The real estate and construction practice group of multinational law firm Baker McKenzie is widely praised as a top legal counsel on the real estate market, preferred for high-end property transactions, privatization, project development, property and land lease. The firm is also active in the areas of retail, energy and infrastructure. The benchmark project of 2020 is advising IKEA, a Swedish multinational conglomerate that designs and sells furniture, kitchen appliances and home accessories, on the launch of its first offline store in Ukraine. Another sound project of 2020 was organizations hiring the office to support the purchase and/or leasing of their office and residential premises in Kyiv. The firm advises the EBRD and Ministry of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine on reforming the construction sector’s regulatory framework in Ukraine, and assists with the introduction of internationally recognized contract conditions (FIDIC) into Ukrainian contractual practices. Selected clients include Amstar Europe, ­ArcelorMittal, Auchan Ukraine, Bayer, the British Embassy, ­McDonald’s Ukraine, La Societe des Centres Commerciaux, Unibudinvest Venture Fund, Pegasus. The practice has two partners on board. Renowned market figure Serhiy ­Piontkovsky has a recognized client relationship role and maintains guidance of privatization projects. Lina Nemchenko acts on large-scale commercial development projects. Andrii Grebonkin is singled out by peers as a technical and well-trained practitioner. Nataliya Tyschenko and Elmaz Abkhairova are part of the team.

СMS is represented through two offices in Ukraine.

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang is keen on a wide scope of work, including acquisition and sale, land use issues, property management, construction financing, retail and office leases. The firm reveals growing activity in various regions of Ukraine and, what is notable, supports greenfield development projects. The firm carried out extensive due diligence of one operating shopping mall, Lubava, in Cherkasy; and advised on all real estate related matters in the development of the Nikolsky shopping mall in Kharkiv. The Kyiv outfit is a market leading firm in the energy sector, and is traditionally busy with structuring investments, acquisitions in the renewable energy market and handling the wide scope of real estate and construction instructions within. In a recent highlight, the firm continued to advise Scatec Solar ASA, a large Norway-based solar power developer, on the continuous expansion of its solar portfolio in Ukraine. The team’s recent focus has also been the hospitality area and logistics assets, and industrial and mixed-use property development projects. Lead partner Natalia ­Kushniruk was named a hardworking, reliable professional, with particular reference for her M&A and lease advice. The executive team includes Maksym Morozov and Viktor Komziuk.

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz advises on acquisition of real estate, production sites, land plots, construction regulations and permits, relocation of premises and lease matters. The office is retained by clients from renewable energy, shipping and logistics, manufacturing sectors. Anna Pogrebna heads the practice.

The Kyiv office of DLA Piper^[1] is the primary choice for big international companies seeking advice on their investment projects, real estate transactions, and commercial lease queries. The firm is actively retained to act on the tenant side in such areas as retail, IT, luxury industry. Among landmark public projects was legal support to a ­European retail food brand Billa (part of REWE Group) in the course of lease extension for its flagship store in Kyiv located within the building of the Besarabsky Rynok in the historical center of the capital, which is owned by Kyiv municipal authorities. The firm also keeps its transactional focus by supporting acquisition of a stake in the property of the largest Ukrainian developer. Key sector areas of growth to note are energy projects, as well as infrastructure assets, especially port infrastructure. The client roster includes Cargill, Pfizer, Perion Network, Ubisoft, Mariupol Investment Group. Lead partner Natalia Kochergina was named “matriarch” of the Ukrainian real estate market. Yevhen Husakov is another visible practitioner.

Ukrainian law firm AEQUO houses one of the largest commercial property deals portfolios in the market, and demonstrates strong expertise in construction projects, regulatory engagements, commercial lease and sophisticated disputes with precedent-setting consequences. The firm has a notable presence in high-stake acquisitions on behalf of investment firms and real estate investors. The practice team represented its consistent client, Dragon Capital, in a number of purchases, in particular the Industrial Park Ryasne-2, acquisition of the business center for its further transfer to the Kyiv School of Economics for long-term use. The firm renders ongoing advice to an American investment company, Allrise, with regard to the structuring of its investments in distressed loan portfolios and real estate in Ukraine, and on the landmark acquisition of the Chornomorets Stadium in Odesa, which belonged to Imexbank. The firm’s real estate practice works closely with the banking and finance practice, and commands real estate finance and mortgage expertise. In particular, the firm advised Industrialbank on financial restructuring, which required creation of a mortgage over the Khreschatyk Hotel, located in downtown Kyiv, and assisted the bank in establishing a mortgage over the Plaza Sport Outlet in Kyiv. Another exceptional feature of the firm is its well-­established standing in retail, exemplified by the resonant acquisition of Billa Ukraine from REWE Group by Novus Ukraine, one of the firm’s clients. The litigation team led by Olena Pertsova continued the ­defense of UMG Investments in a dispute over expropriation of land for public use. Mykhaylo Soroka proves on a continuous basis to be an expert in this field and enjoys the respect of peers for his exceptional knowledge. Renowned banking partner Yulia Kyrpa demonstrates continuous involvement in real estate deals and in developing the real estate practice. Counsel ­Bohdan Dmukhovskyy is another key figure in this practice.

The well-versed practice of Gramatskiy & Partners covers all ­areas of real estate — commercial, residential, industrial, HoReCa, ­leisure, social and municipal infrastructure. Given its long commitment to relations with major market players (developers, construction and engineering companies, strategic investors), the firm is called upon to support large-scale construction and reconstruction projects, asset and share deals, lease of various types of premises and land. The firm advised the Tarantino Family group, a network of restaurants in Ukraine, on purchase of the Arsenal Plaza Business Center. Another notable area of the firm’s expertise is privatization. Most recently the firm represented Bastion Group on acquisition of PJSC Kyivpasservice, which owns bus stations and railway stations in Kyiv and Kyiv Region, during privatization. The firm represents the interests of Graal LLC, Parus Group and Kan Development on the restructuring and restart of the project for rebuilding European Square in downtown Kyiv with the construction of the Stolychnyi multi-storey office and hotel complex. City Capital Group generates a series of projects supported by the firm. For example, construction and lease of the Business Park City Gate business complex, construction of the gated community Garden Bay Resort, construction of a hotel on the Boryspil Highway and others. The firm has an established position in the retail sector, and advised Panorama-Invest LLC on construction and certification process of the Trade Center Market on Lisova. The team has also acted as legal counsel in numerous co-working projects in Kyiv. Yurii Gorda is visible in due diligence work, and Igor Reutov is noted for his transactional performance. Paul Jebbs is a London-based of counsel. Ernest Gramatskiy has worked for many years on the development of an enviable base of clients, and is seen as a high-caliber real estate market figure.

AVELLUM demonstrates an increase in real estate advisory work, and preserves its prominent role as a legal counsel for high-end share and asset deals. The firm is experienced in property investment deals, acting for both domestic and international shareholders, investors and developers, involving such assets as terminals to oil storage facilities, investment into development of recreational, residential and commercial premises, leisure real estate development. The firm is active in the retail and FMCG market, rendering legal support for joint investment with a view to developing commercial facilities and selling the operational business covering a chain of shops located in all major cities of Ukraine, advised on the transfer of lease and ownership rights to real estate objects. Recent highlights take in advising A Development on joint investment in the construction of a real estate complex in the center of Kyiv, consisting of large commercial areas, two business centers, and underground parking lots and a total investment exceeding USD 35.7 million. The firm is also known for its expertise in energy financing and subsequent input from its real estate team. Recently promoted partner Maksym ­Maksymenko, head of the practice, was named an ambitious rising star with in-depth knowledge, and gained the respect of peers for his efforts to be a brand-ambassador of Ukraine for a foreign audience. Mykola ­Stetsenko, star individual for M&A work, has a long track record of real estate property acquisition deals.

Asters acts for an impressive array of international and domestic clients, utilizing experience across commercial, industrial, office, infrastructure areas, and handling property transactions, operational and regulatory queries, construction and lease. The firm advises its consistent client, Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Limited (IBRC), in relation to the major shopping mall Univermag Ukraina and office building Business Center Leonardo as owned by Quinn Properties Ukraine, in which IBRC holds an interest, across negotiation and registration of leases, land and reconstruction matters, operational issues and risks. The team is highly active in advising on construction and operational issues tied to implementation of renewable energy projects, and infrastructure projects, including FIDIC contracts, tenders and structuring matters. Most recently the team advised the consortium of EMIT Group S.r.l. and Atzwanger in connection with a contract for the reconstruction of a water treatment plant in a Ukrainian city; Ateliers de France, a construction and architectural company, in connection with construction of a major rehabilitation and health complex next to Kyiv. PRADA Group constantly prefers Asters for full support of all day-to-day legal issues and operation of its first mono-brand boutique in Ukraine, including issues tied to operations during the ongoing quarantine. The practice team’s expertise contributes to ongoing complex disputes handled by the firm. The practice has two partners and a counsel on board. Splitting his time with the corporate and M&A practice, Oleg Boichuk is focused on real estate transactions. Roman Kostenko is engaged in lease and construction work. Anzhelika Livitska is known for handling renewable energy projects, and is particularly praised for her exceptional knowledge of environmental law, industrial construction and commitment to legislative proposals.

Ukrainian law firm ADER HABER houses a well-versed practice dealing with property transfers, land development and division, securing land use approvals, supporting lease portfolios in commercial and retail sectors, and managing land bank extension matters. The team’s highlights include the first transaction in Ukraine on the management of corporate rights of an agricultural holding with a land bank of about 60,000 hectares, under a contract concluded by ARMA (National Agency of Ukraine for the Detection, Search and Management of Assets Derived from Corruption and Other Offences). This past year the team advised on the construction and reconstruction of residential and office buildings, infrastructural and industrial construction, land management and urban planning. For example, the firm represented Sinohydro Corporation Limited, a Chinese state-owned hydropower engineering and construction company, which is a contractor in a large infrastructure project for the rebuilding of roads in Ukraine, namely the project to rebuild the M06 highway (bypassing Zhytomyr), and handled the issue of relocation of the transmission line, which was complicated by unresolved land issues. MERX PJSC, a large construction and business centers lease holding and a long-standing client, regularly instructs the firm on its projects involving real estate acquisition deals, construction and lease matters. The team is also called upon in litigation regarding breach of lease contracts and land use matters. Practice lead partner Alexandra Fedotova is known as a versatile real estate lawyer, and was acclaimed for her profound knowledge of court case law. The key executive team includes Dmitriy Nikolov, Iaroslava Lahan and Artem Vitsenko.

The full-service law firm Sayenko Kharenko has an outstanding client base, instructing it for the structuring of real estate acquisition deals and ownership, performing real estate due diligences, construction agreements, commercial lease and relocation, regulatory and permitting issues. The firm also commands broad practice of real estate related disputes. Given the firm’s confident presence in the renewable energy sector, the team is loaded with industrial construction assignments. For example, the firm acted as a legal counsel of the Representative Office of Power Construction Corporation of China regarding construction of the Syvash Wind Farm. The firm rapidly expands its infrastructure portfolio, being present in the most landmark projects of 2020. Thus, the dedicated group advised an international consortium on participation in both pilot tenders for the concession of Kherson and Olvia sea ports. In 2020, the litigation team secured a sizeable workflow. In particular, the firm represents the interests of a client in a local court regarding the invalidation of agreements for participation in construction financing for commercial property in the center of Kyiv; represents Auchan in litigation related to the protection of property rights to land plots. The sizeable team is led by Oleksandr Nikolaichyk (M&A, investments in real estate); Sergey Pogrebnoy (real estate disputes and conflicts). Anastasiya Bidakh is visible on the market, with its recent focus being on development and construction projects. Volodymyr Yaremko is in charge of contentious matters in infrastructure and construction. At the end of 2020 the practice was reinforced with a double lateral hire from Auchan Retail Ukraine — ­Svitlana ­Gurieieva and Olena ­Denisova joined as partner and senior associate, respectively.

KPD Consulting is a respected domestic practice with broad expertise in real estate acquisitions, commercial and industrial real estate construction projects, lease of office premises and production facilities, and vivid advisory to the banking sector on real estate, construction and collateral matters. In 2020 the firm advised ING Bank Ukraine with respect to mortgaging of the assets of Obolon, the largest national brewery. The firm’s notable experience in the construction area is exemplified by its recently advising Rustler Property Services on rebuilding of a shopping mall in Mykolaiv. The firm houses infrastructure expertise, in particular, it advised DCH Infrastructure and Real Estate regarding two prospective infrastructure projects: construction of new airport terminal in Dnipro and construction of a transshipment sea port complex in southern Ukraine. The team was mandated by a management company for industrial innovation park Ecopolis-Kharkiv LLC, part of the DCH Group, to advise on various regulatory matters pertaining to establishing of the industrial park, arranging the land title and cooperation with local authorities. The lead partner is proactive Vladyslav Kysil, who is well regarded for his knowledge of procedural issues. Counsel Mykhailo Semka is a key member of the team.

ANTIKA Law Firm has an established workflow of real estate development projects and commercial real estate operations, business and transaction structuring; contractual and investment mechanisms instructions. The firm represents its established client, AWT Bavaria, in particular rendered legal support for the acquisition of three communally-owned land plots at an auction in the city of Dnipro. Maxibud ­Engineering, LLC requested the firm to advise on existing legal options for assignment of the land plot for further implementation of development project and commencement of construction work. Alexander Burtovoy is lead partner, supported by Maxim Korchagin and Vasiliy Sheretko.

Dentons is notably active in energy, infrastructure, retail and real estate development sectors. The firm’s real estate expertise is vividly applied in its renewable energy practice, inter alia, supporting construction of renewable energy plants and production facilities, and handling acquisitions of project companies. The firm advised Grasshopper ­Solar Corporation on real estate and land matters in connection with its business activities in Ukraine. The firm advised in a landmark deal on the retail market, having represented REWE Group on the sale of the Billa supermarket chain in Ukraine, which encompassed 35 Billa supermarkets. Another notable area of focus is real estate financing. Most recently the office provided complex legal advice to a leading Canadian developer in connection with the financing and development of real estate projects in Ukraine. Volodymyr Monastyrskyy is lead partner.

The EY Ukraine real estate and construction team is experienced in retail, energy, agriculture, oil and gas, and confirms its very well-­established positions in infrastructure. For example, EY provided all round legal support with pre-feasibility assessment of potential options for private investment in the infrastructure of four regional airports in Ukraine, with a focus on real estate matters. EY is present in the new pipeline of PPP transactions in Ukrainian sea ports formed after the recent success of pilot concessions in Kherson and Olvia sea ports. EY works as legal and financial advisor on the project pre-feasibility analysis of transferring assets of the First and Container Terminals of Chornomorsk sea port into concession. Another notable project in 2020 was advising international fund regarding the development of a memorial and museum complex. The team also covers real estate aspects within the framework of financial restructuring procedures handled by EY. Borys Lobovyk, Bogdan Malniev and Kateryna Oliinyk are the main figures.

Ilyashev & Partners is a market-leading dispute resolution force regularly called upon for representation in high value property rights and regulatory disputes, and enriched its practice portfolio with real estate acquisitions and privatization matters. For example, the firm advised Budpostach, a leading national player of professional equipment and the tooling market in Ukraine, with respect to privatization of state property in Kyiv. The team advises Dream Team Company during the settlement of issues related to the use of agricultural land in the ­Artsyzsk District of Odesa Region; and represents Absolute Holding in a dispute regarding privatization of two office buildings in Kyiv. The firm is known for its extensive work in corporate conflicts and debt recovery matters. For example, the firm represents DH ­Invest Neruhomist LLC (the company owns property rights to lease of premises in Respublika Shopping Center) in litigation with a bank on recovery of debt under a loan agreement. The team includes Leonid Gilevich, Artem Mikhailov and Maksym Reshtakov (joined from Vasil Kisil & ­Partners). Dmytro Hrybov was singled out as a rising star due to delivery of an impressive level of services.

INTEGRITES maintains its sustainable client portfolio, advising the biggest international developers on the Ukrainian renewables market and large investors in the infrastructure sector. The firm continued to support NBT, Total Eren, Scatec Solar, EuroCape/Longwing, ÜMITLI on construction, commissioning and operation, as well as drafting of FIDIC-based EPC contracts. The real estate team acts on the firm’s mandates on corporate restructuring and joint ventures, asset deals and wide range of lease matters. The firm advises a global technology company on leasing industrial premises which will be used as an assembly plant for supplies in the region. Managing partner Dr. Oleksiy Feliv is known for implementing high-scale multilevel wind and solar power projects. Another highly-focused practitioner is Gennadii Roschepii^[2].

Domestic law firm JN Legal is focused primarily on real estate and construction, being present across development of construction of residential premises and commercial property projects. The firm advises its long-standing client Creator Bud in the course of construction of 20 residential premises complexes in Kyiv, Lviv and Ternopil. It is noteworthy that the firm assisted with allocation of a land plot for construction of a new hotel of the Intercontinental Hotel Group and provides full legal support to the project. ATB Corporation instructs the firm to support acquisition of land plots and expansion of its network of supermarkets in Ukraine. Ian Levitas is the main point of contact.

The Kyiv office of Kinstellar spans its activity on supporting transactions involving real estate, construction and infrastructure projects, complex land regulatory matters and commercial lease and sublease, privatization and real estate disputes. The firm played a vivid role in infrastructure projects, namely sea port concession and PPPs in roads and the municipal transport sector. The team represented Qatari port operator QTerminals LLC in the first ever and largest port concession tender in Ukraine followed by the agreement for the 35-year concession of Olvia port, and is currently advising the World Bank Group on the Project Policies, Legal Framework, Financing and Private Sector Participation Study (PFPSP) for the Troyeschina Rapid Transit in the Ukrainian capital. Privatization highlights take in ongoing advisory for the State Property Fund of Ukraine on matters related to privatization of Odesa Port Plant. The real estate team also acts within the framework of renewable energy projects, and construction matters within industrial projects of the firm’s clients and municipal infrastructure mandates. In 2020 the office increased the number of assignments from the retail sector, most recently advising Inditex Ukraine in relation to review, improvement and enforceability of certain provisions of their template lease and sublease agreements. The firm’s client roster also includes McDonald’s Ukraine, Mitsubishi Corporation, Syngenta. Practice head Oleg Matiusha is endorsed for his PPP expertise in infrastructure projects, as well as knowledge in construction law, acquisition and lease. He is also noted for his unique expertise as a local real estate expert in arbitration proceedings.

Redcliffe Partners is a highly-active legal counsel in M&A and project finance in the renewable energy market and infrastructure sector, and possesses a fast growing real estate team covering relevant aspects of these mandates. Inter alia, the team rendered Ukrainian property, construction and regulatory advice in terms of acting for Morgan Securities Plc in connection with project finance for the construction and operation of a wind farm to be located in Zaporizhzhya Region. Another notable example is ongoing follow-up support for the EBRD and IFC with amendment of the mortgage and pledge agreements with regard to real estate and other property following the commissioning of certain terminal facilities within two extended parallel senior secured loans to M.V. Cargo to finance the construction of a new private grain terminal in the Black Sea commercial port of ­Yuzhniy. Significant workflow consists of real estate due diligence of target projects in M&A in the renewable sector, advising foreign ­investors in construction activities in Ukraine. Svitlana Teush is lead partner, with recognized expertise in construction matters and FIDIC projects.

Ukrainian law firm TOTUM is a reputable real estate boutique with a full-circle offering for mainly domestic clients — construction and engineering companies, investors and developers, industrial leaders in various economic sectors, associations of co-owners of multi-apartment houses, private investors. A significant part of the portfolio is centered on land law regulations, allocation and legal status of land plots, comprehensive due diligence, land use, land lease agreements. In a recent highlight, the firm assisted Industrial Technical Company Agromat Ltd in executing its right to rent a land plot. The firm has notable expertise in land duties and fees, urban planning and land zoning, as well as issues regarding cultural heritage. This past year the team reached two precedent practice setting cases, inter alia, change of designated purpose of a land plot for city planning needs without a detailed plan of the territory, and establishment of court practice for reduction of land tax. In addition, the firm assists with reconstruction of buildings in Kyiv, and supports investment projects aimed at modernizing and expanding industrial facilities, commercial property construction and lease. The strong side of the team is its exceptional knowledge of specific city planning regulations, enabling it to receive complex commercial and communal property lease mandates and assess investment projects prior to their launch. The firm recently extended its activity in investment projects using PPP, and also offers GR support. The ­clients include Industrial and ­Construction Group ­Kovalska, Ukrbusiness Group Alliance, Lithome Group Ukraine, ­Kyyivska ­Makaronna ­Fabryka, Energy and Industrial Group ­Tekhenerhomash, KDD Engineering, EVON Group and others. Both partners were referred for experience in their respected fields. Yuriy Khapko takes in real estate and construction work, while Bohdan ­Yaskiv leads the provision of land law advice.

Andriy Kravets & Partners renders legal support on the acquisition of commercial properties, i.e. land parcels, office buildings, hotels, premises for industrial use, and negotiates and drafts property acquisition agreements. The firm’s client list takes in, among others, Ukrainski Kovbasy, Mekos and Sophia, a group of companies owning a business center situated in Kyiv.

Founded in 2019, Ukrainian boutique Dictio commands a full-­service offering in real estate and construction, including specific dispute resolution. The client roster includes prominent construction holdings, investment and development companies, suppliers and manufacturers of construction materials, investors, domestic and foreign companies, high net worth individuals. The team was retained by Electrum Ukraine, which specializes in comprehensive support to investment projects, construction of energy facilities, regarding the construction of one of the largest wind power plants. The main dispute highlight is representation of developer Oniks Build, a leading ­Ukrainian construction company that implements residential, commercial, ­industrial construction and reconstruction projects, in a dispute with the architectural and construction control authorities regarding the commissioning of an apartment block in downtown Kyiv. Clients include Hempel Ukraine and DCH Investment Management. Olena Shtohryn, managing partner, rapidly expands the firm’s client portfolio and partnership network.

ESQUIRES handles legal support in the acquisition and transfer of office premises and land plots, due diligence, reconstruction projects, operations with land banks and subsequent regulations. The client roster takes in, among others, RiverHouse LLC, Lithome Group Ukraine LLC, Aventus LLC, Progres LLC. Viktoria Kovalchuk is the practice head.

GOLAW assists with real estate and construction work pertaining to renewable energy projects. The firm rendered comprehensive legal support for receipt of the necessary documents for the construction of the Khmelnytsky biofuel power plant; advised Beycelik-Elawan, a joint Spanish-Turkish company, on the development of long-term lease agreements for private land plots for a wind farm project. Another highlight is comprehensive legal support for Ubisoft Ukraine, a subsidiary of a well-known French IT group, in connection with the change of office for the Ukrainian branch. Max Lebedev and Oleksandr Melnyk are active in practice assignments.

KM Partners acts on regulatory assignments involving land matters, ownership and use of land plots, protection of agricultural land, land lease and subsequent disputes. The firm possesses broad experience in supporting the construction works of its clientele. Taxation within real estate and land transactions is another renowned expertise of this leading tax firm. Maxim Oleksiuk is lead partner.

KPMG Law Ukraine demonstrates a mixture of advisory and dispute representation. In particular, the team advised one of the leading international groups in clinical trial services during acquisition of a Ukrainian company, owning a nine-floor business center located in Kyiv and related land plots. Given its established workflow in renewable energy sector the firm renders comprehensive legal support to E-Group in connection with development and financing of the solar power plant. The representative cases from the dispute portfolio include representation of China National Complete Engineering Corporation Ukraine in the court dispute regarding its rights to the land plot; long-lasting representation of CTPark Lviv in a court dispute with the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, which seeks invalidation of the land sale and purchase agreement under which the land plot for development of the first industrial park in Ukraine was purchased. ­Sergey Popov and Yuriy Katser are the key contacts.

Legal & Economic Security (LES) commands an urban development practice. The firm acts on regulatory compliance issues and disputes appealing limitations. The firm is particularly known for its environmental practice, which is essentially required for handling development projects. Serhiy Kolisnyk, managing partner, is the main contact.

Lexwell & Partners advises on property transactions, and represented the interests of an Austrian investor on the acquisition and operation of a number of business centers in the heart of Kyiv. The firm advises Sumitec Ukraine, part of the Sumitomo Corporation, on the acquisition of a land plot for further construction of industrial facilities and expanding its activity in Ukraine. Andriy Kolupaev is the key contact.

The focus of MK Legal Service is on the HoReCa sector, with an established following of leading restaurant chains in Ukraine. The firm has experience in investment and construction projects, lease, regulatory compliance and related disputes. In 2020 the firm supported its clients in negotiations with landlords on lease relations during the quarantine period caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Its public clients include Gastrofamily, Dmitry Borisov’s family of restaurants, a large restaurant chain, which unites more than 50 diverse restaurants. Maksym Kurochko, managing partner, is the main contact.

Vdovychen & Partners continues to develop its advisory service for construction and reconstruction support, and handles real estate and land disputes. The firm quite recently advised on the development of the gated community in a neighborhood of Kyiv; rendered full legal support in reconstruction of the building into a trade and office center in the heart of the Ukrainian capital. On the dispute front the team acted in a case on the recognition of a land lease agreement as invalid. Oleg Vdovychen and Andrii Molchanov are the main figures.

The Kyiv office of Wolf Theiss regularly assists foreign companies entering the Ukrainian market with real estate lease, also conducting subsequent work as part of broader transactions and industrial construction projects. The office handles construction and land issues pertaining to development of renewable energy projects. For example, the firm advises Optimum Solar Kft., a leading Hungarian solar power equipment producer and developer of solar power projects, among others, conducted legal due diligences of land use rights, construction permits and licenses, assets and liabilities of the projects contemplated as targets for investments. The firm also advises on a range of lease matters. For example, it advised Oracle in relation to the lease and construction of office premises in the city of Odesa. The practice is led by managing partner Taras Dumych.

Ukrainian law firm Arzinger* with offices in Kyiv, Odesa and Lviv, is traditionally named among active legal counsel in corporate transactions, real estate acquisitions, real estate finance, construction projects, commercial property lease. The practice is led by managing partner Timur Bondaryev^[3].

Vasil Kisil & Partners*, a long-standing domestic counsel, is praised by peers for its solid expertise, with particular focus on representation of buyers in acquisition of real estate, and advising on construction matters. Alexander Borodkin is the practice head.

Natalyia Dotsenko-Belous, Transactional Law Boutique, is referred during peers’ review. Inna Sukhostavets, Instanto, was endorsed for her unique and extensive experience in working with FIDIC-based construction contracts in Ukraine.

REGIONAL COUNSEL

 

The Odesa-based ANK Law Office is one the most vivid counsel in southern Ukraine, which is called upon to handle significant construction projects and the largest port infrastructure mandates. This past year the firm assisted its clients in the completion of construction projects commenced in previous years, particularly those connected with agribusiness. ANK acted as legal counsel to Autogroup Kropyvnytskyi in carrying out the project on the construction and putting into operation of a RENAULT dealership showroom in Kropyvnytskyi, which was unveiled in April 2020. The firm also acted as legal counsel to owners of Milano hotel in Odesa on the signing of an agreement with ­Radisson regarding rebranding of the hotel and introduction of the standards of the Radisson hotel chain. Other clients include Brooklyn-Kiev, SC CTO of the company HHLA, Olimpex Coupe International, Metalsukraine Corp. Ltd, VG Trade. The team includes Dmytro ­Kolodiazhnyi, ­Kateryna Bondarenko, Vladyslav Brig, and is led by founding partner Oleksandr Kyfak.

Jurline is a legal counsel to leading construction companies in Odesa Region, and assists in the implementation of their major projects. The firm regularly advises on developing construction schemes, real estate transactions, and acquisition of land plots, property rights and regulatory matters. The firm advised on the implementation of a contract for dredging services in the port of Constanta (Romania). ­Clients take in ZARS, Kadorr Group, TIS, TIS-Grain and other domestic and foreign companies. The practice includes Nina Rizun and ­Oleksandra Khrishcheva, as led by Volodymyr Zubar and Maxim Kapelist.

Krolevetskyi & Partners, a vivid law firm based in Kharkiv, renders legal advice for construction and rebuilding works, development projects, real estate purchase and sale, as well as investment activity. The firm acts for Avenue Development Ltd on attracting finance for construction of residential premises in Kharkiv. Stalkonstruktsia-1 LLC hired the firm for legal assistance with major renovation of a food processing company in Kharkiv, reconstruction of a mining and refining plant and project development of industrial buildings. Viktoriia ­Zaitseva is the practice head.

Odesa-based Law Firm De-Jure works on residential premises and is a port of call for significant building companies as well as private investors — both residents and non-residents. The firm is focused on property selling and buying, structuring investments and attracting finance in real estate and construction, performing risk advisory, compliance of premises and authorization. Grygorii Tripulskyi is the main figure.

Kharkiv-based law firm Shkrebets & Partners is traditionally active in real estate property and land plot rights disputes, and is known for supporting significant industrial construction in the region. The firm’s portfolio encompasses recovery of real estate finance, regulatory disputes, acquisition of land plots and real estate premises. Privatization is another area of expertise. Public clients include ­Municipal Enterprise KharkivZelenbud and Kharkiv Zoo. Anton ­Martynenko is the practice head.

Cherkasy-based Rezultat Law Firm is a vivid player in the respective region, and is endorsed by real estate practitioners from capital-based firms. The firm is enlisted for developing urban planning documentation, execution of property rights and the commissioning of residential and non-residential premises. This past year saw the firm represented the interests of Children’s Camp in obtaining the lease for a lake, including land tenure and participation in a land auction. The firm is experienced in supporting industrial construction. For ­example, it acts for Adana 3 LLC in connection with the construction of a production facility for processing and freezing berries; and supports the commissioning of photovoltaic power plant LedBud. Artem Suchylo and Liubov Polishkevych are the main practitioners.

^[1] Effective 14 June 2021, the Kyiv office of DLA Piper was acquired by Kinstellar.

^[2] Left the firm at the beginning of 2021.

^[3] The firms marked with * have not submitted information for the current research.