Asters’ advanced technology and telecom practice team has a strong focus on electronic communications, data protection, and cybersecurity. The team provides end-to-end legal support to technology companies, covering regulatory compliance, personal data protection (under both Ukrainian law and GDPR), IP rights, tax structuring, and employment matters. Its expertise spans emerging fields such as AI, Fintech, virtual assets, defense tech, and IoT, with specialized support for Diia City residents, advising on R&D centers, and cloud-based data processing. The practice is also active in transactional work, including M&A, due diligence, and strategic partnerships, having respective tech deals in its recent pipeline. Asters historically possesses regulatory expertise in the telecom sphere, being enlisted by major market players. The dedicated team advises The State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine on regulatory measures in the EU, including NIS2 Directive, best practice in the USA, UK related to cybersecurity, data protection and telecommunications in connection with the development of laws, by-laws in the field of cybersecurity and information protection. Another disclosable highlight includes pro-bono advising the Council of Information Security and Cybersecurity of Ukraine on a wide range of regulatory issues in the field of cybersecurity, data protection, electronic communications, electronic trust services, as well as on improving legislation in these areas. Yuriy Kotliarov is head of tech and communications, Oksana Petrus (previously — Alcor), counsel, is head of the IT industry group. IP partner Julia Semeniy guides the IP-related workload.

Baker McKenzie’s IT/TMT industry group possesses long-term expertise supporting global and Ukrainian tech companies with launching innovative services, expanding internationally, and aligning with regulatory landscapes. The firm advises on contracts with local outsourcing firms, acquisitions of Ukrainian development teams and technologies, global office setup, IP protection, and cross-border payment structuring. The Kyiv team is also actively involved in shaping domestic regulations and offer comprehensive legal support on licensing, cybersecurity, encryption, data privacy, and consumer protection. The team develops its expertise in AI regulations, including IP matters, and advises clients on patent AI application solutions in Ukraine, on data privacy and GDPR issues related to introducing the internal data privacy processing systems of its clients. Being enlisted to assist with high-profile telecom regulatory matters, the team actively supports clients on relevant telecom issues associated with introduction of various types of connectivity and digital services. Partner Oleksiy Stolyarenko, leveraging his expertise in IT and IP, leads the IT/TMT industry group in Kyiv, with a strong focus on data privacy, e-commerce, media, and advertising. The multi-disciplinary team is co-led by partners Viacheslav Yakymchuk (corporate and M&A), Ruslan Drobyazko (IP), Hennadiy Voytsitskyi (tax), and Lina Nemchenko and counsel Mariana Marchuk (employment), ensuring legal support across key practice areas.

Sayenko Kharenko’s IT and TMT practice supports a wide range of clients across the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors, advising on R&D setups, acquisitions, investment structuring, and regulatory compliance. The team is regularly assigned to handle complex, large-scale projects involving IP, software development, video-on-demand, data protection, and telecom licensing. Among the firm’s landmark projects were advising Viseven, a global MarTech company servicing pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, on attracting equity investment from Horizon Capital, a leading private equity firm; D3 Fund, an international venture capital firm, on entering the Ukrainian drone tech scene through their investment in a Ukrainian start-up focused on developing and producing stealth drone technologies. Sayenko Kharenko assisted Hilltop Technologies, a US-based cybersecurity company, on the launch of SET Cyber Labs in Ukraine. The team also took part in a major tech acquisition in Ukraine’s ride-hailing sector, and advised Kyivstar on its acquisition of UKLON Group. The firm is also engaged in shaping industry-specific legislation, including contributions to the Diia City regime and regulatory reforms in e-commerce and copyright law. The areas of the firm’s recent involvement also include advising start-ups with respect to seed round of investments, expansion to the new markets, enforceable IP assignment in IT contracts, personal data transfer, and cybersecurity. In addition, the firm has sharpened its telecommunications focus to address wartime infrastructure challenges, advising on network resilience, emergency communications, and regulatory alignment with EU standards. The large multi-disciplinary team is led by three partners. Oleg Klymchuk manages complex IT outsourcing and technology transactions, while Alina Plyushch focuses on gambling projects. Nazar Chernyavsky, who is recognized for his active involvement in the global legal IT community, focuses on strategic role in practice development.

Lviv-based law firm Dexis Partners is focused on IT law as its central focus, with clients ranging from Ukrainian-founded start-ups to international companies, primarily in outsourcing but also in product and biotech sectors. The team advises on tax, corporate, contract, and data protection issues, as well as military-related legal matters. The firm supported the entry of Unameit Global, Softver Lab, Relevant Software, and Lumamind into Diia City, including drafting service agreements and providing tax advice. The firm provided legal support on a range of IT and tech-related matters, including developing GDPR-compliant data protection systems for CCC Ukraine and Relokia, and preparing compliance documentation for Gochatty’s dating services. It advised Avenga on U.S. developer remuneration and pension plans and supported an AI Recruitment start-up in aligning SAFE contracts for Y Combinator investment. The team also advises Ukrainian IT business on its expansion to foreign markets. For example, it acted for Binotel regarding entering the Kazakhstan market, entering the local special tax regime for IT business, tax advice and preparation of contracts for business organization. The IT practice is led by three partners, namely Ivan Horodyskyy (personal data protection) and Nataliia Vasylechko (corporate law) were referred by the legal IT community with for long-term presence. Oksana Dankevych is in charge of contract law.

EY Ukraine maintains its pipeline of advising M&A in the IT sector, conducting local and cross-border transactions. Among the landmark deals was acting for Intellias, a global software engineering and digital consulting company, acquiring C2 Solutions, a Minnesota-based technology services and product lifecycle management firm. Notably, the firm is preferred by private equity funds, advising on their investment in the IT sector. The team advises clients on eligibility and registration within the Diia City regime, and provides continuous guidance to ensure both general corporate compliance and adherence to residency requirements. EY also advises and assists with “Google tax” for e-services suppliers. Among other public client names are Digitally Inspired, Miratech, Rozetka. Bogdan Malniev, associate partner, is known for extensive M&A track record. Borys Lobovyk is another key partner in this practice.

Gramatskiy & Partners is regularly engaged to develop contractual frameworks for IT companies, covering software development and acquisition of rights to Ukrainian software, cross-border collaborations and international expansion, personal data protection, formalization of intellectual property rights, IT project structuring, and tax advisory. The firm also advises foreign investors on the buying out of Ukrainian companies and transfer of information technologies abroad. The firm provided full legal support to SKYWIND Tech UA LLC in the development and licensing of a cross-platform gaming application, including drafting software development agreements, structuring IP ownership, and negotiating revenue-sharing terms with international studios, as well as further regulatory compliance for exporting proprietary game code to Asian markets. The firm provided comprehensive legal support to Delatech LLC in preparing and filing a pioneering compliance report for Diia City residency; Services Ukraine in the development of a maritime logistics platform, including drafting software development agreements, structuring IP ownership, and negotiating contracts with international shipping companies. The firm provided legal support to Labs Technology Services in two tech projects: co-developing AI-powered customer support software with a U.S. partner, and creating a blockchain-based document verification system — advising on collaboration agreements, IP structuring, data privacy, smart contracts, and regulatory compliance across jurisdictions. Ernest Gramatskiy leads projects related to fundraising for IT businesses and handles negotiations with non-resident partners. Igor Reutov, partner, supervises the IT practice. Borys Karas and Volodymyr Khomenko are the key team members.

Ilyashev & Partners offers expertise across regulatory, operational, IP, tax, and compliance matters, with a particular strength in addressing software copyright violations and advising on the regulation of satellite communication services in Ukraine. The client base includes leading global and Ukrainian software developers, fintech companies, IT service consumers, system integrators, computer equipment and software distributors, as well as satellite and telecom service providers. The firm’s IP practice team saw increased demand from the IT sector, notably assisting SCOPE360°, a Ukrainian financial analytics software developer, with trademark registration, and supporting Pantheon in securing copyright protection for its software in Canada. The firm represents private individuals in a dispute against PE Alpha Serve and the Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation, seeking judicial recognition of their authorship over Power BI Connector for Jira and Tableau Connector for Jira, challenging Alpha Serve’s copyright registration and asserting their independent creation of the software in 2019 outside any employment or contractual relationship. The team also advises on licensing for satellite communication services in Ukraine, and was mandated to challenge public procurement in the telecom sector. For example, the team represented HomeNet, Ukrainian telecommunications operator providing internet access services, in challenging tender conditions in a procurement by state rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia, leading to the AMCU’s ordering the cancellation of the awarded contract; challenging tender by the State Employment Service of Ukraine, resulted in the AMCU recognizing the unlawful cancellation of the procedure and obliging the contracting authority to restore the client’s rights and resume procurement. The team’s clients include PayForce, Microsoft Corporation, PARUS Group of Сompanies, Astound Commerce, Skylo Technologies, Inc., Deel, PLVision, etc. Andriy Lytvyn, head of the Kharkiv office, fronts IP work and extends its focus on IT clients. 

INTEGRITES boasts a presence across technology-related mergers and acquisitions, as well as corporate, commercial, tax, intellectual property, and data protection matters. During the research period the firm demonstrated increased involvement in technology M&A and corporate restructurings, including multi-jurisdictional mandates, and complex instructions focused on IT business expansion. In particular, the firm advised Dassault Systèmes, France-based multinational software development corporation, on Ukrainian corporate law matters related to the acquisition of Satelliz France; continued to act as lead counsel to Bas IP, IP telecom solutions provider with global presence, on the pre-sale structuring of business in multiple jurisdictions, and also prepared the Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy and advises on compliance of the client and its policies and procedures with GDPR and other relevant data protection regulations. Licensing and software agreements represent another key area of the firm’s regulatory work. Leadership in this domain is shared between two partners: Illya Tkachuk, who focuses on corporate and M&A matters, and Viktoriya Fomenko, who oversees tax-related aspects.

Renowned for IT sector support as its mainstay, Juscutum Law Firm continued its practice expansion into new high-demand sectors, including Fintech, AI, and defense tech. The team provides comprehensive legal support for scaling Ukrainian start-ups and crypto businesses internationally, with a focus on corporate structuring, tax efficiency, and compliance across jurisdictions. The firm also advises on cutting-edge issues such as AI regulation in the EU, UK, and Ukraine, defense tech investment, and the legal framework for Web3 and virtual assets. Its expertise covers labor law, IP transfer, data protection, and contract negotiations, while clients approach the team for business structuring and attracting finance. The firm has been attracted by the EBA for consulting European regulators, including the European Bank, on MiCA implementation, advising on own funds requirements, stress testing for issuers, and contributing to Regulatory Technical Standards for stablecoin liquidity management. Peter Bilyk, the head of technology and investments, artificial intelligence practices, is a recognized name on the market.

Kinstellar’s IT practice supports a broad range of clients — from start-ups to major tech and telecom companies — on corporate transactions, IP protection, licensing, and commercialization. The team also advises on structuring operations in Ukraine, including guidance on joining Diia City, and assists start-ups with legal setup and funding strategies. During the research period the firm provided full legal support for the entry of clients onto the Ukrainian market, covering corporate structuring, tax, employment, Diia City compliance, and military-related regulations. It also advised on the acquisition of a software development business in Ukraine and ensured the enforceability of IP provisions in contractor agreements. Among public transactional highlights was acting as a legal counsel to Accountor, a leading provider of mission-critical business software, on the sale of its subsidiary company in Ukraine to Aspia. The team brings a longstanding track record in the telecom sector, and represented the buyer in the largest deal on the telecom market — French NJJ Capital’s acquisition and merger of two telecom businesses in Ukraine, Datagroup-Volia, one of Ukraine’s largest fixed telecom and pay-TV providers, and Lifecell, Ukraine’s third-largest mobile operator. Among disclosable clients are Kyivstar, NEQSOL, NJJ Capital, Vodafone Ukraine, POLHEM INFRA, Datagroup, GTT Communications. The industry- related workload is led by the firm’s partners — Natalia Kirichenko heads the local IP&T, data and cybersecurity, services lines, and Anastasiya Bolkhovitinova heads the local TMT sector, with a notable focus on the defense sector; Illya Muchnyk heads banking and finance, Fintech, and Olena Kuchynska heads ESG.

The Ukrainian boutique firm Legal IT Group is actively involved in a wide range of IT sector projects, with its current emphasis being on the product-based (SaaS) tech market. Its core services include drafting IT contracts, customized intellectual property solutions, and GDPR compliance support. During the period under research the firm provided external Data Protection Officer (DPO) services to a range of clients, including Readdle, an Irish business software provider, supporting the in-house data protection and privacy team; supported Snovio, a US-based marketing solutions provider, managing their GDPR and CCPA/CPRA compliance programs; helped Equals 5, US marketing firm, review and update their CCPA/CPRA compliance strategy. SendPulse, a comprehensive automation platform, enlisted the firm for developing detailed policies governing the use of their App and Template Marketplace. The core team includes Anton Tarasiuk who leads business development, Kateryna Dubas overseeing GDPR compliance, and Andriy Zakaliuk managing the contracts practice.

MK Legal Service has deep expertise across both IT and telecom sectors, advising on regulatory issues, corporate and tax matters, business structuring, IP, and compliance. The firm continues to deliver complex long-term support to one of its established clients, GigaGroup, a market leader in technology, cloud services, data centers, and cybersecurity, on its development on international markets; development of the legal scheme for launching franchises in the field of cloud services in the interests of GigaCloud; assisted with participating in the USAID-backed cybersecurity project for Ukraine’s critical infrastructure; support for recognition of the data center as a critical infrastructure object; advised on NCA contracts and drafting a set of NCA contracts that comply with Ukrainian and EU legislation. In addition, the firm handles comprehensive legal support of ARS MAGNA PRODUCTION (TV channel 8), securing contractual and licensing matters. The firm actively supports start-up launches, most recently advising Arms Club on establishing an IT start-up focused on the production and sale of FPV drones, as well as assisting X-Ingenium, VBL LAB, Infohmara, and others. The firm advised Synchron on corporate structuring to meet Diia City requirements and assisted IPG Consulting, Incorsoft, and Mind Space in obtaining Diia City residency. Managing partner Maksym Kurochko and IT/TMT practice head Artem Ostapenko are the firm’s leading experts in the field.

Stron Legal Services has provided comprehensive legal support for complex international gambling and tech ventures, focusing on corporate structuring, licensing, and cross-border operations. It advised on joint venture formation in Malta, facilitated the acquisition of a gambling license, and supported a USD 100 million annual investment through transaction planning, shareholder agreements, and tax structuring. The team also handled staff relocation, visa matters, and the design of employee incentive systems. In parallel, the firm assisted with structuring a Curaçao-based gambling project and a white-label business model combining financial, casino, and crypto services. The firm supports e-payment and e-money operators in setting up their activities across EU member states and provides tailored guidance on ongoing compliance and operational matters. Oleg Derlyuk, managing partner, is recognized for his in-depth knowledge of industry-specific regulations and tax issues.

Tretten Lawyers has been focusing on advising C-level executives and owners of Ukrainian IT companies for over a decade now, offering legal solutions tailored to outsourcing and product businesses. In 2024, the team’s core services included drafting and auditing IT contracts across various business models, supporting Diia City residents with tax, labor, compliance, and conscription-related issues, and advising on business structuring and international tax matters, including Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) compliance and cross-border operations. For example, during the research period the firm assisted Muteki Group, a software development company, with development of a contractual model for working with the markets of Singapore and Japan, reporting on controlled foreign companies; DealHub, #1 Highest Rated CPQ&Revenue Platform, developing a contractual model for working with contractors and employees. The practice also spans legal outstaffing, embedding in-house legal support into clients’ teams, and addressed non-standard legal requests that range from international debt recovery to option planning. The firm launched a Romanian Desk and began assisting clients in setting up operations in Romania. In particular, it assisted QA Wizards in an application for training specialists for software testing, with structuring its business in Romania. In the research period the firm also supported defense tech companies with a range of matters, including Diia City entry. Widely referred by both niche and full-service market players, Maksym Nosarev focuses on business structuring, IT contracts and Diia City projects.

Ukrainian law firm ARMADA assists IT sector with Diia City residency, optimizing business taxation, registering companies in foreign jurisdictions, complying with CFC legislation, and develop public offers and policies for the website and mobile application. The firm has demonstrated strong performance in the telecom sector, providing comprehensive legal support to major telecommunications operators, internet service providers, and cloud communication platforms. Key areas of expertise include regulatory compliance, content distribution, intellectual property rights, numbering resource usage, and the development of legally sound contractual frameworks for client interactions. The team advised on projects involving high-speed Internet expansion, equipment leasing, and cloud service regulation, ensuring alignment with Ukrainian law and GDPR requirements. In particular, the firm provided legal support to one of the leading telecommunications service providers in Ukraine in the implementation of a project to expand high-speed Internet coverage in remote regions of Ukraine; advised cloud solutions provider in creating a contractual framework for clients, privacy policy and regulating the use of cloud services. Anastasiia Luuk, partner, is the main point of contact.

The information technology practice at Odesa-based law firm AS Legal supports IT companies in all aspects of their business operations, including contract drafting, corporate and labor law matters, and dispute resolution. The firm provides ongoing support to Do IT Programming solutions (Cyprus) Ltd and LLC Tino Didgital Agency, on their business activities; supports the Vector IT Company in preparing the scope of contracts for developing the IT product for the Chall AS. Maksym Andrieiev, managing partner, heads the practice.

EXPATPRO’s IT practice focused on advising foreign investors and IT companies operating in Ukraine on employment and contractual matters, tax and corporate structuring, and intellectual property issues, including trademark registration. The team provided guidance on entering and complying with the Diia City legal regime, assisting both new entrants and existing residents. A notable part of work included addressing complex issues related to mobilization, conscription deferrals, and team relocation. Among the recent highlights of note is providing legal support to a start-up called Bili Kameni, LLC, which is focused on creating digital solution to the damaged buildings reconstruction; support to a start-up, originating from Australia — Advent Atum, LLC, on obtaining Diia City status, team relocation as well as legal and taxation issues. The practice is led by one of the firm’s partners, Tetiana Yashchenko, enhanced by market sources for her practice dedication.

The IT practice of KPMG covers legal support for implementing new technological solutions, ensuring data protection through legal frameworks, and providing advice on information security and cybersecurity issues. In a recent highlight the team advised an international IT company on data privacy compliance across several EU countries, providing a detailed legal analysis covering general and sector-specific data processing, employment-related data handling, and the responsibilities of data controllers and processors. Another project includes advising an international fashion retail company on its market entry into Ukraine, adapting its global General Conditions and Privacy Policy to align with local legal requirements. Yuriy Katser, director, and Alina Sichkar, counsel, are the main contacts.

Ukrainian IP boutique firm Mamumya IP supports major domestic and international tech companies across media, consumer electronics, and software sectors. With a growing client portfolio, the team offers a full spectrum of IP services, including patent and trademark prosecution, litigation, copyright enforcement, and protection from unfair competition. The firm also advises on GDPR compliance, data privacy, and the legal implementation of Ukraine’s new media legislation. Its comprehensive support includes structuring IP rights transfers, drafting assignment agreements, and defending clients in software copyright infringement cases. Oleksandr Mamunya, managing partner, is the main contact.

The Ukrainian office of PETERKA & PARTNERS provides legal and tax support to IT and technology-driven businesses operating in Ukraine and the wider CEE region, advising on corporate structuring, tax planning, employment models, commercial contracts, IP protection, and data privacy compliance, including GDPR. Clients range from global tech companies to start-ups, with services spanning market entry, operational setup, restructuring, and cross-border growth. Recent mandates include supporting a major sportswear brand’s launch in Ukraine, advising a U.S. company on structuring its online sales, and assisting a global hardware producer in adapting its distribution model to meet Ukrainian legal and regulatory requirements. Taras Utiralov, partner, and Yuliia Sereda, senior associate, co-lead the firm’s IT practice across CEE.

Established in early 2022, IP boutique Polikarpov Law Firm demonstrates loyalty of sectoral clients, assigning the firm for brand protection, structuring and securing IP rights for software, royalty, IP rights transfer, etc. For example, the firm advised Starvet, a Polish company behind a B2B platform for animal care, agricultural, and plant-related products, on software ownership transfer, digital platform licensing in Ukraine; advised PayForce on securing copyright protection for its financial software products by registering copyrights and structuring developer agreements to ensure the proper transfer of rights. The team also acts for defense tech actors. Anton Polikarpov, managing partner, is the main contact.

In 2024, the IT practice of Cherkasy-based Rezultat Law Firm, concentrated on advising Diia City residents, particularly in structuring gig contracts and implementing internal rules for specialist engagement and compliance with critical status procedures. The team provided legal support for software rights acquisition and tailored agreements for international software development projects. Clients increasingly turned to the practice for guidance on information security and the protection of sensitive data in the IT sector. Key clients included Andersen and Dressler Consulting. The practice head is Liliia Goncharova.

AEQUO* holds a recognized prominence in the IT and telecom sectors, combining strong regulatory expertise with robust transactional capabilities. The legal market notes the firm’s presence in the defense tech area. According to public sources, the firm advised several military tech start-ups which have a focus on the development of drones on various commercial, regulatory, and IP matters. Mykyta Polatayko, who moved of counsel, is regarded by market insiders as one of the strongest IT lawyers in Ukraine.[1]

Arzinger* is recognized for its strong capabilities in intellectual property and data protection, along with its active participation in the sectoral IT Ukraine Association.

Renowned IT-focused Ukrainian firm Axon Partners*, remains a notable market participant. Market insiders singled out the performance of Oksana Zadniprovska.

Bachynskyy and Partners*, a Lviv-based law firm, is noted for advising the IT sector.

Law firm Avitar* and its managing partner Ievgen Saveliev were mentioned for their established expertise in product IT. 

Digilaw*, and its Odesa-based partner lona Chuta, and Icon Partners law firm, were noted for IT law advice.

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