Asters’ multidisciplinary team provides comprehensive legal support to software developers and vendors, IT-related service providers, hardware manufacturers, technology providers, digital platforms, cryptocurrency high-net-worth investors, as well as data analytics businesses, telecom operators, data centers, cloud-providers, media and content providers. Demand is high for the firm’s expertise in a range of regulatory and transactional areas, such as competition, intellectual property, taxation, among others. The firm’s recent focus includes providing advice on a wide range of issues on special tax and legal regime for IT businesses Diia City. Other public highlights include advising Privatbank on complex cross-border data transfers, data storage and other privacy requirements; assisting Adenza, a software application provider, with corporate restructuring of its group companies. Asters historically gains clients from the telecom sector, rendering sectoral M&A, data protection, regulations in the field of electronic communications and radio frequency spectrum on the territory of Ukraine. Another strong area of the firm is cybersecurity, with the firm giving assistance to the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine with the draft cybersecurity strategy of Ukraine on the implementation of certain forms of public-private partnership and pro bono advising of the Digital Transformation Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament in connection with the development of a new law on cybersecurity. The technology and innovations industry practice is guided by two partners. Yuriy Kotliarov is the head of tech and communications, and Julia Semeniy heads IP.

Baker McKenzie is the preferred legal counsel for tech giants investing in Ukraine, and local tech firms expanding globally. The IT/TMT industry group assists international search engines, gaming companies, social networks, and electronic device manufacturers in launching innovative services and products in Ukraine. The firm acts on a regular basis on significant multijurisdictional mandates in the sector. For example, it assisted Atos, a global leader in digital transformation, on its spin-off into two publicly-listed companies in the 78 jurisdictions where it operates; acted as Ukrainian legal counsel to Digital Media Solutions, a leading provider of technology-enabled digital performance advertising solutions, in a multijurisdictional transaction for the acquisition of assets belonging to ClickDealer, a global performance marketing company. The Kyiv team was recently mandated for IP rights protection work, data privacy and cross-border data transfer, fintech specific regulatory issues, sanctions compliance, Ukrainian tax ramifications, as well as high-profile telecom regulatory matters. The labor and employment team was enlisted to advise on matters arising out of day-to-day activity like termination and hiring, as well as military registration compliance. Utilizing IT and IP expertise, partner Oleksiy Stolyarenko heads the IT/TMT industry group in Kyiv. The multidisciplinary practice team is led by partners Viacheslav Yakymchuk (corporate and M&A), Ruslan Drobyazko (IP), Hennadiy Voytsitskyi (tax), Lina Nemchenko and Mariana Marchuk (employment).

Sayenko Kharenko boasts a robust multidisciplinary practice specializing in the IT and telecommunications sectors, which is known for handling intricate, cross-border projects. Throughout the observed period, the firm provided legal support to Ukraine’s premier IT outsourcing and product companies, IT startups, focusing on software development, mobile applications, gaming and gambling sectors. The firm carried out IP due diligence and offered guidance on investments, corporate and tax structuring; advised on licensing requirements applicable to telecom services and products; issues related to data protection and maintaining databases; introducing new technologies; compliance with the requirements of the National Commission for the State Regulation of Communications and Informatization (the NCSRCI). Given its extensive M&A track record, the firm also acted as a legal counsel to tinyBuild, a premium AIM-listed video games developer and publisher, in connection with the acquisition of Demagic Games, a Ukrainian game studio; acted as legal counsel for Intellias, a global software engineering and digital consulting company, in connection with acquisition of Digitally Inspired, a UK-based peer, focusing on the retail and e-commerce industry; represented the shareholders and management of Helsi Ukraine LLC, the leading digital healthcare provider in Ukraine, with respect to the sale of a controlling stake in Helsi to PrJSC Kyivstar and creation of a joint venture; advised GoIT, a Ukrainian-founded international EdTech company, in the course of attracting investment from Horizon Capital. The firm advises WorkMotion, an online platform for global HR Solutions, on entering the Ukrainian market and on a wide range of corporate law and corporate governance matters, contractual and IP/IT issues, as well setting up appropriate contractual arrangements for engaging IT specialists. Another notable highlight of the firm is acting for D3, a Ukraine-based international accelerator for early-stage start-ups, on pre-investment structuring of selected Ukrainian companies engaged in military and dual-use technologies production. Among other areas of the recent focus is cybersecurity and local telecom regulations. The practice lead partner is Nazar Chernyavsky, who is known for his international activity in the global legal IT community. Promoted to partner Oleg Klymchuk leads the technology, media and communications group. Partner Alina Plyushch focuses on gambling projects.

Bachynskyy and Partners, a Lviv-based law firm with a strong following of IT sector clients, is a vivid legal counsel in Western Ukraine. The team is engaged in regulatory assignments, compliance, migration, transactional support and dispute resolution practice. During the research period the firm acted on assignments on IT business launch, structuring and registration of IT companies with subsequent inclusion in the Diia.City Registry; advised on protection of confidential information and anti-competitive practices; assisted with GDPR requirements; relocation and tax residency issues. The team also represents clients on M&A deals in the sector, providing legal and tax structuring. Another area of client inquiries includes employment and residence of foreigners in Ukraine. The multidisciplinary team is led by Solomiya Denys, head and partner of IT and customs practice, Myroslava Kostiv, head of corporate, and Yaryna Ivashchyshyn, head of migration.

ETERNA LAW has extensive practice encompassing corporate structuring and M&A in the IT sector, IP rights disposal and transfer, contracts with IT engineers, software development contracts, software licensing. With a strong portfolio of gambling clients, the firm is frequently enlisted to provide support in the course of tax audits. Oleksandr Lugovskyi acts for game developers, Andrey Astapov for gambling business. Artem Kuzmenko and Oleh Malskyy advise start-ups, IT outsourcing and venture companies.

EVERLEGAL’s innovation and technology team specializes in providing comprehensive legal support for day-to-day business operations and commercial agreements, covering lease, supply, financing, and EPC contracts. In addition, the firm advises on regulatory compliance, assists with business setup and reorganizations, and provides litigation representation at courts. In a recent highlight the firm advised on a variety of issues related to the relocation of Ukrainian employees as a result of the full-scale war; acted as a legal counsel on multijurisdictional M&A in the IT sector; supported corporate, tax and IP structuring of IT businesses of its clients. The projects are guided by two partners – Yevheniy Deyneko and Oleksandr Ruzhytskyi. 

During the research period, EY Ukraine emerged as one of the most active legal advisors of M&A deals within the IT sector. Additionally, the firm continued to handle instructions related to corporate structuring and taxation. For example, the team advised Horizon Capital on acquiring a minority stake in GoIT, one of the leading providers of online IT education; provided full legal support to Miratech Group, a leading global IT services and consulting company, on receiving an investment from the IFC in partnership with Horizon Capital; acted as an advisor to Digitally Inspired in the course of its acquisition by Intellias, a global software engineering and digital consulting company; served as Nortal’s lead legal counsel in the course of acquisition of Skelia, an award-winning leader in building cross-border IT organizations. The firm’s current portfolio includes several significant IT deals, business structuring projects, advice on the implementation of Diia City rules and regulations, as well as subsequent compliance matters. Also, EY advises and assists with “Google tax” for e-services suppliers. Bogdan Malniev, associate partner, plays a leading role in M&As. Borys Lobovyk is another key partner in this practice.

Gramatskiy & Partners is called upon by a wide range of actors, from start-ups to software giants, as well as telecommunication companies, developers, investors, cloud technology providers and server companies. The firm is retained regularly to develop contractual arrangements with contractors, development of software products and purchase of rights on Ukrainian software, personal data protection, formalizing the rights to created intellectual property objects, corporate structuring and tax advice. During the research period the firm had a steady flow of instructions advising on Diia City legal framework, compliance and strategic guidance, copyright regulations and data protection within GDPR requirements, as well as gambling regulation and electronic trading. The firm worked on the formation, structuring and launch of a start-up called Fast Corporate!; provided complete legal support for PTS (Playtech Ukraine) on development of applications for the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, also assisting with the establishment of a branch by IT company in Poland. The firm also advised on the sale of the Ukrainian business Skywind Tech UA by Skywind Services Cyprus to private investors. The team has been addressed for regulatory and GR expertise in telecommunications, possessing exclusive regulatory expertise in 5G regulations. Ernest Gramatskiy guides projects involving raising funds for IT business and negotiations with non-residents. Igor Reutov and Artem Honcharenko focus on IT specific regulations, IP and asset protection, tax and employment matters.

Ilyashev & Partners is preferred by foreign and Ukrainian software developers, fintech companies, and computer equipment distributors. Their expertise spans regulatory, operational, IP, tax, and compliance matters, with a strong track record in handling software copyright violations. The firm defended a major Ukrainian software developer, PARUS Group of Companies, against copyright infringement by the State Enterprise Infotech, supplier to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; advised LoopMe Ltd, an advertising technology company on tax, real estate and employment-related matters within the scope of incorporation of business in Ukraine, including transition to Diia City residency, development of template employment contract and sublease agreements of premises in Dnipro and Lviv. The team provided pro bono legal support to Charity Lab Foundation, which is pioneering the Charity Hero Mobile App for nonprofits and volunteers in Ukraine, assisting in the transfer of technology to Charity Lab Foundation and JK NAMS foundations, including agreements for copyright, non-disclosure, end-user licenses, and parental consent. The client roster includes SCOPE360, Ukrainian software developer for financial analysis, Pantheon, Ukrainian software developer, CoPeerRight Agency, the first international web agency to fully specialize in online copyright protection. Being particularly busy with corporate and Fintech assignments, Oleksandr Rudenko took over the leading role in the practice.

INTEGRITES is highly sought-after for its expertise in technology mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate structuring, shareholder agreements, data protection, tax advisory, and employment law. The client base includes software developers, video game and app developers, e-commerce companies, and telecom solutions providers, among others. During the research period the firm was enlisted for sectoral acquisitions. For example, it advised Hypra Fund on the USD 10 million acquisition of shares in US-Ukrainian digital product manufacturer Trinetix; and recently acted as lead counsel to Bas IP, IP telecom solutions provider with global presence on the pre-sale structuring of business in multiple jurisdictions, including Ukraine, UK, Czech Republic and Hong Kong. Other instructions include giving advice on data transfer, trademarks registration and IP rights structuring and protection, immigration matters. Corporate and M&A partner Illya Tkachuk leads the work and the rise in number of transactional assignments.

Juscutum Law Firm possesses a distinguished reputation in the IT sector and offers extensive support to IT businesses. The firm offers tailored services to meet the specific needs of the technology industry, and is also assigned for corporate structuring and regulatory analysis, risk assessment to streamline business operations and compliance, including GDPR. The firm excels in the burgeoning cryptocurrency field, offering regulatory and investment support, legal assistance for virtual asset operators. During the research period the firm acted for crypto businesses advising on corporate organization for crypto assets, attracting investment and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, as well as legal issues related to Web3 products. The firm has also expanded its services to include specialized compliance for defense technology and consulting on regulatory and ethical aspects of artificial intelligence. The corporate team at the firm is assigned to handle business structuring in Ukraine, strategic support for IT businesses within Diia City, and drafting of oversees contracts. Juscutum provides legal support to Binance on complex corporate and regulatory matters related to doing business in Ukraine; advises PHOENIX 7 Ukraine on all legal issues related to its business, including becoming a Diia City resident; supported Bitfury, the world’s leading full-service blockchain technology company, with respect to entering the Ukrainian market; continues its support to the Ministry of Digital Transformation with establishing Diia.Business Entrepreneur Support Centers in Ukraine’s Regions. The head of the technology and investment practice is Peter Bilyk, who’s noted for his growing publicity in IT circles. The core senior team includes Veronika Myltseva and Daniil Voloshсhuk. The firm’s managing partner, Artem Afian, moved to a mentorship role in the company.

Kinstellar’s IP, technology, and telecom practices serve a diverse clientele, which includes network operators, equipment manufacturers, content providers, technology startups, AI companies, and financial institutions. The firm advised PJSC Kyivstar throughout the deal on acquisition of majority shareholdings in the business operating the system for medical appointments and interaction with medical institutions and pharmacies – including Helsi.me, the largest medical information system and a leading digital provider in the healthcare field in Ukraine. The team has a legacy of expertise in the telecom sector, utilizing both regulatory and transactional expertise in the sector. Throughout the research period the office handled a variety of high-profile sector-specific regulatory and compliance; assignments of top-notch international actors, providing legal support on corporate and tax matters, market entry, structuring advice, and M&A. Among the disclosable clients are Kyivstar, NEQSOL, Vodafone Ukraine, POLHEM INFRA, Datagroup, GTT Communications. The industry ream is led by two partners. Natalia Kirichenko heads the local IP&T, data and cybersecurity, services lines, and Anastasiya Bolkhovitinova heads the local TMT sector.

The Ukrainian IT sector focused boutique Legal IT Group is actively engaged in a diverse array of projects across the IT sector, focusing primarily on addressing personal data compliance, technology contracts, intellectual property and disputes. Among the firm’s notable involvements over the research period were supporting Devurai, NeoGames, Data Bridge, Input Soft, IT Magic, Softrizon, MWDN Limited, Pecode, FreySoft, BLACKTHORN AI LTD, Decode Development OÜ through the development and management of technology contracts; Kadam, Readdle, Fluix Limited were assisted with GDPR compliance and Data Protection Officer (DPO) as a service. The team was enlisted for tech contract development and worldwide trademark handling for technology and EdTech solution companies, such as TrinetX, PioGroup, ACSOFTINC, etc. Anton Tarasiuk is head of advisory services. Gennadiy Tamashev leads the disputes practice. The senior team includes Kateryna Dubas and Kateryna Namaka dealing with privacy and GDPR; Andriy Zakaliuk heads the contracts practice.

MK Legal Service boasts extensive expertise in regulatory matters, corporate, business structuring, employment and relocation, intellectual property. The firm is highly-experienced, advising telecom actors, being acknowledged of sector specific regulations, cybersecurity, data protection issues. GigaGroup, one of the firm’s longstanding clients, enlisted the team to develop a legal scheme for launching franchises in Europe for GigaCloud, its business cloud center; support for the launch of a new business, the GigaSafe cyber security agency, within the global corporate structure of the group; advised on the launch of a foreign branch of the cloud operator GigaCloud in Poland by transferring assets between non-residents and legalizing activities abroad; support for recognizing the client as a critical enterprise to the economy. The firm successfully launched a major representative project between GigaGroup and the USAID project “Cybersecurity of Ukraine’s Critical Infrastructure” within the USD 38 million program on data migration procedures to store certain units of data of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine abroad. Other highlights encompassed assisting Knock-Knock Production on developing a business model and full support of creative entrepreneurial activity in social networks; advising Synchron, an IT integrator, a supplier of computer equipment and software, with the protection of IP rights in the course of importing software into Ukraine. The firm’s managing partner, Maksym Kurochko, and Artem Ostapenko, head of IT/TMT practice, are the key figures.

Stron Legal Services stands out for its international tax and compliance expertise tailored for a wide range of IT businesses, including e-commerce, gaming, cryptocurrency, fintech, and digital services. The team is regularly enlisted for carrying out multijurisdictional assignments. Among the recent highlights were the complex tax structuring of a group’s international business in the gambling sector, headquartered in Malta; providing tax structuring advice for a White Label business amalgamating financial services, casino operations, and cryptocurrency into a unified offering. The firm acts as a legal counsel on comprehensive transactional mandates, and recently delivered strategic tax planning for the acquisition of a holding company and its subsidiaries, operating across the EU in the dynamic e-commerce sector, assisting with intellectual property rights acquisitions, traffic purchase agreements for marketing purposes, and employment matters related to managing a Ukrainian R&D office. The team also advises investment actors in the IT sector. Oleg Derlyuk, managing partner, is known for his notable expertise in sector-specific regulations and tax matters. Anna Svydenko, partner, is another point of contact.

AS Legal, an Odesa-based law firm, specializes in supporting IT companies with contract, corporate, and labor law matters to facilitate their business activities. The firm renders ongoing support to Do IT Programming solutions (Cyprus) Ltd in its business activities, including contract reviews with counterparties; provided legal support of the interests of an entrepreneur – a citizen of Moldova, in the process of opening an IT company in EU jurisdiction. Among the clients are Tino Digital Agency, Gsoft Development Ltd. Maksym Andrieiev, managing partner, heads the practice.

EXPATPRO specializes in consulting on employment and contracting in the IT sector, tax and corporate structuring, and issues related to intellectual property, including trademark registration. The firm also assists in preparing business entities and investors to enter the Diia City regime, addressing compliance issues and providing ongoing support for legal requests from residents. The team provides full legal support to Vizor Games, LLC for outlining employment and confidentiality clauses, consulting on taxes and IP protection, legal ownership structure and compliance; renders support to a startup Bili Kameni, LLC focused on creating digital solution for the rebuilding of damaged buildings. The firm handled due diligence of Ukrainian company Silvaco Ukraine for merger with US Silvaco Inc, and assisted with Diia City registration. Partner Tetiana Yashchenko leads the team.

During the research period KPMG demonstrated facilitation of its IT practice. The scope includes a wide range of services from legal support of implementation of new technological solutions to securing data protection via legal mechanisms, and cyber security issues. As a point of choice for handing due diligence within multijurisdictional M&A deals, the firm is enlisted for transactions. Another area of focus is ongoing legal support for the activity of international IT companies in Ukraine. Bogdan Shyshkovskyi and Alina Sichkar are the key members of the team.

PETERKA & PARTNERS provides comprehensive services across a variety of areas impacting the IT sector. This encompasses legal advice and all essential registrations required for starting a new business or opening a new office; contract management and due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, complete legal assistance for HR matters, and guidance on compliance and regulatory issues. The firm is also well-versed to advise its IT clients on IP and tax matters, while other areas of recent focus include cryptocurrencies and GDPR. In one recent highlight the office actively advised on gig-contracts, labor agreements with IT developers to ensure the protection of intellectual property rights. Taras Utiralov and Yuliia Sereda are leaders for the firm’s IT practice across CEE.

Cherkasy-based Rezultat Law Firm is assigned for supporting activities in Diia City, namely the development of employment contracts for gig specialists, advising on the specifics of the subsequent tax regime. In addition, the team assists clients with drafting software development agreements, and negotiations on the specifics of non-competition agreements. The firm’s client roster includes Andersen software development company, Dressler Consulting, Dronebud Cherkasy. Liliia Goncharova is the practice head.

AEQUO* has a recognized leading position in the IT and telecom sector, utilizing deep regulatory and transactional capabilities. During the research period the firm stood out for advising military tech projects. For example, it advised military tech startup — Limpid Armor, a technology company specializing in AI, AR and Computer Vision for military machines, on international trade, special export, dual-use products, and various other regulatory and commercial issues. The team assisted Brave1, a defense tech cluster, on matters of organization of operations, investment, and finance, etc. The firm has a long-term commitment in the telecommunications sector, being particularly vivid in transactional mandates. It is noteworthy that the team advised the Vodafone Ukraine group on the acquisition of the Freenet company – a provider of fixed internet access services under the “О3” brand. Mykyta Polatayko, the firm’s counsel, is endorsed for his long-term commitment in the IT sector, while corporate and M&A partner Anna Babych is known for transactional expertise and advising major telecom market deals.[1]

Arzinger* is referred for its strong offering in intellectual property rights and data protection matters. The firm’s IP partner, Kateryna Oliinyk, was mentioned in the poll.

The Kyiv office of CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang* is known for advising international IT companies, investment funds and telecom sector players. It is also noted for its GR efforts.

Dexis Partners*, a Lviv-based law firm, was noted by market insiders as “a fast-growing firm with good dynamics”. Partners Ivan Horodyskyy and Nataliia Vasylechko are mentioned as vivid advisors for the IT sector.

Axon Partners, especially Oksana Zadniprovska, and Tretten Law Firm and its founder Maksym Nosarev, IT-focused law firms, were also referenced by market insiders.

[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.