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PRESENTATION ULF 2015

Who Is Who

Corporate

Leading FIRMS

  1. Asters
  2. Sayenko Kharenko
  3. Baker & McKenzie
  4. Vasil Kisil & Partners
  5. Arzinger

Leading INDIVIDUALS

  1. Vladimir SAYENKO Vladimir SAYENKO (Sayenko Kharenko)
  2. Viacheslav YAKYMCHUK Viacheslav YAKYMCHUK (Baker & McKenzie)
  3. Vadym SAMOILENKO Vadym SAMOILENKO (Asters)
  4. Mykola STETSENKO Mykola STETSENKO (Avellum Partners)
  5. Anna BABYCH Anna BABYCH (Aequo)

OTHER NOTABLE PRACTITIONERS

Listed in alphabetical order

  • Yaroslav ABRAMOV Yaroslav ABRAMOV (Silver seal advisers)
  • Leonid ANTONENKO Leonid ANTONENKO (Sayenko Kharenko)
  • Oleg BATYUK Oleg BATYUK (Dentons)
  • Maksym CHERKASENKO Maksym CHERKASENKO (Arzinger)
  • Yevhen DEYNEKO Yevhen DEYNEKO (Clifford Chance)
  • Tetyana GAVRYSH Tetyana GAVRYSH (ILF (INYURPOLIS Law Firm))
  • Olyana GORDIYENKO Olyana GORDIYENKO (Baker & McKenzie-CIS, Limited)
  • Ernest GRAMATSKIY Ernest GRAMATSKIY (Gramatskiy & Partners)
  • Oksana ILCHENKO Oksana ILCHENKO (Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners)
  • Margarita KARPENKO Margarita KARPENKO (DLA Piper Ukraine)
  • Armen KHACHATURYAN Armen KHACHATURYAN (Asters)
  • Olena KIBENKO Olena KIBENKO (Kibenko, Onika & Partners)
  • Alexey KOT Alexey KOT (ANTIKA Law Firm)
  • Denis LYSENKO (Aequo)
  • Oleh MALSKYY Oleh MALSKYY (AstapovLawyers
    International Law Group)
  • Olexander MARTINENKO Olexander MARTINENKO (CMS Cameron McKenna)

Mergers & Acquisitions

Leading FIRMS

  1. Sayenko Kharenko
  2. Avellum Partners
  3. Baker & McKenzie
  4. Asters
  5. Vasil Kisil & Partners

Leading INDIVIDUALS

  1. Mykola STETSENKO Mykola STETSENKO (Avellum Partners)
  2. Vladimir SAYENKO Vladimir SAYENKO (Sayenko Kharenko)
  3. Viacheslav YAKYMCHUK Viacheslav YAKYMCHUK (Baker & McKenzie)
  4. Oleg BATYUK Oleg BATYUK (Dentons)
  5. Oleksiy DIDKOVSKIY Oleksiy DIDKOVSKIY (Asters)

OTHER NOTABLE PRACTITIONERS

Listed in alphabetical order

  • Leonid ANTONENKO Leonid ANTONENKO (Sayenko Kharenko)
  • Anna BABYCH Anna BABYCH (Aequo)
  • Graham Conlon (CMS Cameron McKenna)
  • Olyana GORDIYENKO Olyana GORDIYENKO (Baker & McKenzie-CIS, Limited)
  • Oksana ILCHENKO Oksana ILCHENKO (Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners)
  • Margarita KARPENKO Margarita KARPENKO (DLA Piper Ukraine)
  • Armen KHACHATURYAN Armen KHACHATURYAN (Asters)
  • Denis LYSENKO (Aequo)
  • Oleh MALSKYY Oleh MALSKYY (AstapovLawyers
    International Law Group)
  • Adam MYCYK Adam MYCYK (Chadbourne & Parke LLP)
  • Tatiana ZAMORSKA Tatiana ZAMORSKA (KPMG Ukraine)

Corporate / Mergers & Acquisitions

Ukrainian heavyweight Asters enjoys a busy well-fledged corporate practice advising such clients as Molson Coors Brewing Company, Coca-Cola Ukraine, Wizz Air Ukraine Airlines LLC, Phos-Agro. The firm advised Wizz Air Ukraine Airlines LLC on corporate governance streamlining and various aspects of Ukrainian corporate law in connection with the client’s business and day-to-day operations in Ukraine. Over the past year the firm has been engaged in large scale corporate disputes, for example, represented Ostchem(Group DF)in a series of corporate disputes against Uralkalii with regard to PJSC Azot, Cherkassy. The M&A workload was in agriculture, chemical industry, construction, insurance. The team has been often attracted as a legal counsel for transactions in banking and financial sector, and advised Swedbank AB in connection with sale of its Ukrainian subsidiary JSC Swedbank (public) to Mykola Lagun, the majority shareholder of JSC Delta Bank; and advised Promatec Limited in connection with acquisition of LLC K-Kollekt, one of the Ukrainian largest factoring companies, from BNP Paribas (France). The firm’s M&A practice brought together expertise from reputed partners Armen Khachaturyan, Oleksiy Didkovskiy, Vadym Samoilenko, Oleksandr Padalka*.

 

Sayenko Kharenko is regularly referred to as the preferred legal counsel in Ukraine on corporate and M&A law matters. In 2013 the primary focus areas fall into cross-border M&A, corporate structuring, corporate governance, and specific niche services related to privacy, data protection, and anti-bribery regulations. Last autumn the firm established representation in London and reinforced its capacities in advising clients on cross-border transactions structured under the laws of England and Wales. Selected project highlights in 2013 include advising Alpha Bank, a leading Greek bank, on the sale of Ukrainian Astra Bank; representing Citibank on the acquisition of ING’s securities and custody services business in 7 CEE markets; acting for Citi Venture Capital International and Apollo, private equity firms, on the acquisition of 3 shopping malls operating under the Karavan trademark; advising on the sale of the controlling stake in Portmone and MBK Financial Company to Europe Virgin Fund; acting for PPF Group related to the acquisition of the Generali Life Insurance Ukraine. The highly recognized partner Vladimir Sayenko splits his time on M&A, corporate and competition work. Partner Andrei Liakhov is focused on cross-border corporate transactions. Counsels Leonid Antonenko, Svitlana Kheda, Dmytro Korbut, Vitaly Kravchenko, and Alina Plyushch are the leading practitioners in the team.

 

International law firm Baker & McKenzie retains its position as one of the top corporate and M&A teams in the country. The office is often acclaimed by international companies to support establishment of joint ventures and strategic alliances in strategic economic sectors. In a recent M&A highlight the firm advised UIuzu Motors Limited on the acquisition of the additional shares in PJSC Isuzu Automotive Company from Ukrainian company Bogdan Corporation. It is worth noting that the Kiev team is the major legal counsel for private equity players. For example, it advised Western NIS Enterprise Fund (predecessor of Horizon Capital) on sale of all of its investment in the AVK confectionary business; and several sellers — Horizon Capital and East Capital on the sale of  Pt Platinum Public Limited (Cyprus), the holding company, which owns 100% of PJSC Platinum Bank (Ukraine). Viacheslav Yakymchuk, partner, has a strong projects profile and is one of the top market practitioners. Olyana Gordiyenko, seasoned professional with nearly 12 years of experience, was promoted to the office’s partner.

 

Vasil Kisil & Partners continues to handle some of the most significant deals in the banking, retail, media industries past year. The team acts for a broad range of domestic and international clients when the complex deal structure and full legal support is required. Since Ukrainian Media Holding Group, the largest Ukrainian media group, was a standing client of the firm, the corporate and M&A team was instructed onjoint venture in media and IT business with TRK Ukraine and handled representation of group’s sale to VETEK Group. Another notable representation was rendered to Epicenter-K Group, the largest Ukrainian DIY retail chain, on acquiring a controlling stake in the Nova Linia group of companies, the No.2 market player in the Ukrainian DIY retail sector. Partners Denis Lysenko and Anna Babych are highly referenced market practitioners. Demonstrating its dedication in the banking sector, the team headed by Yulia Kyrpa, partner, advised Credit Agricole S.A. on merger of its two Ukrainian subsidiaries — Credit Agricole Bank and Corporate and Investment Bank Credit Agricole. Alexander Borodkin, partner, manages the project of firm’s client Hubei Changyang Hongxin Industrial Group Co., Ltd, China’s largest producer of electrolytic manganese, on acquiring shares in the Ukrainian company, which has special permits to develop a manganese deposit in Ukraine.*

* In August 2014 five partners – Denis Lysenko, Mariya Nizhnik, Anna Babych, Oleksandr Mamunya and Yulia Kyrpa left Vasil Kisil & Partners and established Aequo law firm.

 

Arzinger’s corporate advice includes both governance and structuring/restructuring, incorporation issues, investments support, corporate compliance, M&A. A recent example was advising Budhouse in the investment project for construction of trade center in Lviv; supported the establishment of a subsidiary in Ukraine for Camper, a well-known Spanish manufacturer of footwear and accessories, advising on the optimal structure, corporate governance, day-to-day business issues, etc. The recent M&A track record was dominated with the energy sector work. The firm represented a number of investors in their acquisitions of oil businesses. Corporate and M&A team is led by firm’s partner Maksym Cherkasenko with contribution from senior associates Alesya Pavlynska, Igor Grigoriev, Lada Shelkovnikova.In December 2013 the team has been strengthened with the arrival of new partner Anna Zorya (previously partner at Ulysses). Her specialization encompasses M&A,cross-border structured finance transactions and other transactions in the capital markets and debt financing.

 

Concentrating on corporate finance work, Avellum Partners has grown its profile of international and big-ticket deals on the Ukrainian market. In 2013 the 10-lawyer team advised Mohawk Group on Ukrainian law matters on the EUR 1.17 billion acquisition of Marazzi Group; and represented Kernel Holding S.A. on a USD 68 million binding agreement to acquire an 80% interest in Druzhba-Nova, a farming business. This team stands out for its engagement in deals of private equity players exits. For example, the M&A team represented the group of buyers on the acquisition of a 100% stake in Pt Platinum Public Limited (Cyprus), the holding company, which owns 100% of PJSC Platinum Bank from Horizon Capital and East Capital. Moreover, the team advised AVK on the buyout of 25.1% of shares in AVK from Horizon Capital, a private equity fund manager. General corporate and commercial issues as well restructuring mandates are also present in its workload. Further, the firm impress with clients portfolio that includes Mitsubishi Corporation, Rompetrol Group, PTO Consolidated Ltd, Andreas Stihl, Robert Bosch. Mykola Stetsenko, managing partner, is one of the brightest practitioners of the last few years, known for strong expertise and business generation capabilities. Kostiantyn Likarchuk is another lead partner, responsible for handling shareholders disputes, real estate transactions.

 

The Kiev office of Dentons (former Salans)attracts clients from a range of sectors, in particular, banking, finance, agricultural and especially, energy, etc. The firm rendered a corporate law advice to a Russia-based TVEL Nuclear Fuel Company in connection with construction of a nuclear fuel production plant in Ukraine. Among clients seeking regular corporate advice with Dentons are Sberbank of Russia (Ukraine), Visa International, Volvo Financial Services. The past year demonstrated involvement in benchmark M&A deals on the Ukrainian market and complex cross-border mandates. Thus, the firm advised the majority shareholders of Kreditprombank PJSC on USD 25 million sale of shares in Kreditprombank to Mykola Lagun, the majority shareholder of PJSC Delta Bank. CUB Energy Inc. instructed Dentons to handle legal support in respect of the acquisition of a private Ukrainian oil and gas exploration company Technogasindustria. Oleg Batyuk, head of the corporate practice group, is a seasoned professional with established market standing. The projects engaged other partners — Igor Davidenko, Myron Rabij, Markian Silecky and Ihor Mehedynyuk.

 

Corporate is a core practice of DLA Piper in Ukraine, and provides a combination of in-depth expertise — both on a local and international level. The team headed by Margarita Karpenko, managing partner, advises on M&A, business start-ups, conduct of corporate procedures, comprehensive restructuring and business consolidation. Among the clients of the team are Slavutich Carlsberg Group, Kraft Foods, Europe Virgin Fund, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Rezidor Group, ITE, East Balt, LycoRed, and many others. Recent examples of work include legal support to Europe Virgin Fund, a private equity fund, in its investment in Sperco Ukraine, pharmaceutical manufacturer of Ukraine; acting as a legal counsel to LycoRed, an international producer of dietary supplements, in connection with its investment into Vitan, a beta-carotene-based products producer; full legal support to East Balt, an international bakery company, in its sale of business on a global level to One Equity Partners, the private investment arm of JP Morgan Chase & Co. Noteworthy highlight includes successful representation of Swissport International Ltd, an international handling company, in its corporate dispute with Ukrainian International Airlines regarding the ownership title to a share in JV. Galyna Zagorodniuk and Alla Kozachenko, legal directors are involved in every M&A transaction handled by the office. Oleksandr Kurdydyk, partner, handles M&A in finance and energy sectors.

 

The long presence of Chadbourne & Parke on the domestic market in conjunction with its parent network ensured the firm steady flow of instructions from global players on their transactions related to Ukraine. The office acted as a legal advisor to the AES Corporation on the sale of its two Ukrainian regional power distribution companies, 89.12% equity interest in AES Kyivoblenergo and 84.56% equity interest in AES Rivneoblenergo, to VS Energy International, a leading energy group in Ukraine. In the banking sector, the team represented international lenders on their final sale of the remaining debt and equity in Kreditprombank, to Mykola Lagun, and their remaining senior and subordinated debt to an affiliate of Delta Bank. Jaroslawa Johnson, managing partner, is a seasoned market resident. The office reinforced its position with admission of Adam Mycyk** as an international partner in February 2013. He has vast experience advising Ukrainian and international clients on a variety of corporate/M&A, banking and finance transactions in diverse industries. Anna Putintseva, has been promoted to the position of international counsel.

** In August 2014 Adam Mycyk joined the Kiev office of Dentons as a partner.

 

AstapovLawyers international law group demonstrates extremely diverse and solid client portfolio. The group acts for a broad range of domestic and international clients on a regular basis using its network that covers Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan. From the recently completed M&A mandates are representing Great East Energy, Inc. in an option to indirectly purchase 100% ownership of the Ukrainian companies that controls 400 square kilometers of natural gas producing properties in Southeastern Ukraine. Oleh Malskyy, partner and head of the practice, is a vivid rainmaker in the group. Maksym Uslisty is another important figure in this practice.

Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners (EPA&P) is a preferred legal counsel for many top Ukrainian and international names and enjoys CIS network and cross-borders capacities. EPA&P Ukraine provides ongoing advice on corporate and other matters to Intersystems Inc. In a recent M&A highlight is representation of private equity investment group Apax Partners LLP in app. USD 460 million acquisition of Global Logic. EPA&P offices in Kiev and in London acted as Ukrainian and English law counsel to DCH Group in the transaction of Metallist Football Club’s sale. Oksana Ilchenko, partner, is a head of M&A and corporate practice at EPA&P Ukraine. Partner Ilona Zekely, an Austrian lawyer, guided corporate and M&A instructions of international companies on their activities in Ukraine.

 

CMS Cameron McKenna is a particularly strong player in the Ukrainian office’s core industries as oil and gas, IT, private equity and finance. In the past year the team handled acquisition-related assignments and remained a go to firm for international corporate matters. The team is led by Graham Conlon, an English-qualified solicitor, the global co-head of international private equity, and the head of corporate and M&A in Ukraine. The name of Olexander Martinenko is one the most reputable on the Ukrainian market. The corporate team includes Olga Belyakova, Ruslan Ostapenko, Andriy Buzhor, Victor Chykyrynda.

 

International law firm Integrites enjoys its established CIS network and is acclaimed for corporate matters including international ones. The team has grown its presence in the investment industry and assisted Ukrainian subsidiary of one of the largest Russia-based investment group A1 in the course of restructuring of the management system. Integrites represented Certus Regimen, a major Croatian investment company, on acquisition of several food production facilities in Eastern and Southern Ukraine. Further, the team advised Okyanus, a major subcontractor engaged in the New Safe Confinement project at Chernobyl Nuclear Plant on the matters related to renewal of its corporate presence in Ukraine. Yaroslav Abramov, who is active in the firm’s corporate/M&A projects over the last few years was promoted to counsel. The practice is led by partner Oleksandr Aleksyeyenko.

 

Wolf Theiss commands cross-border capacities and competence in private equity work. The team under the leadership of the office managing partner Taras Dumych advised LUKOIL International GmbH on a complex cross-border M&A transaction for the sale of Odessa Oil Refinery Plant. His team represented One Equity Partners in all of the transactional matters in Ukraine related to the acquisition of East Balt Inc. The firm’s client list include MND Drilling & Services, Frutarom, Ithuba Natural Resources Fund, IFC, AVentures.

 

Schoenherr has a vivid commitment to multidisciplinary projects and multijurisdictional mandates supported by an extensive network of offices across the CEE region. The Kiev team led by partner Denys Sytnyk continuously advises Andritz Hydro, a global supplier of electro-mechanical systems and services for hydropower plants, on various regulatory issues, including corporate law. By its office in Sofia, Belgrade and Kiev the firm advised Alfa Finance Holding AD on the sale of 67.32% of the share capital of Kaolin AD to Germany’s Quarzwerke GmbH. Mariya Sukhan, partner, led the project in Kiev.

 

Lavrynovych & Partners is in particular demand from clients in the financial, transport and telecom sectors, as well as state enterprises. The team led by the firm’s managing partner Maksym Lavrynovych advised HYUNDAI on issues of industrial park establishment in Ukraine. His team rendered comprehensive legal support of opening of the first Petit Bateau store in Ukraine. Among the clients of the firm are Kyivstar, Swissport International Ltd, Türk Telekom InternationalUA and others.The team commands rapidly growing track record in the banking sector.

 

Moris Group is regularly seen handling corporate disputes and supporting M&A with distinctive focus on agrarian and energy sectors. In particular, UkrLandFarming, the largest Ukrainian agro-industrial holding company, enlists the team to provide regular corporate and M&A advice to its numerous enterprises. The team represented LUKOIL-Naftokhim, in a USD 70 million dispute with the Office of the Prosecutor-General of Ukraine regarding entering property into a statutory fund. Partners Maryan Martynyuk and Oleg Parylyak are the team leaders.

 

FCLEX, Ukrainian law company, demonstrated its sharp focus on advising industrial clients. In 2013 the firm advised on the establishment of USD 95 million investment (joint) operations between the Mukachevsky Zavod Tochpribor and two leading European electronics producers. Viktor Barsuk and his team advised Zaliv Shipyard (on the side of Calexco S.A.R.L.) on the USD 18.2 million acquisition of shipbuilding assets of Bergen Group ASA by Calexco S.A.R.L. through a share purchase agreement with the subsequent transfer of shares to a newly-formed company.

 

Andriy Kravets & Partners, compact domestic law firm, advises on wide scope of corporate matters arising from everyday activities, the corporate aspects of complicated international and domestic transactions, as well as M&A. The firm advised Transbulkterminal LLC on payment of corporate and commercial distributions, obtainment of price evaluation acts and ensured the receipt of necessary approvals and licenses required under Ukrainian law. KSG Group and PSJ Holding prefer this team as its legal counsel for a full range of Ukrainian corporate, contractual and commercial law matters. Andriy Kravets, Vladyslav Lyaskovskiy, Daria Volkova were the key practitioners involved.

 

Law Offices of OMP maintains its commitment to the Ukrainian agrarian sector, supporting dedicated clients with arising corporate issues and transactional mandates. The 6-lawyer team is led by Yaroslav Sverdlichenko and advised Axzon Group on the USD 20 million acquisition of a pig-breeding complex in Ukraine and represented HarvEast Holding with extension of a land bank through acquisition of agricultural companies.

 

Corporate advice on restructuring matters is relevant for Misechko & Partners. The team, led by its managing partner Volodymyr Misechko, is hired by enterprises from engineering industry for corporate establishments and restructurings. Projects of Stroytransgaz and Progresstech enriched firm’s corporate portfolio last year.

 

KPMG is a premier choice for numerous leading industrial players as well as being the customary preference of international giants seeking comprehensive legal and tax advice. Recently the Kiev team acted for a leading trucks importer in Ukraine in connection with business restructuring. Another recent highlight is a post-acquisition support to Rosneft on acquired TNK-BP entities, when KPMG in Ukraine provided support with corporate and litigation matters relating to 71 Ukrainian companies of TNK-BP Group. Both tax and legal teams worked on tax and legal due diligence of Portomone.com representing the acquirer — Dragon Capital. Tatiana Zamorska, director, heads the legal team. The tax team is led by Sergey Popov, partner, and Oleg Chayka, director.

 

Gide Loyrette Nouel is a popular counsel for international and particular French business seeking multijurisdictional support including Ukraine. The Kiev office advised Bongrain, the world’s leader in the production of dairy products, in connection with corporate restructuring of its Ukrainian subsidiary that involves several jurisdictions. The team advised Belgium’s Sibelco Group, a global leader in the extraction, production and distribution of industrial minerals, on the sale of its Ukrainian subsidiary Donbas Ceramic Bodies, as an important part of the overall restructuring of Sibelco Group’s Ukrainian business. Partner and office head Bertrand Barrier and senior lawyer Illya Tkachuk are the primary practitioners involved.

 

The Kiev office of Beiten Burkhardt, as headed by Julian Ries, acted for a range of German and Austrian clients. He rendered advice to a German automotive manufacturer, Nexans autoelectric GmbH, regarding the implementation of new corporate governance structures, as well as on labor and general commercial issues, and advised VA Intertrading, Austrian grain trading company, with respect to restructuring of a Ukrainian corporate structure. The office was closed in December, and the team joined Gide Loyrette Nouel.

 

Highly regarded for its pharmaceutical and healthcare niche on the Ukrainian market, the Legal Alliance Company enjoys a steady stream of corporate instructions from its clientele. The scope of the offering includes corporate structure development and restructuring, corporate rights transfer, etc. Partners Oleksii Bezhevets and Dmytro Aleshko are the main points of contact.

 

The team of KM Partners accumulates corporate assignments from IT, energy, food industry and FMCG sector, support construction and infrastructure projects in Ukraine. Furthermore, the firm provides support to a number of projects related to liquidation of companies in Ukraine, closure of representative offices and related corporate issues. Partners Alexander Minin and Maxim Oleksiyuk are the primary point of contact.

 

Jurimex Law Firm has a diverse practice in corporate and M&A. Over the past year the firm represented Elzasel B.V. in the course of the acquisition of corporate rights of LLC Bontrup Terminal from UBC Construct Inc. (Canada) by Elzasel B.V. (Netherlands). The firm also provided representation in corporate disputes. Bohdan Shapoval and Oleksandr Shyshkanov led the firm’s projects.

 

Gramatskiy & Partners expanded its corporate practice, advising both domestic and international clients on establishing business, investment projects, shareholders contractual relations, as well corporate disputes representation. The firm’s founder Ernest Gramatskiy is the practice head. Regular clients of the firm — Danfoss, OJSC Plant Quant, Larsen, Media-Trade Ukraine instructed his team.The M&A practice is led by Yuriy Zabiyaka. In the outgoing  year his team represented Private JSC Gazinvest in the course of its acquisition by a major energy holding and acted for General Construction in respect of investment into the client with acquisition of  control by a private individual.

 

ENGARDE advises on various issues of the corporate law and corporate restructuring, as well as M&A. The firm recently acted as legal counsel to a group of foreign investors with respect to the acquisition of a Ukrainian oil and gas company Ukrgazvydobuvannia, LLC. The firm’s corporate partners, Andriy Vyshnevsky and Roman Ognevyuk, are the primary contacts.

 

Peterka & Partners, a Czech law firm, enjoys a flow of corporate assignments from CEE clientele with business interests in Ukraine. Its team handles ongoing comprehensive advisory services to ICZ s.r.o., a significant supplier of integrated software and network solutions, on registering corporate changes in Ukraine. Nina Sydorenko is the major contact.

 

Pavlenko & Poberezhnyuk Law Group is a compact domestic team greatly immersed in corporate disputes and corporate governance issues. The group advised its steady client, the Kyiv Factory of Sparkling Wines, one of the leading producers of sparkling wines in Ukraine, on corporate governance law issues in a dispute with the National Securities and Stock Market Commission on suspension of the company’s stock turnover. Both founding partners, namely Oleksandra Pavlenko and Larysa Poberezhnyuk are involved.

 

Lexwell & Partners confirms its dedication to handling corporate work for big industrial players. The team worked on implementation of corporate policies in the CRH Group’s companies in Ukraine and supported the group’s recent acquisition of Nikolaevcement from the Lafarge Group. In the energy field, the firm represented VS Energy Group in the acquisition of Kyivoblenergo and Rivneoblenergo from AES Group. The firm was enlisted by Evraz to render advice on Ukrainian corporate law during the arbitration process between the beneficiary of a major mining asset. The team is led by Andriy Kolupaev.

 

LCF Law Group has a streamlined focus on restructuring mandates and corporate disputes. In the last couple of years the group rapidly increased its presence in the Ukrainian banking sector. In 2013 the group led by its managing partner, Anna Ogrenchuk, represented PJSC Alfa-Bank in acquisition of 100% stake of Plant of Construction Materials No.1 (Nova Kakhovka, Kherson Region). Her team acted for PJSC Universal Bank in a corporate dispute with a grain-collecting enterprise.

 

ANTIKA Law Firm receives steady instructions come from established clients AWT Bavaria and Ghelamco. In particular, the corporate team advises AWT Bavaria on construction of the new BMW Importer and Dealership Center in Ukraine and provides full legal support to the client’s business operations in Ukraine. Managing partner Alexey Kot received peer endorsements for his corporate knowledge. Alexander Burtovoy is another lead partner.

 

The past year has brought M&A bulk to VB PARTNERS. The team acted as legal counsel to the Ukrainian business group on a series of acquisitions. Corporate advice in governance and structuring/restructuring matters remains an important element of the practice’s workload. The firm worked out corporate restructuring of the major supplier of textile Megapolis Textile. Denys Bugay is the major rainmaker at the firm.

 

Marchenko Danevych (established in December 2013 as a result of the merger of Danevych Law Firm and Ulysses)commands general corporate advice and establishing business presence. The firm’s clients include Servus Systems Integration LLC, Ukar-Pipe LLC, Afelio S.r.l., COGIPOWER, S.r.l., representative offices in Ukraine of PSI, BC Pharma B.V., Santen OY and others. In a recent M&A highlight, the team advised Aspen Pharmacare Holding Ltd on Ukrainian law matters in the process of acquisition of Arixtra and Fraxiparine medicines brands and related manufacturing facilities from GlaxoSmithKline Plc. Partner Oleh Marchenko became the practice head.

 

International Legal Center EUCON headed by Yaroslav Romanchuk is known for his deep tax dedication and rapid development of investment projects support service. The firm represented Hansa Ukraine LLC on corporate matters. With its notable focus on the dispute side, the center’s team has grown its expertise in corporate disputes and acted in several high profile matters. Yevgen Petrenko and Andrii Romanchuk are the main practitioners.

 

Kibenko, Onika & Partners, a renowned domestic law firm based in Kharkov, receives a steady workflow of sound projects in Eastern Ukraine. The firm acted as legal counsel to sellers in the acquisition of insurance company VELTA. The lawyers provided legal support in the incorporation of the Association of the Municipal Authorities Gediminas Route founded by the Lutsk, Kamenetz-Podolsk, Ostrog, Dubno, Izyaslav Khotinsk City Councils. The firm’s managing partner, Olena Kibenko, is a highly reputed seasoned practitioner admired by peers.

 

Juscutum Attorneys Association is a vivid player in the IT sector. It is used by clients for handling M&A, corporate structuring as well as incorporation support. The team assisted a Ukrainian software developer with corporate structuring facilitating the sale of applications through Facebook and Google Play and a Ukrainian anti-virus software developer corporate structuring. Ruslan Redka, Lana Golian, Artem Afian, Dmytro Gadomsky make up the firm’s team.

 

Yuliya Khomych is a partner at Zavadetskyi, Khomych Advocates, which represented OTP Bank in the course of acquisition of 3 companies which own pledged real estate objects (Trading Centre Materik, Business Centre Citadel-2, Dnepropetrovsk Freezing Plant) within the framework of restructuring and partial repayment of USD 50 million loan indebtedness of Rainford Group to OTP Bank Ukraine. Yuliya Khomych left at the end of 2013 to establish Khomych & Partners, and the new firm receives clients’ queries for corporate structuring.

 

Ilyashev & Partners, a renowned litigation force on the Ukrainian market, is known for handling corporate disputes. The noteworthy representation for late is a dispute regarding privatization of Bakhchisarai packer plant. Both partners Mikhail Ilyashev and Roman Marchenko are recognized names.

 

Alekseev, Boyarchukov & Partners commands expertise inpreventing several hostile takeovers in Ukraine. The firm acted for LLC Prizma Beta in asset protection matters and preventing occupation of a client’s property, including the Sky Mall shopping mall. Julia Kilchinskaya is the primary practitioner.

 

Ukrainian firm ILF, which has offices in Kharkov and Kiev, is focused on corporate establishment, restructuring, transactions with securities and M&A. Anton Zinchuk and Ivanna Pogrebniak advised Egger Holzwerkstoffe LLC on the paying out of dividends to an Austrian parent company. Irina Kovalchuk acted for National University of Pharmacy on the establishment of a science park. Tetyana Gavrysh, managing partner, enjoys legacy on the market.

 

Spenser & Kaufmann has been involved in a number of investment projects, with the following on pre-acquisition work and transactions related work. Ruslan Shevchuk, partner, led the firm’s projects1.

 

Gryphon Investment Consulting Group has the banking and finance sector as the premier area of its activity. Since the group has numerous assignments on the financial market, it gained solid regulatory expertise for its corporate structuring, restructuring, and M&A work. In 2013 the team was bolstered by subsequent instructions. Helen Lynnyk, Anna Chepur and Vasyl Marchenko are the prime contacts.

 

Law Firm Dynasty, a major legal advisor based in Dnepropetrovsk, handled corporate structuring and related corporate work for big industrial clients and rendered transactional support on investments. Partners Snejana Karagodina and Anna Poddubnaya are the main team contacts.

 

Clifford Chance attracts clients from agrarian, banking, energy, pharmaceutical and other sectors. Yevehen Deyneko has been mentioned by peers.

 

Vox Legum, the young Ukrainian law firm established in early 2013 by Mykhailo Spasov, provided legal advice to Ukrainian IT Company advice regarding corporate restructuring and acquisitions by a foreign investor.

 

AGA Partners, as led by Aminat Suleymanova, renders steady advice to clients (predominantly agrarian companies) on optimization of corporate structures. The Odessa-based Lexcellence Law Firm, carries out corporate instructions in the region. Corporate advice in structuring and restructuring matters features the workload of the Ukrainian law firm Pragnum, as headed by its managing partner, Vitaliy Bobrynev.


* In early March 2014 Oleksandr Padalka left Asters and joined Sayenko Kharenko.

1 In early 2014 Ruslan Shevchuk left the firm.


Regional Desks of International Law Firms
(Listed in Alphabetical Order)

Allen & Overy is one of the most often referred to as a strong international M&A law firm. The regional desk is headed by partner Philipp Wahl, London. The head of the Moscow corporate practice, partner Anton Konnov, has led the recent M&A mandates. In the past year, Amsterdam-based partner Charles Honee led the Allen & Overy offices advising ING Group N.V. as an international counsel on the sale of its custody business in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine to Citigroup Inc.

 

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has global M&A expertise advising on cross-border transactions. In 2013 the international law firm advised Global Ports Investments Plc in the acquisition of 100% of shares of NCC Group Limited. The regional desk consists of 10 professionals and is headed by Sebastian Lawson, a Moscow-based partner, who deals with CEE and CIS countries.

 

To view the international law firms M&A track, please see Table 3, p. 18 — 21.

Olga DMІTRIEVA Olga DMІTRIEVA, Attorney-at-Law, Managing Partner at Dmіtrieva & Partners Law Firm

Education:

Taras Schevchenko National University, speciality Jurisprudence (1987).

Second higher education at Kiev National Economic University, speciality Financial Management (2003-2004). 

 

Professional experience:

After graduating in 1987 Olga Dmіtrieva joined the Kiev Regional Bar Association. She worked at a legal advice office in Brovary till 1992. In 1992 Olga Dmіtrieva underwent a traineeship in a law firm in Canada. From 1993 to 1994 she headed the legal department of a Ukrainian-German joint venture. In 1994 Olga Dmіtrieva establised her own legal business; she is the founder and director of the Dmіtrieva & Partners Law Firm. The goal of the company’s activities is rendering a full range of legal services in such spheres as real estate, land legal relations, investment, economic law, taxation, corporate law, foreign-economic activity, privatization, bank and insurance law, corporate legal relations, representing the interests of clients in court.

In 2006 Olga Dmіtrieva was elected a member of the Board of the UAA and in 2008 she was elected the President of the Ukrainian Advocates’ Association. In 2011 she was reelected to this post.

In 2012 during the Constituent Congress of Advocates of Ukraine Olga Dmіtrieva was elected the Head of the Higher Audit Commission of the Ukrainian National Bar Association.

Practice Areas:

Investment activity and currency exchange control, foreign-economic activity, corporate law, tax law, international corporate law.

 

Languages:

Ukrainian, Russian, English

Roman SYVYY Roman SYVYY, Managing partner, Attorney-at-law at LawWhales Law Firm

Education:

Lviv Ivan Franko National University, Faculty of Law (Master of Law); Institute of Private Law and Enterprise of NALS of Ukraine (PhD).

 

Professional experience:

Roman Syvyy has experience of representing Ukrainian and foreign clients in M&A deals, foreign investments attracting, acquisition and structuring of their assets and business.

His main specialty areas are corporate law, corporate governance, M&A, antitrust and securities. Roman has success in advising his clients on tax, land and banking issues, as well as in carrying out the legal support of projects in the spheres of real estate, construction and investments. General amount of investments projects and M&A deals supported by Roman constitutes over USD 730 million. In the period of 2009 — 2012 Roman was a member of the Management Board of PJSC Concern Galnaftogaz. He is an author of over 60 publications in the field of law, including company law textbook. Roman is a member of Consulting Expert Group at the State Commission for Securities and Stock Market and an arbiter of Arbitration Court at All-Ukrainian Investments Association.

Practice Areas:

Corporate Law, M&A, Foreign Jurisdictions and Assets Structuring, International Financing and Foreign Investments, Real Estate and Construction, Land, Antitrust (Competition), Banking and Finance

 

Languages:

Ukrainian, Russian, English

Denys BUGAY Denys BUGAY, Partner, attorney-at-law at VB Partners law firm, President of the Ukrainian Bar Association

Education:

Yaroslav the Wise National Law Academy (2001); Ukrainian School of Political Studies (2009);

Summer University for Democracy of the Schools of Political Studies of the Council of Europe (2009).

 

Professional experience:

Denys Bugay specializes in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, white-collar crime, media and entertainment, GR, accompanying the political and electoral process. Mr. Bugay has considerable experience in handling projects in oil, gas, tobacco industries, banking and media spheres.

Based on the results of his professional activities Denys Bugay is on the list of the most recommended Ukrainian lawyers in the field of criminal law according to the Best Lawyers International research. In addition, Denys consistently ranks in the top 10 leading Ukrainian specialists on criminal and media law, and in the top 20 leading specialists in the area of corporate law in 2013 according to the research 50 Leading Law Firms in Ukraine conducted by Yuridicheskaya Practika  Publishing and Kommersant-Ukraine.

In May 2013, Denys Bugay was elected President of the Ukrainian Bar Association. As the newly elected President, Mr. Bugay is continuing to engage in the regional development of the Association, building effective relationships with government authorities, lobbying professional interests, as well as active participation in the system of attorneys self-government.

Practice Areas:

Corporate, M&A, Media & Entertainment, White-Collar Crime

 

Languages:

Ukrainian, Russian, English

Yaroslav SVERDLICHENKO Yaroslav SVERDLICHENKO, Partner of Law Offices of OMP

Education:

Master’s Degree in law in Ukraine (1999), LL.M. in Germany (2001), MBA from Kyiv-Mohyla Business School (2008).

 

Professional experience:

Yaroslav advised on a number of major projects on setting up industrial sites, including establishing joint ventures, legal support for transactions on the purchase of land plots with subsequent construction of industrial facilities thereon, and frequently provided legal consultations on issues regarding mergers and acquisitions of companies in Ukraine, including banks, industrial facilities and trade centers.

He was employed at the law firms of B.C.Toms & Co, Shevchenko, Didkovskiy and Partners, Beiten Burkhardt and at Corporation NPIG Interpipe.

Yaroslav Sverdlichenko is a member of Ukrainian Bar Association and Kiev Region Bar Association. He has perfect command of Ukrainian, Russian, English and German.

Practice Areas:

M&A, corporate, antitrust and tax law

 

Languages:

Ukrainian, Russian, English, German

Viacheslav YAKYMCHUK Viacheslav YAKYMCHUK, Partner, Baker & McKenzie

Education:

Mr. Yakymchuk obtained his first degree with honors in private international law from the International Law Department of Taras Shevchenko Kiev National University in 1997. In 1998, under the sponsorship of the Edmund Muskie Fellowship Program, he earned his LL.M. degree from the St. Louis University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Mr. Yakymchuk is admitted to practice law in Ukraine and the State of New York (USA). He is also a licensed defense attorney.

 

Professional experience:

Viacheslav Yakymchuk heads the firm’s Corporate/M&A and Private Equity Practice Groups in the Kiev office. Mr.Yakymchuk is seasoned in handling European M&A transactions and has extensive experience of private equity and equity capital markets. Viacheslav is ranked as a top-tier practitioner in the areas of corporate law, M&A, capital markets by Chambers, IFLR, Legal 500 EMEA. He has also served as assistant corporate counsel in Europe for Archer Daniels Midland since 2005. Viacheslav is admitted to practice in Ukraine and in New York, USA. He frequently speaks on the diverse aspects of M&A and private equity transactions in Ukraine, as well as on matters related to the IPOs of Ukrainian companies on international capital markets. Mr. Yakymchuk has published a number of articles on the legal framework for investing in Ukraine.

Practice Areas:

Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Equity Capital Markets

 

Languages:

Ukrainian, Russian, English