Ukraine

Operating in Ukraine since 1993, Chadbourne & Parke has earned a reputation as one of the leading Ukrainian law practices. We have advised international and Ukrainian clients doing business in Ukraine and Central and Eastern Europe for more than 18 years.

Chadbourne lawyers are highly qualified in diverse areas of law and possess a deep understanding of Ukraine’s local realities combined with extensive knowledge of international legal tradition. The firm’s seamless coordination among its worldwide offices ensures that clients receive on-the-spot advice in any of the relevant jurisdictions, not only in the Ukraine, but in other countries in the region.

Our clients in Ukraine are often pioneers in their respective fields, representing such diverse sectors as communications, new technologies, media, consumer goods and food processing, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, financial services, natural resources, heavy and light industry, real estate development and construction.

Thoroughness, clarity, practicality, responsiveness, promptness – these are the principles that guides us in delivering our services.

Our many practice areas include:

Mergers and Acquisitions/Corporate

We represent international and Ukrainian clients in connection with a broad range of corporate business transactions. We have advised many clients acquiring and selling stakes in or assets of privatized and privately owned Ukrainian companies. Beginning with comprehensive due diligence examinations, we assist our clients in structuring acquisitions and sales, drafting and negotiating all necessary documentation, and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals, as well as corporate restructuring. Our attorneys have extensive experience in structuring and negotiating joint ventures with private and state-owned enterprises in a variety of industries throughout Ukraine. It is our usual practice to identify key legal issues that may impact the business or operations of a company, and we always strive to offer innovative solutions to these problems taking into account the cost and practical viability.

Banking and Finance

We advise banks and financial institutions, including multinational lending organizations, on a full range of financial transactions. Our attorneys assist both borrowers and lenders with secured lendings, project and infrastructure finance, trade and export finance, construction finance and lease financings. We also regularly counsel a number of banks on regulatory and corporate matters.

Capital Markets

Our local and international capital markets experience includes representing issuers, broker-dealers, investment banks, institutional investors, fund managers and investment advisors on all aspects of securities work in Ukraine, including trading and custody of Ukrainian equities and debt instruments. We prepare Ukrainian companies for IPO's on the Warsaw, London and other European stock exchanges. In a precedent-setting transaction for Ukraine, we acted on behalf of the lead manager for two Eurobond issues by Ukraine to restructure approximately $2.7 billion of debt into longer-term debt.

Litigation & Arbitration

Our Kyiv office also offers settlement, dispute resolution, arbitration, litigation and advocacy services to clients with respect to civil, commercial matters in Ukraine, as well as representation in international arbitration proceedings, both in Ukraine and abroad. Our well-established litigation and tax team has substantial experience in representing clients in connection with tax disputes in Ukraine.

Compliance

We advise our clients on compliance-related matters. We help clients to minimize their company's exposure to bribery risks by conducting a compliance audit, training their personnel, training third party suppliers, developing a compliance program and helping their business avoid unnecessary liability. We also do internal investigations related to companies', business partners' or hired vendors' compliance related to possible violation of U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practice Act, UK Bribery Act and Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Laws.

Taxes

We assist our clients with analyses of Ukrainian tax law and provide solutions that allow them to achieve a safe tax position and maximize tax savings. For this purpose, our tax and legal experts work together to find the most efficient strategies. In Ukraine, we offer the following tax services: advance tax planning and follow-up tax advice on corporate profits tax, VAT, excise, personal income tax, social security contributions, other taxes and duties; full-scope tax due diligence examination (buy-side and vendor); assistance in efficient tax structuring that maximizes tax savings; review of the company's tax discipline in respect to its compliance with tax legislation; recommendations as to the elimination/reduction of the revealed tax risks.

Real Estate

In Kyiv we provide a full range of services to clients involved in Ukraine’s developing real estate market. Our attorneys have advised clients on office and hotel developments and financings, and have acted on behalf of clients in acquiring real property for office and industrial use. We regularly represent landlords and tenants in drafting and negotiating property leases, and we counsel clients on obtaining and documenting land-use rights.

Government Relations

We often facilitate our clients’ communications with Ukrainian officials. We negotiate client-government disputes and present a client’s views before parliamentary committees for consideration in the legislative process and before appropriate state agencies.

Representative Experience