The Legal 500

Baker & McKenzie – CIS, Limited has the largest team in Kiev, which is ‘very strong across the board’. Serhiy Piontkovsky ‘gives straightforward, commercially focused advice and is very helpful on government relations matters’. Lina Nemchenko is also recommended. The firm advised ESTA Holding on a hotel project in Donetsk.

DLA Piper Ukraine LLC’s ‘strong team delivers good service’, and is ‘among the best in Ukraine’. Natalia Kochergina and Anastasiya Bolkhovitinova are highly recommended. The group advised global chain Leroy Merlin on the construction of a DIY hypermarket in Kiev, and acted for AJJDC on the development of a Jewish cultural centre in Kharkiv.

Vasil Kisil & Partners is ‘a top firm’ for real estate and construction. Oleg Alyoshin is advising Seven Hills on its $140m Park Avenue office, parking, retail and residential development. Aleksandr Borodkin is also recommended.

The ‘practical and hardworking’ Roman Kostenko leads Asters’ ‘efficient, well organised, professional and reasonably priced’ practice, which advised EBRD on the lease of a property in Kiev. Other clients include Green Gas International and Kazakh investor EurAsia. Associate Viktoriya Demydenko is ‘organised, professional and responsible’.

Beiten Burkhardt is ‘a client-oriented and forward-thinking firm’ that provides ‘swift responses and reliable advice’. The proactive and reliable Oleksiy Feliv recently advised Billa Ukraine on construction and leasing issues for supermarket developments.

CMS’ recent instructions include advising ENI on its acquisition of a majority interest in a joint venture company with shale gas licence interests in the Lviv Basin. Daniel Bilak is a key figure, and associate Nataliya Kushniruk is ‘professional and customer-oriented’.

Dentons’ large team gives ‘concrete, practical advice’. Myron Rabij, Markian Silecky and Anzhelika Shtukaturova are recommended. The firm recently advised Noble Group on acquiring grain elevator facilities.

Ilyashev & Partners’ Maksym Kopeychykov advised Nadra bank on a $40m property rights matter and Ukrrichflot on real estate developments.

Sayenko Kharenko provides ‘the right balance of price, quality and quickness’, and Konstantin Gribov ‘impresses with the speed and precision of his answers’. Michael Kharenko heads the team, which has been advising Toronto-Kiev on a $67m Holiday Inn construction project.

Arzinger is ‘accurate and professional but with the pragmatism needed to piece together deals in Ukraine’, and Timur Bondaryev is ‘excellent, solution-driven and provides tailor-made advice’. The team recently acted for a major international agribusiness on construction of a grain terminal.

Avellum Partners exhibits ‘a high level of industry knowledge, and good communication skills’, and the team is also prompt, enthusiastic, and sensible on fees. Kostiantyn Likarchuk advised shareholders on the development of Ocean Plaza, Ukraine’s largest shopping mall.

Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners is known for its ‘experience and professionalism’ in large real estate transactions and construction projects. Oleg Boichuk is recommended.

Gide Loyrette Nouel’s transaction-focused practice acts for French multinationals, European investment houses and industrial groups, and recently advised on the €85m purchase of industrial facilities. Bertrand Barrier and Yelena Stasyk are recommended.

Peterka & Partners LLC’s Nina Sydorenko advised the Hungarian Embassy on leasing a municipal property, and Regus Business Centres on commercial leases.

Schoenherr’s Denys Sytnyk stands out for his deal experience, including handling real estate projects for Austrian investment group Azure.

‘High-quality boutique’ Andriy Kravets & Partners advises clients such as Cadogan Petroleum and Dragon Capital on drafting lease agreements. Vladyslav Lyaskovskiy is recommended.

B C Toms & Co’s Bate Toms advises many agricultural clients.

Dnepropetrovsk-based Law Firm ‘Dynasty’ provides ‘a high level of service, availability and efficient problem-solving’. Denis Myrgorodskiy, Viacheslav Kohlyakov and the ‘hugely experienced’ Yevheniy Smiyuha are ‘reliable partners with good specialist business knowledge’. Recent mandates include a large social housing development.

Gramatskiy and Partners is ‘a high-grade firm with high standards and competitive pricing’. It provides ‘precise, unambiguous advice’. Ernest Gramatskiy and Olexiy Grishko are highly recommended. Rising star Serhiy Segeda is advising City Capital Group on a $40m shopping centre development.

Sergiy Oberkovych leads Gvozdiy & Oberkovych Law Firm’s team, which is busy with deals relating to the energy and natural resources sectors.

Integrites has ‘impressive experience’, and advised Novarka on the construction of shelter facilities at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear plant. Vyacheslav Korchev heads the team.

KM Partners’ Maxim Oleksiyuk recently performed due diligence on real estate deals for an international agribusiness and a leading Russian bank.

KPD Consulting Law Firm’s ‘knowledgeable, goal-oriented’ Vladyslav Kysil is ‘one of the leading professionals in this area; he deeply understands the essence of any problem’. Recent work includes due diligence for Ukrsots Bank on a retail and office development in Odessa.

Legal Alliance Company has ‘a high level of expertise, with the right mix of price and quality’. Victoria Ptashnyk leads this experienced team, which advised on the registration of a 3,000ha plot for development.

Pavlenko & Poberezhnyuk, Law Group’s Oleksandra Pavlenko and Larysa Poberezhnyuk act for VTB Bank and Veda Corporation, and the team also advised Boryspil International Airport on the construction of Terminal D.

SDM Partners Law FIrm shows ‘a good level of commitment and value for money’. Oleksandr Galukh and Serhiy Dzis are ‘attentive to details and have the highest degree of integrity’. They recently advised Monolit Construction on permits for a $100m construction project.

Ulysses’ ‘helpful and co-operative’ team includes Anna Zorya, who is ‘responsive and hands-on’. The group advised INN of Germany on its participation in a $100m hotel development.

Ievgen Gusiev at Wolf Theiss is recommended for ‘high quality and timely advice’, and for being ‘business and solution-oriented’. Clients include Monstera Invest.