Employment in Ukraine

Vasil Kisil & Partners

Practice head(s):

Oksana Voynarovska; Valeriya Bezpala


Other key lawyers:

Oleksandr Melnyk


Arzinger

Practice head(s):

Timur Bondaryev


Testimonials

‘Strong knowledge of legal background and country-specifics -Excellent communication skills -High level of engagement and responsiveness.’

‘Arzinger have a very strong team of lawyers, they are exceptional in their knowledge, integrity, preparation, attention to their client situation and solutions to support and defend the client. The partners are available and highly supportive. There is a continuity of personnel on a case, which is very helpful noting the length of the court procedures.’

‘The team that I worked with were very strong, great defense in the court. Always available, they continuously monitor the information around the case and are fast in response. Strong knowledge of the law and procedural requirements. Ievgen Diadiuk is a lead on my case and I was very impressed by his work and progress achieved so far. ’

Key clients

Porsche Group


MSD


Labcorp


Nufarm


CHS Group


Indigo AG., Inc.


ECS Group


Expert Petroleum


Zeppelin International, Zeppelin Power Systems GmbH & Co. KG


Avon


EBRD


BE Berlin Economics GmbH


TP Vision


Adaptavist


Raiffeisen Bank


UNIC


Work highlights


  • Advised Adaptavist in their acquisition of a Ukrainian IT company and provided extensive advice on various matters needed for conducting business in Ukraine.
  • Advised Raiffeisen Bank on preparing and conducting a series of training sessions for the client’s key employees on preventing and countering mobbing at the workplace.

Asters

Practice head(s):

Vadym Samoilenko; Inesa Letych


Key clients

Molson Coors Ukraine


Work highlights


  • Advising Molson Coors Ukraine on a wide spectrum of labour and employment, occupational safety, data protection matters related to day-to-day business of the company and ensuring its employment law compliance.

Avellum

Practice head(s):

Mykola Stetsenko; Bogdana Parkhomchuk


Key clients

Industrial Matrix


KWS SAAT SE


IQVIA


Giunti Psychometrics


Fastmarkets Global Limited (ex-Euromoney)


Volt Resources


Work highlights


  • Assisting KWS SAAT SE in periodic preparation of the Ukrainian portion of the Global HR newsletter, as well as advised on various labour law matters.
  • Acted as Ukrainian legal counsel to AristocratLeisure Limited, a leading global gaming content and technologycompanyand top-tier mobile games publisher, in connection with its acquisition of NeoGames, a global leader in content and technology solutions for the online Real-Money Gaming industry (a $1.2 billion transaction).

Baker McKenzie, Kyiv Office

Practice head(s):

Lina Nemchenko


Testimonials

‘Reliability and resilience of the team, especially in times of war Regular editions of the Guide “Ukrainian Laws in Wartime” are very instrumental in providing dynamic summaries on all the law changes and legislative updates.’

‘One of the best teams I have had the pleasure in instructing. Super responsive and incredibly practical in their advice. ’

‘Lina and Mariana are a dynamic duo. Always go above and beyond for us. They don’t just answer the questions posed but are always looking around corners for us. Superb service and genuinely lovely to deal with.’

CMS

Practice head(s):

Maria Orlyk; Olga Belyakova


Work highlights


  • Advised a media company on a group dismissal processes and a complex termination of the employment contract with the CEO of the Ukrainian subsidiary.
  • Advised an international company on certain Ukrainian employment law matters relevant to the roll out of privacy notices and global policies to its employees and contractors in Ukraine.

Dentons

Practice head(s):

Volodymyr Monastyrskyy


Testimonials

‘Know the trends and changes in the labour legislation and good practice with long-term clients.’

‘Good to have direct contact and have opportunity to ask urgent questions.’

‘Very responsive, professional, and understands business needs. ’

‘Very resposinve team that helps in an efficient and cost effective manner.’

Key clients

Solarisbank


Farmak


Work highlights


  • Advising Farmak on employment law matters in connection a series of strategic acquisitions from a portfolio company of private equity house Novator.
  • Advising Solarisbank with an on-going day-to-day general advice on common employment law queries in connection to the client’s business activities in Ukraine.
  • Advising an American multinational corporation on employment law matters in Ukraine and Poland in connection to the relocation of client’s employees from Ukraine due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces.

Kinstellar

Practice head(s):

Olena Kuchynska; Maksym Tesliar


Key clients

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH


EBRD


PJSC National Power Company Ukrenergo


Work highlights


  • Advised the Ukrainian office of GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH) on the labour/employment law matters.
  • Advised the Supervisory Board of the National Joint-Stock Company “Naftogaz of Ukraine” and its committees on labour and employment among other issues.

ADER HABER

ADER HABER

Practice head(s):

Oleksandra Fedotova; Anna Movchan


Key clients

BISCUIT FACTORY No. 1, LLC


Unex Bank


I&U Group


State Enterprise “Elitne Research Farm of Plant Production Institute named after V. Ya. Yuryev of NAAS”


Uman Greenhouse Works


Work highlights


  • Advising I&U Group on the procedure for reservation of the employees of the agro-industrial complex, depending on their positions and military specialties.
  • Advising Adidas (a Ukrainian subsidiary of one of the world’s leading sports goods manufacturers) on actions to be taken in case of loss of personnel documents as a result of hostilities, and obtaining a certificate of force majeure.
  • Representation and successful defense of the interests of BISCUIT FACTORY No. 1 LLC in a dispute with the former director regarding the recovery of severance pay in the amount of UAH 6.5 million.

Ante Law Firm

Practice head(s):

Andriy Guck


Testimonials

‘Ante Law Firm possesses a robust labor practice offering both advisory and litigation services. Their expertise in employment is a true value for our company during martial law in Ukraine. ’

‘Andriy Guck and Maria Tereshchenko have ability to handle a wide range of legal matters that is impressive. Their exceptional legal skills, attention to detail and dedication sets them apart.’

Key clients

Sanofi-Aventis Ukraine LLC


Perrigo Ukraine LLC


Servier Ukraine LLC


Qatar Airways Group


Air France – KLM


Zdravo LLC


Harwind LLC


Innovative Insurance Capital PJSC


British Airways PLC


Austrian Airlines


Lufthansa


Beko Ukraine LLC


Bees Airline


esparma GmbH/Aristo


Deep3dStudio LLC


Aviareps AG


SkyVip


AllSars IT


Work highlights


  • Advised international pharmaceutical companies’ subsidiaries in Ukraine on mobilization procedures and conducted respective seminars for employees.
  • Advised SkyVip on relations with staff located in Ukraine and drafted respective agreements and supporting documents.

Attorneys’ Association Gestors

Practice head(s):

Andriy Tsvyetkov; Oksana Zakharchenko


Key clients

Purcari Wineries Plc


Ice Miller LLP


R-Zero Systems, Inc


3 Shape A/S


“Skvyrskyi grain processing factory”


Work highlights


  • Representing an individual in a lawsuit against one of Ukrainian state enterprises as to collection of wages, collection of the average earnings for the time of delay in the calculation upon dismissal, recognition of the fact of discrimination and obligation of its elimination.
  • Representing an individual in a lawsuit against one of Ukrainian state enterprises as to collection of wages, collection of the average earnings for the time of delay in the calculation upon dismissal, recognition of the fact of discrimination and obligation of its elimination.
  • Advising Ice Miller LLP on Ukrainian labor law issues required in the process of purchase of an international IT company.

EVERLEGAL

EVERLEGAL

Practice head(s):

Yevheniy Deyneko; Oleksandr Ruzhytskyi


Testimonials

‘Our organization has been maintaining years of pretty good relationship with Everlegal and their response to our request is quick, approapriate and very helpful. Even during the ongoing war their service has been excellent. ’

‘Everlegal has experts on various subjects and fields and each individual is professional and precise.’

Key clients

USAID/ENGAGE


Hero Future Energies


Embassy of Japan in Ukraine


Work highlights


  • Advising Hero Future Energies on employment matters relating to the change of top management in the Ukrainian company, implementing a renewable energy project – 52 MW SES in Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine.
  • Assisting a USAID-funded technical assistance project on implementing a national-scale educational and legal rights protection campaign aimed at briefing SMEs and civilians about their basis rights and freedoms during the martial law.
  • Advising a global Spain-headquartered IT company across a range of novel employment law issues that lack sufficient practice of application e.t. covid-related employment matters, martial law related employment matters, mobilization of personnel into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, establishing and terminating remote format of work.

EY Law

Practice head(s):

Olga Gorbanovskaya; Halyna Khomenko


GOLAW

Practice head(s):

Valentyn Gvozdiy; Kateryna Manoylenko


Testimonials

‘Very customer-oriented, thus, when communicating, you feel that you are the main client, which gives a feeling of your own exclusion and uniqueness. Of course, with this approach, you trust lawyers more.’

‘First of all, this is communication that is available almost always, secondly and most importantly, the company’s lawyers are real specialists in their field, understand the subject and essence of the situation, legal content, legislative regulation, and therefore, their help is always professional.’

Key clients

Samaritan’s Purse


Marka Ukraine


TIU Canada


Work highlights


  • Advising Samaritan’s Purse on employment and migration law, including developing standard employment agreements (contracts) for Ukrainian staff and foreign employees.
  • Advising Marka Ukraine on the process of the change of the director of the Ukrainian subsidiary, which included negotiations with the employee, developing an action plan, drafting necessary documents for the change, and registration of change.
  • Advising TIU Canada on the change of top management of 7 companies in Ukraine, including subsequent ensuring of the proper transition of duties, accesses, and reporting tools to the new director, which included work with O&M contractor, guaranteed buyer, and state authorities.

Ilyashev & Partners

Practice head(s):

Mikhail Ilyashev


Other key lawyers:

Leonid Gilevich; Valeriia Gudiy


Testimonials

‘Comfortable and fruitful cooperation, good professionals.’

‘I had a pleasure to work with Valeriia Gudiy on a sensitive labour issue. Her support was professional, competent and quick. She hears the client and generates a number of applicable solutions/options for consideration. We were happy about the achieved result.’

‘We have been cooperating with this company for almost four years. All necessary activities were resolved quickly and on time. Each considered case was resolved positively in favour of our company.’

‘I would like to highlight Valeriia Gudiy as a high-level professional.’

‘Excellent level of client service and quality of services provided.’

‘I would like to especially recognise Valeriia Gudiy for the high professionalism in her work.’

Key clients

Coca-Cola Beverages Ukraine


UNILEVER Ukraine


CLAAS Ukraine


Ukrrichflot


Ukrspecexport


Elme Messer Gaas AS


Grindex No


American Club


Standard Club UK


The London P&I Club


North of England P&I Association


The Swedish Club


West of England Insurance Services


SKULD


Work highlights


  • Advising on the procedure of reservation of employees liable for military service for the period of martial law.
  • Assisting with the staff reduction of an international company’s representative office in connection with the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
  • Representing an international company in internal investigations conducted by employers under Ukrainian law in case of misconduct committed by employees.

Integrites

Practice head(s):

Inna Kostrytska


Testimonials

‘I am happy to work with Integrites employment team. They are experienced lawyers and provide a wide range of services, from day-to-day HR support to complex dismissals and staff optimizations. They were very attentive to our needs and very responsive providing all details.’

‘The head of the practice Inna Kostrytska is very professional and gifted lawyer. She always takes proactive approach and helps to solve any our problems in the most efficient way. Our HR specialists attend the Integrites HR club, which is led by Inna, and it is always very useful to get to know legal news and practical solutions. We also worked with other lawyers of the team (Vasyl Yurmanovych, Sofiia Movchanets and Iryna Karazhbei Truska) and they were very helpful, nice in communication and and provided advice timely.’

‘Sr Partner Illya Tkachuk and Counsel Inna Kostrytska have shown excellent knowledge in Martial and Employment laws, providing handy and practical advice. While delivering a training course, Counsel Inna Kostrytska demonstrated deep knowlede, her responses to spontaneous questions during Q&A were instant and precise.’

‘The team is really very competent and professional, with client-oriented approach. They provide high-quality advice and show not only good knowledge of law, but also knowledge of the industry. Quickly respond to any requests. ’

‘Partner Illya Tkachuk is an exceptional example of professionalism, business expertise and leadership. The head of employment, counsel Inna Kostrytska, is a brilliant lawyer, very competent, reliable and available 24/7 to offer support in any unforeseen circumstances. Her responses and pieces of advice were accurate, prompt and professional. She seems to be a good leader of her team and I strongly recommend her and her team. We also worked with Vasyl Yurmanovych and Iryna Karazhbei-Truska, both bright lawyers, always ready to help. ’

Key clients

Servier


Savencia Fromage & Dairy Europe


Vetropack Hostomel Glass Factory PRJSC


Glenmark Pharmaceuticals


Voodoo


Autodoc Ukraine


Itron


Dunapack Packaging


DHL


Johnson&Johnson


Work highlights


  • Advising the Ukrainian subsidiary of Servier on numerous Ukrainian labour law issues.
  • Advising the Ukrainian subsidiary of Savencia Fromage & Dairy, Zvenyhorodskyi Cheese Processing Plant, on various employment and human resources management issues in Ukraine, including issues related to employees working outside Ukraine, reservation of key employees from conscription to military service during martial law, conscription to military service.
  • Advising Autodoc Ukraine on various employment and human resource management issues, including recruitment of persons with disabilities, requirements to employees’ military registration, reservation of key employees from conscription to military service during martial law.

KM Partners

Practice head(s):

Alexander Shemiatkin


Testimonials

‘Working with KM Partners is very comfortable. they respond very quickly. All consultations are provided very professionally and clearly, with examples and all kinds of explanations.’

‘Most of all, I worked with Yaroslava Ivasyuk – she is a professional in her field always explains complex legal terms in understandable language Yaroslava is pleasant in communication, responsive and proactive.’

Work highlights


  • ## INSERTED START: 16-09-2023 02:37:49
    Legal support of the client, world-leading consumer healthcare company, on a permanent (daily) basis on labour issues.
  • Assisting several newly established ROs of foreign NGOs in start of employment relations.

LLC “Deloitte & Touche Ukrainian Services Company”

Practice head(s):

Dmytro Pavlenko; Viktoriia Sydorenko


Key clients

Sojitz Auto Ukraine LLC


Porsche Leasing


Work highlights


  • Advising Sojitz Auto Ukraine LLC on employment law issues during martial law as well as general issues related to the formalization of labour relations, termination of employment.
  • Advising Porsche Leasing on a wide range of employment law issues, including occupational safety during martial law, employment relations formalisation, etc.

PwC Legal

Practice head(s):

Oleksiy Katasonov; Olga Melnychenko


Sayenko Kharenko

Practice head(s):

Iryna Bakina; Dr Svitlana Kheda


Key clients

Lego Ukraine


Médecins Sans Frontières


FPS FLEXIBLES UKRAINE (GREIF FLEXIBLES UKRAINE)


Berlin-Chemie


Coca-Cola


Work highlights


  • Advised Berlin-Chemie on introducing changes into organization of production and work, cancellation of employees’ teleworking, introducing changes into material terms of employees’ employment; and employee’s dismissal because of the refusal to continue working under the changed material terms of employment.
  • Advised the bank on employment and banking laws in connection with the contemplated introducing of share option plan for its top management under which top managers of the Ukrainian bank would be entitled to the shares of the bank’s foreign parent company.
  • Advising Médecins Sans Frontières on all employment-related matters in connection with establishment and activity of the charity fund in Ukraine, including, engagement of foreign nationals and volunteers.

Antika Law Firm

Antika Law Firm

Practice head(s):

Oleksiy Kot


Key clients

AWT Bavaria Group (AWT Bavaria LLC, AWT Bavaria Ukraine LLC, AWT Bavaria Kyiv LLC, PJSC AWT Bavaria-Dnipropetrovsk)


Esan Representative Office in Ukraine


Work highlights


  • Advised AWT Bavaria Group on employment of foreign workers by the Ukrainian companies of the Group.
  • Advised Esan Representative Office in Ukraine during employment of foreigners by the representative office.

KPMG Law in Ukraine

Practice head(s):

Yuriy Katser


Key clients

Buhler Service LLC


Ministry of Social Policy


Viva Décor


UNDP


Work highlights


  • Assisted the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine on pro-bono basis with amending Ukrainian legislation on the employment of people with disabilities.
  • Advised UNDP on issues related to socially supporting persons who have lost or have become limited in their ability to work including analysing regulatory frameworks and developing relevant legislation.
  • Advised a German group of companies on the enforcement of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements in Ukraine and on Ukrainian-related labour matters

Legal Alliance Company

Practice head(s):

Vitalii Savchuk


Testimonials

‘The Legal Alliance offers expert services in the field of employment law. Their professionalism and tailored approach to each case are commendable. All projects undertaken with Legal Alliance have been completed on time and in accordance with our requirements. As a reliable advisor, Legal Alliance has extensive experience in employment law, a profound understanding of business operations in the pharmaceutical market, and consistently demonstrates professionalism and competence in our projects.’

‘I’d like to acknowledge the contributions of partner Vitalii Savchuk and senior associate Yaroslav Furiaka. Vitalii Savchuk has overseen our labor projects, balancing business requirements with local legislation, providing an individual approach for our operational needs. Yaroslav Furiaka has offered specialized legal support, particularly in addressing challenging labor relations issues. He has reliably advised us, drawing on his in-depth understanding of both litigation practice in labor disputes and business needs related to employment matters.’

Key clients

Jadran Galenski laboratorij d.d.


Amaxa


Dila


Alkaloid


EVER Neuro Pharma


Zentiva


Work highlights


  • Advised Zentiva on the processes for maximizing the employees’ safety during a war in Ukraine and developed a set of documents, in particular, on use of Zentiva’s cars by employees in force majeure situations, and regulations on the remote work.

NOBLES

Practice head(s):

Oleksandr Aleksyeyenko; Volodymyr Yakubovskyy; Alexander Weigelt


Key clients

Ferring Pharmaceuticals


Ferring Ukraine


H&M Hennes and Mauritz AB


Omnicom


Beam Suntory


Llentab


Work highlights


  • Advised Ferring Pharmaceuticals on labour relations with the CEO (negotiating and amending labour contract with a top-management of the Ukrainian subsidiary).
  • Advised Beam Suntory on employment with top-management (preparing and negotiating employment termination documentation).
  • Advising Omnicom Group in employee transfer between various Ukrainian group companies.

PETERKA & PARTNERS LLC

Practice head(s):

Taras Utiralov


Key clients

World Courier


Mammoet


Polpharma


Redcliffe Partners

Practice head(s):

Albert Sych; Rob Shantz


Key clients

UiPath


Jakala S.p.A. S.B.


Vyborov Eugene


European Investment Bank


Mitsui & Co.


Citibank Ukraine


BDO (Kyiv Strategy Consulting LLC)


Yazaki Ukraine


Work highlights


  • Advised BDO (Kyiv Strategy Consulting) on issues relating to the employment of top executives, workforce restructuring, obligations related to the employees’ military records and liability for employee’s casualties and injuries caused by military activities while the employees are at work.
  • Advising the European Investment Bank on all employment matters that arise in connection with the bank’s operations in Ukraine.
  • Advising Mitsui & Co. on its obligations as an employer in terms of employees’ military records, military training, and liability for casualties and injuries caused by military activities while the employees are at work.

SDM Partners LLC

Practice head(s):

Serhiy Dzis; Dmytro Syrota


Testimonials

‘Extremely knowledgeble lawyers in multiple fields who still stand on duty in this difficult time ’

‘Dmytro Syrota is a managing partner of the firm. He is fully dedicated to support his team members and clients with ongoing legal matters. Apart of client work, Dmytro is contribution a lot to the legislative process of the government with his skills and legal knowledge ’

‘The team is highly engaged to support all the questions, responsible and efficient. ’

‘Each employee is ready to answer general questions, but is also an expert in some specific fields, when details are necessary.’

Wolf Theiss

Practice head(s):

Olga Ivlyeva; Olena Kravtsova


Testimonials

‘Potential clients looking for a practice that is deeply embedded in the Ukrainian context, and one that prioritises exhaustive research, transparency, and tailored solutions, will find a dependable partner in Wolf Theiss. Their commitment to innovation, whether in billing, technology, or people management, further cements their position as leaders in their field.’

‘Whereas other firms might lean heavily on legacy solutions or pre-defined strategies, Wolf Theiss is adaptive, agile, and anticipatory. They do not just respond to challenges, they anticipate them, using their deep understanding of the unique Ukrainian context to stay ahead of the curve.’

‘The Wolf Theiss team stands out distinctly in the crowded marketplace of legal and consultancy practices, particularly due to its unyielding commitment to an individualised approach. Unlike many firms that may employ a ‘one-size-fits-all’ strategy, the Wolf Theiss team endeavors to understand the nuances and specifics of each client’s issue, ensuring tailored solutions that fit precisely to individual needs.’

‘Recognising the complex challenges posed by the rapidly evolving socio-political landscape in Ukraine, especially with the imposition of martial law, the team never underestimates the power of in-depth research. While many might opt for superficial solutions or resort to previously tried methods, Wolf Theiss delves deep into fundamental research to ensure that every recommendation and strategy is rooted in current realities and foresight.’

‘The Wolf Theiss practice acknowledges that when it comes to intricate problems, there’s rarely a singular solution. By providing clients with multiple options and clearly articulating the potential risks associated with each, they empower clients to make informed decisions. This transparent approach not only builds trust but also ensures that clients are never caught off-guard, having been apprised of all potential outcomes.’

Key clients

Biomin


Valuesoft


Nvidia


Flex (formerly Flextronics)


Snap


Uponor


Vouvray Acquisition Limited


TangoMe


Underdog Fantasy


Centurion Holdco S.a.r.l.


Yazaki Europe


RingCentral


Axon Enterprise


Work highlights


  • Advising the Ukrainian subsidiary of  Snap Inc on employment matters with respect to the company’s employees and executives.
  • Advising Nvidia Corporation, a major technology company manufacturing graphics hardware (GPUs and SoCs) for gaming and professional markets, mobile computing and automotive markets, on various employment matters related to the operation of its IT business in Ukraine.
  • Advising Uponor, a Finnish company specialising in mass production of water supply systems, on employment-related issues.