Ilyashev & Partners

Managing Partner: Mikhail Ilyashev

Senior Partner: Roman Marchenko

Partners: Oleksandr Fefelov, Olena Omelchenko, Yevgen Solovyov, Valeriia Gudiy

Head of Kharkiv Office: Andriy Lytvyn

Head of Odesa Office: Sergey Nedelko

Number of lawyers: 40+

Total staff: 120

Languages: English, Ukrainian, Russian

Firm Overview

Founded in 1997, Ilyashev & Partners is a leading independent law firm in Ukraine, consistently ranked among the top practices by Chambers Europe, Chambers Global, and The Legal 500. With offices in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa, and a team of 40+ lawyers and 120 staff, we provide full-service, English-speaking legal support to international clients across a wide range of industries.

We specialize in company registration and market entry for non-residents, international arbitration, tax and customs compliance, cross-border M&A, employment, maritime and shipping disputes, and humanitarian aid regulations. Our clients include European and American corporations, foreign investors, NGOs, financial institutions, embassies, and government agencies.

Main Areas of Practice

Corporate & M&A / Market Entry

We advise foreign investors and international corporations on establishing businesses in Ukraine, including company registration, branch and representative office setup, regulatory licensing, and corporate governance. Our lawyers have guided major cross-border acquisitions and joint ventures in energy, IT, defense, and pharmaceuticals.

Antitrust & Competition

We obtain merger clearances from the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, advise on cartel investigations, unfair competition, and represent clients in high-profile competition disputes. Our team regularly supports clients participating in public procurement in Ukraine, ensuring full compliance with national and international requirements.

International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution

Dispute resolution is at the core of our practice. We represent clients in Ukrainian courts, the Supreme Court, and international arbitration tribunals (ICSID, UNCITRAL, SCC, ICC, LCIA, LMAA). Our team has handled multi-billion-dollar investment arbitrations and ensures not only judgments but also their effective enforcement worldwide.

Maritime & Shipping

We represent ship owners, P&I clubs, marine terminal operators, logistics companies, and banks in complex maritime and shipping disputes, including arrest of vessels, charter party disputes, collisions, and cargo claims. The team is recognized as a market leader in Ukraine’s Black Sea region.

Banking & Finance

Our lawyers advise leading Ukrainian and international banks, funds, and borrowers on corporate finance, secured lending, debt restructuring, asset recovery, and regulatory compliance.

Intellectual Property & Technology

We provide comprehensive support in intellectual property law, including trademark registration, copyright protection, licensing, IP litigation, and anti-counterfeiting measures. Our team also advises international IT and technology companies on data protection, GDPR compliance, and cybersecurity regulations in Ukraine.

Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences

We provide end-to-end support to pharmaceutical companies in Ukraine, from clinical trials and product registration to advertising, distribution, and compliance with regulatory authorities.

Tax & Customs

We represent foreign companies in tax disputes, audits, VAT recovery, and customs compliance. A particular focus is on advising NGOs and donors on customs and VAT exemptions for humanitarian and international technical assistance projects. Our track record includes landmark victories against the State Tax Service of Ukraine.

Humanitarian Aid & NGO Support

We assist international organizations, NGOs, and donors with tax and customs exemptions for humanitarian aid, import and export of relief goods, and compliance with international technical assistance (ITA) regulations. Our lawyers ensure smooth operations for humanitarian projects in Ukraine under martial law and evolving regulations.

Employment & Immigration

We provide legal advice on employment contracts, compliance with Ukrainian labor law, executive dismissals, and trade union disputes. For foreign clients, we assist with residency permits, work permits, and relocation of expatriate staff to Ukraine.

Private Clients & Relocation

For high-net-worth individuals and expatriates, we provide legal advice on residency permits, work permits, relocation, asset protection, and cross-border family law matters. Our team offers discreet and comprehensive support for international clients seeking to establish a long-term presence in Ukraine.

Real Estate & Construction

We represent foreign investors, developers, and funds in real estate acquisitions, lease agreements, land use, and construction projects. Our expertise includes navigating Ukrainian property law, due diligence, and regulatory approvals, with a focus on large-scale infrastructure and commercial developments.

Energy & Infrastructure

We advise domestic and international clients on energy regulation, renewables, infrastructure concessions, and disputes related to ports, pipelines, and energy facilities.

Insolvency & Restructuring

We represent creditors, debtors, and shareholders in bankruptcy proceedings, cross-border insolvency cases, and corporate restructuring projects, often involving state-owned enterprises and major industrial groups.

Criminal Defence & White Collar

Our criminal defence team has extensive experience in white-collar crimes, fraud investigations, financial monitoring, and compliance risks, representing CEOs, CFOs, and high-level executives in politically sensitive cases.

International Work

We cooperate with leading global law firms in cross-border projects and represent international clients before foreign courts and arbitral tribunals. Our lawyers act as Ukrainian law experts in major proceedings abroad, including cases in London, Paris, Stockholm, and New York.