Ukrainian dispute resolution powerhouse Ilyashev & Partners has well-affirmed positions in domestic and cross-border dispute resolution, supported by arbitration and white-collar crime practices. The firm possesses a network of its own offices in Ukraine, Russia and Estonia, and ensures confident representation in the regions — Kharkiv, Dnipro and Odesa. The highly-diverse litigation expertise spans an extensive range of disputes, inter alia, shareholder disputes, labor and employment, property rights, contractual, real estate, tax, IP, insolvency proceedings, debt recovery. The firm also commands an established track record in such specific litigation, as aviation, maritime, insurance, as well as regulatory disputes. The team is often enlisted for cross-border debt collection matters involving CIS countries. The highlights of the past year include representing the interests of the creditor ­Indumet Limited in a USD 280 million debt collection case under four loan agreements with the Industrial Union of Donbas Corporation; representing the interests of Indumet SA in a dispute related to recognition and granting permission for the execution on the territory of Ukraine of the decision adopted by the London International Arbitration Court on the recovery of funds. The team has a leading position in the bankruptcy field, including cross-border proceedings. Another resonant ongoing case is representing the interests of the VEB.RF in the process of invalidating the results of the auction for the sale of shares in PJSC Prominvestbank. The firm consistently supports the state-owned enterprise Antonov, among other cases, representing it in a dispute over a contract with NATO Support and Procurement Agency; and advises State Enterpise Ukrspetsexport on the prospects for recovering compensation for the Zubr vessel expropriated by the Russian Federation. The firm’s partners preserve an active litigation practice demonstrating personal involvement. In addition to a workflow in domestic courts Roman Marchenko is involved in some of the largest cross-border litigations on the market, renowned for his role for the Ukrainian extension of BTA Bank against Mukhtar ­Ablyazov, and his role as an expert in Ukrainian law in cases in UK and US courts in resonant disputes of Privatbank with Igor Kolomoisky, Gennady ­Bogolyubov and others. Mikhail Ilyashev is referred to as a strong litigator, providing strategic guidance to the team and personal involvement in court proceedings. Taking part in the most challenging cases, Oleh Trokhymchuk and Valeriia Gudiy were noted as strong, well-rounded litigators. Andrey Bychkov, Andrii Konoplia are noted as key practitioners. Market participants also singled out the names of Oleksandr ­Denysenko and Galyna Lefor.

Being retained by big industrial corporations and top Ukrainian businessmen, EQUITY accumulated sensitive high-value disputes, outlining its reputation as an outstanding litigation market force. The firm has recognized strength in insolvency disputes, acting on both sides. The work highlights included disputes within the framework of a project for restructuring the debt of the Azovmash Group of companies to 10 creditors. The team represented PJSC UkrInCom in bank insolvency proceedings following the withdrawal of the license by the National Bank of Ukraine in 2016 and obtained a major victory for the client in the Supreme Court, which confirmed that the bank was unlawfully declared insolvent. Furthermore, the team continued acting for the client on enforcing non-performing loans. The firm represented the corporate non-government pension fund of the NBU in a series of disputes to return withdrawn assets in the amount of around USD 100 million. In 2020 the team had continued working with its regular clients, such as Kaizen Holding OU (leading manufacturer of wagons and heavy machinery in Ukraine), Helen Marlen Group (a leading luxury retailer representing the world’s top designers in Ukraine) and developed a strong practice of enforcement of NPLs and distressed assets, advising and representing the largest finance companies in Ukraine, including LLC Finance Company, LLC Expert Invest, Finance Company Helios. The firm also has a formidable portfolio of large-scale tax disputes, acting on behalf of domestic industrial heavyweights. Over the last couple of years the firm also fostered its involvement in cross-border matters. All partners and practitioners are involved in the firm’s litigation practice. Oleg Malinevskiy leads highly sensitive cases, and was endorsed for strong performance in the Supreme Court of Ukraine. Serhiy Chuyev is dedicated in banking disputes, court restructuring and bankruptcy. Vyacheslav Krahlevych handles agrarian and land litigation, as well as white-collar crime. The senior team counsel includes Dmytro ­Tylipskiy, Oleksiy Stepanenko, Andriy Ivaniv and Oksana Varakina. The firm’s senior partner, Viktor Barsuk, plays a strategic role in practice development.

Asters, the biggest full-service Ukrainian law firm, commands one of the largest litigation capacities in the country, accumulating high-end domestic and cross-border dispute resolution work. The scope of disputes spans commercial, regulatory, tax, IP, labor and family law disputes. The team runs the biggest case in the market acting for Privatbank in a series of interrelated disputes (around 600) associated with the 2016 nationalization of the largest commercial bank in Ukraine (total value of disputes — more than UAH 250 billion); represents its interests in a dispute with NOVOFARM LLC, Pointex Sale LLP on UAH 4.03 billion debt collection under loan and guarantee agreements. Another public resonant case is Privatbank’s dispute with the Surkis family and their related entities, where the Surkises are claiming back their deposits, bailed-in in the course of nationalization in 2016. In the field of cross-border litigation the work highlight is acting as local Ukrainian legal counsel for Ukraine in the USD 3 billion Eurobond dispute with Russia, with respect to the validity of the loan on various grounds, principally on the grounds of duress arising from Russian threats and aggression leading up to entry into the loan and beyond. The firm has a well-established practice of representation in disputes with the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine and challenging the decisions of the Interdepartmental commission on International Trade. In a recent highlight the firm represents EuroChem in a court dispute regarding the decision to renew anti-dumping measures applied to imports into Ukraine of ammonium nitrate originating from the Russian Federation. The domestic litigation team is managed by partners Andriy Pozhidayev, active in high impact banking disputes, and Gleb Bialyi, focused on commercial and regulatory disputes. The cross-­border litigation practice is co-headed by the firm’s co-managing partners, Oleksiy Didkovskiy and Serhii Sviriba.

Litigation is a flagship practice of LCF Law Group, referred for its exceptionally well-versed team. The firm has a long-term commitment to debt recovery disputes, insolvency proceedings, and highly-specialized disputes in the areas of financial services and insurance disputes, as well as disputes with regulators. The firm’s caseload includes sophisticated high value cases with numerous parallel proceedings. Recent highlights included representation of VR Global Partners in a credit dispute with Ukrzaliznytsia as well as representation of the First Ukrainian International Bank in a debt collection dispute involving Ukrzaliznytsia as the successor of Donetsk Railway. The firm’s partners are active litigators. Anna Ogrenchuk is endorsed for her strong procedural expertise and high level of client loyalty; Artem Stoyanov is admired for his ­client relationship role and strategic guidance of debt recovery litigation. Ihor Kravtsov and Yulia Atamanova are present across a wide range of disputes. Olena Volyanska is especially active in insolvency cases. Iryna Kobets was promoted to counsel and head of litigation, and was further noted by peers for her good understanding of bad debt issues.

Sayenko Kharenko houses a big litigation team experienced in domestic disputes and on the international arena. The firm is retained by sound international companies, banks, prominent industry heavyweights to handle commercial, property, contractual, debt recovery, tax, IP, labor and regulatory disputes. The team acted for Auchan Group of Companies within the high-profile case on the illegal alienation of land plots belonging to the client in Odesa Region; SELEKTSIYA LLC, a part of the Monstera group of companies, in the second round of the court proceedings on invalidation of a decision of the local ­authority to terminate its right of permanent use of land. The firm’s recent portfolio features corporate and property disputes. In particular, the firm represents Henkell Freixenet Company in 18 court disputes related to the attempt to take possession of its shares in the Kyiv Sparkling Wine Plant Stolichny, which is fully-owned by the company. Backed by the firm’s strong antitrust practice, the litigation team is also retained for subsequent disputes, for example, representation of Japan Tobacco International in a court dispute related to the challenging of the AMCU’s decision to impose a fine; Idea Bank in the appeal against AMCU’s decision in the field of protection against unfair competition. In December 2020, the firm opened an office in Strasbourg for protection of its clients in the European Court of Human Rights. The team is led by partners Sergey Pogrebnoy and Olena Sukmanova^[1]. ­Counsel Oleksiy Koltok, who manages litigation projects, receives strong support of the market for his well-rounded experience and hard-working approach. Another important litigator is Sergey Protyven. The international ­arbitration and cross-border litigation team is led by ­Olexander Droug, supported by Volodymyr Yaremko. Counsel Vitalii ­Odzhykovskyi is at the forefront of tax litigation. IP partner Yaroslav Ognevyuk is in charge of IP litigation matters.

AEQUO’s well-tailored litigation practice consists of multidisciplinary sub-teams specialized in major types of disputes, including banking and finance sector, corporate and restructuring disputes, property rights, tax and disputes with governmental authorities, disputes involving intellectual property as well as commercial and investment arbitration. Recent landmark matters include representing UMG Investments, a Ukrainian investment group focused on industrial and commodities sectors, in a unique litigation related to expropriation of a land plot owned by an individual, to extract mineral resources of national significance — fire clay used in the steel industry; representing the Ukrainian subsidiary of one of the world’s largest steel companies ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, in a dispute with the Ukrainian tax authorities. This past year the team defended the rights of the Ukrainian pharmaceutical company Darnitsa at the Supreme Court to shares in the Borshchahivskiy chemical-pharmaceutical plant. The firm also advised Ukraina TV channel on Ukrainian and English law, arbitration, and IP matters in a dispute regarding the world-known Masked Singer TV format. The big team has two partners and three counsel on board. Denis Lysenko, managing partner, specializes in tax and regulatory disputes as well as in international arbitration of energy disputes. ­Pavlo ­Byelousov acts for a range of Ukrainian and international companies in domestic courts and international arbitrations, with a special focus on energy, investment, and commercial disputes. Corporate disputes are the domain of the bright and market praised counsel Olena Pertsova; tax and regulatory disputes are led by Myroslava Savchuk; financial and banking disputes, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and restructuring are covered by Yevgen Levitskyi.

INTEGRITES handles a variety of high-end litigation work, equally well-presented in both domestic courts and the cross-border arena. The versatile team of domestic litigation acts on commercial, tax, ­labor, regulatory disputes, recently added cases on appealing against high-stake decisions of the AMCU. The team is also retained by foreign lenders to represent their interest in insolvency proceedings of Ukrainian corporate borrowers. Public cases included representation of the interests of the State Enterprise Ukrkhimtransamiak, one of the world’s major operators of ammonia pipeline, in Ukrainian litigation regarding setting aside an ICAC arbitral award, initiated by Russian chemical ­giant Togliattiazot with over USD 190 million at stake; representing the large Ukrainian oil-extraction plant, Dniprooliya, and its Turkish majority shareholders in a corporate dispute with a local partner. Another work highlight was joining on behalf of ­SyvashEnergoProm LLC, a Ukrainian subsidiary of NBT, one of the largest investors in the Ukrainian renewables sector, two already pending court proceedings on the side of the energy market regulators, to restore the functioning of Ukraine’s green energy market. The firm showcases its expanding presence in multijurisdictional cases, with particular experience in shareholders disputes. Cross-border litigation head Dmytro ­Marchukov constantly acts as a legal expert in high-profile foreign proceedings, for example, as a Ukrainian law expert before the High Court of Justice in London for Ukrainian businessman Vadim Shulman against other high net worth individuals in relation to the failed investment in an infrastructure project in the south of Ukraine. Oleksandr Onishchenko heads domestic litigation, and is particularly involved in debt recovery, invalidation of transactions and contracts in court, and bankruptcy. Serhii Uvarov, promoted to partner, is the first point of choice for cross-border energy disputes. Olena Perepelynska, head of international arbitration, regularly represents clients in jurisdictions outside of Ukraine. Viktoriya Fomenko, partner, handles tax disputes.

Alekseev, Boyarchukov and Partners is a powerful domestic litigation force with an established caseload of high value debt reco­very disputes, where the team acts for banks and financial companies. In 2020 the firm continued subsequent representations in a series of litigations on behalf of Sberbank, Ukrgasbank, financial company Investohills Vesta. Many cases arrive from the bankruptcy practice, which is the firm’s calling card. Sergey Boyarchukov and Maksym Boyarchukov are the main points of contact.

Over the last couple of years Ukrainian law firm EVERLEGAL confidently enhanced its litigation practice by completing the team and types of disputes. The core focus is banking, tax and corporate matters, commercial and employment disputes. Alongside expansion of the banking clients portfolio, the firm strengthened its workload of banking disputes. The team is currently advising the National Bank of Ukraine, OTP Bank, and Investment Company Concorde Capital on tax, criminal defense, mortgage and other matters. A series of debt collection matters is provided on behalf of Alfa-Bank, Ukrsibbank, Universal Bank and other clients. Real estate and land disputes is another area of focus, acting for big corporate clients in complex disputes regarding the ownership rights to buildings, restoration of lease rights, etc. The wide dispute resolution practice has three partners on board — ­Andriy Porayko, mostly known for representation of banks, ­Oleksandr ­Ruzhytskyi — commercial and employment disputes, Vsevolod Volkov dealing with cross-border litigation. Promoted to counsel, ­Oleksandr Pashynin has a vivid focus on banking litigation.

MORIS GROUP is a recognized domestic litigation force with an extensive track record in banking litigation, commercial disputes and tax controversies. This past year the firm obtained a new wave of instructions from energy sector clients. The team handles complex legal support to Ukrteplo LLC in a case regarding leasing four thermal power plants for 30 years from the national company NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine and restructuring the debt to Naftogaz; represents the interests of an electricity supplier, Kleimon LLC, in a dispute with a state monopolist, the National Energy Company Ukrenergo, in terms of electricity transmission volumes. The team represents a long-standing client, Karpatnaftokhim, in a dispute with the National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Public Utilities, regarding the effect of tariffs for the transmission of electricity. Litigation on protecting client reputation is another area of recent focus. The team’s client portfolio takes in Allrise Capital Inc, Farmak LLC, Imexbank JSCB, Ukrlohistica LLC, Ivano-Frankivskcement LLC, The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Green Team LLC. In addition, the tax litigation practice, as headed by Vasyl Andrusyak, has strong credentials. The 11-lawyer litigation team is located in two offices — Kyiv and Ivano-Frankivsk. Partner Andriy Savchuk obtained praise from peers as a well-rounded practitioner.

Ukrainian law firm ADER HABER showcased a sharp focus on disputes in the banking and financial sector, retail and FMCG, industry and energy, including commercial litigation, debt recovery, tax, insurance and employment disputes. This past year the team represented the interests of related parties of JSC UKOOPSPILKA in a resonant case on the claim of the Deposit Guarantee Fund (DGF) for damages of the insolvent bank; acted for Dragon Capital in a dispute against the DGF and Bank Kyivska Rus to declare illegal and to cancel the results of a public tender for the sale of real estate and the obligation to enter into a contract on the sale of such property. In 2020 the firm acted on a number of sophisticated energy disputes and represented the interests of Kyivgas JSC in a dispute against DTEK Kyiv Electrical Grid PJSC, KYIVENERGO JSC and Kyivteploenergo Municipal Enterprise for debt collection for natural gas distribution services provided. Long-standing litigator Yuriy ­Petrenko, managing partner, heads the practice, and is strongly involved in client relationships. The rising professional Andrii ­Hvozdetskyi, promoted to partner, also co-heads the team. In addition, the firm stands out for employment disputes, as led by Tetyana Ivanovych. ­Tatiana ­Daniltseva is in charge of tax litigation. ­Aleksandra ­Fedotova handles real estate and land disputes.

Enjoying a very well-established reputation for representing large domestic and international clients, ANTIKA Law Firm is retained for comprehensive commercial and administrative disputes, including contractual breach, matters involving consumer rights protection as well as tax disputes and challenging the decisions of state authorities. Its recent track record included representing Nasosenergomash in a dispute on cancellation of tax notices. The team was recently involved by ­Alliance Holding on challenging the decision by the regional ecology inspection to rectify formal irregularities on documents confirming the quality of petroleum products offered for sale to consumers at its fuel station. In 2020 the firm demonstrated a strengthening in its portfolio of tax disputes, acting for large taxpayers. The team is recognized among international counsel, who regularly enlisted the team as a Ukrainian law advisor during consideration of cases in English courts. Henkel Ukraine, Henkel Bautechnik, AWT Bavaria LLC, Insurance Company Persha PJSC, Shell Brands International AG, USENCO NADRA LLC (Ukrainian subsidiary of Cadogan Group) are all selected clients of the firm. The firm’s litigation practice is managed by dedicated partner Andrey Kuznetsov. Maxim ­Korchagin and Alexandra Fedorenko are important team members. Partner Dr. Alexey Kot runs arbitration work and combines litigation practice with scientific activity.

Ario Law Firm is a vivid domestic litigation force with strong credentials in bankruptcy proceedings, as well as business protection, debt recovery and property disputes. In 2020 the firm continued representing the interests of the Lybid Hotel Complex in a corporate dispute in connection with a raider attack on corporate rights and protected interests of the public organization ECO Rivnenschyna in the case of declaring illegal and revoking the conclusions on the environmental impact assessment issued by Technoprivod Invest Group, which is part of the Kronospan international group of companies. The firm’s criminal defense practice team supports the litigation practice in comprehensive cases involving parallel criminal proceedings. The practice is led by Julian Khorunzhyi, senior partner. Partners Yevhen Hrushovets, Ruslan Sydorovich, ­Andriy ­Fylyk — are all important team members.

In 2020 AVELLUM handled a wide range of high-profile domestic and cross-­border commercial disputes, including corporate, debt recovery, insolvency, tax disputes. A particular area of strength is representing international and local clients in recovery of debt and enforcement of collateral in Ukraine. The firm’s selected case portfolio includes representation of the world’s leading investment funds as owners of the majority of notes issued by Mriya Agro Holding Plc in 11 insolvency proceedings of the Mriya group of companies. The representative example of antitrust litigation includes representing ­British American Tobacco in challenging a EUR 245 million fine imposed by the Antimonopoly Committee on the Ukrainian subsidiaries of four leading international tobacco producers and their distributor in Ukraine for alleged concerted anti-competitive practices. Another area of focus includes cross-border shareholder disputes and disputes arising out of international joint ventures. The team has seen transformations over the past year. Tax partner Vadim ­Medvedev maintained his focus on sophisticated regulatory and tax disputes. Kostiantyn Likarchuk re-joined from Kinstellar as senior partner in January 2021. He is well-versed in cross-border disputes and regularly acts as an expert on Ukrainian law before foreign courts. Earlier in 2020 the team was enhanced with the arrival of two experienced counsel (both from Kinstellar): Mykyta Nota focused on competition and antitrust, arbitration, and cross-border litigation; ­Lyudmyla ­Volkova focused on domestic litigation proceedings, administrative law matters, and arbitration.

The market leader in criminal defense, AVER LEX attorneys at law boosted its standalone litigation practice. The team is known for its business protection caseload, which consists of commercial litigation and criminal proceedings, asset tracing and debt recovery, defense against fraudulent takeover of business, assets and property rights, raiding attacks, corporate conflicts. The firm also extended its representation in appealing against sanctions, and the protection of honor, dignity and business reputation. The firm strengthened its senior staff and promoted Volodymyr Yenich and Kateryna Stashkiv to partner and counsel, respectively. Managing partner, Olga Prosyanyuk, is endorsed for her pro-active approach and hard work, maintains her focus on strategic and sophisticated cases.

The Kyiv office of Baker McKenzie is regularly involved in complicated disputes, including cross-border proceedings. The recent litigation portfolio includes a number of commercial disputes and bankruptcy proceedings in Ukraine; a dispute arising from investment and raider attack protection, ownership disputes involving multiple parties, antitrust disputes, credit and mortgage matters, tax and customs matters, intellectual property and consumer rights protection. The dispute team is also involved in challenging the decisions of regulators. The Kyiv-based dispute resolution practice group is headed by partner Ihor Siusel. Kseniia Prokhur (Pogruzhalska) is the key executive figure.

The diversified dispute resolution practice of multi-offices Eterna Law combines both domestic and cross-border litigation. The portfolio spans corporate conflicts between shareholders, including multiple jurisdictions, debt recovery, insurance and contractual disputes. Public highlights take in representation of the largest Belarusian holding, a manufacturer of building materials, in a dispute with the Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade in connection with application of final anti-dumping measures by levying a duty on the import of cement from the Republic of Belarus. A big part of the firm’s work is providing expert opinions on Ukrainian law in the courts of England. Oleh Beketov, senior partner and head of international litigation, acted as a Ukrainian law expert in some of the largest Ukraine-related foreign litigations in the past years — Privatbank cases, inter alia, in a lawsuit which is being considered by the High Court of Justice in London, and against the former owners and managers of the bank for damages and the return of unjustifiably acquired property, which is being considered by the Local Court of Limassol (Cyprus); and for Dargamo Holdings Limited and Sergiy Taruta in a large dispute between the former shareholders of the Industrial Union of Donbas. ­Aleksandr Lugovskyi is responsible for general commercial and international trade disputes. Litigation partner Denys Kytsenko, who focused on Ukrainian litigation projects, left the firm, and Nataliia Koroviakovska joined as responsible for national litigation projects.

GOLAW traditionally stands out for its strong track record of tax cases regarding unlawful accrual of tax liabilities, cancellation of registration as a payer of VAT, customs disputes, and enhanced performance in disputes arising from contractual relations, including improper performance by a debtor of contractual obligations, debt collection as well as insolvency proceedings. The firm is also well known for protecting the interests of government and public figures and has a reputation as one of the most vivid teams in labor disputes. The practice head is the firm’s partner, Kateryna Manoylenko. ­Valentyn Gvozdiy, managing partner, takes over the leading role in the most challenging matters.

Domestic law firm Gramatskiy & Partners demonstrates sustainability of its litigation practice, which comprises disputes with banks and financial institutions, debt recovery, mortgage, land as well employment litigation. The firm represents Seven Hills Group in a series of disputes with Boryspil District State Administration, Gosgeokadastr of Kyiv Region, individuals, related dispute invalidation of orders, cancellation of registration of land plots and renewal of entries in the land register. In the recent portfolio there are also cases regarding recognition of the right to privatization. Andrii Trembich is the head of dispute resolution, and is particularly focused on the insolvency area.

Hillmont Partners boasted its litigation practice by showcasing a significant caseload on both fronts — domestic and international. In particular, the firm deals with asset tracing and recovery, administrative, commercial, insolvency and pre-insolvency matters, shareholder disputes. Selected projects include acting for Komaksavia Airport ­Invest Ltd in obtaining an award for interim measures against the ­Republic of Moldova in investor-state arbitration proceedings in relation to the concession agreement over Chisinau International Airport; representing Glovoapp Ukraine in multiple dispute resolution proceedings; representing a Ukrainian subsidiary of Scania Sweden, a major transportation company in Europe, in a commercial dispute with a dealer regarding the termination of a dealer agreement and recovery of lost revenues; representing Delta Wilmar in a dispute with the State Ecological Inspection of Ukraine. Notably, the firm acts in large-stake disputes. For example, it represents the national grid operator NPC Ukrenergo in a court dispute related to attempted recovery in favor of the State Enterprise Guaranteed Buyer of UAH 25 billion for non-payment for provided services. Splitting his time between Kyiv and London offices, co-managing partner James Hart acts as a relationships partner to practice clients. Co-managing partner Serhii Nyzhnyi, who was responsible for domestic commercial and investment dispute resolution and cross-border litigation, passed away in late 2020. The practice is supported by Andrii Chornous, counsel, one of the rising professionals in handling cross-border debt recovery and restructuring projects. Andrii Nyzhnyi, a former judge at one of the District Courts of Dnipro, joined as a co-managing partner.

Kinstellar utilized the experience of cross-border and domestic litigation, recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, with particular focus on post-M&A and shareholder disputes, administrative and regulatory matters. Lead partner Kostiantyn Likarchuk was instructed as an expert on Ukrainian law by a successful defendant in a USD 2 billion dispute in the English Commercial Court, in terms of the proceedings involved wide-ranging accusations of fraud made by Vitaliy Haiduk and Sergiy Taruta against Oleg Mkrtchan. The team advised Anna Tigipko, a British high net worth individual, in connection with pending litigation in London relating to family law matters and related proceedings on recognition of English court orders in Ukraine. The team is keen to represent clients appealing against a decision of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, For example, represented the interests of British American Tobacco, its Ukrainian affiliates, on challenging the decision alleging that the company was involved in anticompetitive concerted action with other tobacco companies in Ukraine and local distributor Tedis Ukraine. Mr. Andrey Adamovskiy, a Ukrainian high net worth individual, is represented in a major multijurisdictional shareholders’ dispute concerning the treatment and division of the assets and liabilities of Oledo Group, involving Ukrainian, Cypriot, and BVI courts as well as handling comprehensive parallel proceedings. In October 2020 Olexander Martinenko joined as a partner and head of the dispute resolution and commercial practices. Kostiantyn Likarchuk, Mykyta Nota and Lyudmyla Volkova left for AVELLUM.

One of the key practices of L.I. Group is handling distressed assets issues, particularly in the area of bankruptcy and restructuring. The team represents the interests of clients in terms of debt collection, foreclosure of mortgages, non-performance of financial leasing, recognition of property rights, and protects the interests of banks from recognizing credit and mortgage contracts as invalid. The firm’s client portfolio spans large commercial banks and financial companies. Another vivid area of practice is challenging the regulatory decisions of state authorities. In particular, the team successfully represented ­Lifecell mobile operator in court disputes with the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine. The practice is led by two partners, Mykola ­Kovalchuk and Artur Megeria.

Year on year Lexwell & Partners demonstrates a prominent track record in tax disputes as well as in administrative and civil court matters. Recently, the team, as headed by Andriy Kolupaev, represented Podilsky Cement in a number of civil disputes, as well as in criminal cases related to the downsizing of the company. The firm also represents ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih in appealing decisions adopted by Kryvyi Rih City Council regarding the establishment of land tax rates and rents. Another prominent case is representing the interests of the distributor and dealer of Toyota/Lexus cars in Ukraine in a number of disputes on protecting the rights of consumers regarding the quality of sold cars.

In 2020 Pavlenko Legal Group accompanied dozens of cases. The team defended the interests of companies in the areas of telecommunications and media, banking and finance, real estate, oil and gas, agriculture and other markets. The lion’s share of the firm’s caseload consists of banking disputes, such as bad debts recovery, surety, mortgage, bank loans, assets protection, as well as disputes with state authorities and business protection. The team acted for the ­Myronivsky Plant of Groats and Feed Stuff on the invalidation of the agreement; represented the interests of OTP Bank in a dispute regarding the refund of overpayment of income tax; represented the interests of the Financial company Investohills Vesta in a number of disputes over the invalidation of contracts, recognition of property rights, as well as in  bankruptcy proceedings. Vitaliy Burdak is the responsible partner. Referred during peers’ review as a hard-working litigator, ­Hrygoriy ­Pavlenko is noted as a key executive.

VB PARTNERS commands vast experience in resolving corporate disputes and disputes related to shareholder agreements, protecting business from raider attacks, and has unrivalled strength in challenging the decisions of state authorities. In particular, the firm was one of the first in Ukraine to succeed in lifting sanctions imposed on a EU company by Ukraine. The firm is also experienced in filing applications to the European Court of Human Rights regarding violations of the right to peaceful enjoyment of property. The firm is regularly retained by shareholders and top management of commercial banks. The team recently rendered representation of Premium Bank shareholder’s interests regarding the annulment of the decision of the National Banks of Ukraine on its liquidation; represents the interests of shareholders in the commercial bank Premium in a lawsuit for recovering damages by the NBU, caused due to the decision to liquidate the bank. In addition, the firm represents the interests of Scania, an international vehicle company, in a lawsuit against local dealers, for recovery of lost profits and losses incurred in connection with improper compliance with the terms of dealer agreements and the contract for the maintenance of the service workshop; represented the interests of a foreign international company, SkyEng, an online school for learning English, in a litigation regarding the recognition of illegal registration of a trademark on the territory of Ukraine. Volodymyr Vashchenko is lead partner. In addition to a primarily white-collar crime focus, the firm’s partners Denys Bugay, Oleksandr Lukianenko and Denys Shkarovsky are also directly involved in the litigation practice.

The litigation practice of Absolute Law Agency is centered on debt recovery disputes, loan agreements, commercial, administrative and tax disputes. The team recently represented SA Production ­Association Yuzhniy Machine-Building Plant named after A.M. ­Makarov in a tax dispute as well as on the recognition of an audit as unlawful and cancellation of its results. The firm has an established following among commercial banks and financial companies. Partners ­Oleksandr Bondarchuk, Oleksandr Hladii and Iryna Zemliana are the main contacts.

Ante Law Firm represents clients in various disputes mainly related to aviation and pharmaceuticals, as well as private clients. The year of 2020 was also rich in employment litigation. The team is known as a precedent-setting law firm representing airlines in passenger claims. Furthermore, the firm won a case for Sanofi worth USD 1.8 million and recently represented it in a damages claim that arose from illegal actions by the state execution service (bailiffs). Clients retaining the team for dispute resolution work include Zdravo, DFU Agro, Lufthansa group and other international airlines. The litigation team is led by its managing partner, Andriy Guck.

ARBITRADE often acts in cases with an international element, representing both Ukrainian and foreign parties. Particular strengths include complex commercial cases; administrative disputes with state authorities in relation to tax and customs matters. In addition, cases related to imposition of sanctions over companies by Ukrainian authorities boosted the team’s litigation practice. In 2020 the team represented Mont UA in a high-profile and rather unprecedented case against the President of Ukraine regarding his decision to impose personal sanctions on a number of Russian and Ukrainian companies operating in Ukraine and allegedly financing activities that are contrary to the interests of the State of Ukraine. The firm also successfully represented the interests of co-authors of the book “Ave, Ukraina!”, whose rights were violated by an unauthorized attempt at publication by another co-author. Being among prominent firms in international arbitration, recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards is another established area of focus. Pavlo Trytenichenko is the responsible partner.

CMS operates in Ukraine throughout two offices.

During this past year the dispute resolution team at CMS ­Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang, as led by counsel Olga Shenk, has been extremely busy with sophisticated cases. In particular, the team enjoys recognized strength in energy disputes and has expertise in a wide variety of disputes and other contentious matters, ­including cross-border disputes, fraud and FCPA-driven investigations. Senior partner Olexander Martinenko left for Kinstellar.

The dispute resolution practice at CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Ukraine is headed by partners Maria Orlyk and Anna Pogrebna. The office is busy with projects for a number of international clients in cases against Ukrainian debtors, in particular, complex debt recovery proceedings against a Ukrainian borrower and several warrantors in connection with a fixed-term loan agreement and respective security package. Oleksandr Protsiuk is an important team member.

The Kyiv office of Dentons has experience of cross-border and domestic commercial litigation, including commercial real estate and product liability disputes, IP litigation, and also a successful track record in local tax and customs disputes. With big multinationals among its clients, the firm is retained for a wide range of matters requiring litigation in Ukraine. In 2020 the team represented a multinational automotive company in court proceedings regarding regaining property from illegal possession against conditions of leasing agreements. The team also advised one of the leading companies for asset-based financing solutions in Europe on restructuring and recovery matters regarding a loan agreement with a Ukrainian company in the FMCG sector. Managing partner Oleg Batyuk is the key contact.

The dispute resolution team of the Kyiv office of DLA Piper^[2] is known for sophisticated cases, including multijurisdictional assignments. Among disclosable highlights is representation of PwC Ukraine in a dispute with the National Bank of Ukraine on issues of professional liability, before Ukrainian courts. The recent portfolio also includes regulatory, debt recovery, employment and tax disputes. The practice team is also praised for its solid advice on jurisdictional issues. The team is led by Olga Vorozhbyt, partner, head of litigation and regulatory. Oleksii Gerasymchuk, senior associate, is the key executive figure.

ECOVIS Bondar & Bondar is focused on dispute resolution primarily in the Ukrainian aviation industry. The firm represented Ukraine International Airlines in a number of litigation cases with the Ukrainian State Air Traffic Services Enterprise (UKSATSE) on UKSATSE’s alleged abuse of its monopoly position on the market via establishment of an overrate for air navigation services. Oleg Bondar, managing partner, is practice head.

ESQUIRES law firm has a principal focus on disputes in the banking area, including debt recovery and mortgage matters, as well as property disputes. The team has an established track record of representing clients as plaintiffs on protection of honor and business reputation through refutation of inaccurate information about professional activities, and also acts for non-resident creditors with monetary claims to Ukrainian borrowers under bankruptcy procedures. Notably, the team is retained by parties of multijurisdictional disputes advising on their court cases in Ukraine. The firm’s client list takes in the ICU group of companies, Skytrans LLC, Translogist Sistem LLC (Moldova), Limagrain Ukraine, Modem LLC and others. Oleksandr Shkelebey is the responsible partner.

The Ukrainian office of Swiss Fortior Law is focused on solving commercial cross-border disputes with a Ukrainian element which arise in the trading of commodities, and its core competence is disputes governed by English law. As a highlight in cross-border litigation, the firm represents investors in a dispute against the sham-project London Football Exchange. Danil Hristich, senior associate, is the practice lead.

Attorneys’ Association Gestors is focused on commercial litigation, takeover and insolvency related disputes. The firm represented PJSC Donetskoblgaz before the Supreme Court regarding appeal to an order issued by the state labor authority; handles ongoing representation of JSC Chornomornaftogaz in disputes related to return of the Titan-2 crane-mounting vessel to the owner. The practice is led by partners Andriy Tsvetkov and Vitalii Makhinchuk.

In addition to its calling card — tax litigation, KM Partners also maintains a solid caseload in commercial, labor disputes, debt collection, real estate, land and corporate matters. The team also covers resolution of disputes against supervising authorities in architectural control, firefighting, ecology, antitrust and consumer rights protection. The leading experts on tax litigation are the firm’s partners Alexander Minin and Alexander Shemiatkin. Dispute resolutions on transfer pricing and customs practice are led by Ivan Shynkarenko. Commercial disputes are led by Maxim Oleksiyuk.

Given the extensive client portfolio consisting of international and Ukrainian banks, lessors and financial companies, domestic law firm KPD Consulting handles representation of creditors in comprehensive debt collection litigation. The team recently received a block for debt collection in favor of the ING Bank Ukraine from individuals; represented Porsche Mobility LLC in a series of disputes against debtors. Leading national and international suppliers of products, as well as property owners, also regularly hire the firm for litigation work. For example, the firm protects the interests of Mars JSC, one of the largest property owners in the central part of Kyiv, against the grabbing of land by an unscrupulous procedural opponent. Igor Kalitventsev, managing partner, heads the dispute resolution practice. Yevhen Litvinov and Victor Ivaniuk make up the key executive team.

KPMG Law Ukraine, which is reputable in tax disputes, diversified its dispute resolution practice, encompassing labor and commercial litigation. The recent caseload includes providing turn-key assistance in the recovery of dividends from one of the biggest Ukrainian gas and oil companies (including at the enforcement stage); and supporting a client in complex commercial disputes regarding collection of damages, penalty and partly invalidation of the contract. Yuriy Katser, head of legal, is the core figure in commercial litigation, and also contributes to the development of litigation practice regarding application of transfer pricing rules.

Initially fully focused on pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, Legal Alliance Company acts in corporate disputes, antimonopoly and competition, IP, tax disputes, regulatory disputes. The firm is sought after for patent disputes. Most recently the firm acted in disputes on cancellation of registration of similar trademarks, patent disputes regarding unlicensed use of an invention, protection in tax matters, including VAT refunds from the state budget. The core litigation team includes Illya Kostin and Vitalii Savchuk.

Legal and Economic Security (LES) attorneys at law disputes resolution practice combines tax, ecological matters as well as disputes in the field of land, construction and real estate, including appeals in court as to inaction, actions and decisions of officials of public authorities and local government bodies, authorized bodies of urban planning and architecture, bodies of state architectural and construction control. Sergiy Kolisnyk, managing partner, is the key contact.

The Ukrainian office of Peterka & Partners handles representation in commercial and administrative disputes, including court proceedings against Ukrainian citizens regarding the collection of debts with further enforcements of court decisions. In 2020 the office represented Raiffeisenbank a.s., a Czech bank belonging to one of ­Europe’s leading banking groups, as a creditor in insolvency proceedings of several companies of a major, problematic agricultural group. Another highlight case is representing Reticulum Power, a leading Czech company in investments, corporate restructuring, purchasing debts and administration, before Ukrainian courts in connection with debt recovery in Ukraine with the application of Czech law. Partner Taras Utiralov is the core contact.

The Kyiv office of SBH Law Offices spreads its litigation practice across bankruptcies, debt collection, assets protection matters, protection of honor and dignity. Kseniya Prokonova, partner in Ukraine, left the firm.

The dispute resolution team of Sokolovskyi & Partners handles numerous tax and customs disputes, as well as debt recovery, distressed assets, commercial, land, civil and labor disputes. The firm is known for its focus on insolvency litigation and bankruptcy. The client portfolio spans domestic mid-sized business. Tetiana Lysovets, ­senior partner, leads the practice.

Vdovychen & Partners is known for its strong tax litigation work and also growing caseload in administrative and commercial cases, including invalidation of investment agreements, appealing against land lease agreements, debt and damages recovery, bankruptcy, corporate and employment disputes. Managing partner Oleg Vdovychen is the main contact.

The Kyiv office of Wolf Theiss is a port of choice for foreign investors, firm’s clients, seeking representation in Ukrainian courts. The team advises a Polish plumbing equipment producer in connection with a corporate dispute with the minority shareholder and ex-management of its Ukrainian subsidiary, including labor dispute matters; advises a Canadian company in Ukraine in connection with litigation and a criminal investigation case against the ex-managers of a Ukrainian agricultural company for their defrauding of a Canadian investor. Moreover, the firm continued advising thyssenkrupp Materials Services GmbH in bankruptcy proceedings with respect to one of its customers from Ukraine that defaulted on payments for supplied products. Taras Dumych, managing partner, is the main contact.

Oleg Alyoshin, partner of Vasil Kisil & Partners*, is one of the most experienced arbitration and cross-border disputes practitioners. He is regularly hired as a Ukrainian law expert in high-end cases. ­According to public sources, he is instructed by defendants as a Ukrainian law expert before the High Court of Justice in London in a case brought by Ukrainian businessman Vadim Shulman against other high net worth individuals. Vasylyna Odnorih is a renowned and promising practitioner.^[3]

Arzinger* has traditionally a strong litigation practice, with representation in the regions of the firm’s presence — Lviv and Odesa. Partner Markian Malskyy heads the firm’s international arbitration and cross-border litigation. Newly-promoted counsel Oleksii Prudkyi received feedback as a talented court room litigator and is seen across domestic proceedings.

REGIONAL COUNSEL

 

Odesa-based ANK Law Office commands a 20-attorney litigation team, and enjoys standout expertise in trials centered on maritime law. In particular, the team represented the interests of shipowners from Singapore BW DRY CARGO in the case against the ecological inspectorate, which was examined by the Supreme Court; the interests of one of the major port operators of the port of Odesa during the consideration of a court dispute with the Ukrainian Sea Ports ­Authority related to the application of a reduction coefficient to the rates of payment for services to provide access to berths for the purposes of grain cargo transshipment. The client roster also includes ­Agro-Reni, ­Brooklyn-Kiev, SC CTO of the company HHLA, Vector Oil Trade, ­Novolog, Risoil Terminal. Oleksandr Kyfak and Nadiya ­Sofronkova act as lead partners. Artem Volkov, head of the maritime practice, is highly active in litigation work.

Odesa-based law firm AS Legal is focused on banking and finance disputes, bankruptcy procedures, commercial and family property disputes. The team represented the interests of JSC Odesteplokomunenergo in a dispute on ownership rights defense due to raider attack to the half-constructed real estate object and regarding a constitutional complaint aimed at limiting the Ministry of Justice’s powers to terminate real estate title registration, which break the constitutional right to real estate property of individuals and legal entities. The firm also acts for the private enterprise Bazalt in its damages recovery dispute with the Fontanska village council of Odesa Region. Maxim Andreev and Vitalii Shvets are the core points of contact.

Odesa-based Law Firm De-Jure has a solid track record of civil and commercial matters. In 2020 the firm handled disputes over debt collection, business division, land protection. Gryhorii ­Tripulskyi and Olena Bernaz are core practitioners.

Lviv-based First Chair Legal supports foreign investors and litigates in corporate, commercial disputes and against public authorities. In a recent highlight the firm represented one of the biggest dairy product manufacturers in a dispute related to the protection of business reputation; represented a construction company in a major land case. Mariia Khoma heads the practice. The managing partner, Oleg Kyryievskyi, contributes to the most sophisticated matters.

With offices in Kharkiv and Kyiv, ILF has a diversified dispute resolution team, which handled corporate and commercial matters, debt collection, business protection, trials with the tax authorities. Among the standout features is systematic representation of clients before the European Court of Human Rights. The litigation portfolio in 2020 took in defending the interests of the IT company Scorto Solutions in a dispute related to the recovery of funds paid under a software development contract; representing Ivankov Agricultural Firm in debt collection under a real estate lease agreement. Among other disputes in the recent caseload are asset protection and a precedent-setting case on a dispute between religious communities. ILF took an active role as a legal counsel of healthcare reform in Ukraine, and extends its scope on judicial protection of patients and doctors. Olexiy Kharytonov is lead partner.

The core dispute resolution focus of 6-offices Black Sea law firm Interlegal is shipping, ship arrest and claims handling on the side of shipowners or charterers. The team also litigates disputes on commercial and trade issues, supply breach, penalties and debt recovery. Partners Arthur Nitsevych and Nikolay Melnykov are the key faces of the practice.

Jurline, an Odesa-based law firm, boasts a formidable litigation team handling corporate, tax, construction, maritime disputes. The team recently provided legal support to TIS-Mindobryva, in a dispute initiated by the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority regarding the recovery of debt for the use of a berth in the sea port of Yuzhniy. The firm also handled disputes on recognition of ownership rights to shares in a hotel complex in Odesa. The firm’s caseload takes in cases on debt collection under distribution and supply agreements, employment contracts, and recovery of losses. Selected clients of the firm include Illichivsk Grain Terminal, Glencore Agriculture Ukraine, TIS-Grain Ltd, PALMA Group Companies, LLC Transinvestservice. ­Vitaliy Cherkes is lead partner. Volodymyr Zubar, Maxim Kapelist and Oleksandr Vovk are other partners involved in litigation.

Legrant is one of the most vivid legal teams involved in litigation in the sea ports and maritime industry in the southern regions of Ukraine. The firm possesses experience representing the interests of shipowners, freight forwarders, cargo owners, cargo transportation agents, container lines in complex shipping and contractual disputes related to insurance claims. Another important part of its dispute resolution practice is tax disputes. The firm’s recent litigation practice includes protecting the right to receive a discount when paying port dues, substantiation of the illegality of detention of a vessel in the port at the request of environmental inspectors, cancellation of special sanctions imposed by the Ministry of Economy. The key contact is managing partner Tatyana Titarenko. Liudmila Sizonenko is noted as a vivid litigator.

Odesa-based maritime boutique Sergeyevs’ Law Office is customarily focused on maritime-related dispute resolution. In 2020 its caseload included settlement of claim in litigation versus the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine and Maritime Administration of Ukraine on the implementation of international norms to national legislation; ­legal support of insurance claims settlement negotiations and litigation (compensation by P&I clubs in connection with the loss of seafarers’ work capacity and loss of life); settlement of the claim of crew members of the vessel “Ginger” in a maritime claim for unpaid wages; ­litigation with Bilhorod-Dnistrovskiy Sea Port on defending the interests of the Sea Port Trade Union. Partners Yuriy Sergeyev and ­Svetlana Sergeyeva are the main contacts.

Kharkiv-based Shkrebets & Partners is among the strongest and most reputable litigation firms in Eastern Ukraine. The lion’s share of its recent portfolio consists of tax litigation, labor disputes, debt recovery proceedings related to the energy sector, administrative disputes. The team is known for representing industrial, energy and municipal names such as Kharkiv CHPP-5, Municipal Enterprise Kharkiv Heating Networks, industrial enterprises of Kharkiv Region. The team took part in a resonant public case having represented interests of the author, publishing house and printing house on the ban on the publication and distribution of the book “The Vasyl Stus Case” by Vakhtang Kipiani. Andrey Syvak acts as lead partner. Evgeniy Shkrebets, Yuriy Artukh and Oleksii Meniv are other partners of the firm involved in litigation work.

INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRMS*

 

Dutch law firm Bergh Stoop & Sanders has been advising the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine in the long-term dispute between the State of Ukraine, four Crimean Museums and the Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam regarding Crimean treasures that had been given on loan to the museum in Amsterdam for the exhibition Crimea — Golden Island in the Black Sea, which was held for several months in 2014. The decision of the Amsterdam District Court is currently under appeal.

International law firm Covington & Burling has extensive experience handling matters in Ukraine, including investor-state arbitration, international commercial arbitration, public international law disputes, commercial disputes under English Law. In 2020 the firm represented the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in an action filed against Ukraine by Law Debenture Trust Corporation in the High Court of England and Wales. The firm has also acted for Ukrainian businessman Oleg Mkrtchan and his related corporate entities in a high-profile case in litigation proceedings at the High Court in London regarding the sale of an indirect interest in the Industrial Union of Donbas. The team working on this case includes Craig Pollack, Greg Lascelles, Eddy Eccles, Jonathan Heath, Alexander Gudko and Charlotte Raynor.

Enyo Law is a London-based disputes boutique firm. In 2020, the team acted for Gennady Bogolyubov, a Ukrainian businessman, in defense of two claims brought in the High Court of England alleging fraud. These are the cases: Privatbank vs. Bogolyubov and Kolomoisky, and Tatneft vs. Gennady Bogolyubov, Igor Kolomoisky, Alexander Yaroslavsky and Pavel Ovcharenko. The key partners are George Maling, Tim Elliss, Olivia Gare. Evgeniya Rubinina, partner and international arbitration lawyer, is another key figure.

Eversheds Sutherland provides legal services related to protecting the interests of Naftogaz of Ukraine in foreign jurisdictions (including foreign state authorities, organizations, institutions, foreign courts, foreign financial institutions, before other entities and individuals) in all respects related to the execution of an arbitral award in favor of Italia Ukraina Gas S.p.A. (IUGAS).

Fieldfisher acts for Ukrainian businessman Igor Kolomoisky in defense of the claim brought by state-owned Privatbank in the High Court of England alleging fraud as well as in the Tatneft vs. Gennady Bogolyubov, Igor Kolomoisky, Alexander Yaroslavsky and Pavel ­Ovcharenko case.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer continues to provide legal services to protect the interests of Naftogaz of Ukraine in foreign jurisdictions on all issues arising in international trade activities.

Gateley has extensive experience handling matters in Ukraine, including banking litigation, white-collar crime and commercial disputes under English law. The firm represents the state-run Deposit Guarantee Fund in asset recovery assignments. The firm is also currently acting for a high-profile Ukrainian businessman in a number of non-contentious matters. The team working on these cases is led by partner Richard Healey and includes Alex Thompson, Emily Drake, Olena Golovtchouk, Elena Solovyeva and Julia Purcell.

Hogan Lovells regularly represents Ukrainian companies and businessmen in resonant high-stake litigation in English courts. The firm represents Privatbank in fraud proceedings in the High Court of England against former shareholders Igor Kolomoisky, Gennady ­Bogolyubov and others, in which Privatbank is claiming over USD 2 billion. Another recent case is representing Sergiy Taruta in fraud proceedings in the High Court of England involving Vitaliy Haiduk, Oleg Mkrtchan and others. The firm also is legal counsel to the Deposit Guarantee Fund on representing the interests and protecting the rights of insolvent banks and banks under liquidation in courts of foreign jurisdiction and international arbitrations. London-based partners ­Richard Lewis and Michael Roberts are involved in the firm’s projects.

Holland & Knight acts as a legal counsel of Ukraine in appeal proceedings in the USA in the Oksana Baiul vs. Joseph Lemire, Olympic Champions LTD (Delaware), Olympic Champions LTD (BVI), State of Ukraine and Does case. The firm is also hired as a legal counsel of the National Bank of Ukraine in the Oleg Zhukovskiy vs. National Bank of Ukraine case before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Swiss Jacquemoud & Stanislas provides legal services related to protecting the interests of the State of Ukraine in a dispute with ­Euronews SA for the return of financial guarantees, allocated to ensure the terms of the agreement with the European Language Union regarding the holding of the Eurovision Song Contest in Ukraine in 2017.

Legance — Avvocati Associati (Milan) is a legal counsel to Ukraine in the civil case of Rocchelli’s relatives (an Italian journalist killed in Slovyansk during combat actions) and others vs. the State of Ukraine before a court in the Italian city of Pavia.

Mishcon de Reya is legal counsel to Ukrainian businessman ­Alexander Yaroslavsky in the Tatneft v Gennady Bogolyubov, Igor ­Kolomoisky, Alexander Yaroslavsky and Pavel Ovcharenko case.

Norton Rose Fulbright acted as the lead counsel to the Law ­Debenture Trust Corporation PLC in the ongoing USD 3 billion Eurobond dispute with Russia in the High Court of England and Wales.

Osborne Clarke handled a shareholder dispute over the distribution of profits from a company. Artem Doudko, partner, is head of ­Russia and CIS disputes.

London-based PCB Litigation LLP is legal counsel to the Deposit Guarantee Fund on representation of interests and protection of rights of insolvent banks and banks under liquidation in courts of foreign ­jurisdiction and international arbitrations.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan acted as the lead counsel to Ukraine in the ongoing USD 3 billion Eurobond dispute with Russia in the High Court of England and Wales, as well as the legal counsel for Privatbank in Madison Pacific Trust Limited vs. Shakoor Capital Limited and JSC Privatbank case in the High Court of England and Wales. The firm has also acted for Ukrainian businessperson and politician Vitaliy Haiduk and his related corporate entities in a high-profile case in litigation proceedings at the High Court in London regarding the sale of an indirect interest in the Industrial Union of Donbas.

 

* This piece of research is based on submissions of international law firms and information available in public sources, in particular, the Official Resource on Public Purchasing in Ukraine — ProZorro.

^[1] In June Olena Sukmanova left the firm to continue her career in-house.

^[2] Effective 14 June 2021, the Kyiv office of DLA Piper was acquired by Kinstellar.

^[3] Firms marked with * have not provided information for the current research. The text is based on the results of the poll and interviews, as well as public sources.