Asters’ employment practice is extensively involved in a wide array of services tailored to meet diverse business needs, particularly heightened during the current period of martial law in Ukraine. The workload during the research period includes advising on mobilization and reservation issues, employment planning for start-ups, and development strategies for existing businesses, such as implementing flexible personnel policies and non-standard work arrangements. The firm is traditionally adept to handle complex reorganizations, terminations, as well as employment disputes. Moreover, the firm provides robust support in work immigration, personal data protection, and manages collective labor relations. Asters provides ongoing advice to Molson Coors Ukraine on a wide spectrum of labor and employment, occupational safety, data protection matters related to day-to-day business and ensuring its compliance with employment law, on complex issues of staff relocation and flexible working arrangements in view of introduction of martial law. The firm advised many of its clients on reservation of employees and providing support in obtaining postponement of conscription to the army during mobilization for project management teams. The practice is co-headed by the firm’s corporate partner, Vadym Samoilenko, and dedicated to employment counsel Inesa Letych.
The Kyiv office of Baker McKenzie maintains its commitment of many years to providing comprehensive advice on labor and employment law, including structuring of employment relations in Ukraine, drafting agreements for senior executives and staff, managing terminations, and addressing wage and hour disputes. The firm handles privacy and data protection in employment, tax implications, leave entitlements, disciplinary actions, and policy implementation. Expertise extends to workers’ compensation, anti-discrimination, harassment prevention, protecting trade secrets, and intellectual property, as well as insurance for employment claims and alternative dispute resolution for employee grievances. Throughout the research the team advised on new army registration rules and related employer obligations, reservation of employees, employment transfer. The office traditionally acts for foreign investors and has, consequently, considerable experience of migration-related matters, including obtaining work permits or services cards and other documentation for foreign nationals employed in Ukraine. Among its clients are names from agriculture and transportation, retail and consumer goods, banking and financial institutions, embassies and non-governmental organizations, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and many others. Counsel Mariana Marchuk is consistently referred for her expertise in employment law. Lina Nemchenko guides the employment and migration practice as lead partner.
Being primarily known for strong performance in employment disputes, Ilyashev & Partners has a strong reputation for dismissal litigation, regulatory claims, conflict resolution with trade unions. The practice workload was boosted by instructions resulting from changes due to martial law, as well as staff outsourcing, employees transfer and relocation, and employment aspects of corporate deals. The firm has been advising Red Cross Ukraine on structuring labor relations for over 4,500 employees across regional and local organizations. This complex matter involved detailed advice on organizational structure and the distribution of powers concerning employment and labor relations, tailored to the unique legal status of the client under Ukrainian law. Among other highlights was acting for LoopMe, a London-based technology company, on development of an employment contract for employees in Ukraine with IP transfer clauses; advising Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories on the introduction of a new mechanism for suspending employment contracts under martial law conditions. Clients include Coca-Cola Beverages Ukraine, Unilever Ukraine, CLAAS Ukraine, Ukrrichflot, Ukrspecexport and others. Valeriia Gudiy, endorsed for her extensive experience in complex employment disputes, was promoted to partner.
Sayenko Kharenko’s labor and employment team possesses a comprehensive offering, ranging from transactional work to complex litigation before all relevant courts and instances, and utilizes amicable settlement of labor disputes. The firm provides critical support to clients by managing the labor law ramifications of operational issues, including corporate restructuring, reductions in force, M&A, employee transfers, including cross-border mandates, as well as a wide spectrum of issues relating to labor and management relations, workplace law and immigration. Among the highlights of the research period were providing comprehensive legal advice to Médecins Sans Frontières on employment issues related to establishing and operating their charity fund in Ukraine, including the engagement of foreign nationals and volunteers; ongoing legal advice to FPS FLEXIBLES UKRAINE on various employment matters, focusing on issues related to top management and workforce management; advising Coca-Cola on ongoing employment-related matters, including teleworking, employment of management team, vacation entitlement. The team advised a Ukrainian bank on the legal aspects of employment and banking regulations for implementing a share option plan, which entitles top managers to shares in the bank’s foreign parent company. The employment practice at the firm is co-led by Iryna Bakina and Dr. Svitlana Kheda, with significant support from a senior associate Olga Kyriusha. Dr. Svitlana Kheda resolves complex employment disputes through amicable settlements.
ADER HABER provides comprehensive consulting on applying labor laws under martial law, employee reservation and military service deferments, labor relationship regulations, dismissals, and changes in employment conditions, as well as representing both employers and employees in labor disputes. The team is also distinguished by its expertise in handling complex employment litigation. An agrarian holding, the firm’s longstanding clients I&U Group, was advised on the peculiarities of the procedure for booking employees of the agricultural sector, depending on their positions and military specialties; on the specifics of organizing labor relations under martial law; on the peculiarities of obtaining permits to perform certain types of work and operate equipment under martial law. The employment practice team advised a Ukrainian subsidiary of one of the world’s leading sporting goods companies on the establishment of a collective executive body at an enterprise, which includes a foreigner. The firm’s public client roster includes Unex Bank, Watsons, Colliers International, Biscuit Factory No. 1. Anna Movchan, senior associate, is practice head. Partner Oleksandra Fedotova oversees the practice.
Ante Law Firm is sought after for employment advisory and disputes, with the recent extensive practice of advising on mobilization and military service in this period of martial law. The firm provided guidance to its aviation and pharmaceuticals clients on employing Ukrainians in the EU, including advice on terminating or suspending Ukrainian labor contracts with the option for renewal. Among the highlights of the period under research was advising its aviation clients – Bees Airline, Air France-KLM, Lufthansa group on receiving permits for men to leave Ukraine as aviation personnel professionals, and providing permanent assistance to Qatar Airways headquarters HR team regarding Ukrainian labor law issues. Ante supported Sanofi-Aventis Ukraine and Opella Healthcare Ukraine in filings and communication with the Ministry of Health regarding a critical entity for Ukrainian economy status, in order to book some employees away from military service. The firm represented Dan Farm LLC in an appeal against former employees who breached confidentiality clauses by using sensitive information to help competitors secure leases on land currently leased by Dan Farm. Other clients include AbbVie, Acino, DFU Agro, INSK, Harwind, Pharmway, Menklab, SkyVip. Andriy Guck, managing partner, heads the practice.
The Kyiv employment team of Dentons is frequently sought after for its expertise in traditional labor issues, employment components of transactions including cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and handling employment disputes. Furthermore, the firm advises on employment documentation compliance and the implications of martial law. The firm advised Roku on employment law matters under Ukrainian legislation in connection to their international expansion in Ukraine; provide Solarisbank with ongoing day-to-day general advice on common employment law queries in connection with the client’s business activities in Ukraine. The firm advised Farmak, Ukraine’s leading pharmaceutical company, on a series of strategic acquisitions from a portfolio company of Novator private equity house, including advice on employment law matters in connection with the transaction. The team advises one of the largest private charitable foundations in the world, providing legal advice on employment law matters in connection with the establishment of its presence in Ukraine. Kyiv-based partner Volodymyr Monastyrskyy, the head of the employment practice in Ukraine, is well-respected professional known for his longstanding dedication.
EVERLEGAL employment practice acts for commercial and non-commercial clients, with the lion’s share of assignments involving advising on martial law related employment considerations, in particular, employee relocation, specifics of establishing labor relations during wartime. As a recent highlight, the firm provides legal advice to the Norwegian Refugee Council on various employment matters in Ukraine. In the summer of 2023, the firm and USAID/ENGAGE implemented an educational project aimed at providing legal support to civil society organizations, small and medium-sized enterprises, and Ukrainian citizens, regarding employment issues and relations with employees during martial law. The firm assists with employment agreements, terminations, compliance, preparing internal policies and regulations, dismissal of key officials, employment of foreigners in Ukraine, including obtaining work permits, employment disputes. Yevheniy Deyneko, the managing partner, heads the employment practice.
During 2022-2023, EY Ukraine maintained its client services, concentrating on employment and immigration issues related to martial law and relocation of Ukrainian employees abroad, addressing cross-border challenges for Ukrainian employers and their staff. The practice team handled labor law projects, particularly risk management for reclassification of civil relations, structuring overseas assignments, navigating employment challenges under martial law, and implementing various long-term incentive plans (including share-based and cash-based plans). The team managed appointments and terminations of high-level executives, designed pension strategies, and executed reductions in headcount. Additionally, the team conducted several comprehensive labor law due diligence assessments, and assisted with the number of governmental initiatives, as well as projects funded by the international non-governmental organizations. In particular, EY plays a crucial role in developing initiatives and introducing best practices for the reintegration of war veterans and those impacted by the war back into the workplace. In addition, the company houses an immigration team providing immigration advisory and compliance services. The recent focus covers ongoing support with employment of foreign individuals in Ukraine and development of comprehensive relocation strategies for the Ukrainian companies, and cross-border immigration compliance utilizing international network. Olga Gorbanovskaya and Halyna Khomenko are the key figures.
In 2022-2023, Gramatskiy & Partners was retained for projects including reassignment of the workforce, suspension of employment, organization of labor insurance, security of the workforce, amendments to employment contracts with management and staff, dispute resolution, dismissal and redundancy. The firm advised on labor law requirements during martial law, and handles employment disputes, some with reached the Supreme Court. The firm has an extensive IT client roster, seeking advice on employment matters, in particular, advice on the conclusion of employment agreements and gig contracts with IT-specialists by the residents of Diia.City. The firm represented Quant Plant JSC in disputes over special pensions with former employees of the legal predecessor, and in a number of disputes with the State Labor Service, the Social Insurance Fund, the Pension Fund, and the State Tax Service. The firm has seen an increase in immigration-related assignments. The practice leader is Igor Kasianov.
Ukrainian law firm ILF maintains a dedicated focus on labor and employment practice, with the traditional emphasis being on providing guidance for matters within Ukraine’s healthcare sector. In the last couple of years, the projects in this area have focused primarily, but not exclusively on working with organizations in the non-profit sector, particularly community nonprofits, charitable foundations and civic organizations. The firm advises on the development and implementation of collective agreements for medical institutions, the creation and implementation of motivation systems and systems of management and quality control of services, as well as consultation and disputes related to labor law. The team advises managers of companies on settlement of relations with employees, their remuneration and evaluation, employment of foreign workers, reorganization, occupational health and safety. Most recently the firm assisted with the development and implementation of an individual motivation system for the personnel of the Center of primary medical and sanitary care in the Holosiiv District of Kyiv. Olexiy Holovin heads the employment practice.
During the research period INTEGRITES’s employment practice predominantly handled cases associated with martial law, focusing on optimizing staff, reducing payroll costs, formalizing interrupted operations, relocating employees, managing staff redundancies, and addressing issues related to mobilizing and reserving employees who are eligible for conscription. Additionally, the practice deals with employment disputes, including those involving state authorities, dismissals, particularly among top management. Among public projects was advising Autodoc Ukraine on various employment and human resource management issues, including recruitment of persons with disabilities, requirements to employees’ military registration, reservation of key employees from conscription to military service during martial law; advice to Vetropack Hostomel Glass Factory, addressing challenges related to martial law and hostilities, including staff redundancy due to plant destruction, adjustments to collective bargaining during martial law, military conscription compliance, and ensuring employer adherence to health, safety, and civil defense requirements for restarting operations. The firm regularly supports M&A transactions and handles subsequent employment due diligence. Other clients include Servier, Voodoo, Savencia Fromage & Dairy, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, etc. Inna Kostrytska was promoted to counsel and appointed head of the firm’s employment practice.
Kinstellar’s employment team is mandated for both general labor law advisory as well as within M&A global transactions and outsourcings, advising on hiring, terminations, corporate policy, relocations of businesses and personnel, employee transfers and localization projects. The recent queries include advice on immigration-related matters, reserving Ukrainian employees from the mobilization, and remote work. The team is engaged in handling sensitive matters, in particular, development of strategy and support in its implementation for the termination of senior executives and toxic employees, mass layoffs, dealing with trade unions. Among publishable clients are Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), QTerminals, Ukrenergo and EBRD. Maksym Tesliar is a counsel and the head of the employment and labor law practice.
KM Partners’ legal support encompasses drafting and revising employment contracts, negotiating terminations, and handling disputes on wrongful dismissal and disciplinary actions. The dedicated team assists in developing internal policies of international clients managing transitions and layoffs. Throughout the research period the firm was focused on issues related to martial law in Ukraine, advising on mobilization, employee relocation, and remote work during active hostilities. The firm advised companies coming from such industries as energy, humanitarian NGOs, real estate and construction, healthcare and cosmetic, agrarian sector. Partner Alexander Shemiatkin heads the practice, with key contributions from Yaroslava Ivasiuk and Iryna Hochachko.
KPMG Law Ukraine has been the preferred counsel for the employment aspects of market entry, secondment, relocation of employees, staff optimization, as well advisory on mobilization laws. The team also renders advisory regarding immigration matters. During the research period the team supported Bühler Service in adjusting their internal labor policies to meet the conditions of martial law. As part of a pro bono project, the team assisted the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine in amending legislation regulating the employment of persons with disabilities; assisted a German development company with tax and legal advice regarding employment structuring. The team has been supporting a UNDP project designed to enhance social support for individuals who have lost or have reduced work capabilities, which includes analyzing existing legislation, developing a new support model, amending laws, and engaging with stakeholders. KPMG acted for an international company in the renewable energy industry and obtained work permits for 40 individuals. Combining labor with an extensive corporate law practice, Yuriy Katser is the employment practice head. Tetyana Krynytska is head of the firm’s immigration practice.
The labor and employment practice of NOBLES is focused on advising clients on respective internal policies, employment and termination strategies. The team is experienced in labor due diligence, developing compliance policies, and managing regular employment matters such as terminations, contracts, white-collar issues, staff outsourcing, and payroll calculations. The firm has been providing comprehensive legal advice to Ferring Ukraine on a review of its remuneration policy for the local director. The recent assignment of the employment team includes visas and work permits for foreign employees, general mobilization and martial law in Ukraine. Clients include H&M Hennes and Mauritz AB, Beam Suntory, Llentab, etc. Partners Oleksandr Aleksyeyenko, Alexander Weigelt, Volodymyr Yakubovskyy oversee the practice workload.
The Kyiv office of PETERKA & PARTNERS is frequently engaged by international businesses to manage labor and employment tasks for their Ukrainian subsidiaries. Since the full-scale invasion the labor practice has been keenly focused on addressing issues related to martial law in Ukraine. The firm provides legal support regarding the mobilization of employees, as well as on matters pertaining to the relocation of employees and the implementation of remote work arrangements. During the research period the team rendered legal support to World Courier on restructuring its Ukrainian subsidiary, including drafting a new staff list, job descriptions, and managing employee transfers; legal assistance to Mammoet in implementing downtime procedures and managing salary increases within the company; day-to-day legal advisory to KRKA in connection with HR matters, such as fixation of remote places of work, changing essential working conditions, possibility to apply for personal material liability, reservation of employees during martial law. The team also advises companies from the IT sector in connection with gig contacts, which are the new form of agreement for IT specialists – residents of Diia.City. Taras Utiralov, the Kyiv-based managing partner, is the main contact.
Initially known for advising on employment matters as part of larger deals, Redcliffe Partners has established a stand-alone employment practice, extending the team and advisory scope. The firm advises on labor policies, employment aspects of transactions, issues regarding relocation of staff following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Most recently the team acted as a legal counsel to a UiPath for implementation of its internal labor and corporate policies; advised Jakala S.p.A. S.B., a portfolio company of Ardian, on a transaction in relation to acquisition of FFW, with related focus on personnel matters; assisted Mitsui & Co. on employment issues related to martial law in Ukraine; Citibank Ukraine on the work-related travels abroad of the client’s male employees subject to conscription. The practice is led by two partners, namely Albert Sych and Rob Shantz.
Wolf Theiss Kyiv serves clients by advising on employment matters related to the top management and personnel of both Ukrainian companies and Ukrainian subsidiaries of foreign clients. The firm ensures coverage of relevant employment issues within M&A transactions and restructuring projects, and also provides advice on day-to-day operations. Furthermore, the team helped clients to arrange distance working and work from offices and advised on various possibilities of labor restructuring. In a recent highlight the team provided UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UHG) with comprehensive legal advice during its acquisition, focusing on seamless integration of contractual relations with vendors in Ukraine. The team advised Yazaki, a worldwide operating automotive supplier from Japan, on data protection and employment regulations in connection with the implementation of a special app by the company for its employees; acted for the Ukrainian subsidiary of a large IT company called Snap Inc on employment matters with respect to the company’s employees and executives; advised Oracle, the third-largest software company in the world, on Ukrainian martial law related employment law matters. During the research period of 2022-2023, the firm advised on employment law issues for an array of clients including, among others, Underdog Fantasy, Ring Central, Axon, Guala Closures S.p.A., Shortlist, Inc., Advent Labs, representative Office of OSRAM GmbH in Ukraine. Olga Ivlyeva and Olena Kravtsova are the practice co-heads. Kyiv managing partner Taras Dumych oversees the practice.
GOLAW* is noted for its labor and employment practice, which stands out for strong litigation capabilities. Kateryna Manoylenko, partner, stands out during the poll.
Serhiy Silchenko, founder of the Kharkiv-based Roland Law Firm*, is noted for his long-term commitment to labor practice, and utilizes consulting and disputes experience.
Oksana Voynarovska, a partner at Vasil Kisil and Partners*, is a well-regarded professional recognized in the industry.
EXPATPRO is a specialized firm that focuses on immigration law, offering legal services to foreign nationals residing in or relocating to Ukraine, encompassing assistance with visa applications, work permits, immigration permits, and residence permits. In 2023, the firm advised representative offices of foreign and international NGOs, public associations, charitable foundations and other volunteering organizations (Geneva Call, Immap, Team4UA), and supported projects of technical help (such as Encompass LLC) with issues related to immigration law. The firm is customarily hired by IT companies to assist with the relocation of IT specialists. The firm advises Geneva Call on legal issues connected to branch registration, taxes, labor issues and legal support on migration and relocation legal issues of foreign staff members in Ukraine, as well as transfer of an employee from another international NGO. Vasyl Cherednichenko leads the migration team, with Kateryna Zatulko providing key support. Tetiana Yashchenko acts on selected assignments.
LEGALACT is focused on immigration law, assisting clients with a spectrum of legal needs related to living, working, and residing in Ukraine. The firm specializes in securing temporary and permanent residence permits and citizenship for foreigners and stateless persons, including issues of employment-based relocations and family reunification, as well as investments made in the Ukrainian economy. The firm is adept at handling complex cases such as administrative and judicial appeals against refusals from Ukrainian immigration authorities and forced return orders. Furthermore, the firm provides comprehensive consultations on immigration options, support in acquiring Ukrainian citizenship by birth, and managing transitions in immigration status due to changes in personal circumstances. Viktor Tesliuk is the practice head.
During the research period, Andriy Kravets & Partners represented Ukrainian agrarian and food holdings on regulating labor relations during the ongoing period of martial law in Ukraine. Vladyslav Lyaskovskiy is the key figure.
ANTIKA Law Firm offers support in addressing a range of labor law matters, such as personnel planning, vacation policies, legal procedures for employment termination, and litigation. In a recent highlight the firm assisted a longstanding client, AWT Bavaria Group, with preparation and support for the conclusion, signing and registration of collective contracts for 2022-2025; delivered legal support to Esan Representative Office in Ukraine in the course of employment of foreigners. The main contacts are Oleksandra Fedorenko, partner, and Oleksander Tretiakov, senior associate.
Pragma Consulting Group specializes in government relations, providing dedicated expertise in this area. The firm provided legal and communication support for amendments to the Law of Ukraine On Mobilization Training and Mobilization, facilitating the expansion of eligible enterprises that can reserve their employees, which now includes entities critical for the economy and essential services during special periods. Another highlight is representing the position of business in the process of finalizing the draft law on ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities to work. Alyona Shulima, managing partner, is the main contact.
Vdovychen & Partners provides guidance on labor law regulations, especially matters that have taken place due to Russia’s full-scale invasion. During the research period the firm provided legal advice on the dismissal of a person of retirement age; consulted on the risks of labor relations with a citizen of the Russian Federation; advised a client on dismissal from the position of director of a state-owned enterprise; assisted on the dismissal of an employee who concluded a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Oleg Vdovychen is lead partner.
* The firms marked with an asterisk (*) have not submitted information for the current research. Their market presence was explored and commented during in-depth interviews.