As part of the firm’s CEE regional banking practice, CMS Ukraine’s ‘remarkable’ banking and finance team is active in cross-border financings. The team is regularly called upon to advise on English law-governed transactions in the region. Its experience in international transactions sees the practice excel in banking and finance matters across CEE, MENA and Central Asia. An established figure in the sector, Ihor Olekhov boasts a broad international banking and finance practice and is a go-to for banks, investment companies and asset managers, insurance and other financial companies for advice on acquisition, asset and project finance and capital markets transactions. With a balanced borrower and lender practice, English-qualified Kateryna Chechulina excels in cross-border financings, with particular expertise in infrastructure projects. Iryna Barlit’s sector expertise spans the agriculture, infrastructure and renewable energy industries. Yaroslav Pavliuk joined the team from Avellum in July 2024.
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- Phone
- +380 44 391 33 77
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Banking & International Finance, Insolvency, Restructuring, Capital Markets, M&A
Position
Partner, Head of Banking & Finance Practice at CMS Ukraine
Career
Ihor Olekhov is a Partner and Head of Banking & Finance Practice at CMS Ukraine. He specialises in a broad range of finance, banking and investment projects and transactions, corporate finance, corporate governance, corporate reorganisations and financial regulation, compliance and tax matters. Ihor has made decisive contributions to developing several sectors of banking and financial services regulations in Ukraine, including development of international trade finance instruments, secondary market for NPLs and asset resolution companies, deposit guarantee system and asset sales by the Deposit Guarantee Fund.
He is a highly recognised by recent rankings of Chambers Europe, Chambers Global, Legal 500, IFLR1000, Best Lawyers for his impressive track record in project finance and banking M&A. He was also awarded as “Lawyer of the Year in Banking & Finance 2020”, as "Lawyer of The Year in Banking & Finance" by Best Lawyers 2022 Edition and listed among TOP 100 Lawyers of Ukraine by clients’ choice based on prestigious Ukrainian publications. Client reports his “outstanding technical skills and excellent relationships with clients”, as well as “his good expertise in the banking industry in Ukraine”.
Languages
Ukrainian, English, Russian, Polish, German, French
Memberships
Member of the Ukrainian Bar Association, Ukrainian
International Law Association and the National Council for Civil Liberties “Liberty”, a major human rights organization of the United Kingdom
Member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society Ukraine
Education
2011 – UK: GDL, College of Law, London
2002 – LL.M. degree with distinction, University of Edinburgh:
2002 – Hansard Scholar at the London School of Economics and Political Science
2001 – Legal Researcher, Institute of State and Law of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences
1999 – Diploma in International Law, Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University
Content supplied by CMS Ukraine
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A very good team with a strong knowledge of PXF (pre-export finance).’
‘Kateryna Chechulina is a great lawyer who works very hard to deliver great results under tight deadlines.’
‘Client oriented. High professionals. Team accessible.’
‘Experience. Flexibility. Thinking outside-the-box.’
‘CMS Ukraine has a remarkable team, namely we mostly work with Kateryna Chechulina, Mariana Saienko, Ihor Pavliukov, Tetyana Dovgan, Mykhaylo Soroka. What truly sets this practice apart is its commitment and readiness to deliver all and everything, while working for us on a pro-bono basis. The team has deep expertise in various sectors; coupled with their strategic approach, it allows them to provide tailored legal solutions that genuinely meet our needs.'
- 'CMS Ukraine has introduced a number of innovative solutions for us, that enhanced our experience and commercial positions with counterparties. Some of the approaches were developed by them while working on the very non-standard grants, etc. More to the point, they have a very diverse approach while hiring. Despite being quite an established firm, CMS Ukraine is always ready to seek new solutions for us and our requests.'
- 'In comparison to other firms, CMS Ukraine stands out for its proactive approach and client-focused approach. They not only respond to legal challenges but also anticipate client needs, positioning themselves as trusted advisors rather than just service providers. CMS Ukraine exemplifies what it means to be a modern law firm. Their unique blend of expertise, innovation and commitment to client success truly distinguishes them in the legal landscape.’
‘We mostly work with Kateryna Chechulina, Mariana Sayenko, Ihor Pavliukov, Tetyana Dovhan and Mykhaylo Soroka. All of them are exceptionally good professionals.’
Key clients
- Dutch Good Growth Fund
- ING-led syndicate
- Superhumans Center
- Arise AB
- EBRD
- ING Bank
- INVL Renewable Energy Fund I
Work highlights
Advised the Dutch Good Growth Fund on securing regulatory approvals from the National Bank of Ukraine and the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine for the acquisition of a significant shareholding in the Joint-Stock Company Joint Stock Bank, Lviv.
Advised an ING-led syndicate of international banks, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Crédit Agricole - Corporate Investment Bank (CACIB) and Dutch development bank FMO, on the restructuring of Nibulon’s pre-export credit facility (PXF).
Supporting the Superhumans Center in receiving $25m in political risk insurance from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).