection with M&A transactions, to develop and implement complex compliance programs and specific competition audits, and to advise on advertising issues, state aid and unfair competition cases. During the research period the competition team was involved in M&A, joint ventures and combination transactions (involving, for example, the preliminary examination of merger filing requirements) in Ukraine. Thus, the firm advised Farmak, Ukraine’s leading pharmaceutical company, by providing advice on merger clearance matters for a series of strategic acquisitions from a portfolio company of private equity house Novator; represented one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers on competition law matters and assisting in obtaining merger clearance in Ukraine; assisted a multinational mass media factual television company on competition law matters and compliance with Ukrainian personal data protection and privacy laws during cooperation with local VOD/OTT providers. The practice lead partner is Volodymyr Monastyrskyy.

Ilyashev & Partners handles instructions for obtaining merger and concerted clearances, unfair competition and abuse of dominance cases, as well as representation in competition investigations. The team is traditionally proficient in antitrust litigation, having high-profile representations in its caseload during the research period. Additional areas of workload encompass competition issues within commercial agreements and public procurement. Most recently the firm advised Timecol LLC on obtaining concentration permits for the purchase of a single property complex of the Uladivsky Distillery Plant, a separate property of the Borshchivskyi Distillery and a single property complex of the Yurkivtsi Distillery Plant; supported in the response of Yevrotrubplast Trade House to the request made by the AMCU to provide information as part of a study to verify compliance with legislation during the concentration; advised Saltivsky Meat Processing Plant on the use of the slogan “Brand No. 1” in the labelling of its products. The team protected the interests of PJSC PlasmaTec within the framework of an appeal to the AMCU with a statement about the abuse by JSC Vinnytsiaoblenergo of its monopoly position. With 25+ years of experience, partner Oleksandr Fefelov inevitably heads the firm’s antitrust and competition practice.

INTEGRITES antitrust and competition team provides guidance on obtaining merger clearances, handling unfair competition investigations, challenging regulator’s decisions, and also offers ongoing day-to-day antitrust advice. The firm notably advises clients on public procurement matters. Most recently the firm advised Market Universal on merger control and market competition issues; Wärtsilä on entering the Ukrainian market using public procurement instruments. The firm’s new clients include Market Universal, Megogo, MTI, Yuria-Pharm. Vyacheslav Korchev, senior partner, focuses on antitrust-related dispute resolution and complex competition enforcement matters. Nataliya Kovalova (previously – Redcliffe Partners) joined as a counsel in April 2024 .

Kinstellar advises its clients on competition matters, including strategic advisory work, and high value national and multi-jurisdictional mergers and joint venture arrangements, investigations and litigation. The firm’s particular experience lies within the IT, telecom, consumer goods, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, manufacturing, aviation, aerospace and defense, as well as energy sectors. Most recently the team represented InterCars SA, DANX in connection with obtaining AMCU approval for the establishment of a joint venture DANXILS sp. z о.о. (Poland) by ILS SP. z o.o. and DANX Group A/S; advised Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek on Ukrainian competition matters in relation to a notification obligation; assisted Miele Ukraine on antitrust compliance issues. Olexander Martinenko, head of the firm-wide dispute resolution services and competition and state aid service in Ukraine, is a lead partner. Yulia Eismont, managing associate, earned praise for competent performance in obtaining AMCU permits. Olena Kuchynska, managing partner in the Kyiv office, is another important figure.[2]

LCF Law Group advises clients on obtaining merger and concerted clearances, abuse of dominance and cartel cases, competition compliance, and traditionally handles regulatory disputes, challenging decisions adopted by the AMCU. In 2022, the firm successfully received a decision in favor of Ostchem Holding Limited appeal of the AMCU’s decision to impose a fine, as well as the compulsory division of the client’s Group for dominance abuse on the nitrogen fertilizers market during 2014-2017. Another disclosable project included advising MCL Group, National Wind Energy Developer, on competition matters concerning the sale of a wind energy project located in Rivne Region of Ukraine. Nina Sydorenko, counsel, is a renowned practitioner with legacy in the regulatory authorities. Sergiy Benedysiuk is lead partner of the corporate and M&A and antitrust practices.

Ukrainian law firm NOBLES provides legal support to clients on a range of issues including compliance, abuse of dominance, cartels, merger clearance, state aid, and unfair competition. The firm is also retained for vertical arrangements and multidisciplinary queries, that involve the intersection of antitrust with international trade and intellectual property. During the research period the firm advised MHP, one of the leading poultry producers in Europe, on compliance of its marketing, labelling, and packaging materials with a view to unfair competition practice; continues representation of SALIC (Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company) on competition compliance matters related to acquisition of certain facilities in Ukraine. Furthermore, the team possesses unique experience in handling state aid complaints in Ukraine, having worked on several significant mandates, and notably continues to develop expertise in their respective niches. Being visible in the market Oleksandr Aleksyeyenko, partner, leads the practice. 

Redcliffe Partners’ broad antitrust experience includes merger control and concerted practices clearances, anti-competitive concerted practices and abuse of dominance, unfair competition, misleading advertising issues, and antitrust compliance. The firm is regularly engaged as Ukrainian counsel on competition law matters in terms of multijurisdictional M&A transactions, joint venture establishments and restructurings, and maintains a significant portfolio of merger control work. During the research period the firm advised Laboratorios Lesvi S.L.U., subsidiary of Neuraxpharm, and Sanofi S.A. on obtaining merger clearances for the acquisition by Lesvi of certain assets from Sanofi and certain of its subsidiaries; Orbiter Investments S.à r.l., subsidiary of CVC Capital Partners, and Partners Group AG on obtaining merger clearance for increasing the stake of the latter in Breitling; L2-Beteiligungs GmbH, Mr Stefan Pierer’s subsidiary, and LEONI AG on acquisition by L2 of shares of LEONI; CVC Capital Partners for the indirect acquisition of control over Unilever PLC’s global tea business – Ekaterra, etc. The firm’s antitrust practice is co-managed by two recognized partners, namely Anastasia Usova and Yuriy Terentyev. Another key team member Denys Medvediev, counsel, received positive peers’ appraisal for his merger control work. 

The practice team’s portfolio of ADER HABER includes merger control work, legal support in proceedings before the AMCU, representation in competition investigations (abuse of dominance, anticompetitive concerted actions), appealing against decisions of the antimonopoly authority in commercial courts, and addressing antitrust compliance issues. The clientele includes FMCG, commodities, industrial production, energy, logistics, retail, real estate and construction, agribusiness, media, and weight management. Iaroslava Lahan, senior associate, focuses on consulting on antitrust and competition law. The team is guided by new partner Denys Dutchak, who headed the firm’s corporate, M&A and competition practice.

EVERLEGAL provides tailored assistance in securing antitrust clearance for various mergers and acquisitions in its portfolio. Additionally, the firm represents clients in investigations related to alleged concerted actions conducted by the Antimonopoly Committee and ensures compliance with relevant competition law regulations. The antitrust and competition practice is co-led by two partners, namely Yevheniy Deyneko, who oversees real estate and pharmaceuticals clients, among others, and Andriy Olenyuk, who manages clients in conventional power and renewable energy.

KPMG Law offers competition law advisory services in Ukraine, particularly in assisting with merger clearance and concerted actions, market monopolization and public procurement. The team provided a large Ukrainian oil and gas company with advice on structuring group of the internal procurement activity of companies. Bogdan Shyshkovskyi and Bogdan Skoropad are the key practitioners, supervised by Yuriy Katser, director, head of legal services.

LA Law Firm (previously known as Legal Alliance) is a Ukrainian law firm whose primary focus is the life sciences sector. The team is traditionally sought-after competition and compliance matters, distribution and advertising. Its client base spans across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare, cosmetics, biotechnologies, and green energy sectors, highlighting the firm’s versatility and broad sectoral coverage. Andrii Gorbatenko is lead partner and the main point of contact.

Odesa-based Ukrainian law firm LEGRANT is known for its well-established positions in the port infrastructure sector. During the research period the team successfully proved discrimination against a port operator, which led to a multiple overcharge of lease payments and a violation of economic competition by authorized government bodies – the Ministry of Infrastructure and the territorial office of the State Property Fund of Ukraine. Other notable highlights included providing support to a historic project in the port industry to enable private companies’ access to the market of pilotage services; appeal against abuse of monopoly position by a state enterprise to the AMCU. Lead partner is Tatyana Titarenko.

Lexwell & Partners advises clients on merger control and abuse of dominance. The firm continued advising CRH Group on issues related to the AMCU’s research of the cement market in Ukraine. Moreover, the team assisted CRH Group on issues related to the process of obtaining merger clearance in Ukraine in connection with acquisition of the six ready-mixed concrete plants in Slovakia, and with acquisition of cement, ready-mix concrete and logistic businesses of Buzzi (Dyckerhoff Group) in Ukraine. Andriy Kolupaev, Igor Nagai, and Zhanna Goriacha are key individuals involved.

MK Legal Service advises on all issues of public procurement and private tenders, contesting their results, monitoring of social networks and Internet resources, media and public space for violations of competition legislation. The lion’s share of assignments includes supporting the firm’s longstanding client, GigaGroup, in its participation in the public procurement procedures conducted by various state enterprises, for example Ukrzaliznytsia, Diya State Enterprise, Naftogaz of Ukraine, State Enterprise Infotech, by the State Enterprise Ukrainian State Radio Frequency Center, and state authorities – State Tax Service and State Customs Service of Ukraine. The practice is generally managed by Maksym Kurochko, managing partner, and Artem Ostapenko, head of IT/TMT practice, who have the most extensive expertise in procurement matters.

Pragma Consulting Group is a Ukrainian firm focused on government relations and regulatory consulting. The firm’s performance in its antitrust practice, particularly during conditions under martial law in Ukraine, showcases its adept handling of critical regulatory and compliance issues to prevent monopolistic practices. The team successfully facilitated a memorandum between major supermarket chains to establish a 30-day payment period for basic goods, ensuring the stability of food supply chains and market flexibility, which came into effect in July 2023; effectively limited the extension of powers to the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, particularly regarding invasive inspections, thereby safeguarding personal privacy in amendments passed in August 2023. Alyona Shulima, managing partner, is the main point of contact.

Throughout 2022-2023, Wolf Theiss Kyiv played an active role in providing guidance to clients on diverse Ukrainian competition law matters, including vertical restraints. The firm conducted antitrust due diligences, assessed merger controls, assisted in the preparation of antitrust filings, securing merger clearances in Ukraine. The team advised the Czech based Agrofert Group on competition and antitrust matters related to potential acquisition of sole control over the Nitrogen Business of the Austrian-based Borealis Group; MiddleGround Capital regarding Ukrainian antitrust law requirements in connection with the contemplated acquisition of the Europart Group. Olga Ivlyeva heads the practice.

The antitrust and competition practice of AEQUO* excels in merger control, investigations, along with regulatory guidance, compliance advice, and handling unfair competition matters. The practice team represented Ukraine’s state-owned Defense Industry JSC (the former Ukroboronprom) in the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine on obtaining merger clearance for the joint company with Rheinmetall AG, one of the world’s leading defense technology companies; advised Vodafone Ukraine on competition matters to acquire Freenet, the provider of fixed internet access services under the О3 brand. The firm’s partners are widely respected in the market. Mariya Nizhnik specializes in representing clients at the AMCU and handling competition investigations. Sergiy Denisenko is recognized for his expertise in merger control matters. Denis Lysenko is known as a versatile practitioner.

Arzinger* is mentioned as a strong antitrust and competition practice, advising clients on merger control issues, unfair competition, antitrust litigation and compliance. The firm is particularly noted for its strong following from life science companies. Among notable public highlights was successful representing Alliance Holding LLC in the Supreme Court challenging the AMCU’s decision on violation of economic competition and imposition of a fine. Oleksander Dyakulych is noted for his representation in regulatory disputes.[3]

With a robust M&A practice, AVELLUM* is the preferred option for merger clearance mandates. The market also confirms the team’s expertise in investigation as it advised JSC Integrity Capital on obtaining merger control clearance from the AMCU for the acquisition of shares in LLC Lanita Invest, an indirect co-owner of Ocean Plaza – one of the largest shopping and entertainment complexes in Kyiv. Partner Mykyta Nota heads the practice. Anton Arkhypov is noted during the poll.

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang* is traditionally retained for cross-border merger control matters and concerted actions approvals. Olga Belyakova is lead partner.

 

 

 

 

[1] Oleksii Pustovit, a former partner, has departed from the firm and currently serves as a senior foreign expert at Linklaters in Düsseldorf.

[2] Galyna Zagorodniuk, partner, competition and state aid, departed in July 2023.

[3] The firms marked with asterisk (*) have not submitted information for the current research. The highlights were taken from public sources to underscore their market presence, a fact consistently confirmed during in-depth interviews.