News date: 16 April 2021
The international ranking The Legal 500 – EMEA 2021 recommends Ilyashev & Partners as the leading law firm in Ukraine and Russia. Fifteen of firm’s key experts received personal recognitions.
Ilyashev & Partners has been highly recommended in all 12 practice areas examined by the reputable survey for Ukraine, and for its Restructuring and Insolvency practice in Russia. The firm holds Tier 1 in Dispute Resolution for Ukraine for 9 consecutive years.
Ukraine
Competition – tier 1
Leading individuals: Oleksandr Fefelov
Other key lawyers: Oleksandr Padalka, Valeriia Gudiy
Ilyashev & Partners is frequently involved in large and precedent-setting competition law matters in sectors as varied as agriculture, energу, real estate, transport, pharmaceuticals and life sciences. Practice head Oleksandr Fefelov is among the most experienced practitioners in the market, having acted on the first merger clearance in Ukraine 25 years ago.
Counsels Oleksandr Padalka and Valeriia Gudiy are experienced in inspections of enterprises by the state regulatory authorities, and in the resolution of administrative disputes.
Dispute Resolution – tier 1
Hall of Fame: Mikhail Ilyashev, Roman Marchenko
Rising stars: Andrey Bychkov, Oleh Trokhymchuk
Ilyashev & Partners is known for ‘a result-oriented approach, proactiveness, creativity‘.
Roman Marchenko and Mikhail Ilyashev lead a four-partner group that excels in all areas of dispute resolution, not least shareholder disputes, contentious real estate matters, insurance disputes and international arbitration. Counsels Oleh Trokhymchuk and Andrey Bychkov (who has ‘a result-oriented approach and an ability to see the crux of the factual and legal issues’) are among the firm’s emerging talents.
Intellectual Property – tier 1
Leading individuals: Oleksandr Padalka
At Ilyashev & Partners, managing partner Mikhail Ilyashev and counsel Oleksandr Padalka lead the practice. The firm is particularly well-known for its work in IP litigation, and it is also increasingly involved in commercial IP matters. Global brands call on the firm for IP portfolio management, trade mark and patent prosecution, enforcement, franchising and licensing matters.
International Trade – tier 1
Leading individuals: Olena Omelchenko
Rising stars: Oleksiy Gorbatyuk
Ilyashev & Partners is ‘the leading firm in trade remedy proceedings, and it has won the most complex and significant anti-dumping cases in Ukraine‘, observes one client. Seen as the most successful firm in anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard investigations, it is also adept in matters involving customs regulations, export controls, sanctions, free trade agreements, WTO law and trade disputes.
The ‘innovative and decisive‘ Olena Omelchenko is head of international trade and is considered one of Ukraine’s leading advisers on trade remedies and WTO law. ‘Very hardworking and responsible‘ associate Oleksiy Gorbatyuk is recommended.
White-Collar Crime – tier 1
Leading individuals: Mikhail Ilyashev, Roman Marchenko
Other key lawyers: Denys Nienov
According to one of its clients, Ilyashev & Partners has ‘the best white-collar crime practice in Ukraine, advising on the most challenging cases mentioned in the media‘.
Roman Marchenko and Mikhail Ilyashev are both highly respected practitioners in the team. The firm also has a large bench of skilled associates, among them Denys Nienov. The firm handles every stage of white-collar litigation for high-profile clients, and it is also noted for its ability to conduct independent financial investigations, including in respect of crimes committed by senior executives.
Banking, Finance and Capital Markets – tier 2
The banking and finance team at Ilyashev & Partners is ‘thoroughly professional, technically excellent and effective‘. The firm has a well-established insolvency and debt recovery practice, which often handles restructuring mandates for commercial banks and Ukrainian corporates. It is also growing its presence in areas such as insurance and online payments, as well as being sought out for advice on new regulations in the banking sector. Mikhail Ilyashev is the lead partner.
Commercial, Corporate and M&A – tier 2
Leading individuals: Mikhail Ilyashev, Roman Marchenko
Hall of Fame: Oleksandr Padalka
Rising stars: Leonid Gilevich
Other key lawyers: Yevgen Solovyov, Vyacheslav Sytyi
Ilyashev & Partners provides ‘high-quality and creative services, and the level of client loyalty is incredible‘. The firm has specialist expertise in the banking, agribusiness, transport, energy, construction, FMCG, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications sectors, though its work in high-value cross-border transactions extends to many other industries.
‘Bright minds and well-known market stars‘ Mikhail Ilyashev and Roman Marchenko jointly lead the practice. Partner Yevgen Solovyov, and counsels Oleksandr Padalka and Leonid Gilevich, are also highly recommended.
Employment – tier 2
Next Generation Partners: Leonid Gilevich
Other key lawyers: Valeriia Gudiy
Ilyashev & Partners continues to handle some of the largest employment cases in Ukraine, often acting for local subsidiaries of large international companies. Much of its work is centred on high-stakes litigation, although the firm also advises on contractual matters, outsourcing, employee transfers and relocation, and regulatory compliance. Founding partner Mikhail Ilyashev leads the employment practice, in which counsel Leonid Gilevich and Valeriia Gudiy devote a large proportion of their time.
Energy – tier 2
Ilyashev & Partners has an expanding portfolio of work from leading Ukrainian and international companies in relation to energy and infrastructure projects, as well as regulatory matters and disputes.
Mikhail Ilyashev, who leads the ten-lawyer team, has ‘an unquestionable knowledge of the local energy market and is very visible in this sphere‘. Roman Marchenko handles energy disputes.
Private Client – tier 2
Leading individuals: Mikhail Ilyashev, Roman Marchenko
Rising stars: Nina Bets
Ilyashev & Partners, which is best known for its broad litigation practice, frequently handles disputes concerning disputes, inheritance matters, tax and sanctions. The firm is increasingly involved in matters of family law.
Litigator Roman Marchenko leads the practice in which Mikhail Ilyashev is a standout practitioner. ‘Knowledgeable, tenacious and diligent‘ associate Nina Bets is also recommended.
Real Estate and Construction – tier 2
Rising stars: Dmytro Hrybov
Ilyashev & Partners is known as ‘one of the most trusted and well-known Ukrainian law firms‘ and its team has ‘the courage to fight for the best result‘. Adept in real estate, land use and construction issues, the firm is known for its understanding of real estate investment structures, as well as its deep knowledge of the construction market and its capability in dispute resolution.
Mikhail Ilyashev leads the practice, in which counsel Dmytro Hrybov is a key practitioner.
Tax – tier 2
Leading individuals: Roman Marchenko
Rising stars: Nina Bets
Other key lawyers: Dmytro Lazebnyi
Ilyashev & Partners has ‘an excellent tax litigation practice and it keeps a constant pulse on industry developments and the regulatory environment from a national and international perspective‘. The firm excels in tax disputes and has become a prominent adviser on tax structuring and compliance.
Roman Marchenko (who is ‘an icon of tax litigation expertise‘) leads the practice. One client sees associate Nina Bets as ‘the best tax lawyer in Ukraine‘. Associate Dmytro Lazebnyi is recommended for litigation.
Russia
Restructuring and Insolvency – tier 4
Ilyashev & Partners’ team utilises its ‘excellent expertise’ in insolvency litigation, acting for both creditors and debtors. Led by recently promoted counsel Dmitry Konstantinov, the department prides itself on its representation of Ukrainian clients in Russia; in this regard, it benefits from the firm’s strong presence in Ukraine. Alongside its litigation strength, the practice is increasingly being instructed on restructuring matters, securing multiple successes in relation to the settlement of debt obligations.