Aequo > Kyiv, Ukraine > Firm Profile
Aequo Offices
SENATOR BUSINESS CENTRE, 15TH FLOOR
32/2 KNIAZIV OSTROZKYKH STREET
01010 KYIV
Ukraine
Aequo > The Legal 500 Rankings
Ukraine > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1
Practice head(s):
Yulia Kyrpa
Key clients
Naftogaz of Ukraine
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW)
Goldman Sachs
Dow Jones
Deposit Guarantee Fund of Ukraine
ProCredit Bank, one of the leading banks in Ukraine
Raiffeisen Bank International AG (Austria)
Pacific Western Bank
Cesvi, one of the biggest humanitarian organizations in Italy
International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group
DAI
Fitch Ratings
State Savings Bank of Ukraine
Piraeus Group
European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE)
NCH Capital
Bunge S.A.
Epicentr K
Dragon Capital
DebtX
Posco International
Alma Stone
EMSO Asset Management Ltd
Industrialbank
Ukrainian Global University
Uppex
Aexon
Ebury
Rapyd
Bitpanda Groupa
Debitum
SupplierPlus Group OÜ, one of the leading European fintech services group
Work highlights
- Advising Naftogaz of Ukraine on its 1.6-billion-dollar Eurobonds restructurings, affecting both the Ukrainian and European energy markets.
- Advising the State Savings Bank of Ukraine on its 1.2-billion-dollar Eurobonds restructurings.
Ukraine > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
Practice head(s):
Anna Babych
Testimonials
‘Client orientated team, flexible in execution of the tasks appointed.’
‘Michael Lukashenko is very client-orientated, professional and flexible.’
‘For us, as a client, it is always comfortable to cooperate with colleagues from the Aequo company, because the company always and on time fulfills its contractual obligations, even if they are preliminary, not yet reflected on paper, but only verbal agreements. Thus, when discussing any specific case directly with Aequo partners, such as, for example: Mykhailo Lukashenko, Serhii Denysenko, Denys Lysenko, partners are not limited solely to legal advice, but always put themselves in the place of the business itself, take into account its interests and provide practical advice considering existing realities at a certain point in time. This approach is very appropriate and important for any client of a legal company.’
‘Aequo team is able to control every little detail of the transaction and able to meet the toughest of deadlines. The team always propose practical solutions and gives us confidence that all risks will be handled and mitigated. ’
‘We primarily work with Anna Babych and Michael Lukashenko. They are very responsive and always aware of all aspects of the transaction. Having worked with Aequo on several transactions we are confident that their involvement will add value to our transaction. ’
‘Excellent Team. ’
‘I particularly worked with Michael Lukashenko, Anna Babych and Sergey Denisenko. Excellent professionals.’
‘Professionals in M&A and corporate practice. Very skilled negotiators. I can rely on the Aequo team even in the toughest negotiations with TOP US or EU legal teams working on the other side of the transaction. ’
Key clients
Cameco Corporation
Wabtec
Schenker (Deutsche Bahn)
Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine
Brave1
Superhumans
Cesvi
Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine
NEQSOL Holding
Posco International
Vast
Chewy
Spotify
GRIMME
Ciklum
Mythical Games
Onit
Helsi
Solvd
Comuto SA
Playtika
Luxoft
State Savings Bank of Ukraine (Oschadbank)
Dragon Capital
Zubr Capital
Darnitsa
MHP
National Securities and Stock Market Commission
SpivDiia
Ukraine branch of the United Nations Global Compact
Work highlights
- Advising Cameco Corporation on a $7.875 billion deal of acquiring of Westinghouse Electric Company.
- Advising Helsi’s shareholders on the sale of their stake in Helsi to Kyivstar, the largest Ukrainian mobile operator.
- Supporting projects aimed at rebuilding Ukraine and helping people on a partial/full pro bono basis, including Superhumans, a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center for wounded veterans and civilians, and Brave1, a united cluster for defense tech powered by the government.
Ukraine > Competition Tier 1
Practice head(s):
Mariya Nizhnik
Key clients
ArcelorMittal and its Ukrainian subsidiary ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih
Bunge
DHL
Philip Morris
Cameco Corporation
Thyssenkrupp
Wilhelmsen
Optiver
Traxys
Ukrainian agribusiness club (UCAB)
Novus
Epicentr-K
Darnitsa
Dragon Capital
Smart Holding
Radekhiv Tsukor
European Business Association
Derzhvuhlepostach
Work highlights
- Representing organised food retailers in the AMCU to support retailers’ efforts to assist Ukrainian food producers and ensure the Ukrainian population with the most necessary fundamental groups of food products during martial law.
- Representing Cameco Corporation in the AMCU on obtaining merger clearance for acquisition of Westinghouse Electric Company in a deal valued at $7.875 bln. in partnership with Brookfield Renewable Partners, together with its institutional partners.
- Representing Vodafone Ukraine in acquisition of Freenet company, which provides fixed internet access services under the «О3» brand.
Ukraine > Dispute resolution Tier 1
Practice head(s):
Oleksiy Filatov
Testimonials
‘This is the most innovative team on the legal market. The unconventional approach they take and solutions they suggest always lead to a desirable commercial outcome for my business. ’
‘Oleksiy Filatov is a Litigation God. He can find a way out from the most difficult situation. He is a strategic thinker and an excellent leader in his team.’
‘For us, what is really important in working with Aequo’s lawyers is their high competence and readiness to engage and tackle sophisticated, technology-specific processes. Aequo’s attorneys have devoted a great deal of effort and resources to building the most effective industry-specific legal solution. ’
‘We’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Olena Pertsova and Vadym Maistruk, and we highly evaluate their contributions. Olena’s dedication to the project was unwavering, with her commitment evident around the clock. She invested substantial effort into the project and personally represented us in court, underscoring the importance of the outcome to her. Olena stands out as a highly competent and experienced attorney deeply committed to her client’s welfare. We express our gratitude to Olena for her exceptional work. Vadym, distinguished by his transparency and a profound grasp of technology-specific processes, particularly in the gas transportation system, brings an innovative mindset to the table. ’
‘Individual approach to the client. Professional case support. They worry about the result.’
‘Olena Pertsova takes a careful approach to court cases. A peculiar style of writing documents that resembles logical schemes.’
‘Aequo’s dispute resolution team stands out in the Ukrainian market as a truly international operation, delivering European standards in complex international cases. ’
‘Partner Oleksiy Filatov has an unrivalled knowledge of the levers of the Ukrainian public sector after a long spell in the Presidential administration. Partner Pavlo Byelousov is an incredibly hard worker and a master at work with fact witnesses. Partner Denis Lysenko is a very clever lawyer who will see solutions where others cannot.’
Key clients
Danone
State Export-Import Bank of Ukraine (Ukreximbank)
Naftogaz of Ukraine
ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih
Inditex Group
Kyiv School of Economics
Philip Morris
Forbes
Commerzbank
Vodafone
Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine
DTEK
ProCredit Bank
BlaBlaCar
Booking.com
Novo Nordisk
Darnitsa
Corteva Agriscience
Dragon Capital
Work highlights
- Acting for Gas Transmission SystemOperator of Ukraine in a series of gas transportation pricing disputes worth over €1bn.
- Representing Kyiv School of Economics, a world-class academic institution and think tank, in a dispute regarding the building where the school is located, which may affect its smooth functioning, teaching, and conducting its studies aimed at Ukraine’s future recovery.
Ukraine > Energy Tier 1
Practice head(s):
Denis Lysenko
Testimonials
‘Really responsive, technically strong and considered advice from the AEQUO team. ’
‘Denis Lysenko is a smart and responsive partner who is well plugged into the difficulties of advising on both legal and “real world” issues relevant to dealing with antitrust issues in Ukraine at the moment. ’
‘For us, what is really important in working with Aequo’s lawyers is their high competence and readiness to engage and tackle sophisticated, technology-specific processes. Aequo’s attorneys have devoted a great deal of effort and resources to building the most effective industry-specific legal solution.’
‘We’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Olena Pertsova and Vadym Maistruk, and we highly evaluate their contributions. Olena’s dedication to the project was unwavering, with her commitment evident around the clock. She invested substantial effort into the project and personally represented us in court, underscoring the importance of the outcome to her. Olena stands out as a highly competent and experienced attorney deeply committed to her client’s welfare.’
‘This is a good firm with profound experience in the Energy industry. They demonstrate understanding of both specific legal framework and economic and physical nature of the gas market.’
‘Pavlo Bielousov is bright and efficient lawyer oriented on results and always thinking out-of-box to exceed expectations. His approach is based on predicting adverse outcomes and preventing them.’
‘Team members had previous hands on experience in industry specific type of contracts as well as broad understanding of the industry and recent developments.’
‘Partner Oleksiy Filatov has an unrivalled knowledge of the levers of the Ukrainian public sector after a long spell in the Presidential administration. Partner Pavlo Byelousov is an incredibly hard worker with an impressive grasp of factual matters. Partner Denis Lysenko is a very clever lawyer who will see solutions where others cannot.’
Key clients
Cameco Corporation
Naftogaz of Ukraine
UkrGasVydobuvannya
Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine
DTEK Group
Green for Growth Fund
Mercuria Energy Trading
Ovid Wind
Work highlights
- Advising Cameco Corporation on a 7.875-billion-dollar strategic investment into Westinghouse Electric Company.
- Advising Naftogaz of Ukraine on its 1.6-billion-dollar Eurobonds restructurings, affecting both the Ukrainian and European energy markets.
- Acting for Gas Transmission SystemOperator of Ukraine in a series of gas transportation pricing disputes worth over 1 billion Euro.
Ukraine > Intellectual property Tier 1
Practice head(s):
Nataliya Dryuk; Tetiana Kudrytska
Testimonials
‘Non-standard approaches to dispute resolution. team focus on the overall result.’
‘Attention and care 24/7.’
‘The firm and the specific firm members in which my team works with provide invaluable advice and resources in a country where my team does not have expertise and is not qualified to provide. In addition to providing legal advice, the firm also helps us to better understand the best legal practices and efficiencies given the geo-political landscape at any given time. ’
‘They are quick to respond and provide invaluable options for us in the country.’
‘Friendly, professional and knowledgeable team.’
‘There are three words that should be emphasized here to describe the entire Aequo practice: professionalism, innovations and success, of course. The key advantage of the company and its Intellectual property practise is that it always strives for modern changes in practice in accordance with modern realities. It strives for leadership and is a leader. This is evidenced by the number of cases won, projects implemented and awards received. The company is also about client focus and competitiveness in the legal arena of Ukraine.’
‘The team is very open and sincere, both in everyday life as friends and professionally. This is especially evident after communicating and working together with Tetiana Kudrytska. Aequo’s community is especially evident when you need help, and you can count on everyone’s support. To sum up, everyone I work with is an expert in their field and it inspires.’
Key clients
Corteva
Du Pont
Forbes
Charitable organisation “The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation”
Raiffeisen Bank
Darnitsa Pharmaceutical Company
Sandoz
Philips
VENTS
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
EMVCo
European Business Association
Dr. Reddy’s
Naftogaz of Ukraine and Naftogaz Digital Technologies LLC
Solar Media Entertainment LLC
Media Group “Ukraine” (TV channel “Ukraina”)
Onit
Dragon Capital
Auto Hall LLC and Dok-DS LLC
Inplast
Bosca Cora
X100 Holdings
Bilstein Group
De Cecco
Ukraine > International trade Tier 1
Practice head(s):
Mariya Nizhnik
Testimonials
‘I find Aequo trade team as highly professional and business-oriented. We have cooperated for many years and always received accurate legal advice and support. The team’s specific strength is their deep knowledge and understanding of our industry, which often requires significant time and dedication.‘
‘I would like to specifically underline Oleksandr Tereshchenko, the team`s senior associate, who provides us with daily legal supportin the framework of the EBA Agrochemical Committee. We can always count on his support and assistance, especially in regulatory fields.‘
Key clients
Sandoz
Novo Nordisk
Petronas Lubricants
BSN medical GmbH
LTG Cargo Ukraine
European Business Association (EBA)
VELUX
Superhumans
JSC Skuba
Work highlights
- Advising Velux Ukraine on complex contractual issues, different aspects of use of e-signature, on electronic data interchange (possibility to conclude cross-border and internal supply contracts by using only electronic digital signature, their validity and enforceability), for proper reinvoicing, etc.
- Advising Superhumans on supply contracts, tax and customs risks related to delivery of medical equipment to Ukraine.
- Advising JSC Skuba on problematic issues of customs valuation, developing distribution schemes for Ukraine, helping to mitigate customs and tax risks.
Ukraine > Private client Tier 1
Ukraine > Real estate and construction Tier 1
Practice head(s):
Yulia Kyrpa
Key clients
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Superhumans
Cesvi
Dragon Capital
UkrGasVydobuvannya
NEQSOL Holding
Epicentr K
Osnova
Smartcom Holding
Kyiv School of Economics
Velux
Novus
Work highlights
- Advising Superhumans Center on the construction and regulatory matters while establishing rehabilitation center for wounded veterans and civilians in different regions of Ukraine.
- Advising the EBRD regarding its $24.5m investment in the M10 Lviv Industrial Park.
- Advising NEQSOL Holding on the acquisition of the telecom operator, Freenet, particularly, conducting legal DD on the real estate matters, complicated by regulatory requirements to such premises.
Ukraine > Tax Tier 1
Practice head(s):
Denis Lysenko
Testimonials
‘Very high qualification of team.’
‘Very high qualification of each lawyer, especially Anna Konovalova (associate).’
‘Aequo provides high-quality legal services with individual approach in every case.’
‘I would like to mention Vasyl Mishchenko. Vasyl is high-quality lawyer, who always acts with exceptional attitude.’
Key clients
Wabtec
Cameco Corporation
Brave1
SuperHumans
Teiva Systems
Mythical Games
Global Logic
Playrix
Lithuanian Railways
Osnova
Quipu
Arcelor Mittal Kryvyi Rih
ProCredit bank
Agroprosperis Trade
Inditex
ATB Market
Darnitsa
Dragon Capital
Epicentr K
UkrGasVydobuvannya
Naftogaz of Ukraine
Work highlights
- Advising Naftogaz of Ukraine on tax implications of contemplated $ 1.4 billion debt restructuring under its notes placed on the Irish Stock Exchange.
- Representing ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih in the Supreme Court in a series of disputes over procurements’ economic substance and illegality of tax audits during the COVID-related moratorium.
- Advising Superhumans on various tax matters on a pro bono basis.
Aequo > Firm Profile
The firm: Aequo is one of Ukraine’s top law firms serving industry leaders in transactional and dispute resolution matters.
The list of Aequo’s representative clients includes leading Ukrainian and international companies and organizations, such as Amazon, Allianz, ArcelorMittal, AXA, Bunge, Commerzbank, Corteva, Darnitsa, Discovery Networks, Dr. Reddy’s, DuPont, EFSE, European Commission, Facebook, Forbes, GlaxoSmithKline, Google, IFC, Inditex, Instagram, Kernel, Nova Poshta, Novo Nordisk, OLX, Philips, Posco International, ProCredit Bank, Schenker, Samsung, Sandvik, Synthon, Thomson Reuters, UniCredit, Vodafone, Zara.
Aequo has been named Ukraine Law Firm of the Year by Chambers Europe Awards 2022, the Most Innovative Law Firm of the Year in Ukraine by IFLR Europe Awards 2018, and one of the most innovative law firms in Europe according to the FT Innovative Lawyers 2015-2022.
Areas of practice
Antitrust and competition:
We are a fully-fledged competition practice. Our team leader has unparalleled experience in developing the authority’s practice while serving as the state commissioner. We are regularly retained when the matter is complicated or when the timing of merger clearance is of the essence. Often our advice leads to the regulator dropping investigations against our clients without any charges.
Banking and finance:
If you are involved in banking and lending, pragmatic and commercial results are a priority. Our team is known for its superb business acumen, broad expertise, its innovative approach and versatility. We are at the forefront of the industry and able to navigate you through Ukraine’s ever-changing regulatory climate.
Capital markets:
A key strength of our practice is the ability to deliver international standards of service with a wealth of Ukrainian expertise. We speak the same business language as our clients and clearly understand their needs – whether we are dealing with clients involved in their first-ever IPO on the world’s major stock exchanges, or international financial institutions considering sophisticated financing of Ukrainian businesses.
Corporate/M&A:
We are constantly engaged in helping our clients at every stage of their businesses’ life cycles. We also assist with sector-specific compliance challenges in regulated industries. We are known for developing corporate laws in Ukraine and are leading experts on how to apply them commercially. Our corporate lawyers are the true innovators in this area. Also, we have proven expertise in all aspects of transactions. We work on deals for local corporates, multinationals and private equity funds. Our team is known for excellent strategic planning and tactical outpacing when managing the deal-making process. We stand apart from other Ukrainian law firms in that we have strong English law capability.
Dispute resolution:
We have acted for major international and local companies in a wide range of market-highlight and complex precedent-setting cases in Ukrainian courts and at international arbitration tribunals.
The cornerstones of our expertise are daily trial practice, strong local and cross-border case management skills, combined private practice, government and legal academia background of our team members, and commercial value-oriented approach.
On top of extensive dispute resolution practice, our team members also authored and co-authored some key Ukrainian acts on judiciary, litigation and international arbitration.
Energy and natural resources:
Our energy and natural resources group advises on every tier of the energy industry and has a particular understanding and experience in the oil and gas, conventional power and renewables sectors. Our clients benefit from our unique insight into rapidly evolving sectoral regulations in liberalised domestic energy markets, along with our successful track record of assisting high-profile clients with market-shaping deals and landmark disputes.
Government relations:
When solving complex business problems, strong governmental relation advice can increase your chances of success. Our experts can help with navigating a highly regulated business environment and leveraging relationships with key stakeholders – community, industry and government leaders. Our aim is to ensure that our clients’ views are given due consideration in the public policy debate at the proper time.
Intellectual property:
We have dealt with the most high-profile and landmark IP cases protecting the interests of national leaders and international corporate giants. The practice’s position is unique thanks to an unparalleled combination of prosecution and litigation experience. Our team leaders have unmatched experience developing IP-related regulations while serving as public officers.
Labour and employment:
advising clients on employment contracts and agreements, employment permits, redundancy and dismissal of staff, responsibilities of employers and trade union law.
Real estate and construction:
Our real estate practice group focuses on all aspects of construction, development, real estate acquisition and property management. We have successfully handled many notable property transactions in Kyiv and regions all over Ukraine, having represented major corporations, financial institutions and PE funds. We stand apart from other Ukrainian law firms in that we have both legal and land management expertise, which is greatly valued by our clients.
Tax and customs:
Our expertise in tax and customs covers both counselling and litigation. You can rely on us when you need rulings on ambiguous tax and customs regulations, due diligence checks in M&A deals, tax advice for commercial or financing transactions, or when you seek support during audit procedures by tax and customs authorities. We help with multi-jurisdictional tax planning, transfer pricing, CFC rules compliance and group restructurings. We stand behind our tax or customs-related recommendations and successfully defend our clients against any unlawful claims by the domestic fiscal bodies.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Dispute resolution | Oleksiy Filatov | ||
Corporate and commercial | Anna Babych | ||
Mergers and acquisitions | Anna Babych | ||
Banking and finance | Yulia Kyrpa | ||
Tax and Customs | Denis Lysenko | ||
Government relations | Denis Lysenko | ||
Antitrust and competition | Mariya Nizhnik | ||
Antitrust and competition | Sergey Denisenko | ||
Intellectual property | Nataliya Dryuk | ||
Intellectual Property | Tetiana Kudrytska | ||
Private clients | Anna Babych | ||
Dispute resolution | Pavlo Byelousov | ||
Real estate and construction | Yulia Kyrpa | ||
Bankruptcy and restructuring | Yulia Kyrpa | ||
Capital markets | Yulia Kyrpa | ||
Capital markets | Anna Babych | ||
Labour and employment | Anna Babych | ||
International trade | Mariya Nizhnik |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Yevgen Blok | Counsel | View Profile | |
Mr Pavlo Byelousov | Partner, specialising in International Arbitration and Cross-Border Litigation, Bankruptcy and Restructuring | View Profile | |
Mr Sergey Denisenko | Partner, specializing in Antitrust, Competition, and Trade. Sergey is also head of the Consumer… | View Profile | |
Mr Bohdan Dmukhovskyy | Counsel | View Profile | |
Ms Nataliya Dryuk | Partner, Co-head of IP practice group | View Profile | |
Mr Oleksiy Filatov | Senior Partner at Aequo. Head of Dispute Resolution | View Profile | |
Ms Oksana Krasnokutskaya | Counsel | View Profile | |
Ms Tetiana Kudrytska | Partner, Co-head of IP practice group | View Profile | |
Mr Denys Kulgavyi | Counsel | View Profile | |
Ms Yulia Kyrpa | Executive Partner. Head of Banking & Finance, Insolvency & Restructuring, Capital Markets… | View Profile | |
Mr Yevgen Levitskyi | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Michael Lukashenko | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Denis Lysenko | Executive Partner. Head of Tax and Customs. Mr Lysenko chairs Energy and … | View Profile | |
Mr Vasyl Mishchenko | Counsel | View Profile | |
Ms Mariya Nizhnik | Executive Partner. Head of Antitrust, Competition and Trade | View Profile | |
Ms Olena Pertsova | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Oleksandr Tereshchenko | Senior Associate | View Profile |
Solicitor Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Ms Anna Babych | Executive Partner. Head of M&A and Corporate/Commercial. Anna also chairs Private Equity,… | View Profile |