Asters, an established Ukrainian powerhouse, advises international clients on a wide range of transactions and corporate matters, including restructuring, governance, and compliance. The firm is recognized for its expertise in cross-border transactions and is a preferred legal counsel for investment firms navigating corporate and regulatory aspects of their activities in Ukraine. Asters’ industry expertise spans energy, IT, technology, telecommunications, banking and finance, healthcare, and private equity, with a notable expansion in 2024 to clients in the military, defense, and NGO sectors. In addition to M&A, the firm has been retained to support market entries and exits, ownership structuring, implementation of corporate governance models. It advises Fenix Repower AS on the acquisition of targets for project development in Ukraine, including storage facilities and wind farms located on the left bank of the country. Disclosable names in the client roster include Horizon Capital, Irish Bank Resolution Limited (IBRC), Molson Coors, Toyota Ukraine, Uklon, Visa, Webuild (ex Salini Impregilo). The firm’s sizable corporate practice is led by four partners, each one specializing in distinct sectors. Armen Khachaturyan is recognized for his expertise in energy and banking, steering high-stakes transactions in these industries. Oleksiy Demyanenko focuses on defense projects and advising investment funds, while Oleg Boichuk plays an active role in real estate. Vadym Samoilenko leads corporate restructuring and governance matters, with a strong presence in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and NGOs. The senior corporate team includes counsel Oleksandr Khomenko, Maksym Tereshchuk, and Oles Kvyat.
Baker McKenzie’s Kyiv office is a trusted advisor to multinational and Ukrainian industry leaders, leveraging its global network and expertise in high-value, multijurisdictional transactions governed by English and U.S. law. In 2024, the firm supported IT and service industries M&A transactions in Ukraine, as well as outbound investment activities of large domestic players. The team is also retained to serve complex cross-border restructurings and multijurisdictional reorganizations, and further advises the portfolio companies of private equity firms in Ukraine on various strategic matters. Among recent highlights to note is advising MHP, a leading international food and agri-tech company, in an acquisition transaction with KTL Ukraine Group, a provider of logistics services; assisting Wine Bureau (GoodWine), a leading premium food retailer in Kyiv, on assessing the available options for, and structuring of, a Ukraine-based employee share incentive program. The firm assisted Atos, a global leader in digital transformation, with its spin-off into two publicly-listed companies, splitting its digital and big data and security business (Evidian) and its tech foundations business (Atos) to optimize distinct market dynamics. The practice features two partners. Viacheslav Yakymchuk consistently leads high-profile transactions, while Andrii Moskalyk concentrates on energy, mining, and infrastructure projects, as well as defense technology, IT, and financial services. Additionally, counsel Olga Gavrylyuk specializes in global reorganization projects, and senior associate Alyona Bon focuses on private M&A in various sectors.
INTEGRITES has built a significant presence on the transactional market through its specialized expertise in multijurisdictional M&A, significant domestic transactions, joint ventures, and advising investment in industrial facilities. The firm’s recent M&A activity reflects growing interest in infrastructure, logistics, IT, tech, agri, mineral resources, military and defense, real estate and construction, and corporate restructurings, driven by war-related disruptions. Among the team’s recent highlights is one of the largest transactions in Ukraine’s retail fuel market during the ongoing war, in which the team represents Max Energy Resource LLC, a Ukrainian importer of fuel from European countries, on the acquisition of 245 petrol stations across multiple regions of Ukraine. In 2014, the firm completed advising on the acquisition of a 50% stake in two project companies involved in commercial real estate construction while advising Kovalska Group, a leading construction materials manufacturer and property developer in Ukraine. The firm acted as Ukrainian counsel to KNDS, a major German-French defense contractor, on the establishment of a joint venture with a Ukrainian partner. Leveraging its expertise in multi-jurisdictional M&A and close collaboration with international law firms, the team is routinely entrusted to serve as Ukrainian legal counsel in global transactions and restructurings. In particular, the firm advised Dassault Systèmes, a France-based multinational software development corporation with EUR 6 billion revenue, on the acquisition of Satelliz France. One of the disclosed restructuring projects involved assisting GEFCO, a top five global logistics and supply chain company, with corporate restructuring and optimization, which paved the way for CMA CGM’s subsequent acquisition of both GEFCO and CEVA Logistics. A notable highlight of the recent corporate practice was being selected to advise the supervisory board of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine. Illya Tkachuk, corporate and M&A partner and head of the French Desk, is highly visible in high-profile transactional mandates. Munich-based partner head of the German Desk Dr. Julian Ries, plays a lead role in generating assignments from German clients. Inna Kostrytska, counsel, is experienced in corporate restructuring, splitting time with employment practice. Vasyl Yurmanovych plays an important executive role in the corporate team.
Working on cross-border and domestic transactions, Sayenko Kharenko traditionally handles a substantial share of Ukraine’s M&A deals across various sectors, also assisting with the Ukrainian aspects of international transactions, working alongside global firms. Another area of team’s focus is advice on the impact of the war — ranging from asset acquisitions and disposals under martial law to managing joint venture compliance risks and regional business reorganization. The firm has been highly active in the energy sector — advised PJSC Ukrnafta on acquiring 51% stake in Shell Gas Station Network in Ukraine; represented Elementum Energy in course of the acquisition of a majority stake in the Windpark West WPP project. The team regularly acts in private equity and venture capital deals, most recently provided legal guidance to D3, an international venture capital firm, throughout their investment in a Ukrainian start-up focused on developing and producing stealth drone technologies; acted as a lead legal counsel to Viseven, a global MarTech company servicing pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, on attracting equity investment from Horizon Capital. Corporate governance has evolved into a fully established niche within the team, with delivering comprehensive legal support for corporate governance reform across all state-owned banks. The firm also assists with market entry and setting-up corporate presence, most recently assisted Hilltop Technologies, a US-based cybersecurity company, on entering the Ukrainian market by facilitating the launch of its R&D arm, as well as supporting WorkMotion, Control Risks, and other companies. The sizeable team has three partners on board. Oleksandr Nikolaichyk leads complex deals and matters, leveraging transactional and government relations (GR) expertise. Alina Plyushch reaffirmed her role as a leading partner in classic M&A and brings extensive expertise in private wealth management. London-based Volodymyr Sayenko preserves his strategic role in practice development. The strong counsel team includes Tymur Enkhbaiar, Dmytro Riabikin, and Mykhailo Grynyshyn.
Dentons’ corporate and M&A practice capitalizes on its global expertise and network, regularly handling cross-border M&A, joint ventures, and a spectrum of corporate and regulatory matters. In 2024, key industries included renewable energy, telecommunications, technology, media, healthcare, aerospace and defense, banking, and finance. The firm continued to support energy sector clients in Ukraine with business expansion, advising on acquisitions, solar project development, and project sales across multiple regions. The firm acted in impactful deals to the Ukrainian energy sector, in particular, supported Goldbeck Solar in connection to an acquisition of a solar project, and GammaOne during the acquisition of a wind project. The team also provided corporate law counsel to an international railway maintenance equipment and services supplier regarding its operations in Ukraine. The practice has two partners on board. Adam Mycyk, a US-qualified partner, commands strong transactional expertise, while managing partner Oleg Batyuk leads the practice and serves as a key contact for the firm’s international clientele.
EY’s multidisciplinary team excels with corporate advisory, compliance, governance, and transactional support. The practice team has a vast presence in the growing IT sector M&A, and well-versed expertise in private equity and venture capital transactions. Among the recent highlights is providing full buy-side legal support for Intellias, a global software engineering and digital consulting company, in the acquisition of C2 Solutions, a Minnesota-based technology services and product lifecycle management firm; served as a legal counsel to a Ukrainian private equity fund in acquiring a minority stake in a Ukrainian IT company, a leading provider of services for game development, co-development and cinematic productions. The team is constantly mentioned for expertise in private equity matters, and recently advised on the structuring of a private equity fund aimed at investing in Ukrainian businesses. Given its international coverage, the firm also acts on cross-border deals involving multiple jurisdictions, and most recently advised the leading French technological company that acquired a Danish manufacturer of ducts and microducts for telecoms companies. In the pipeline of a corporate practice are a range of assignments including, among others, compliance and governance, corporate structuring, liquidation of business, etc. Among other disclosable clients are Horizon Capital, Digitally Inspired, Miratech, Rozetka. EY’s associate partner Bogdan Malniev is known for his strong engagement in M&A and private equity transactions. The senior team members are Andrii Kornuta and Denys Kolesnychenko. Partner Borys Lobovyk leads EY’s law practice in Ukraine.
Ukrainian law firm Hillmont Partners is instructed by significant international and domestic business groups on sophisticated and challenging investment projects and transactions in Ukraine, as well as handles shareholder disputes. During the research period the firm advised a private shareholder on acquisition of a stake in a UK advanced sports and leisure management company; assisted an international fintech company in incorporating an operational company in Romania; supported acquisitions of Ukrainian real estate assets, corporate restructurings, assignment of rights, etc. Another highlight included advising a UK investor on investment and corporate structuring in Ukraine’s mining sector, and guiding them through a shareholder buyout. Among disclosable clients are Glovoapp Ukraine, Argentem Creek Partners, AlixPartners, American Councils, GIR Group, The Betting and Gaming Council. The corporate and M&A practice is led by the firm’s senior partner Valentyn Zasukha, an experienced corporate finance and investment advisor, and was strengthened with the arrival of Oksana Krasnokutska as a counsel from AEQUO. The firm’s regional offices handle corporate matters, with partner Andrian Artsishevsky leading the office in Lviv, and Ivan Kovalenko heading the practice in Odesa.
Kinstellar leverages its strong international presence to advise on complex cross-border M&A, joint ventures, and corporate governance, providing comprehensive support for market entry and exit in Ukraine. The sectoral breakdown of the team’s work encompasses technology, telecommunications, aerospace and defense, consumer goods, financial services, as well as humanitarian organizations. The firm was involved into the landmark transaction — a significant consolidation of and investment in the Ukrainian telecoms market, and acted as Ukrainian legal counsel to NJJ Capital, the investment company of France’s leading technology entrepreneur Xavier Niel, in the circa USD 1 billion acquisition and merger of Datagroup-Volia, one of Ukraine’s largest fixed telecom and pay TV providers, and Lifecell, Ukraine’s third-largest mobile operator. Another transactional highlight includes advising Croatia’s Orbico Group on the acquisition of a controlling stake in SAV 92, a leading Ukrainian distributor of branded international and Ukrainian food and non-food products. The team stands out for its specialized expertise in the defense sector, and recently advised KNDS, a leading European defense industry holding, on establishing its Ukrainian subsidiary to enhance cooperation with the government and local industry. The team was historically involved in corporate governance reform projects in Ukrainian SOEs, including assisting the Ministry of Economy in drafting legislative amendments on SOE governance. The practice has three partners on board — Anastasiya Bolkhovitinova (defense, technology and telecommunications sectors), Olena Kuchynska (corporate governance) and Illya Muchnyk (energy, financial services). Ihor Kitela and Mykola Lykhoglyad are the key team members.
Having strong connections with international law firms, Ukrainian law firm Redcliffe Partners, is enlisted to handle high-stakes transactions as well as ongoing corporate support in Ukraine. The firm remains dedicated to serving as Ukrainian legal counsel in cross-border transactions and global corporate restructurings. In particular, the team acted as Ukrainian law counsel, together with Clifford Chance Prague as lead counsel, advised KKCG, a leading European investment and innovation group, on the acquisition of Avenga, a global end-to-end software engineering and consulting platform; advised a Turkish household appliance manufacturer on its global corporate restructuring, facilitating the transfer of shares in its Ukrainian subsidiary as part of a joint venture between Arçelik (75%) and Whirlpool (25%), which created a major global player in the home appliances market. Another highlight on the domestic front included advising Renaisco B.V., a Viterra group company, on its acquisition of a grain elevator complex in Vinnytsia Region. Most recently, the firm acted as Ukrainian legal counsel to the EBRD and IFC in the USD 435 million financing to support the merger of Lifecell and Datagroup-Volia, conducting comprehensive due diligence and advising on corporate restructuring, regulatory compliance, and complex sanctions matters. The practice portfolio also encompasses a wide range of shareholder matters, corporate structuring, intragroup restructuring, etc. Partner Albert Sych, head of the corporate practice, led a significant workload during the research period. English-law qualified M&A practice head Zoryana Sozanska-Matviychuk moved of counsel. Natalia Gerus, counsel, is active across corporate and M&A projects of the firm.
Dynamic and well-established, ARIO Law Firm, with offices in Kyiv and Lviv, provides a full spectrum of corporate legal services, including privatization, M&A, joint ventures, corporate restructuring, compliance, and corporate dispute resolution. The team is preferred by a wide range of domestic businesses, as well as state authorities and territorial communities. For example, the firm provided full legal support for the establishment of a joint venture with a foreign investor to develop two waste-to-energy plants in Kyiv Region, registering Waste Energy Alta LLC, and structuring the EUR 135 million project funded by private and international investors under Ukraine’s National Waste Management Strategy 2030. This past year, the team successfully finalized the privatization and acquisition of Kobylyvolotsky Distillery by Aqua Solar Invest Group. The M&A pipeline of the firm includes a number of ongoing representations in mid-market and larger deals, among others, advising Blago Development, a construction enterprise, in the course of an acquisition of LAZ (Lviv Auto bus Plant); overseeing the full M&A process for the sale of LLC Svinec, representing the seller and facilitating the attraction of an investor for the acquisition of all company assets. The practice is led by two partners, namely Julian Khorunzhyi and Anna Sydorovych, with input from Serhii Derkach.
ARMADA, a dynamic Ukrainian law firm, extends its corporate practice on structuring market entries, corporate structuring and reorganizations, shareholder and ownership matters, acquisitions, joint ventures. In a recent highlight the firm advised a leading European pharmaceutical manufacturer on acquiring corporate rights to a probiotics production plant; represented a German manufacturing enterprise in acquiring corporate rights to an enterprise that has received a permit to develop a granite quarry; supported establishment of a joint venture in Ukraine in cooperation with a Turkish partner, which is a leading manufacturer of bridge parts and special construction technologies; developed shareholder agreement for a national network for the sale of electronics and household appliances, etc. The firm advised domestic business on its foreign expansions, most recently having acted as a legal counsel to an equipment manufacturer on the acquisition of production facilities in Poland. In addition, the firm supported the opening of a representative office of a Chinese IT company in Ukraine. The practice has two partners on board, namely Anastasiia Luuk and Oleksandr Shumskyi.
Eterna Law is retained for corporate restructurings, M&A, JVs, ownership structuring, market entries and exits. In 2014, the firm acted as the legal advisor for the American start-up Allset in the deal concerning the sale of the company’s key assets; advised a Ukrainian company on creating a joint venture in the military industry with a well-known US and Polish defense companies. The firm is historically well present in IT and gaming industries. For example, the team advised Arrise Solutions, a globally-renowned B2B service provider, in the iGaming industry, on matters related to Diia City residency; supported WinSystems, a technology provider in the global gaming industry, in ceasing operations in Ukraine. The firm continued advising Alba Polska Sp.z.o.o. in a PPP project aimed at constructing a waste processing plant in Vinnytsia Region. The firm provides strategic legal advice to Eva, prominent Ukrainian cosmetics retail chain, on the management of assets. The practice is led by two partners Oleh Malskyy and Artem Kuzmenko. The firm’s counsel, Marharyta Tatarova, plays an active role across the practice workflow.
EUCONLAW Group’s corporate practice specializes in supporting businesses from the EU and Eastern Partnership countries in cross-border operations, with offices in Poland and Ukraine since 2006. The team provides corporate legal services for both jurisdictions, including business incorporation, corporate structuring, compliance, M&A and dispute resolution. During the research period, the firm advised Ukrainian investors on corporate structuring and market entry, including Violza, a non-food wholesale business, Kort Electronic Technologies, NSV Trade, agricultural goods and chemical trade, Creative Tech Lab, IT service provider expansion, Canvas International, retail and wholesale of furniture, lighting, and décor, Zebra Toy, wholesale and e-commerce business for licensed toys, Bayadera, a Ukrainian alcohol beverage holding, etc. Other areas of assignments included the opening of a joint venture in the military-technical sphere and a number of projects in the technology sector, namely in defense tech. Yaroslav Romanchuk leads the corporate practice in the Kyiv office, while Andrii Romanchuk oversees the corporate practice in the Warsaw office.
In the past year, EVERLEGAL has handled significant mandates, including assisting international companies with corporate, transactional, and martial law issues. The firm also facilitated M&A transactions and provided legal support to real estate and energy companies entering the Ukrainian market, along with corporate, compliance, governance, and regulatory matters. Notably, the corporate practice team continues to advise on corporate law matters for the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy projects, while also providing transactional support for sector-related deals. The team continued to attract new clients, namely large international organizations seeking advice on their current activities in Ukraine aimed at implementing projects to support Ukrainians during the ongoing state of war. EVERLEGAL acted as a legal partner for VisionFund International in a project aimed at entering the Ukrainian non-banking financial services market through its subsidiary microfinance institution, VisionFund Ukraine. Among disclosable names in the client roster are Louis Dreyfus Company Ukraine, UNIT.City, UDP Renewables, Hero Future Energies, UFuture Management Group, Norwegian Refugee Council. Managing partner Yevheniy Deyneko specializes in leading corporate and transactional matters in the IT and agricultural sectors, as well as greenfield projects in non-banking finance and renewable energy. Partner Andriy Olenyuk has played a key role in renewable energy transactions.
Gramatskiy & Partners provides comprehensive corporate advisory services, including corporate structuring, reorganizations, privatization, intra-group transactions, and transactional support. The firm is known for its strong positions in real estate and construction, IT, and agrarian sectors. The firm advised Stroy Alliance Group in the course of acquiring 10% of the Port Logistic Center, which owns a production and storage facility in the logistics complex; advised VPG Agro Trade on the purchase of the group of honey exporting companies Solid Sugar Ukraine; represented Trancoff Technologies on Purchase of Green Forest LLC, production of healthy food products and cold-pressed oils; supported investments of City Capital Group in the project of biological conversion of industrial organic waste — BIOCONTEC. In addition, the firm advised its long-standing client Airport City on the restructuring of ownership and corporate control. The firm’s founder Ernest Gramatskiy guides the most complex projects, including multijurisdictional M&A, dealing at the beneficiary level. Corporate practice head Yegor Ignatichev is at the front of general corporate workflow.
Ilyashev & Partners advises leading Ukrainian companies and business owners, foreign corporates and private investors on corporate matters, managing a steady portfolio of corporate structuring, restructuring, share and asset transactions, shareholder relations, and corporate dispute resolution. In 2024, the firm demonstrates its stable presence in strategic industries — energy, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, real estate, defense, and is also hired to support outbound expansion of Ukrainian businesses. The firm provided comprehensive legal support to Nestlé’s Ukrainian operations, advising on corporate restructuring and governance, while assisting its key subsidiary, Volynholding, in expanding production facilities in Smolyhiv, including regulatory approvals, property registration, compliance, financing, and the relocation of operations from Kharkiv to Volyn Region. Notably, the team led a comprehensive corporate governance reform of Poltava Mining and Processing Plant (Ferrexpo Poltava Mining); advised Devold, a leading Norwegian manufacturer of sports and outdoor clothing, on the establishment and corporate matters of its subsidiary in Ukraine. The firm advises on state sanctions policy, including appeals against sanctions involving the collection of corporate rights into state income or the seizure of authorized capital, restricting alienation, disposal, and use within criminal proceedings. The team’s client roster includes significant names, like Mondelēz International, STADA Arzneimittel AG, Ukrrichflot, The Estonian Centre for International Development. Managing partner Mikhail Ilyashev provides strategic guidance, while partner Yevgen Solovyov oversees general corporate advisory and anti-raiding matters, and Vyacheslav Sytyi, counsel, specializes in ownership structuring in foreign jurisdictions, and acts regularly as corporate law expert within shareholder disputes.
KPMG Law Ukraine has a strong foothold in the oil and gas sector and is expanding its presence in mining, defense, real estate, retail, and consumer markets. The team is a point of choice for supporting entering the Ukrainian market and establishing a joint venture, large-scale reorganization projects, with the notable increase of vendor-side M&A deal assistance projects. Among landmark M&A projects of the past year was acting as financial, tax, and legal advisor to Ukrnafta in the course of its acquisition of a 51% stake in Shell Gas Station Network in Ukraine; advising NEQSOL Holding in the course of acquiring a 100% stake in JSC United Mining and Chemical Company (UMCC), one of the largest titanium ore raw material producers in the world. The practice team enjoys a following among private equity and venture investment funds. In particular, the firm advised Horizon Capital on its investment in a multinational IT group, conducting full legal due diligence of the Ukrainian entity and ESG due diligence of the entire group. Yuriy Katser, director, and Bogdan Shyshkovskyi, senior counsel, are the key practitioners referred for their vivid market presence.
Being widely known for its dispute resolution capabilities, LCF Law Group is rapidly expanding the visibility of its corporate and M&A practice, demonstrating involvement in transactional, corporate governance and structuring matters. In addition to its well-established presence in the renewable energy, banking, gambling sectors, the firm became increasingly active in agribusiness, retail, oil and gas, and construction. The firm recently advised the owners of Wind Park West-R on the sale of a wind farm to Elementum Energy, a leading international investor in the alternative energy sector in Ukraine. Another notable highlight was a comprehensive analysis of Turkcell’s holding structure to determine potential links to sanctioned individuals, including Mr. Mikhail Fridman, in the context of appealing a seizure order on Turkcell’s Ukrainian subsidiaries, ultimately securing the order’s lifting and unblocking a USD 525 million share sale deal. The team is retained for handling shareholder disputes and settlement of relationships between partners. The client roster includes Fozzy Group, AVK Group, Gamedev, etc. Partner Sergiy Benedysiuk leads the corporate practice team.
Lexwell & Partners serves a prominent client base from the industrial, oil and gas, and real estate sectors, focusing on large-scale M&A, corporate restructuring, and privatization projects. In 2024, the firm completed a multijurisdictional deal with significant competition aspects, namely advised CRH on its EUR 100 million acquisition of Buzzi’s (Dyckerhoff Group) cement, ready-mix concrete, and logistics businesses in Ukraine. Other representative track record included advising a building materials producer on Aeroc’s privatization, Ukraine’s largest aerated block manufacturer; rendering legal support to Vienna-based Euroventures Group, guiding a series of commercial property acquisitions in Kyiv’s central business district, including the 2024 purchase of three buildings. Andriy Kolupaev, Igor Nagai, and Zhanna Goriacha are the main practitioners.
MK Legal Service is a Ukrainian firm with an extensive industrial focus on HoReCa, retail, IT and telecom sectors. The firm leverages vast experience in strategic advisory in domestic and outbound expansion, building franchise networks, and supporting general corporate matters. The firm provided comprehensive legal support to its long-standing client, Gastrofamily, assisting with the expansion of new restaurants, franchise operations in Ukraine, and the launch of the “Gastrofamily Goes Global” initiative, which helps Ukrainians to establish restaurant businesses in Europe under preferential franchise terms. The team is highly active across the retail sector, in particular, complex legal support of “O!SOME” stores, a Japanese chain of stores selling goods for a bright life; support for the launch of new stores of the ONEBYONE chain. Another strong side of the firm is its confident presence in the TMT sector, while during the research period the team elaborated on a legal scheme for launching franchises in the field of cloud services in the interests of its established client, GigaCloud; assisted corporate business structuring for IT company Synchron. The practice is led by managing partner Maksym Kurochko, with Serhii Husiev heading the HoreCa and retail support practice, and Artem Ostapenko overseeing the IT/TMT practice.
Ukrainian law firm MORIS, with offices in Kyiv and Ivano-Frankivsk, is retained for investment structuring, corporate restructuring, privatization, governance, and M&A. In 2024, the firm led the squeeze-out of minority shareholders for Promprylad.Renovation, Ukraine’s largest impact investment project, while continuing to support its investment strategy through additional securities issuance and regulatory compliance, and overseeing corporate governance development; serves as legal counsel to Invest-Active Asset Management Company for the establishment of a major medical center in Western Ukraine; provided full legal support for the creation and registration of the Abrasive Association of Ukraine as a public union. Additionally, the firm’s corporate practice provides comprehensive pro bono legal support for the establishment and integration of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and ensuring the seamless functioning of over 7,000 religious organizations nationwide. The recent pipeline of its subsequent practice also includes mandates for preparing M&A deals, drafting efficient corporate governance structures, support of privatization. The client roster includes IFCEM, First Private Brewery, Foodoteka, etc. Maryan Martynyuk is a corporate and M&A partner.
Ukrainian law firm NOBLES boasts a strong international client base, providing comprehensive corporate, commercial, and M&A legal services with a focus on cross-border transactions. The firm is point of choice for multijurisdictional deals, and most recently acted as Ukrainian legal counsel to Italy’s Bolton Group in its multijurisdictional acquisition of Unipak, a manufacturer of chemical and technical products for the plumbing industry. The firm has also advised TOV Vivian, a company owning the Giraffe Mall in Irpin, on corporate structuring and approvals needed for the loan from Ukraine aid fund, a fund in the USA, directed to reconstruct the shopping mall damaged during Russian invasion. Among other assignments in the recent portfolio — corporate regulations during martial law, business expansions, corporate governance, corporate and intragroup restructuring, shareholders’ agreements, establishing joint ventures. In the client roster are such names as Auto1 Group Se, Beam Suntory, BayWa, DAAD: German Academic Exchange Service, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, H&M. The practice is led by two partners, namely Alexander Weigelt who took the majority of corporate practice workload, being known for advising clients from the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Volodymyr Yakubovskyy is engaged in general work coordination.
Domestic law firm Olsten Partners is a point of choice for market entries and elaborating corporate structures, purchase and sale of corporate rights, corporate disputes. In 2024, the firm demonstrated engagement in mid and small-sized M&A, representing clients across healthcare, cosmetics, retail, commercial real estate, construction and development, etc. The team supported Eiger, a construction company for the construction of mobile communication bases for mobile operators, in preparing and selling a construction; acted for Vitryak Restaurant in Kyiv during the sale of the restaurant building through the sale of corporate rights of the enterprise. The firm rendered legal support of the GLOBAL24, Polish transport and logistics company entering the Ukrainian market. During the research period the team was often retained for handling corporate disputes. For example, it acted in a corporate dispute between partners in ORA PRO, a dental clinic in Kyiv. Olesia Romanenko, managing partner, is the main point of contact.
PETERKA & PARTNERS benefits from its presence across the CEE region and strong client base. The Kyiv office is traditionally a point of choice for the firm’s European clients, supporting their corporate operations and advising their local subsidiaries in Ukraine. In 2024, the team remained focused on corporate restructurings, regulatory compliance, and tailored advisory on client entry and exit strategies. The office assisted clients with contemplated M&As, intragroup restructurings, divestments, and joint ventures. For example, the team advised a provider in computer systems design and related services industry in connection with the sale of a Ukrainian company. A partner of the Kyiv office, Taras Utiralov, guides the corporate practice. Anastasiia Kusherets, senior associate, is an important team member.
Wolf Theiss provides corporate advisory and transactional support, including M&A and restructuring, with its Kyiv office frequently collaborating with other CEE network offices on multijurisdictional projects. In 2024, the firm advised a global group specializing in components in the fields of electrical power and advanced materials, on the Ukrainian part of an initial due diligence of the group in a bidding process; advised an alternative investment management company on the potential acquisition of a share in one of the leading online retailers of vehicle parts and accessories in Europe. The firm continues ongoing advisory to Ukrmilkinvest, one of the largest Ukrainian dairy producers and the operator of the national Family Dairy Farms project, on structuring and implementing a dairy project across Ukraine. The Kyiv office also supports clients with incorporation and liquidation in Ukraine, having most recently advised VASS, an IT consulting firm with high specialization in new technologies and a high complexity products and services integrator, on the liquidation of its Ukrainian subsidiary registered in the city of Kherson. Managing partner Taras Dumych leads M&A and private equity deals. Oksana Volynets, senior associate, plays a key role in the team, overseeing complex transactions and advisory assignments.
Alstellar Law Firm specializes in international corporate structuring, providing expert guidance on corporate and tax matters. In 2024, the firm continued to advise Centravis, a leading global supplier of seamless stainless steel pipes and tubes, on its expansion into the European market, and provided strategic corporate structuring guidance to UkrLandFarming for its expansion. Clients include EvoPlay, 1+1 Media, Terwin Group, Coal Energy S.A. Olga Vinglovska is the main point of contact.
ANTIKA Law Firm’s corporate practice covers business structuring, reorganization, securities transactions, agreement structuring, permit acquisition, M&A support, and corporate dispute resolution. The team represents Sumska Nasosna Technika LLC in corporate disputes, including challenges to shareholder meeting validity, and a complex case involving corporate and labor law over a former member’s dismissal claim. During the research period corporate portfolio encompassed support in the process of merger, establishment of Ukrainian subsidiaries and new companies. Among clients are IBIS, Qaya Safety Solutions Ukraine, JANBOREE UA. Dr. Oleksiy Kot, senior partner, heads the practice.
Ukrainian law firm ESQUIRES specializes in company formation, structuring JVs, advising on corporate structuring and restructuring across foreign jurisdictions. Among the representative projects within the research period was advising V-Tell Group on the complex cross-jurisdictional transfer of a telecom services company from Hong Kong to the UAE, ensuring regulatory compliance, securing telecom licensing, and restructuring operations to align with UAE corporate and governance standards; advising NOTA Group on restructuring a Cyprus-based payment systems company. Partner Bogdan Prysyazhnyuk is the main contact.
EXPATPRO’s corporate law and business administration team, led by partner Tetiana Yashchenko, provides comprehensive legal support for business structuring, compliance, asset management, and corporate transactions. In 2024, the firm focused on assisting representative offices, subsidiaries of foreign companies and international organizations. The team also handled business liquidations for foreign entrepreneurs affected by war-related relocations and saw rising demand for joint ventures, international supply structures, and corporate restructuring following legislative changes. The team’s recent clients include 2021.AI, Solidar Suisse, Silvaco Inc., Geneva Call, Eptisa Servicios de Ingenieria S.L., Artesans ResQ, and others.
Investment Lawyer Group demonstrates involvement in merger support, business restructuring, minority shareholder protection, etc. The firm acted as legal counsel in the merger of agribusiness companies in Kyiv Region, the consolidation led by Japan’s Third Wave Corporation. Liudmyla Usatiuk, partner, is head of the corporate law and M&A practice.
Juscutum Law Firm has an established presence in Ukraine’s IT sector, offering corporate law guidance to businesses in IT, tech, e-commerce, defense tech and fintech industries. The team assists with market entry and exit, tailored corporate structures, governance optimization, corporate restructuring, and offers full-spectrum legal and strategic support for IT businesses and Diia City residents. Among highlights during the research period are full-scope legal support to the startup FlexiPay, under the aegis of Jooble, related to the implementation of the “Earned Wage Access” service; legal support to Bitfury’s operations in Ukraine, including assisting with market entry, corporate restructuring, credit relations, business operations, and regulatory compliance. The team also continued to support the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Diia.Business Entrepreneur Support Centers in Ukraine’s Regions, assisting with the centers’ operational setup and providing legal consultations to entrepreneurs through the Diia.Business platform. Notably, the firm advised Ukrainian defense tech start-ups in attracting investments. Among other industries, during 2024 the firm advised clients from art, healthcare, commercial support services, security industries. Dmytro Paliushchenko, head of the business law practice, serves as the primary point of contact.
KM Partners provides legal support for M&A, corporate restructurings, and due diligence for international and domestic clients. The firm has experience of corporate governance, assisting with shareholder agreements, regulatory compliance, and business structuring, including the establishment, transformation, and liquidation of entities. This past year the firm advised an international investment and development company on the sale of two Ukrainian companies and multiple land plots; conducted legal due diligence for a Ukrainian subsidiary of a global grain trader operating an electric substation, covering corporate history, land rights, regulatory, and environmental aspects. The team assisted multiple international organizations, including an NGO specializing in children’s rights, in setting up representative offices and charitable foundations. Alexander Minin and Maxim Oleksiuk are the lead partners.
Stron Legal Services specializes in a focused industry niche, covering fintech, gambling, e-commerce, and the broader IT sector, providing seamless international tax and corporate structuring, multijurisdictional restructuring, and regulatory compliance. Private M&A featured in the firm’s portfolio in the research period. Oleg Derlyuk, managing partner, is the practice head.
Vdovychen & Partners demonstrates expertise in corporate law, contract analysis, corporate rights transactions, charter updates, and governance for non-resident corporate rights, while providing representation in corporate claims, and LLC membership changes. Managing partner Oleg Vdovychen is the main contact.
Our market research highlights law firms and professionals who, despite not submitting information for the current study, remain vivid market players. The highlights were taken from public sources to underscore their market presence, a fact consistently confirmed during in-depth interviews.[1]
AEQUO* is highly regarded for its strong presence in significant M&A, private equity and corporate mandates. The team is particularly noted for its expertise in IT, technology, and telecommunications, along with its notable strengths in energy and increased presence in the defense sector. Among public highlights of the past year were assisting NEQSOL Holding in privatizing United Mining and Chemical Company, Ukraine’s largest titanium feedstock producer; advising Dragon Capital on the acquisition of the Karavan Outlet shopping mall, one of the largest outlets in Kyiv from DCH Investment Management. Michael Lukashenko was mentioned by peers for his active role in the M&A arena. Anna Babych is acclaimed for her longstanding presence and strong reputation on the market.
Arzinger*, a full-service law firm, is recognized for its consistent presence in corporate matters, serving both international and domestic clients. The firm represented Aurora Multimarket on the acquisition of West Gate Logistics from the Dragon Capital group. Timur Bondaryev, founding partner, was mentioned during the market analysis.
AVELLUM* is a highly-esteemed national law firm with a strong track record in market-leading domestic and cross-border transactions, as well as high-profile corporate work. The team traditionally advises private equity deals, having recently advised Horizon Capital on the acquisition of a minority stake in Viseven, a leading global marketing tech provider servicing the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry. Among highlights in the energy sector is advising the Greenville Group of Companies on the sale of a renewable energy infrastructure project. The firm regularly acts as a Ukrainian legal counsel in multijurisdictional deals. The team recently acted as Ukrainian legal counsel to Aspia, the business partner offering technology-enabled accounting, payroll, tax, and advisory services, on the acquisition of Accountor Outsourcing, a major provider of accounting, payroll, and professional services in the Nordic region. The sizeable practice is led by three dedicated partners, namely Mykola Stetsenko, Yuriy Nechayev, and Andriy Romanchuk.
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang* is recognized for its strong transactional expertise, being constantly present in landmark cross-border projects across energy, telecommunications, infrastructure, banking and finance sectors. Among public highlights for the research period is advising a consortium led by NJJ Holding — the investment firm owned by Xavier Niel, founder of European telecom group Iliad — and U.S. private equity firm Horizon Capital, on historic acquisition of Datagroup-Volia and Lifecell in Ukraine; advising MND a.s. on its acquisition of a 50% share in the Oriv wind power plant; acting for the Dutch Good Growth Fund (DGGF) in the course of acquiring a substantial shareholding in Bank Lviv. Having demonstrated an active role in the research period, Tetyana Dovgan, Kyiv-based partner, continued to receive strong endorsement from the market. Inna Koval, senior associate, was named as a well-rounded practitioner, who is present across transactional assignments.
Vasil Kisil & Partners* was recognized during the research as a reliable market player in general corporate and corporate governance advisory. Among public highlights was advising Arcona Property Fund in the acquisition of a residential development site in the center of Kyiv; advising software company MacPaw on its corporate restructuring. Volodymyr Igonin, partner, is the practice head.
Imagine Lawyers*, a Ukrainian law firm founded in 2024 by former partners of DLA Piper Ukraine (later — Kinstellar), was noted by market insiders. Alla Kozachenko, partner, was mentioned for her active guidance of transactions during the research period.
Regional Counsel
The Odesa-based consulting firm DOMINANTA provides support for asset acquisitions, investments in residential and hospitality sectors, including outbound transactions, and has recently expanded into the technology sector. The team continued to provide legal support for investment in development projects in Bulgaria, while a key highlight in the technology sector was advising the purchaser on acquiring a mobile app start-up for Google Play, with a total deal value of EUR 4.5 million. Vitaly Gritsik and Maxim Kobzov are the key contacts.
Rezultat Law Firm, Cherkasy-based counsel, specializes in the sale and transfer of corporate rights, with a growing focus on non-resident clients. Recent projects include structuring a drone development company; advising Chinese shareholders on corporate rights sales, and assisting a UK-based LLC with transferring its agricultural sector shares to an EU entity while assessing tax risks. The clients of this firm’s practice team include software development company Andersen, Dressler Consulting, Aqualapka Inc, Adana-3 LLC. The corporate practice is led by partner Liliia Goncharova.
[1] The firms marked with asterisk (*) have not submitted information for the current research.