The Legal 500

Asters lawyers have successfully completed collection of a large debt on behalf of Public Joint-Stock Company "Credit Agricole CIB", the Ukrainian subsidiary of Credit Agricole Group. Credit Agricole CIB is one of Ukraine's most reliable banks and a leader in M&a deals in the country, according to Expert rating agency.

Asters acted as a legal counsel to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in connection with financing arranged by EBRD for Eco-Optima to finance construction of a 12.5 megawatt wind power plant in Starosambirskyi district of Lviv region.

Asters received the Client Service Law Firm of the Year – Ukraine Award presented at the Chambers Europe Awards for Excellence ceremony held in Amsterdam on 10 May 2012.

The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa guide has recently released its 2012 edition. The new edition contains glowing reviews of all of Asters’ key practices. Six of the firm's partners are mentioned as legal experts in the practice areas researched.

The newly published Ukrainian Law Firms 2012: A Handbook for Foreign Clients (ULF 2012) highlights Asters' leadership in key industries and practices.

Asters represented Russia Partners, a private equity investment fund having over USD 1 billion of assets under management, on acquisition of Into-Sana Group, a leading private healthcare and insurance service provider in Southern Ukraine.

Asters maintains and expands its leading position in key practice areas according to the recently published Chambers Global 2012 Guide, an authoritative market research publication. This year the firm has once again secured high rankings for all practice areas researched and four individual lawyer rankings...

In March, the All-Ukrainian GVardia magazine presented the 2012 rating of the most socially responsible companies, with Asters being the only law firm incorporated into the Ukrainian ranking of openness and consistency in the CSR sphere...

Asters acts as a legal counsel to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in connection with EBRD's participation in the additional placement of shares by Public Joint Stock Company UkrSibbank for the total amount of UAH 1.36 billion. UkrSibbank is a Ukrainian subsidiary bank of BNP Paribas Group. It is ranked ninth among existing Ukrainian banks in terms of overall assets as of 1 January 2012 according to the National Bank of Ukraine.

Oleksandr Voznyuk, a 16-year veteran of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMC), has joined Asters as Counsel to strengthen firm's competition practice. Mr. Voznyuk served as AMC Commissioner for last 7 years and was one of long-standing Members, and most recently the Chair, of the Public Procurement Review Board.

Asters has been shortlisted for the Chambers Europe Awards for Excellence 2012 for Ukraine. This selection was made by Chambers & Partners, on the basis of independent research carried out for its annual ranking Chambers Europe 2012. The Award is traditionally given to distinguish law firm's pre-eminence in key practice areas as well as notable achievements over the past 12 months, including outstanding work, impressive strategic growth and excellence in client service...

Asters partner Igor Svechkar has been named the exclusive International Law Office (ILO) Client Choice Award 2012 Winner for Competition in Ukraine. This is the second time in a row Mr. Svechkar has been honoured with this prestigious accolade...

Asters acts as a legal counsel to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in connection with a USD 5 million long-term financing to one of the largest agro holdings in Ukraine – the Mriya group of companies.

Asters and the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) signed a partnership agreement under the WSE's IPO Partner Program. As a result, the firm received an official certificate and confirming documents. According to the agreement, Asters becomes a WSE IPO Partner and can now offer consultations to Ukrainian companies wanting to place their shares on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

Asters is pleased to announce that Alexey Khomyakov has joined the firm as counsel specializing in tax, corporate and M&a practices.

Asters acted as a legal advisor to Česká Exportni Banka (CEB), one of the leading Czech banks, in connection with providing USD 11.5 million secured loan to Volnogorskoe steklo Ltd, a major Ukrainian glass producer.

Asters acted as Ukrainian legal counsel to Barclays Capital, Citigroup, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. London Branch, ING Bank, N.V. and SACE, an Italian export credit agency, in connection with the restructuring of Interpipe's debt portfolio of USD 887 million. Interpipe is one of Ukraine's largest producers of pipe products and railway wheels, supplied to more than 80 countries all over the world through a chain of commercial offices located in Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Europe, the USA and the Middle East.

Based on its overall performance in 2011 Asters is Law Firm No.1 in Ukraine according to the results of annual research "50 Leading Law Firms of Ukraine" published by Ukrainian weekly Yuridicheskaya Praktika (Legal Practice) jointly with Publishing House Kommersant-Ukraine on 6 December 2011.

Asters acted as a Ukrainian legal counsel to Etex Group, a leading international producer of building materials and systems with headquarters in Belgium, in connection with its acquisition of ALC Lafarge Gips and LLC Lafarge Gips Ukraine, which are Ukrainian subsidiaries of Lafarge SA, a top-ranked French manufacturer of building materials, such as cement, concrete and gypsum. Asters' advice included a full-blown due diligence of the Ukrainian companies, structuring the transaction, drafting relevant documentation, and negotiation with the seller.

Asters advised Sintal Agriculture, a large agro-industrial holding in Ukraine, on acquisition of 100% of the shares in Agrica agricultural company from Icon Private Equity, a direct investment fund. Asters, jointly with Visum Capital Investment Company, acted as a legal counsel to Sintal Agriculture.

Asters advised European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with respect to a USD 79 million loan to EnergoMashSpetsStal (EMSS), one of Ukraine's major machine-building companies, which produces custom-made parts for wind and nuclear power generation units, the steel industry and shipbuilding.

On 2 September 2011 the Ukrainian House in Kyiv hosted the National Forum and Honorable Reception on the Entrepreneur's Day under the auspices of the Ukrainian National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

The newspaper Yuridicheskaya Practika published the 9th issue of the periodical "Ukrainian Law Firms 2011. The Annual Market Survey".

Asters counseled PRAVEX-BANK regarding long-term agreement with IBM on maintenance services for a new data center based on an IBM Power® 780 server. Asters' lawyers in cooperation with PRAVEX-BANK legal department provided full-service legal support of the transaction both on the drafting and negotiation stages.

By its subsidiary VimpelCom Holdings B.V.

Asters advised VimpelCom, a leading international telecommunications holding and Kyivstar's parent, on USD 2.2 billion debt financing with 3-year floating rate guaranteed notes, long 5-year guaranteed notes and long 10-year guaranteed notes, all guaranteed by VimpelCom Holdings' subsidiary OJSC "Vimpel-Communications".

Asters acted as a legal counsel to the First Ukrainian International Bank (PUMB) in connection with its merger with Dongorbank. The legal advice on the deal included consulting on the banks reorganization issues, drafting necessary documents, and assistance in coordination of the merger process.

Asters acted as a general partner of the Investment Salon Kharkiv 2011 organized by Investment Group Avantazh Capital and Communication Group PRT on 9-10 June 2011. Baker Tilly Ukraine and the Warsaw Stock Exchange also acted as general partners.

Oleksiy Didkovskiy, Asters' managing partner, has been included into the List of Practitioners of the International Arbitral Centre of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (Vienna International Arbitral Centre – VIAC).

Vadym Samoilenko, Partner of Asters, was elected to the Governing of the Ukrainian Bar Association (UBA) at the General Meeting of UBA held on 10 May in Odessa within the framework of VIII Annual Legal Conference of UBA.

Asters advises Molson Coors, a leading global brewer, on Ukrainian contract, IP, and tax law issues as well as currency control regulations pertaining to the agreement with Obolon brewery to brew, package and distribute in Ukraine the UK's most popular beer, Carling.

Dmytro Marichev, Counsel and Oleksiy Demyanenko, Associate with Asters attended the 1st Central and Eastern Europe IPO Summit.

Igor Svechkar, Asters partner chairing the firm's competition practice, has been recognized as the best lawyer in competition by one of the most prestigious awards in Ukraine, Legal Awards 2011 reconfirming his preeminence in this area of practice.

Asters acts as a legal counsel to the International Financial Corporation (IFC), a member of World Bank Group, in connection with $10 million long-term debt financing to Ukraine's Euro Leasing company. Euro Leasing is a leading private leasing company in Ukraine and part of Atoll Holding Group.

Tamara Lukanina has joined Asters as an Associated Partner at the Banking, Finance and Securities practice group.

Asters acts as a legal advisor to International Financial Corporation (IFC), a member of World Bank Group, in connection with providing a $35 million three-year renewable working capital facility to Mriya.

Voting results of Building.ua, real estate and construction Internet portal, acknowledged Asters as the most in-demand Ukrainian law firm for clients. Portal visitors gave Asters 21% of their votes, selecting the firm from the list of leading Ukrainian law companies operating on the market.

Oleksiy Didkovskiy, Asters' managing partner, has been simultaneously acknowledged in two ratings by the Ukrainian independent survey "TOP-100. Best Top Managers of Ukraine". This year the editorial staff studied key styles and distinctive characteristics of the local top-management. The winners were awarded at a gala ceremony in the Opera hotel on 19 April 2011.

GVardia magazine rated Asters among most socially responsible companies in 2011.

Asters has been shortlisted for the Chambers Europe Awards for Excellence 2011 as one of the leading Ukrainian law firms demonstrating remarkable work, excellent results in key practice areas, and outstanding client service during the past year. The winner of the award will be announced on 5 May 2011 at the Chambers Europe Awards ceremony in Amsterdam. Partner Mr. Igor Svechkar, a leader of firm's Competition practice will represent Asters on the ceremony

Asters managing partner Oleksiy Didkovskiy was nominated in the Lawyer of the Year category of the national program Person of the Year 2010. The results of expert voting were tabulated and the laureates of this year's anniversary program were bestowed respective diplomas during a special reception conducted on 15 March 2011. The selections of those to become laureates are made by the High Academic Council of Ukraine on an annual basis.

On 4 November 2010, the Ukrainian Parliament passed a restatement (the "Restatement") of the Enforcement Procedure Law (the "Law") that became effective on 9 March 2011. The Restatement aims at improvement of enforcement of court decisions and cures inconsistencies in the Law.