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Domestic Litigation
- Nazarii Adamchuk (Alekseev, Boyarchukov and Partners)
- Serhii Chuyev (EQUITY)
- Oleksandra Fedorenko (ANTIKA Law Firm)
- Andriy Guck (Ante Law Firm)
- Valeriia Gudiy (Ilyashev & Partners)
- Andrii Hvozdetskyi (ADER HABER)
- Andriy Ivaniv (EQUITY)
- Oleksiy Kharytonov (ILF)
- Julian Khorunzhiy (ARIO Law Firm)
- Iryna Kobets (LCF Law Group)
- Mykola Kovalchuk (L.I. Group)
- Vyacheslav Krahlevych (EQUITY)
- Oleksandr Onishchenko (INTEGRITES)
- Grygoriy Pavlenko (Pavlenko Legal Group)
- Yuriy Petrenko (ADER HABER)
- Oleksandr Ruzhytskyi (EVERLEGAL)
- Ihor Siusel (Baker McKenzie)
- Kseniia Prokhur (Baker McKenzie)
- Anton Sintsov (Asters)
- Bohdan Slobodian (EQUITY)
- Olena Sukmanova (Sayenko Kharenko)
- Andriy Syvak (Shkrebets & Partners)
- Andrii Trembich (Gramatskiy & Partners)
- Oleh Trokhymchuk (Ilyashev & Partners)
- Volodymyr Vashchenko (VB PARTNERS)
- Volodymyr Yenich (AVER LEX)
CROSS-BORDER LITIGATION
- Oleh Beketov (ETERNA LAW)
- Oleksiy Didkovskiy (Asters)
- Olexander Droug (Sayenko Kharenko)
- Oleksandr Frolov (Asters)
- James Hart (Hillmont Partners)
- Dr. Oleksiy Kot (ANTIKA Law Firm)
- Oksana Legka (Asters)
- Oleh Malinevskyi (EQUITY)
- Roman Marchenko (Ilyashev & Partners)
- Dmytro Marchukov (INTEGRITES)
- Olena Perepelynska (INTEGRITES)
- Serhii Uvarov (INTEGRITES)
The Celebrated Practitioners category spotlights long-time practitioners and showcases their years of experience in the legal marketplace.
The information on Damage Recovery, a comprehensive legal service arising from the consequences of Russian aggression, is included in the overview of the Litigation section. For more details, please see the Analytics section.
The Regional Counsel category recognizes law firms with a substantial track record of serving clients whose activities are significantly focused in a particular region, whether those clients are local or not.
Asters, a leading full-service Ukrainian law firm, boasts a versatile litigation team renowned for handling a high-value strategic domestic and cross-border disputes. The practice possesses extensive market capacities while its expertise covers corporate, commercial, regulatory, tax, antitrust, banking, insurance, labor, intellectual property, and family law disputes. The firm has been running the largest strategic case by representing JSC CB PrivatBank in significant domestic and international disputes following the 2016 nationalization due to alleged fraud by the bank’s former owners, and serves as lead and coordinating counsel across various jurisdictions, including the UK, US, Israel, and Cyprus, handling complex cross-border legal challenges. Asters advises the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine in its case against the Russian Federation at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), focusing on claims for compensation for severe rights violations during Russia’s invasion, including life, torture, and property rights under the Convention. During the research period the firm was called upon by many corporate clients for development and implementation of international legal mechanisms to compensate the damage caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine. It is notable that the team is also involved in aviation-related disputes, specifically in disputes over the reimbursement of damages. Among other disclosable highlights on the domestic front were representing Gazova Budyvelna Kompaniya, LLC, a Kyiv major real-estate developer, in complex court proceedings against opponent’s illegal attempts to seize a real estate located in the historical part of Kyiv; defended DEPS TELECOM LLC, a major Ukrainian wire importer, in two court disputes related to international trade safeguard measures, including both an appeal against the imposition of these measures and the cancellation thereof. The sizeable team includes five partners, with co-managing partner Oleksiy Didkovskiy leading the cross-border litigation practice. This area was bolstered by the recent promotions of Oksana Legka and Oleksandr Volkov to partners in January 2024. Additionally, Oleksandr Frolov and Anna Tkachova serve as key counsel in cross-border matters, and newly-joined Andriy Stetsenko as of October 2023. Domestic litigation is led by partners Andriy Pozhidayev, specializing in significant banking disputes, and Gleb Bialyi, focusing on commercial and regulatory disputes. The domestic litigation counsel team includes Oleg Samsonovych, Viktor Tarasenkov, Sergiy Dusanovsky, Additionally, counsel Anton Sintsov is recognized for his expertise in international trade and his recent work with the defense industry. Natalia Misnyk (who left the firm), senior associate, was acclaimed for her litigation performance during our poll.[1]
EQUITY, a Ukrainian dispute resolution firm, excels in handling complex, high-stakes domestic and international disputes, complemented by extensive white-collar crime practice and recently enhanced ECHR expertise. The firm serves major domestic industries, business groups, and high-net-worth individuals, distinguishing itself in debt recovery, insolvency disputes, enforcing non-performing loans, and demonstrates comprehensive approach to damage recovery and international asset tracing. EQUITY represents the Azovmash group, Ukraine’s largest engineering company, in multiple high-value bankruptcy disputes totaling over USD 3.23 billion across several subsidiaries, achieving significant creditor claim reductions and legal victories, including a notable Supreme Court ruling favoring AzovElectroStal. The firm also aсts for the group, the majority of whose capacities were situated in the city of Mariupol in Donetsk Region, on recovery of damages against Russia. On the damages recovery front, among other cases, the firm is representing Umedo Group in an international case against the Russian Federation and associated oligarchs for damages caused by Russian military strikes that destroyed a medical equipment plant in Ukraine, and devised strategies to reclaim damages from assets indirectly owned by these oligarchs, leveraging foreign elements in the case. The firm represents Falcon Agro Group, one of Ukraine’s largest soybean processors, in a dispute against Ukreximbank over the ownership of a soybean processing plant, while the bank is contesting the auction results, citing violations in the bankruptcy case’s bidding process. Among the recent sanctions-related highlights, the team successfully represented Ukrainian investors of Zhezhelevsky Quarry PJSC and Khust Quarry PJSC in a landmark legal victory where the Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court denied the Ministry of Justice’s request to confiscate assets linked to sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, affirming that these assets were legitimately owned by Ukrainian investors. Among the disclosable clients are PJSC UkrInBank, Khodosiv System Investments LLC, Group of Riviera Village companies, Finevrovector LLC, Corporate non-government pension fund of the National Bank of Ukraine, Helen Marlen Group, Finance Company Helios, etc. The practice boasts four partners: Oleh Malinevskyi, who handles sensitive and multijurisdictional disputes; Serhii Chuyev, specializing in banking disputes, court restructuring, and bankruptcy; and Vyacheslav Krahlevych, focusing on corporate, shareholder litigation, and white-collar crime. Anna Yudkivska, who joined as a partner in 2023, enriched the team with unrivalled expertise in human rights and investment protection. The firm’s counsel line of litigators has been well-received in the market: Andriy Ivaniv is noted for credit and mortgage disputes; Dmytro Tylipskiy specializes in insolvency disputes; and Bohdan Slobodian is recognized for his expertise in regulatory and investment matters.
Ilyashev & Partners is a distinguished dispute resolution firm, known for its robust and extensive practice, which spans domestic and cross-border disputes, and strong positions in international arbitration. The firm boasts one of the largest market capacities, benefiting from its strategic network of regional offices in Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. The practice team excels in large-scale shareholder disputes, advanced debt recovery, property litigation, insolvency proceedings, regulatory disputes, tax, employment, intellectual property, family disputes. Among the growing domains during the research period are maritime and insurance disputes. The firm represents the largest shareholder of Ferrexpo, Ukrainian businessman Kostyantyn Zhevago, against a USD 1.23 billion claim by the Individual Deposit Guarantee Fund for alleged losses caused to the Bank Finance and Credit due to loans given to Zhevago-related companies; represents the interests of Ferrexpo Poltava Mining on the claim by FC Maxi Capital Group on debt recovery under suretyship agreements. The firm consistently represents clients seeking compensation for damages and losses resulting from Russian aggression, among others, AV Metal Group, Ukrflora-Vinnytsia, Solomia, a joint Ukrainian-English enterprise (top 5 producers on the tea market of Ukraine), KOMBINAT TEPLICHNY, etc. For example, Ilyashev & Partners represents Ukrainian Shipping Company UKRRICHFLOT in complex legal proceedings aimed at recovering multi-million losses due to the military aggression of the Russian Federation, including the loss of river fleets and ports after the destruction by Russia of the Kakhovka Dam. The firm is managing all stages of the case, from developing strategies and handling documentation to working with forensic experts on damage assessment and pursuing recognition and enforcement of judgments in foreign jurisdictions. The prestigious client roster includes, among others, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, CRH Ukraine, Group DF, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, COFCO Agri Resources Ukraine, Suntrade, Dyckerhoff Cement Ukraine. The firm’s managing partner, Mikhail Ilyashev, runs significant cases and has been instructed to provide expert opinions on Ukrainian law in UK and EU courts. Roman Marchenko is at the front of cross-border litigation, and regularly provides expert legal opinions for international judicial proceedings. During the last two years he has been instructed to provide expert opinions on Ukrainian law in US, UK and BVI courts. Firm’s counsel Oleh Trokhymchuk and Andrii Konoplia were appointed co-heads of the firm’s dispute resolution practice. The key litigators are Valeriia Gudiy (labor disputes), Sergey Nedelko (maritime claims), Oleksandr Denysenko (contractual, shareholder disputes).
LCF Law Group stands out for a robust litigation team skilled in multidisciplinary dispute resolution. The firm excels in managing complex, high-risk judicial and arbitration disputes, including bankruptcy, banking and finance, and commercial litigation. During the research period the team is particularly adept in handling cases influenced by wartime conditions and navigating new challenges in energy and land disputes. In addition, the firm assists clients with applications to the ECHR against Russia, seeking compensation of damage. LCF successfully represented DTEK Zakhidenergo in a Supreme Court dispute, overturning the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine’s decision that accused the client of monopolistic practices in the Burshtyn TPP Island trading zone in 2019, citing methodological errors in the AMCU’s analysis. Other highlights include representing the First Ukrainian International Bank in successfully collecting loan debts from JSC Sumy NPO, a major European machinery manufacturer, under two credit agreements; represented Holleman Ukraine in four debt collection lawsuits under forwarding contracts, successfully resolving disputes in favor of the client with the total debt of USD 6.6 million fully repaid. The client roster includes sound names, to name a few – Fozzy Group, Bunge Ukraine, VR Global Partners, Group of companies Kostyantynivsky Plant of metallurgical equipment (KZMO group of companies ), etc. The firm’s litigation capabilities are highlighted by four partners on board – founding partners – Anna Ogrenchuk and Artem Stoyanov; Olena Volyanska, who is highly-regarded for her insolvency disputes and bankruptcy expertise. Iryna Kobets, promoted to partner in October 2023, is highly-regarded for her litigation prowess by the market peers and leads the firm’s dispute resolution practice.
Sayenko Kharenko utilizes domestic and cross-border disputes, and provides comprehensive services related to compensation for damage caused by the Russian Federation as a result of open-armed unprovoked aggression. During 2022-2023, the litigation team delivered representation across various high-profile cases, in particular, defended the Ethics Council in more than 20 legal disputes involving the High Council of Justice members; supported Auchan Group in multiple litigations to reclaim property rights to land; assisted Ukrtatnafta in 12 disputes aimed at regaining corporate control. The firm also represented Procter & Gamble Ukraine in a lease-related penalty collection dispute. Another notable highlight of the dispute resolution team is that it successfully represented JSC CB Privatbank and its supervisory board members in 20 court disputes against a trade union organization, addressing matters related to the bank’s corporate governance. Additionally, the firm assisted the Veld Group with an ECHR application for damages due to Russian military aggression. The firm advised multiple international insurance and reinsurance companies on cross-border litigation and other contentious matters arising out of insured aircraft, wind power farms and other insured assets stranded or damaged in Ukraine. The domestic litigation is led by partner Olena Sukmanova. Oleksiy Koltok, promoted to partner in February 2024, is esteemed as an active and proficient litigator and referred to by market participants. Promoted to counsel Sergiy Protyven is a key litigation team member. International arbitration partner Olexander Droug leads the cross-border litigation.
ADER HABER, a Ukrainian law firm, boasts a comprehensive litigation practice, specializing in a variety of cases including debt recovery, contractual disputes, and issues concerning tax, insurance, and employment. The firm also has a strong focus on real estate, construction, and land, leveraging extensive experience in property-related matters. During the research period the dispute resolution team extended its workload of energy disputes. For example, the firm represents LLC Euro-Reconstruction in five ongoing litigations over three years against Municipal Enterprise Kyivteploenergo regarding payment disputes for thermal energy transportation, which stem from conflicting tariffs set by regulators; represents PJSC Cherkaske Khimvolokno in a litigation against Naftogaz Trading LLC regarding unpaid debts for natural gas, attributed to the rising energy costs that hinder timely payments by energy companies. The team assists GMC Alliance LLP in legal disputes over claims and illegal mortgage seizures from the liquidation of Trasta komercbanka, also acting as a third party in related commercial disputes over property rights between creditors. Another substantial share of workload is supporting clients and elaboration of mechanisms aimed at obtaining effective recovery of damages at the expense of property belonging to the Russian Federation and its related parties. Among disclosable clients are Kyivgaz JSC, Kyivgazenergy, LLC Sumyteploenergo, Universal Bank, Ukrproduct Group, UMEDO GROUP LLC. Two partners of the firm act across different cases – Tatiana Daniltseva is currently focused on energy practice and relevant litigation. Andrii Hvozdetskyi changed focus on energy state-owned companies handling debt recovery. Oleksandra Fedotova guides real estate matters, and is currently involved in representing state-owned enterprises. Yuriy Petrenko, the managing partner, maintains a strong emphasis on nurturing client relationships.
Renowned on the Ukrainian market for its strong bankruptcy expertise, Alekseev, Boyarchukov and Partners has an established track record of domestic litigation, in particular, corporate conflicts, debt recovery, property disputes, real estate and land matters, regulatory appeals. During the research period the firm provided legal support to shareholders of Bilotserkivska Thermal Power Plant during a series of corporate disputes regarding the ownership of shares and the appointment of the company’s management; represented Townland Development (developer ENSO) and other real estate projects in Kyiv in debt recovery actions related to investment agreements aimed at resuming funding and completing construction. The team currently represents Interstarch Ukraine, PJSC Dniprovskyi Starch Plant, and PJSC Interkorn Corn Processing Industry in an ongoing dispute against the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, challenging the committee’s decision to impose a USD 7 million fine for allegedly monopolizing the corn syrup and glucose syrup market between 2018 and 2020. Partner Nazarii Adamchuk is noted for active litigator role in the research period. Andrii Datskiv is another lead partner.
ANTIKA Law Firm’s client roster spans international and Ukrainian companies from sectors like energy, mining, FMCG, defense and automotive. The clients seek legal representation for commercial disputes arising from contractual breaches, administrative responsibilities, consumer rights, product liability, loan recovery, tax disputes, and challenges to decisions made by state authorities. The firm defended PJSC Tutkovsky in the commercial courts and returned a complex of non-residential and industrial premises in the city of Kyiv, which were illegally registered as the bank’s property. The firm’s established client AWT Bavaria LLC was represented in the course of the consumer’s claim against the insurance company for the recovery of insurance compensation, and in the consumer dispute for the termination of the contract and return of funds. The litigation team is often preferred by energy sector players, having most recently handled a representation of the Utility Enterprise of Thermal Networks Cherkasyteplokomunenergo of Cherkasy City Council on debt recovery under a supply agreement (the cost of lost thermal energy during its transportation). Among other publishable clients are Henkel Ukraine, Henkel Bautechnik (Ukraine), Ibis, LLC. Senior partner Dr. Oleksiy Kot runs the arbitration workload and handles cross-border mandates. Partner Oleksandra Fedorenko has a long-term market presence and an extensive practice.
ARIO Law Firm is noted for its expertise in insolvency litigation, resolving corporate rights conflicts, combating raiding, and handling property disputes and commercial breach of contract litigation. The team handles damage recovery cases, operating in both domestic and international legal institutions, initiate the process of seeking compensation for losses incurred by the firm’s clients. The firm represents Concord Bank in multiple litigations, notably challenging the National Bank of Ukraine’s (NBU) decisions on sanctions for AML/CFT violations that led to the revocation of its license, the proposed liquidation of the bank, and seeking damages for unlawful revocation of license. The team is defending executives of the bankrupt bank UKOOPSPILKA, successfully representing them in initial and appellate stages against claims by the state-owned Deposit Guarantee Fund related to actions that allegedly led to the bank’s insolvency, involving nearly UAH 77 million. Ario successfully represented Lviv City Council in a legal battle to reclaim ownership of a land parcel near the Lviv Opera House from LLC Galinvest, which had registered it using a falsified resolution dated 1992. Julian Khorunzhiy and Anna Sydorovych, who joined as a head of the firm’s West Ukrainian branch in Lviv, are litigation lead partners.
AVER LEX attorneys at law saw strengthening of the litigation practice including appealing sanctions and asset recovery procedures, commercial litigation, asset tracing, debt recovery, defense against fraudulent takeover of business, assets and property rights, raiding attacks, and corporate conflicts. Another area of focus of the litigation team is the protection of honor, dignity, and business reputation. The firm successfully defended Vasyl Stoetskiy, deputy head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the ECHR, obtaining a favorable decision after highlighting illegal detention issues in Ukraine. The team defended the rights of bank officials in a dispute with the Deposit Guarantee Fund, successfully achieving a full dismissal of the Fund’s claims, which had escalated to over UAH 1.1 billion, after more than five years of litigation across multiple court levels. The firm also represented a leading Ukrainian natural gas and electricity supplier in a dispute with the Energy Customs of the State Fiscal Service over the adjustment of the customs value of goods purchased in the Netherlands. Partner Volodymyr Yenich and counsel Sergii Nevmerzhitskyi head the litigation practice.
The dispute resolution practice at the Kyiv office of Baker McKenzie is experienced in representing international creditors in the bankruptcy proceedings of Ukrainian companies and debt recovery litigation, employment disputes, corporate disputes, contract breach and land litigation, collection of damages and tax disputes. The market has noted firm’s increased involvement in litigation activities. Kseniia Prokhur was highly-esteemed by peers, and was promoted to counsel. The key team incudes senior associates Anna Boyko and Ievgen Bidnyi. Ihor Siusel is the lead partner.
Benchers Law Firm is a boutique firm specializing in criminal law and dispute resolution. The team handles complex cases involving debt and asset recovery, tax, regulatory and sanctions issues. The firm represented a Ukrainian bank in a dispute relating to the USD 168.4 million debt of a major Ukrainian ceramic tile manufacturer and distributor; and Pulp Mill Print LLC, the largest printing company in Europe, in a tax dispute relating to additional charges resulting from a tax audit of liabilities and penalties of approximately USD 5.4 million. Myroslav Hnatiuk, partner, heads the dispute resolution practice.
ETERNA LAW offers a solid dispute resolution service, actively engaged in cross-border and domestic litigation. The firm is frequently chosen by international law firms and its partners often provide expert opinions on Ukrainian law in English courts. Oleh Beketov, senior partner and head of international litigation, continues to act as a Ukrainian law expert in significant Ukraine-related foreign litigations in recent years. The firm is known for resolution of corporate conflicts between shareholders, including multijurisdictional matters. During 2023, the firm established a new practice called International War Damages Compensation as led by Kristina Shapovalova, counsel. In particular, the firm handled representation of Altek LLC in a dispute regarding the recovery of damages caused as a result of the Russian Federation’s destruction of logistics warehouses containing the client’s products, as well as lost profits; acts for Farm Household Sapphir in a dispute regarding the recovery of damages caused as a result of the destruction of the client’s the equipment and lost profits. Oleksandr Luhovskyi, partner, handles IT disputes.
EVERLEGAL boasts a versatile litigation practice, serving clients across various sectors including banking, tax, and corporate law. The firm handles a wide array of disputes such as administrative, debt collection, regulatory investigations, tax, commercial, criminal, labor, corporate, etc. The firm is regularly engaged by agricultural clients to manage land disputes. For example, the dedicated team represents Agro-Lan, a Ukrainian agricultural producer, in a complex dispute regarding the restoration of lease rights on more than 300 hectares of land; provides businessman, general director of one of the largest investment companies in Ukraine, with legal support in the land law disputes on invalidation of orders and extortion of land plots; assists Ukrainian agricultural holding with several disputes with landlords regarding the invalidation of land lease agreements. Having developed a following of banks and financial companies, the firm has a steady workflow of debt collection litigation. The litigation team is advising Concord Capital in a USD 20.9 million debt collection dispute involving complex court proceedings, bankruptcy proceedings, and extrajudicial procedures. Among disclosable clients are the National Bank of Ukraine, Agromino, OTP Bank, UkrSibbank, etc. The firm’s partners Andriy Porayko and Oleksandr Ruzhytskyi lead the dispute resolution practice.
Gramatskiy & Partners operates a comprehensive litigation practice focused on managing a wide array of disputes. The firm’s workload encompasses corporate disputes including the invalidation of general meeting decisions, sales and gift agreements, and the reclaiming of real estate or land plots from unlawful possession. The firm also handles cases challenging contracts established through exchanges, auctions, and public sales. The team defended Investohills West Financial Company, establishing a legal precedent that a debtor cannot rely solely on a guarantor’s assets for fulfilling obligations, emphasizing personal accountability in fulfilling financial commitments. The firm represented Voronin PJSC in a legal action against Sab Enterprise LLC, handling contract termination, lawsuit preparation, and representation across all court levels, including enforcement proceedings. City Capital Group, a long-term client, was represented in two major legal cases – regarding land lease renewals with the Kyiv City Prosecutor, and a USD 10 million case involving water fund land, revisiting a unique 2005 decision, both centered on reclaiming leased land parcels. Andrii Trembich is the head of dispute resolution, being recently focused on corporate, privatization and financial disputes. Among the rising stars is Ihor Kasianov, who runs real estate and land disputes. Vitalii Tymchuk handles tax litigation.
Hillmont Partners has enhanced its litigation practice, handling a substantial caseload internationally. The firm specializes in asset tracing and recovery, commercial, insolvency, pre-insolvency, shareholder disputes, enforcement of international commercial arbitration decisions. The firm represents F.G. Financing/Nonolet (Foxtrot Group), working to recover over USD 100 million in debts across multiple jurisdictions. The team has navigated complex legal landscapes involving over 100 companies to funnel USD 1 billion, securing evidence and initiating proceedings in England, where they successfully obtained and upheld a Worldwide Freezing Order against substantial challenges. The firm represents Argentem Creek Partners in a complex lawsuit against GNT Group over a defaulted 2021 loan and alleged misappropriation of USD 130 million worth of assets, involving bankruptcy proceedings in Ukraine, new management appointments, and maintaining a worldwide freezing order in England to prevent asset dissipation. The firm is actively engaged in insolvency proceedings. In a recent highlight the firm provides a full scope of legal advisory support to a minority shareholder of Epikur, the Volodymyr-Volyn Poultry Factory, a leading manufacturer and supplier of chicken meat in the western and central regions of Ukraine, in insolvency proceeding, which was taken to protect the investment against hostile takeover activities lead by a majority shareholder. The practice has four partners on board. Andrii Nyzhnyi leads the domestic litigation team supported on selected matters by Valentyn Zasukha. Ivan Kovalenko coordinates litigation matters in the firm’s Odesa office, while Yurii Melnyk does so for the Lviv office team. International dispute resolution is co-chaired by James Hart, managing partner, and Andrii Chornous.
ILF, a Ukrainian law firm that is currently based in Kyiv (previously headquartered in Kharkiv), handles corporate, property disputes, bad debt recovery, tax, patient, defamation cases, and representing clients’ interests in the European Court of Human Rights. Throughout 2022-2023, the firm’s litigation team acted as a legal advisor to the National Health Service of Ukraine on issues related to pre-trial settlement of disputes with healthcare providers and litigation with healthcare institutions. Moreover, the practice team acted for Sikone LLC, one of the largest food importers in Armenia, in debt recovery under a supply agreement. ILF was approached by the Ukrainian-American company Europol to document damages from Russian missile strikes in early 2022, leading to the submission of a claim to the ECHR. Oleksiy Kharytonov, partner, is head of the litigation department.
INTEGRITES’ dispute resolution practice excels in handling complex cross-border litigation and securing victories in domestic courts. The practice boasts a wide-ranging litigation portfolio that includes commercial, contractual, antitrust, tax, employment, debt recovery, insolvency, and challenging the decisions of state bodies. During the research period, the litigation practice focused on challenging AMCU investigations, resolving property rights and insurance disputes, representing creditors in debt recovery and bankruptcy proceedings, and handling real estate matters. Domestic litigation is led by the firm’s partner Oleksandr Onishchenko. The team of cross-border dispute resolution is highly sought out by global names, Ukrainian businesses and Ukrainian ultra-high-net-worth individuals, being especially active in shareholders disputes. The practice’s partners have consistently been retained as Ukrainian law experts in high-profile cross-border disputes. Partner Dmytro Marchukov acted as Ukrainian law expert for several US defendants in multi-billion-dollar litigations and arbitrations in the US and ICSID, involving disputes over commercial properties and issues related to Ukrainian law during martial law, which constitute the US chapter of the broader multijurisdictional litigation saga commenced by the nationalized Ukrainian bank PrivatBank against the former owners and their business associates. INTEGRITES successfully represented Bank Frick & Co AG in the High Court of England and Wales against claims by Ukraine’s state-run Deposit Guarantee Fund related to the collapse of a Ukrainian bank, securing summary judgment and dismissal of the case in August 2022, with advice on various aspects of Ukrainian and UK law. During the research period the firm acted on significant insurance and aviation disputes, and has been advising claimants in relation to damage caused to their assets by the Russian army during their full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including complaints filed to the ECHR. The cross-border litigation team consists of three partners: Dmytro Marchukov, who handles some of the most significant ongoing Ukraine-related cases, Serhii Uvarov, who specializes in international disputes within the energy and financial sectors, and Olena Perepelynska, an international arbitration partner representing clients abroad.
Kinstellar provides specialized litigation services in debt collection, commercial and property disputes, insolvency litigation, and high-profile aviation disputes, as well as recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgements. The team has actively provided war-related legal assistance, handling issues from contract performance under force majeure to detailed guidance on evidence collection, reporting war crimes, and pursuing compensation for war damages, developing strategies for recovering war-related damages. The firm has recently handled representation of Intervet Agencies B.V. in Ukraine in a dispute which can potentially relate to the quality of medicines produced by the client. Senior partner Olexander Martinenko is the firm-wide head of dispute resolution.[2]
KM Partners is highly-regarded for managing tax and customs disputes in Ukraine, and offers representation across commercial, land, debt recovery, and labor disputes. The firm defended officials from a defunct bank against damage claims, contested excessive tax and excise duties, and supported clients in VAT refund denials. The diverse caseload includes safeguarding property from wrongful communal ownership claims, recovering debts and damages, and navigating bankruptcy proceedings. The firm also manages disputes related to business honor and reputation, ensuring the protection of clients’ interests in complex and high-stakes environments. The team is also called upon in regulatory disputes. For instance, they successfully defended a Ukrainian enterprise of a big international company in the sphere of consumer goods, against a lawsuit from the State Emergencies Service of Ukraine, which sought to shut down an entire plant; the court of appeal dismissed the claim, allowing production to continue uninterrupted. Maxim Oleksiyuk leads commercial disputes and international arbitration cases at the firm. Tax litigation is overseen by Alexander Minin and Alexander Shemiatkin, while Ivan Shynkarenko handles transfer pricing and customs disputes.
L.I. Group specializes in managing distressed assets and is recognized for handling large-scale bankruptcies. The firm is a key legal partner for commercial banks, financial companies, and domestic industrial debtors. Its litigation team focuses on debt collection, foreclosure of mortgages, establishing property rights, and recovery of funds under a wide range of agreements. The firm’s managing partner Mykola Kovalchuk is the key contact.
Lexwell & Partners is known for its long-term involvement in high-value disputes, being noted in tax litigation, and civil court matters. The firm effectively defends Toyota & Lexus in Ukraine in over 10 consumer disputes, successfully dismissing all claims; represented Sumitec Ukraine, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation, in crucial labor disputes impacting its operations as a leading distributor in the mining, construction, and warehouse logistics sectors in Ukraine. Among recent highlight is representing a Swiss group of companies and developing a multi-stage litigation strategy to counteract sanctions imposed in Ukraine, addressing both reputational and significant commercial risks for the client. Andriy Kolupaev, managing partner, is the main contact.
MORIS is renowned for its litigation capabilities, and particularly noted for handling complex commercial disputes related to bank failures and distressed financial assets, debt collection, real estate, defamation, tax disputes, and the enforcement of arbitration awards. The firm is also experienced in representing the ECHR. The team provided legal support to IFCEM, a cement production company, defending their ownership of railway carriages against unlawful claims by law-enforcement of foreign entities. It is worth noting that the firm advises clients on damage recovery out of the invasion of the Russian Federation. For example, the team is assisting Karpatnaftokhim in seeking compensation for damages and lost profits caused by the invasion, focusing on confirming losses and linking them to the aggression; developed a legal strategy, filed a lawsuit against the Russian Federation, and are preparing for potential enforcement in foreign jurisdictions. The firm possesses a unique experience of developing new legal precedents within the realm of religious organization laws in Ukraine, in particular, it provides extensive legal support to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) in over a hundred litigations, addressing complex disputes from parish transfers from the Moscow Patriarchate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to internal conflicts following the church’s reformation and dissolution of the Kyiv Patriarchate. The team is guided by experienced partner Andriy Savchuk. The market knows the name of Andriy Ivanov as an active litigator.
Pavlenko Legal Group actively engages in comprehensive litigation practice, primarily handling banking disputes, insurance matters, property conflicts, debt recovery, and regulatory disputes with state authorities. The team represented K Invest LLC in five legal cases aiming to restore property rights to an office center in Kyiv, which had been seized by raiders; acted for TAS Group resolving a legal dispute regarding the lifting of an arrest from a land plot in central Kyiv, valued at approximately USD 5 million. The firm acted for University “Ukraine” in a legal dispute over the seizure of assets involving two major buildings, with three active court cases and multiple reviews by the Anti-Raider Commission; and represented Financial Company Central Capital in a dispute concerning real estate at a factory located in Odesa. Grygoriy Pavlenko, partner, is the main contact.
VB PARTNERS, a boutique law firm specializing in dispute resolution and white-collar crime, excels in overturning state authority decisions, managing corporate and commercial disputes, tax litigation accompanied by criminal proceedings, and sanctions appeal. The firm successfully represented Misto Bank PJSC in challenging the decisions by the National Bank of Ukraine and the state-run Deposit Guarantee Fund regarding the bank’s insolvency and subsequent liquidation; represents the shareholder of the now-defunct Finance and Credit Bank against a UAH 46 billion lawsuit by the Deposit Guarantee Fund, which claims that the shareholder-controlled entities improperly received loans leading to substantial losses. In 2022-2023, sanctions disputes became a separate vivid layer of the litigation practice. The firm specializes on cases related to the lifting of economic sanctions and recovery of corporate rights. The notable clients include energy companies, international fiduciary groups, gambling enterprises, and high-profile individuals and businesses involved in significant commercial ventures in Ukraine. The firm is retained for claiming compensation for damages caused to national business and foreign investor at the expense of Russian Federation assets. In particular, the firm assists SNEL Energy Limited, the new owner of Glusco Energy SA, in claiming damages for the military destruction of its gas stations in Ukraine from the Russian Federation and its government-owned entities. Among other publishable clients of the firm are shareholders and top-managers of banks (Sense Bank, Delta bank, Premium Bank, Nadra Bank, Tascombank, Kreschatyk Bank, etc.), Svitland Development, Ukrainian Association of Football and its subsidiaries, ALD Automotive, Scania, Colliers International, Quarter Partners, TAS Group, etc. Volodymyr Vashchenko is lead partner of dispute resolution with a focus on protection against the expropriation of investments and ensuring corporate interests. Denys Shkarovsky fronts cases on lifting sanctions. Stanislav Yena, counsel, is another key litigation practice member, focused on disputes with regulatory authorities and contractors.
Alarius is a Ukrainian law firm with a strong focus on real estate matters. The firm has an impressive client portfolio, including prominent real estate developers, and handles regulatory, commercial, debt recovery and labor disputes. The firm represents a number of Ukrainian companies investing in residential development in Kyiv, which are defendants in litigation regarding the invalidation of investment agreements for the development of land plots; provided legal support to Mriya Zhbk LLC, a Ukrainian company engaged in the construction of residential and non-residential real estate, in a dispute over the recovery of rent arrears that arose during the period of martial law in Ukraine. The firm also represents the interests of a developer company in an economic lawsuit for compensation of damages in the amount of EUR 21.5 million, resulting from the destruction of the “Retroville” multifunctional shopping center, owned by the developer company, caused by the impact of a Russian missile. Viktor Surnyk, managing partner, is the primary contact.
Ante Law Firm handles litigation assignments for clients in the pharmaceuticals, medical devices, aviation, and agriculture sectors. The team is traditionally retained to handle aviation disputes. For example, represents Air France – KLM in a court case regarding meteorology services fee; relatives of PS752 flight crush victims; represents Lufthansa Technik Landing Gear Services UK Limited as a creditor in the bankruptcy procedure relating to Ukrainian International Airlines. Among other highlights was successful representation of Sanofi in a dispute with its distributor regarding vaccines supply. The practice is led by managing partner Andriy Guck.
Domestic law firm Armada possesses active litigation practice, showcasing a solid client roster. The firm represented Katerynopil Elevator LLC, part of MHP, in successfully challenging an order revoking its subsoil use permit, essential for its production operations; handled representation of interests of Satellite LLC (Cofco International) in debt collection disputes. Additionally, the firm handles representation of the interests of PJSC ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih in disputes regarding recovery of moral damages for accidents and loss of working capacity. Illia Shevchenko leads litigation caseload. The firm is retained by clients for damage recovery support and representing Ukrainian and international courts. In particular, the team led by partner Oleksandr Kuznietsov, handles representation of OMEGA LLC (Varus), PJSC MHP, BIG Harvest Group, BIOL Trading House LLC and other clients at the ECHR in a dispute against the Russian Federation regarding the violation of the right to peaceful possession of property.
Established at the beginning of 2022, Ukrainian law firm AZONES adeptly handles a wide array of litigation, especially called upon clients from petroleum retail industry. The team defended SOCAR Petroleum in competition-related legal challenges; supported SOCAR Trading SA and Coral Energy DMCC in safeguarding oil and financial rights, and represented Trading House SOCAR Ukraine in significant tax and contractual disputes. Additionally, it assists Lux Kraina LLC with debt recovery. Mykhailo Tretiakov, managing partner, is the main contact.
Ukrainian law firm ESQUIRES deals with commercial, tax, land disputes. The firm represents a group of financial services companies, Porshe Finance Group Ukraine (Porshe Mobility, Porshe Leasing Ukraine) in disputes with debtors. The firm is representing a client challenging previous court decisions on the classification of land as part of the country’s water fund, the cancellation of the cadastral registration, and the return of land to municipal ownership 15 years after privatization. The firm has also been instructed in disputes in the oil and gas sector. The lead partners are Oleksandr Shkelebey and Viktoria Kovalchuk.
Swiss firm Fortior Law, which has an office in Ukraine, specializes in English litigation, frequently representing Eastern European clients, particularly from Ukraine, in disputes governed by English law, and manages cross-border disputes in multiple jurisdictions. The firm successfully represented Integral Petroleum S.A. against Bank GPB International, a subsidiary of Moscow’s Gazprombank, in a high-stakes dispute, opposing a USD 25 million claim based on allegations of fraud and a pre-agreed extended repayment plan, leading to the dismissal of the bank’s summary judgment by the High Court of Justice. Among the firm’s disclosable clients are AG, Petrochemical Logistics Ltd, Blockchain Optimization S.A. Danil Hristich is the responsible partner. Partner Vitaliy Kozachenko, who is based in Switzerland, is another key contact.
Juscutum Law Firm’s litigation practice excels in handling contractual disputes in the real estate sector, corporate ownership disputes, recovery of debts under supply contracts, and defamation cases. The firm represents clients for damages resulting from the missile attacks. The firm also handles cases involving the recognition of transactions as fraudulent, disputes over the termination of contracts, and the resolution of credit disputes. The litigation includes cases to overturn decisions by tax authorities that misclassified customer transactions, to correct billing inaccuracies with major electric utilities, and to challenge unfair customs value adjustments. Highlights include successfully challenging billing inaccuracies with NEC Ukrenergo, correcting charges that did not match actual electricity consumption and significantly impacted the client’s financial position. Ksenia Shein leads the dispute resolution practice.
Kosovan Legal Group is focused on advising agricultural producers and grain traders. The firm represents its clients in agricultural and commercial disputes, as evidenced by its defense of STOV VICTORIA-AGRO in a complex case involving the cancellation of a land lease agreement; represented LLC Grain Power in a significant case on debt collection as a guarantor. Valentin Bychek is the key individual.
KPMG Law Ukraine’s litigation practice encompasses tax and commercial disputes, leveraging its broad expertise to support both international and local companies against Ukraine’s tax and customs authorities. The firm represented Bühler Service LLC in a complex commercial dispute initiated by Potoky LLC, involving damage claims, penalties, and contract invalidations; assisted Codelouf Limited in a legal dispute in Cyprus to recover USD 5 million worth of damages related to share custody issues. The firm provided comprehensive legal services, including an expert opinion report on Ukrainian legal matters, which Yuriy Katser, head of legal services, presented for cross-examination to support the client’s position in court. Bogdan Shyshkovskyi and Iryna Khyliak are the key figures in the litigation practice.
LEGALACT law firm offers legal support for individuals in personal matters and immigration issues, including marital dissolution involving a citizen of India and Moldova married in Ukraine, securing legal rights against residence permit denials for clients from Uzbekistan, Nigeria, and contesting forced returns for a citizen of Turkmenistan and a Swiss national, who served in the International Legion. Yuliia Tesliuk is the main contact.
Legal and Economic Security (LES) specializes in real estate and construction law, focusing on land disputes and challenging decisions made by public authorities, local governments, and urban planning and architectural bodies, as well as state architectural and construction control agencies. Most recently the firm challenged the order issued by a supervisory authority, which suspended construction works at a construction site. Serhiy Kolisnyk, managing partner, is the key contact.
Mitrax, a domestic law firm, specializes in dispute resolution, handling cases related to shareholder and commercial disputes, property and business protection, and debt collection. During the research period the firm had a well-established track record of land litigation. The team also advises clients on compensation of damage and application to the ECHR. Partner Oleksandr Strokan heads the practice.
MK Legal Service attracts clients from diverse sectors such as IT/TMT, hospitality, retail, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, trade, and construction industries. The firm has a consistent inflow of assignments from a long-standing client, GigaGroup, particularly in the resolution of contractual disputes and debt collection for services provided under martial law. The team successfully represented Gastrofamily by challenging illegal regulatory decisions that hindered the operation of their catering establishment, securing a court ruling that annulled an improper resolution related to alcohol sales to minors, thereby allowing the business to continue its operations; defended Innovaestetik LLC, a company in the beauty industry, in a customs dispute over allegations of smuggling and falsifying customs values. The litigation practice is overseen by Maksym Kurochko, managing partner, Serhii Husiev, partner, head of HoreCa and retail support practice, and Artem Ostapenko, head of the IT/TMT practice.
The CEE law firm PETERKA & PARTNERS, with its extensive office network, has experienced litigation practice in its Kyiv office, handling tax, customs, debt recovery, insolvency proceedings, employment, and advises clients on claims for compensation of losses. The Ukrainian team is advising SOMA, a developing Czech engineering company, on countering the actions of a liquidator in the bankruptcy proceedings of a bankrupt counterparty in Ukraine, involving the application of Czech legal regulations, which is rare in Ukrainian court proceedings. The team has successfully represented Reticulum Power in debt recovery and enforcement of the court decision. The tax practice team, as led by Halyna Melnyk, is called upon litigation matters, inter alia, successfully represented Mammoet Ukraine in the tax dispute with Kyiv Customs, and a Danish-based high-tech company, in a value added tax dispute. Kyiv partner Taras Utiralov is the main contact.
The dispute resolution team at Redcliffe Partners manages cases across domestic commercial and administrative proceedings. The firm has a vast track record of representing international lenders in bankruptcy proceeding of industrial companies effected by war. The firm is representing ESAB Ukraine, a subsidiary of the leading international producer of welding and cutting equipment, ESAB Corporation, in a complex equipment supply dispute involving multiple specifications; is representing Tim Kogan & Co in a complex dispute over the provision of consulting services to the leading group of IT companies. The firm has notable tax litigation capacities. For example, it successfully represented British American Tobacco in complex administrative litigation against the tax authorities over a VAT refund claim. In 2023, practice head Victoria Ivasechko rejoined the firm after a short period of departure as a counsel.
Sokolovskyi & Partners is renowned for its adept handling of tax and customs disputes, insolvency and bankruptcy cases, contractual litigation, and debt recovery. Their criminal practice is also noted for managing complex cases with concurrent criminal proceedings. The firm is keen to manage regulatory disputes in the energy sector, challenging appropriate decisions. For example, the firm represented creditors – owners of domestic SPPs in matters of debt collection for purchased electricity at the “green” tariff. Tetiana Lysovets, senior partner, leads the practice.
TOTUM, a Ukrainian boutique law firm specializing in real estate, land, and construction, offers specific litigation services within these key areas. The law firm represents the Kyiv City Council in a dispute with a developer who violated state construction norms by building a 12-storey building in the historic center of Kyiv, distorting the historic locality. Another highlight includes representing the Kyiv Vegetable Factory in two significant cases: defending the right to a long-term land lease for public and commercial construction, and a dispute over land located within an archaeological site of national importance. Yurii Khapko, partner, is the key contact.
Vdovychen & Partners is retained for commercial, administrative and civil disputes. The recent litigation workload covered defending officials of a liquidated bank, challenging tax assessments commercial disputes involving prepayment collection under contracts, as well as bankruptcy proceedings and sanctions challenges. The firm renders legal support in resolving disputes in court to recover material and non-pecuniary damage caused by poor quality medical services. Managing partner Oleg Vdovychen is the main contact.
The Kyiv office of Wolf Theiss represents the firm’s multinational clients in domestic litigation, handling cases across tax, customs, regulatory, real estate, and commercial disputes. The firm continues advising the British investor, Tamaz Somkhishvili, in connection with a high-profile investment dispute with the city of Kyiv and its municipal authorities concerning compensation for the client’s losses sustained as a result of the cancellation by the Kyiv city authorities of an investment project that the client was involved in. Another ongoing case is acting for DSM Nutritional Products and its Ukrainian subsidiary, Biomin Ukraine, in a litigation against a client who failed to pay in full for supplied products. Sergii Zheka, senior associate, is actively involved in recent representations. Taras Dumych, managing partner, is the main contact.
Our market research reveals the presence of law firms and professionals that have not submitted information for the current research. We provide a brief overview based on conducted analysis and interviews, as well as available public sources.[3]
The dispute resolution team of the Ukrainian law firm AEQUO* was noted during interviews on litigation practice throughout 2022-2023. The practice team is known for its expertise in energy disputes, strength in cross-border litigation and historically strong international arbitration. The key figures include Olena Pertsova and Yevgen Levitskyi, known for their prowess in domestic litigation, while Pavlo Byelousov is celebrated for his role in significant energy cases in international arbitration. Senior partner Oleksiy Filatov is leading a substantial litigation team.
AVELLUM* is renowned for its expertise in high-profile, cross-border cases, particularly in large-scale multijurisdictional shareholder disputes, excelling in international arbitration and frequently engaged for the Ukrainian expert role. The firm together with Hillmont Partners secured a Supreme Court victory in Ukraine, upholding bankruptcy proceedings against Olimpex Coupe International and MetalsUkraine Corp Ltd, part of the GNT Group, which had failed to meet its financial obligations and engaged in asset misappropriation, thereby protecting the investments of Argentem Creek Partners and Innovatus Capital Partners. The firm’s partner, Vadim Medvedev, served as an expert on Ukrainian law in a High Court case involving claims related to the misappropriation of loans by a defunct Ukrainian bank, contributing significantly to the court’s approval of an anti-suit injunction against the defendant. Kostiantyn Likarchuk heads international arbitration and cross-border litigation.
Olga Shenk, partner of the dispute resolution at the Kyiv office of CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang*, was referred for involvement in cross-border matters.
GOLAW*, a Ukrainian law firm, offers extensive litigation services, particularly excelling in handling tax and customs disputes, debt recovery, financial restructuring cases, and disputes related to contracts, employment, and regulatory issues. Kateryna Manoylenko was noted for her litigation presence.
Oleg Alyoshin, a partner at Vasil Kisil & Partners, is renowned for his representation of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) in international arbitration and cross-border disputes.
Regional Counsel
ANK Law Office, which is based in Odesa, is at the forefront of high-profile maritime disputes, serving as a legal advisor for leading global Protection & Indemnity (P&I) Clubs and insurers, vessel owners and shipping companies. For example, ANK represented the owners of the vessel “mt SES-1” in a legal case to recover around USD 1.2 million for cargo damage, managing court proceedings, negotiation, and enforcement of legal agreements and rulings. The firm represented Marlind Industries Ltd in litigation against Turkish shipyard Desan Shipyard over a ship repair contract; successfully defended the Shipping Company Ukrferry in a lawsuit initiated by the State Property Fund of Ukraine. Artem Volkov and Kostiantyn Moriakov are the principal litigators.
AS Legal, an Odesa-based law firm, is a point of choice for construction companies and developers, handling commercial and property disputes, representing clients in claims brought by regulatory bodies and against decisions adopted by local state authorities. The team represented ST Capital, an Odesa-based developer which specializes in the construction of premium low-rise buildings, in one of several high-profile cases concerning the influence of the Prosecutor’s Office on developers in Odesa Region; represented Vektor Budconsalt Ltd vs the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning of Odesa appealing the resolution that imposed a fine in the field of urban planning. Maksym Andrieiev, the firm’s managing partner, leads the litigation practice, supported by other partners.
De-Jure, an Odesa-based law firm, focused on recovery actions against mortgage properties, consumer rights protection, debt recovery, and disputes over ownership registration cancellations. It also engages in defending against improper asset seizures, challenging administrative fines related to customs violations, and managing substantial damage claims arising from military aggression. Additionally, the firm handles disputes over property division, invalidation of corporate decisions, eviction procedures, and enforces or opposes complex court decisions regarding property and debt matters. Gryhorii Tripulskyi is the main contact.
Based in Odesa, Consulting Firm Dominanta provides legal representation in court, specializing in contractual breach disputes, defending against raider attacks, and seeking compensation for losses. The firm’s clients include agribusinesses, real estate and construction, private investors. The firm successfully represented Vector Oil in a prolonged USD 6.4 million legal dispute and ensured multiple dismissals to claims made by the opponent; represented a construction firm called Mesh Invest, successfully challenged the Poltava Drilling Company over unpaid funds and unjust penalties under a contractor agreement, recovering UAH 10 million and invalidating unfair contract terms. The firm represented LLC Trygon Organic, an agricultural production company, in a lawsuit involving a claim by LLC Agri Com related to undelivered goods. Another landmark case is the representation of a distributor of one of the largest ice cream manufacturers in Ukraine, Lasunka, in a claim for damages as a result of the Russian military aggression. Vitaly Gritsik and Vitalii Tsvigun are the key contacts.
Interlegal, based in Odesa specializes in maritime law. The firm focuses on shipping disputes, ship arrests, claims handling, ecological disputes, breaches of supply agreements, penalties, and debt recovery. Partners Arthur Nitsevych and Nikolay Melnykov are the key contacts.
Based in Odesa, law firm LEGRANT specializes in a diverse range of disputes, including litigation related to Ukrainian sea ports, shipping, contractual disputes, tax litigation. The team is known for its well-established practice of representations against the Ukrainian Sea Port Authority, inter alia, the violation of competition legislation in Ukrainian sea ports. The firm successfully defended a port operator at Mykolaiv Sea Port, persuading the court to reject a lawsuit demanding easement fees during a period when military activities prevented property usage; acts in a series of disputes challenging a demand put forward by the State Audit Service of Ukraine for reimbursement of discounts granted on tonnage and pilotage dues. The key contact is managing partner Tatyana Titarenko. Yaroslav Dabizha received market praise for litigation performance.
Cherkasy-based Rezultat Law Firm handles representation in property disputes and land plot related litigation. In the research period the firm acted in a series of litigation over the termination of private ownership on land plots and on termination of lease agreements with unscrupulous tenants. Liubov Polishkevych is the main point of contact.
Odesa-based Sergeyevs’ Law Office provides comprehensive legal support across a range of maritime-related issues. The practice includes managing a significant grant project in the maritime industry, negotiating insurance claims settlements involving disability and loss of life, and representing clients in the Supreme Court for maritime claims related to crew member fatalities. They also handle contract disputes such as non-payment of demurrage and represent seafarers in disability negotiations, providing meticulous legal analysis and support for sensitive seafarer cases. Yuriy Sergeyev, managing partner, heads the maritime law practice. Svitlana Sergeyeva, partner, is the litigation and mediation practice head.
Shkrebets & Partners, headquartered in Kharkiv with a Kyiv office, boasts a proficient litigation practice focused on energy disputes, debt recovery, tax litigation, regulatory disputes, as well as damage recovery. The firm is point of choice for municipal energy enterprises of Kharkiv and the wider region. The team represented its long-standing client Kharkiv Heating and Power Plant 5 in litigation, inter alia, debt recovery and penalties for improper fulfilment of contractual obligations with National Energy Company Ukrenergo. The litigation workload is led by partners Evgeniy Shkrebets, Yuriy Artukh and Oleksii Meniv under the general guidance of Andriy Syvak.
International Law Firms[4]
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP is a legal counsel to Ukraine in the Todini Construzioni Generali S.p.A. vs. State Road Agency of Ukraine case as well as in the State Development Corporation VEB.RF vs. Ukraine case before the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.
Clyde & Co acts as a legal counsel of the State of Ukraine in the Ostchem Holdings Limited vs. Ukraine case. The team is also legal counsel to the State of Ukraine in the Republic of Tatarstan, the Ministry of Land and Property Relations of the Republic of Tatarstan vs. Ukraine case. The team includes partners Nadia Darwazen and Ivan Urzhumov.
International law firm Covington & Burling has extensive experience of handling matters for the State of Ukraine and Ukrainian entities, including a number of investor-state arbitrations. In particular, the team acts for Naftogaz of Ukraine et al. in an investment claim against the Russian Federation under the Ukraine – Russia BIT for Russia’s expropriation of Naftogaz’s assets in Crimea, administrated by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague. The firm continued acting for the government of Ukraine in two sea law cases under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait. Washington-based partner Marney Cheek, is a co-chair of the firm’s international arbitration practice.
Dentons Europe (Paris) is a legal counsel of claimant in the Misen Enterprises AB vs. Ukraine case.
Foley Hoag LLP acts as a legal counsel to the State of Ukraine in the case of the lawsuit brought by the company Sinohydro Corporation Limited against the State Highway Agency of Ukraine in connection with the implementation of a contract for the reconstruction of the M-06 Kyiv – Chop highway, considered by the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, the firm was hired by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine as a legal advisor in the SREW N.V. vs. Ukraine Case at the ICSID. Partner Yuri Parkhomenko is the core contact.
Hogan Lovells has a long-term track record of high-stake litigation and arbitration proceedings related to Ukraine. The team handles representation of the State of Ukraine in Misen Energy AB (publ) and Misen Enterprises AB vs. Ukraine case before the ICSID; represents Argentem Creek Partners (an emerging markets credit specialist) and Madison Pacific Trust Limited (a professional corporate debt and trustee services provider) in LCIA Arbitration proceedings in London, related English High Court proceedings, as well as related court proceedings in Ukraine, Cyprus Dubai and Switzerland. The dispute and various sets of proceedings concern the enforcement of secured loans worth approximately USD 140 million granted to GN Terminal Enterprises Ltd (as Borrower), which is the operator of a port facility in Odesa and is ultimately beneficially owned by the Ukrainian businessmen Sergiy Groza and Volodomyr Naumenko. Partner Ben Hornan leads the international arbitration practice.
Holland & Knight was hired as a Ukrainian legal counsel in the Tatneft vs. Ukraine case as well as in the Universal Trading & Investment Co., Inc. and Foundation Honesty International, Inc. vs the Prosecutor-General’s Office of Ukraine, the Ministry of Justice and the State of Ukraine case. Another landmark case is providing legal services to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine in Oleg Zhukovsky’s claim against the National Bank of Ukraine before the District Court of the Southern District of Florida. The key partners are Robert Shaw and Ralph Lepore.
King & Spalding trial and global disputes partner Ben Emmerson CBE QC acted as is Ukraine’s main representative in inter-state cases against Russia before the European Court of Human Rights.
Latham & Watkins is a legal counsel to the State of Ukraine in the Littop Enterprises Limited, Bridgemont Ventures Limited and Bordo Management Limited vs. Ukraine case at the Energy Charter investment arbitration under Arbitration Rules of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, in which the claim was USD 6.1 billion. The firm also represents the State of Ukraine in the Gilward Investments B.V. vs. Ukraine case ICSID investment arbitration initiated by a shareholder in Aerosvit, a Ukrainian airline part-owned by the state.
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has an impressive track record of representing Ukraine. The firm was hired as legal counsel to Ukraine in the Motor Sich shareholders vs. Ukraine case and acts as legal counsel to the State of Ukraine in international arbitration proceedings regarding compensation for losses incurred in connection with the violation of property rights to a shareholding in the Zhytomyr Confectionery Factory (Mr. Ihor Boyko vs. Ukraine case). The firm was recently mandated to represent the State of Ukraine in the ICSID under the claim of ABH Holdings S.A. (Luxembourg), owned by a group of businessmen, among others is Mikhail Fridman, a Russian oligarch.
Prof. Jean-Marc Thouvenin, partner leading the international litigation and arbitration department at Sygna Partners represents of Ukraine before the International Court of Justice in the case concerning Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation), and advises and assists Ukraine in the arbitration case initiated by the European Union regarding its measures related to certain Ukrainian export restrictions on wood products.
W&S SELARL, correspondant de Winston & Strawn is legal counsel to the State of Ukraine in the Modus Energy International B.V. vs. Ukraine case under the Rules of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce. Partner Maria Kostytska is the leading counsel.
Wikborg Rein was hired as a legal counsel of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine in all relations with Italia Ukraina Gas S.r.l. (or its successors), including related to the new arbitration proceedings under the claim of Italia Ukraina Gas S.r.l. against NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine and enforcement of the arbitral award made in favor of Italia Ukraina Gas S.p.a.
The Chinese Yingke Law Firm is legal counsel to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine in the Xinjiang Communications Construction Group Co., Ltd vs. State Road Agency of Ukraine case.
[1] In June 2023, Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi, partner, was appointed Executive Director of the International Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
[2] Olga Vorozhbyt, partner, departed in July 2023.
[3] 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.
[4] This piece of research is based on submissions by international law firms and information available in public sources, particularly the Official Resource on Public Purchasing in Ukraine – ProZorro.
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Alekseev, Boyarchukov and Partners
11 Shota Rustaveli Street, 3rd Floor
Kyiv, 01001, Ukraine
Tel.: +380 44 235 88 77
E-mail: office@abpartners.com.ua
Web-site: www.abpartners.com.ua -
Hillmont Partners
Kyiv Office
36-D Yevhena Konovaltsia Street, 5th floor,
Kyiv, 01133, Ukraine
Lviv Office
10 Selskikh Street,
Lviv, 79057, Ukraine
Odesa Office
26/2 French Blvd, 2H office,
Odesa, 65058, Ukraine
London Office
7 Down Street,
London, W1J 7AN, United Kingdom
Tel.: +380 44 277 2447
Email: office@hillmont.com
Web-site: www.hillmont.com
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EVERLEGAL
4 Rylskyi Lane, 6th floor
Kyiv, 01001, Ukraine
Tel.: +380 44 337 0016
E-mail: hello@everlegal.ua
Web-site: www.everlegal.ua