Criminal Law / White-Collar Crime

Leading FIRMS
Listed in alphabetical order

Anti-corruption

War and Military Crimes

The personalities category — Authorities — reflects individual achievements, referring to undisputed market professionals who are named as standard-setters, less involved in each project at present, but who play a key role in the client relationships, reputation and market longevity of their firms or practices.

Full-service Ukrainian law firm Asters makes up one of the largest specialized white-collar crime (WCC) teams in Ukraine, covering all types of WCC, including tax evasion, money laundering, fraud, professional negligence, bribery, corruption, environmental crime, whistle-blowing reports, as well as wartime criminal offences against humanity. This well-versed team is increasingly active in representing international corporates, facing complex and sensitive cross-border business crime allegations, national corporates, which typically do business on a global scale, and ultra-HNWI and/or politically-exposed persons. Public clients include ED&F Man Trading Ukraine, Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Limited (IBRC), Pelagia AS, PrivatBank. The team also contributes to coordinating the efforts of the world’s leading organizations to support action to hold Russsian perpetrators accountable for criminal offences against humanity committed during Russia’s war against Ukraine. The team is led by partner Sergiy Grebenyuk, who has recently acted on cross-border criminal matters. Orest Stasiuk, counsel, is another key senior lead of the practice. The sizeable team includes Viktor Duma, Volodymyr Tkachenko, Igor Voronov, Olha Yurchenko, Tatiana Popovska, Volodymyr Boriak.

The team of AVER LEX commands a consistent leading position in white-collar crime, utilizing representation in high-profile economic crimes involving leading politicians, wealthy individuals and public officials, as well as advising prominent corporate clients and institutions. The firm provides legal aid to military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and their family members on a wide variety of issues, including matters related to enlistment, discharge from military service, processing payments in connection with injuries or death, and the defense of service personnel in criminal proceedings regarding alleged military crimes, etc. Among the landmark public representations were protecting the interests of Yaroslav Dubnevych, a Ukrainian politician and businessman, in criminal proceedings on charges of grand misappropriation of funds from PJSC Ukrainian Railways during procurement for the supply of spare parts for railway track; 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 postal service Nova Poshta against an unprecedented fine of USD 11.5 million imposed by the State Service for Consumer Protection as well as defending interests in a case regarding explosions at automatic postal machines in Kyiv and Odesa. The firm cooperates with the Coordination Headquarters for Prisoners of War and handles queries on the search for persons, gathers data on the exchange of war prisoners’ lists, possible evidence of the presence of civil and military personnel in captivity, and information about their state of health and life, provides constant communication with relatives of missing persons, prisoners and representatives of the relevant state bodies, continuous legal support within initiated criminal proceedings and taking urgent measures. Olga Prosyanyuk, managing partner, acts in a multitude of challenging cases, showcasing especially strong performance in anti-corruption proceedings. Vitaliy Serdyuk, one of the most recognized attorneys in Ukraine, heads the defense counsel group in landmark proceedings, especially protecting the interests of military personnel, including those in captivity or who are missing in action. Artem Drozdov took over leadership of a number of economic and corporate crime matters. Andriana Fozekosh was appointed head of the firm’s military personnel defense practice.[1]

Having a strong focus on criminal law, Barristers defends politicians, businessmen, state officials, private companies and their top managers in criminal proceedings, mainly relating to corruption, fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, embezzlement and tax evasion. The team also represents victims to protect their rights in criminal proceedings and advises military personnel and their families on legal issues, including war crimes. Notable cases include the full defense of authorized persons of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority in five criminal cases and the provision of legal assistance in the criminal case concerning the repair of Bridge No. 2 in Dnipro; the representation of Mr. Mykhailo Holovko, head of the Ternopil Regional Council, accused of receiving undue benefits in particularly large amounts; and the defense of Business Myasoproduct LLC, a manufacturer of meat products, against criminal prosecution, seizure of products from warehouses and seizure of accounts. The firm also continues to represent Petro Poroshenko, the fifth President of Ukraine, currently a Member of Parliament and leader of the European Solidarity political party, in a number of criminal cases, including charges of treason and facilitating the activities of terrorist organizations. The team, as led by Kostyantyn Globa, includes partners Ilya Novikov, Elvira Lazarenko, Oleksandr Shadrin, Oleksandr Tananakin.

The respectable Benchers Law Firm handles sophisticated and high-value white-collar and anti-corruption proceedings. This well-versed team is increasingly active in representing renowned political figures whose sensitive cases are being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, as well as owners and top-managers of international and national companies. The highlight case is defending a former Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, who is accused of bribing a high-ranking official of the anti-corruption body of Ukraine – a special pre-trial investigation has been conducted and the case was concluded by agreement of the parties. The team is headed by Oleh Valendiuk, a reputable criminal law, dispute resolution, and white-collar crime expert with extensive experience in leading positions at state authorities. Prominent Olga Shapovalova combines her successful research background and rigorous law practice with high-profile cases. Oleksandr Mykytenko covers high-profile multi-jurisdictional economic and white-collar crime cases.

Acting as a full-scope litigation team in Ukraine, EQUITY possesses an impressive portfolio of WCC 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 two former Ministers of Infrastructure – Volodymyr Omelyan and Andriy Pyvovarskiy – in cases on suspicion of illegal enrichment and abuse of office and power and causing material damage to a state-owned enterprise, respectively. The team represents Andriy Kobolyev, ex-chairman of the board of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine in two criminal cases initiated by National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) in connection with financial fraud, falsification of and signing of documents on extra payments (bonuses) for himself and his employees. One recent resonant case is representing Ihor Mazepa, the founder and CEO of Concorde Capital, in criminal proceedings regarding land plots in Kyiv Region. Furthermore, the team provides legal aid to former district court officials suspected/accused of interfering with the court’s document management system, which resulted in the unlawful distribution of cases. The sizeable criminal and white-collar crime department is led by a number of partners – respected and highly-vivid Taras Poshyvanyuk, extra-strong heavyweight Oleksandr Lysak, and enlisted for scaled cases, the highly-experienced Vyacheslav Krahlevych. Outstanding luminary Yaroslav Zeikan has more than 40 years of practical experience. The team’s rising stars are Bohdan Slobodyan, Rodion Kokosh and Oksana Varakina (endorsed for her recent performance in cross-border criminal proceedings).

Gracers Law Firm, a prominent domestic criminal law boutique, specializes in a broad spectrum of white-collar crime areas, including bribery, abuse of power, government official crimes, corporate and commercial frauds, forensic and financial investigations, and crimes involving high-ranking military officials. The firm handles the defense of Roman Chervinskiy, a Ukrainian military officer, former head of the 5th Directorate of the Counterintelligence Department of the Security Service of Ukraine, curator and head of the “Avenue” special operation, who is under suspicion of orchestrating an unauthorized special operation to seize a Russian military aircraft, resulting in the destruction of facilities and equipment at a Ukrainian airfield and also charged with fraudulent activities. The team also acted on 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 Natalia Chebotaryova, former head of the State Tax Service of Odesa Region, who is facing charges of providing illegal benefit to a Deputy Prosecutor of Odesa Region; as well as provide defense for Vasyl Burba, colonel-general of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, former head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, accused of committing a criminal offense related to intentional destruction or damage to property. Managing partner Serhii Lysenko is an experienced criminal defense attorney who guides the team. Liudmyla Kusa is noted as a rising star in criminal trials. The counsel line includes Serhii Savynskyi and Larisa Velichko.

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, abuse of power, negligence and illegal enrichment as well as conducting corporate investigations and asset searches. Additionally, the team has experience in extradition and Interpol proceedings. Representation of public personalities in anti-corruption authorities in high-profile cases is another strong side of the firm. 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 rendered defense of Kostiantyn Zhevago, the beneficial owner of Bank Finance and Credit, during extradition at the request of the Prosecutor-General’s Office – The Supreme Court of the French Republic refused to extradite the bank’s owner to Ukraine due to the fact that the Ukrainian authorities cannot ensure the businessman’s right to a fair trial; defending the interests of ex-chairman of the Board of Directors of Privatbank CB PJSC Mr. Dubilet in criminal proceedings with regard to embezzlement of funds by an official; representing the interests of Colliers International, a world-known company in the field of real estate, in a criminal case regarding the possible provision of an unreliable appraisal, which, according to the investigation, was used to embezzle funds from a loan issued by the bank. The firm handles protection of the interests of Dnipro Metallurgical Plant PJSC (which used to be known as the Petrovsky Plant), one of the largest metallurgical enterprises in the country, in criminal proceedings in respect of probable air pollution and violation of water protection rules. The team is defending Andrii Dovbenko, lawyer, attorney at law, founder and former beneficiary of Evris law firm, accused of embezzlement related to the sale of seized property through electronic auctions by ARMA and SETAM SC, involving losses of UAH 485 million. This sizeable team has three partners on board. Renowned Ukrainian criminal defense attorney Denys Bugay, head of the white-collar crime practice, specializes in defending bank shareholders and top managers against property and criminal liability, represents public figures in anti-corruption proceedings, and manages extradition and Interpol-related issues. Oleksandr Lukianenko is another key partner, being especially active in cases related to economic and corruption offences. Denys Shkarovsky is effective in protecting shareholders and top business management. Counsel Sergii Boyko and Mykyta Nuralin are important team members.

The white-collar crime practice of ADER HABER encompasses fraud investigations, misappropriation and theft of assets, embezzlement, tax evasion and fictitious bankruptcy, abuse/excess of authority, negligence and illegal enrichment. The team has gained experience in matters with Interpol. In a recent highlight the team defends the interests of the Uman greenhouse complex`s officials in criminal proceedings for violation of health and safety that resulted in the injury of three people, and for violation of water protection rules as well as representing DC Adidas Ukraine as a victim in criminal proceedings for looting during the legal regime of martial law. It also handled the defense of top managers and managers of Kyivgaz JSP in criminal proceedings following an explosion in a building in the city of Kyiv, as a result of which five people died; a TOP politician and his driver, in criminal proceedings over the infliction of bodily harm to a member of the Ukrainian Parliament related to the latter’s public activities. The practice is headed by Eleonora Yemets, counsel. Volodymyr Babichev was promoted to counsel and co-head of white-collar crime.

ADVANQ developed its white-collar crime practice with the primary focus on defense of owners and beneficiaries of Ukrainian and foreign companies, as well as top officials. A key strength of the practice is its adept handling of criminal cases related to the conclusion and fulfilment of defense contracts. The team is defending a group of defense suppliers in criminal proceedings for supplying goods at inflated prices and supplying low-quality goods. The team also defends the management and owners of a Ukrainian packaging company in criminal proceedings regarding the bankruptcy of one of the largest printing companies in Ukraine as well as represents the former head of the State Judicial Administration in a case of incitement to provide undue benefit to judges of the Supreme Court of Ukraine and fraud. In 2023, Roksolana Lukinchuk, practice head, was promoted to partner, and Ivan Kostiuk was promoted to counsel.

Amber Law Company concentrates on anti-corruption proceedings and business-related offenses. The firm’s focus includes handling cases involving abuse of power, tax evasion, abuse of office, and property crimes. The firm represents a diverse client base including top managers of state-owned enterprises, deputies of various levels, high-ranking officials and state servants accused of these offenses. The core team members are Liudmyla Koziatnyk, Murat Bakarov and Vadym Ivanin, who are all guided by Semen Khanin, managing partner.

ARIO Law Firm’s criminal practice is renowned for its experience in resonant difficult cases, acting on behalf of political figures, business owners as well as victims of illegal actions. The array of cases handled includes official misconduct, abuse of office, misappropriation and embezzlement of state funds, fraud. The firm continued representing Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi in recrudescent allegations of abuse of power during the construction of an industrial park; represents Mikheil Saakashvili, former President of Georgia, in criminal proceedings in Georgia with international legal assistance in the face of political persecution; defends the interests of victims of the financial pyramid B2B Jewelry; achieved a favorable court verdict for former CEO of a state-owned enterprise, who was accused of misappropriating a phone and tablet belonging to an enterprise through the abuse of her official position. Yevhen Hrushovets is lead partner with strong visibility across the criminal practice and community.

The criminal law practice of ESQUIRES includes protection of business in relations with regulatory authorities, protection of business from criminal and legal risks in current activities and in criminal prosecutions, support of criminal proceedings on the side of the victim, and work through Interpol. During the research period, the firm represented the head of one of the business entities accused of organizing a corruption scheme to steal sugar in the amount of more than UAH 211 million; protected the interests of a pharmaceutical plant in criminal proceedings; defended the former head of a company against charges of fraudulent acquisition of an integral real estate complex. Opanas Karlin is the lead partner of the practice.

EVERLEGAL’s criminal law practice team enhanced its standing in the market, specializing in business protection and white-collar crimes, particularly focusing on defense in economic and tax-related criminal proceedings. The team also provides counsel in cases involving abuse of power by government authorities against businesses. The team, inter alia, represents one of the world’s largest steels making companies and one of the largest mines in Ukraine, relating to legal representation in criminal cases, particularly in criminal proceedings related to tax payments for natural resources. Taras Ivanenko (previously – partner at the Legal & Economic Security) has joined the firm as a partner and head of anti-corruption practice, and strengthened the criminal law and procedure practice as its co-head together with partner Oleksandr Ruzhytskyi. Dispute resolution lead partner Andriy Porayko is also actively involved in a number of cases.

The sizable criminal practice of Gramatskiy & Partners is divided into business protection, as led by Oleksandr Koval, and criminal defense headed by Igor Kasianov. The firm provides defense for corporate entities during searches, investigative actions, and interrogations, responding to inquiries from investigative authorities. It represents businesses victimized by unfair counterparties or state actions and offers legal assistance to officials and employees involved in various economic criminal proceedings. The firm’s representation spans cases involving tax evasion, theft, and fraud, with significant focus on anti-corruption investigations and issues related to the state budget and assets. Additionally, it specializes in representing military personnel in various criminal proceedings.

The dispute resolution powerhouse of Ilyashev & Partners possesses a successful track-record in high-value complex criminal cases involving well-known Ukrainian politicians, business moguls and major companies. The practice team operates throughout offices in Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa and provides legal advice regarding regulatory offenses, high treason, fraud and money laundering cases etc., including advising on execution of international investigative commissions, takeover of criminal proceedings from abroad, and extradition support. Recent significant projects include representing the interests of Oleg Kuzmenko, Ukrainian businessman and politician, vice-president of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Sailing Federation as a victim in criminal proceedings under fraud and forgery on the fact of the raider seizure of a large car center in Zaporizhzhia by a former business-partner; representing relatives of the deceased 35-year-old Ms Anastasia Ostrovska in the investigation of the criminal case by the National Police on the fact a medical error made by doctors of the Boris Clinic and Medical Center Dobrobut-Clinic, which led to her death. The team protects the interests of the firm’s long-standing clients, Ferrexpo Poltava Mining, in criminal proceedings on the fact of illegal extraction of minerals and illegal sale of crushed stone raw material, which is made from waste extracted in quarries, without the appropriate permits as well as in tax evasion and official forgery proceedings. Kostiantyn Kryvenko, who was promoted to counsel, is the practice head. Volodymyr Adonin (joined from Sayenko Kharenko), is an important team member. The team is supervised by two partners, Mikhail Ilyashev and Roman Marchenko.

Hillmont Partners has a well-balanced dispute resolution practice, including white-collar crimes and cross-border matters, advising corporate clients on fraud prevention and response to fraud, investigating assets in different jurisdictions. The team represents and protects the rights and interests of MBWS (formerly known as Belvedere S.A., France), the largest secured creditor of a beverage production facility in a multimillion bankruptcy case in Ukraine, including representation of MBVS as an injured person in a criminal case regarding the embezzlement of property of a particular distillery. It also represents investors as to the construction of a number of real estate projects as victims in criminal proceedings and provides advice and evidence to the one of these client’s US counsel as proceedings in Virginia have been initiated by the client. The practice is led by counsel Oleksii Myagkyi. Partners James Hart, Valentyn Zasukha, Andrii Nyzhnyi are involved in significant cases. Partners Yurii Melnyk and Anatolii Kovalenko coordinate the white-collar crime work in the Lviv and Odesa offices, respectively.

Dispute resolution heavyweight LCF Law Group has considerable experience in protecting businesses and representing clients’ interests in white-collar crime proceedings. The team, as headed by partner Maksym Sheverdin, represents clients in the course of criminal cases in the field of service offenses, economic crimes, crimes in the field of intellectual property, and also provide support in certain procedural issues of criminal proceedings. The team is regularly enlisted for handling renowned domestic and international companies, as well as private individuals in renewable energy, software, banking and investments, (government-owned company officials, healthcare; insurance, engineering, transport; oil and gas, metalworking. In 2022-2023, areas of growth included comprehensive support related to the martial law regime, involving in various pro bono projects, engaging in legislative changes, and developing mechanisms for future damage recovery. Senior associate Anastasiia Didenko provides legal advice to victims of sexual (including conflict-related) and domestic violence across several cases.

Ukrainian criminal practice player Miller Law Firm is highly-visible for its presence in resonant cases, and is noted for its robust anti-corruption and compliance practice. The team represents interest of public activists, MPs, public and military officials, top-managers, investors, corporate clients and NGOs. The firm provided extensive legal support to public activist Serhii Sternenko in various high-profile criminal cases, successfully overturning a previous conviction related to kidnapping and robbery charges, and defending himself in self-defense claims during an attempted assault. The firm also represented the family of Kateryna Handziuk, a prominent public activist, acting head of affairs of the executive committee of the Kherson City Council, and adviser to the mayor of Kherson, in seeking justice for her murder, facilitating the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators and their accomplices. The firm is noted for acting in tandem with other criminal defense teams. For example, ìt defended Andrii Kobolev, ex-chairman of Naftogaz, against charges of embezzlement concerning a UAH 263 million bonus, demonstrating the legality of the bonus awarded after a major arbitration victory and securing favorable court terms, such as reduced bail and lifted travel restrictions. The team is also preferred by corporate sector clients, among others, has been defending an investor from Trade Commodity accused of fraudulently altering state contracts with the Ministry of Defense worth USD 2.4 million, securing a legal victory that confirmed the legality of contract amendments made in response to market conditions. In October 2023, the firm merged with Rostrum Law Bureau led by Artem Krykun-Trush, who joined as a partner. Founding partner Masi Nayyem, who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, is a highly-recognized practitioner, renowned for being a co-founder of Human Rights Center for Servicemen and Veterans Pryncyp.[2]

White-collar crime and business protection stand as core practices at MORIS, a prominent Ukrainian law firm. The team excels in defending clients against criminal allegations such as corruption, bribery, fraud, and other property-related crimes, alongside advising on corporate security measures. The focus of the dedicated team extends to mitigating criminal and procedural risks associated with business structures and processes. The client portfolio includes public persons (former the highest military command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, members of the Parliament of Ukraine, officials of state bodies and organizations) as well as different well-known domestic and international companies and their owners and top-management. Among the public highlights was working on a complex case, representing Tedis Ukraine, the biggest distributor of tobacco products in Ukraine, who faced allegations of tax evasion totaling more than USD 8 million. The market singled out partner Stanislav Peliuk for his increased visibility across subsequent representations. He and Tetiana Honchariuk act as practice’s co-heads.

Riyako & Partners’ core specialization is criminal law and corporate defense. The main team was relocated to Kyiv, while the firm continues to maintain an office in Kharkiv. The firm’s formidable portfolio includes defense in criminal cases involving fraud, unlawful possession of property, creation and management of a criminal organization, extortion, assault, torture, premeditated murder, treason, collaboration, desertion, abuse of office and tax evasion. Evgen Rіyako, managing partner, is a highly-vivid figure in the criminal defense throughout the research period.

Sayenko Kharenko’s white-collar criminal defense represents interest of high-profile companies and HNW individuals on complex and high-value criminal matters, including investigations, enforcement of actions, internal investigations, and white-collar crime cases. As a full-service firm with a stellar bench of clients, the firm regularly 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 tax and anti-corruption legislation. Selected highlights include successfully defending the rights of Brocard Ukraine, a major Ukrainian perfume retailer, in the criminal investigations; representing Oshadbank in several criminal proceedings; advising Porsche Ukraine on criminal law matters. Partner Sergiy Smirnov and counsel Zlata Symonenko are the core of white-collar criminal defense team. Yevhen Myroshnykov, senior associate, is an important practitioner.

Shkrebets & Partners, a law firm with offices in Kharkiv and Kyiv, is engaged in defending clients across multiple criminal cases, including those involving allegations of embezzlement, tax evasion, misuse of office, property misappropriation, and budget fund embezzlement in significant amounts. The firm consistently represents municipal entities, top-managers of corporate clients, and private individuals. The criminal defense team is guided by partner Oleksii Meniv.

Sokolovskyi & Partners is well-recognized for its criminal law expertise, particularly in defending against tax evasion allegations. The firm’s criminal practice also handles a broad range of cases including defense against charges related to embezzlement, abuse of power or official position, misappropriation of company assets, and official forgery. The firm is called upon a wide range of corporate clients, especially from energy, construction, trade, agriculture, etc. Senior partner Tetiana Lysovets leads the criminal practice.

Vdovychen & Partners, a Ukrainian law firm, is well-engaged in a range of criminal matters. The criminal practice includes defending clients against allegations of raiding, illegal property seizure, tax evasion, and possession of excise goods, handling high-value asset misappropriation cases, and providing legal consultations on special confiscation risks. The team manages various procedural tasks such as preparing clients and supporting during investigations, challenging illegal documents, and securing property return post-search. The recent workload extends to complex matters like ensuring defense against abuses of office leading to huge damages, with active participation in all stages of criminal proceedings. Oleg Vdovychen, managing partner, plays a pivotal role in the firm.

Based in Odesa, AS Legal excels in defending clients in economic, business, and public administration sectors and also offers pro bono representation for victims in criminal cases. During the research period the practice was extended to proceedings involving appropriation and waste of budget funds, misappropriation of money, seizure of property, raiding, etc. The team recently provided legal support during searches by the State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine as well as during the inspection of a non-residential building and implementation of decisions on granting temporary access to things and documents.  Practice head Diana Yakovleva, partner, was noted as vivid criminal defense attorney in Odesa.

The Kyiv office of Baker McKenzie handles representation before law-enforcement authorities with respect to various issues related to criminal proceedings, including support during investigation actions, addressing the requests on provision of documents and information, interrogation representation in courts, and cancellation of arrest over assets. The firm is preferred by international corporate clients and their representative offices in Ukraine. The practice group is headed by dispute resolution partner Ihor Siusel. Ievgen Bidnyi, senior associate, is active across the criminal practice’s workload.

Based in Odesa, Consulting Firm Dominanta provides legal representation in criminal proceedings. The firm’s clients include agribusinesses, real estate and construction, private investors. The firm provided legal support to the prominent Armenian businessmen Artyom and Gurgen Khachatryans in the process of civil confiscation of their assets in the USA over accusations of money laundering. The firm represented a Ukrainian businessman and investor, a beneficiary of a number of legal entities that provide car certification services throughout Ukraine, in criminal proceedings regarding abuse of authority and authority by an official and tax evasion. Vitaly Gritsik is the responsible partner. Yurii Reut joined the firm as senior associate and head of white-collar crime.

INTEGRITES’ white-collar crimes practice operates a wide-ranging portfolio that includes criminal proceedings that arose from corporate cases and bankruptcy proceedings as well as war-related workload for the business protection, compliance, anti-corruption and damage recovery practice, including recording damages and documenting war crimes committed by the Russian Federation. The team advises on the latest changes to Ukrainian legislation introducing criminal liability for cooperation with, aiding and abetting the aggressor state, along with new procedures of expropriation of Russian property, and forfeiture of assets owned by sanctioned individuals in favor of Ukraine. The firm is called upon by foreign investors to advise on criminal risks throughout project implementation. The team, whose practice encompasses criminal law, business protection, anti-corruption, sanction compliance, advice is currently led by the firm’s litigation partner, Oleksandr Onishchenko, and counsel Kristina Shyposha. 

Kinstellar provides guidance on compliance and investigations, actively supports legal efforts related to the war, including  gathering evidence, reporting of war crimes, and seeking compensation for damages, developing strategies to recover war-related damages. The firm advised on Ukrainian law matters acting for the relatives of victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17), before the Hague District Court, to secure a verdict and an award of EUR 16 million in moral damages for the relatives of victims. Another side of the practice is compliance framework. The team was mandated to provide legal advisory services to the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development in relation to assistance with the second stage of the project aimed at improving compliance and strengthening anti-corruption and integrity policies and procedures of Ukrposhta, the Ukrainian state-owned national postal operator. The firm also assists clients with running internal investigations. Olexander Martinenko, partner in the Kyiv office and the firm-wide head of dispute resolution, is the core contact.

KM Partners, renowned for its expertise in taxation legislation in Ukraine, has a strong track record of successfully defending clients in criminal tax evasion cases. Over recent years, their team has represented numerous officials in various tax evasion cases, securing acquittals or achieving the closure of proceedings at the pre-trial stage. The dedicated defense team acted for former officials of the national railway operator in the Higher Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine in the processes related to the purchase of fuel and lubricant materials by the railway (accusations of violating legislation on state procurement). The team also provided support on some issues of criminal proceedings in connection with procurement by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Alexander Minin and Alexander Shemiatkin act as practice leads.

Redcliffe Partners provides legal assistance to multinational and Ukrainian businesses and their officials in criminal proceedings and related litigation. The team recently provided advice on the criminal liability risks relating to bankruptcy and advised in respect of asset seizure within the criminal proceedings. In 2023, practice head Victoria Ivasechko rejoined the firm as a counsel after a short period away.

Our comprehensive series of in-depth interviews highlighted criminal defense attorneys and law firms that were notably active in handling significant cases during the research period.[3]

These are Kateryna Gupalo from Arzinger*, Andriy Fortunenko from AVELLUM*, Nazar Kuchytskyy from Nazar Kulchytskyy and Partners*. Barristers*, GOLAW*, and Vasil Kisil and Partners* are among other law firms referred for their active criminal law practice.

[1] Partner Igor Fedorenko left the firm.

[2] The partnership with Oleksii Nosov was terminated in May 2024.

[3] The firms marked with * have not submitted information for the current research.