GOLAW received exceptional results in the international legal ranking The Legal 500 EMEA 2020

16 April 2020 - News

Employment

GOLAW has ‘a true team – the work is cohesive, precise and really well organised’. The practice headed by Kateryna Manoylenko and key partners Valentyn Gvozdiy and Kateryna Tsvetkova ‘have the courage and extremely high level of motivation needed to reach the best possible results’. It provides the full range of employment advice but particularly excels in labour disputes of all kinds.

Leading individuals: Kateryna Manoylenko – GOLAW Partner
Next Generation Partners: Kateryna Tsvetkova – GOLAW

Testimonials:

‘This team managed to win court cases which most of the other firms would not even consider as successful or worth dealing with. I really appreciate their endurance during stressful situations and ability to come up with the right solutions for complicated issues in the shortest possible time.’

‘These lawyers know what it means to work in a way that is timely, effective and efficient.’

‘I can definitely say that the GOLAW employment practice is a team of true professionals who are really enthusiastic about what are they doing and genuinely creative in the development of defence strategies. Their personal approach is beyond comparison and the communication process with them has been always easy and effortless.’

‘Valentyn Gvozdiy and Kateryna Manoylenko have been working on my case from the very beginning and I can say that these lawyers have an exceptional combination of practical experience and the ability to develop non-standard strategies. They do not follow the already existing legal practice but set precedents.’

‘Kateryna Tsvetkova has been really helpful in time-sensitive issues and her extensive experience in resolving labour disputes is highly appreciated. She is really proactive in stressful situations and can easily manage any situation that seems to be out of control and find the right solution.’

‘This team deserves to be called one of the best in Ukraine.’

Energy

GOLAW advises on the development of numerous solar and wind energy projects in Ukraine, and it has niche experience in assisting clients with the construction of biomass power plants. Finance partner Sergiy Oberkovych and corporate partner Max Lebedev are the key practitioners. Their work includes advising foreign investors on the acquisition of renewable energy projects, regulatory matters, environmental issues and permits.

White-Collar Crime

GOLAW’s work in criminal proceedings includes negotiating the return of illegally retained assets and documentation, representing clients before law enforcement agencies, determining material damages caused by criminal actions and the representation of defendants in court. Managing partner and Vice President of the Ukrainian National Bar Association Valentyn Gvozdiy, the highly acclaimed Angelika Moisieieva and head of the criminal law practice Igor Glushko are recommended.

Leading individual: Angelika Moisieieva – GOLAW

Testimonials:

‘As a part of the entire legal strategy GOLAW professionals helped us successfully with white-collar crime issues. It is their ability to choose the strategy and succeed that we appreciate so much.’

‘Valentyn Gvozdiy, managing partner – has extensive experience in white-collar criminal cases including international cases.’

Banking, Finance and Capital Markets

GOLAW is known for ‘its relevant experience in this field and sector, its high level of professionalism and engagement, and its creativity’. The firm has been increasingly active in bankruptcy matters and debt restructuring. The practice is led by Sergiy Oberkovych, who advises Ukrainian and international financial institutions that provide senior, subordinated, secured and unsecured loans; Max Lebedev, who handles bilateral and syndicated loans and real estate finance transactions; and debt restructuring specialist Iryna Kalnytska.

Testimonials:

‘The firm has thorough knowledge of the Ukrainian and international banking, finance and capital markets. The GOLAW team has advised us on banking and finance matters with great success. The entire team is driven by delivering results to the client.‘

‘Sergiy Oberkovych has extensive experience in banking and finance, having worked for many years with banking and finance clients in different areas of expertise.‘

‘Iryna Kalnytska has extensive experience in representing the interests of financial institutions in debt restructuring, resumption of rights to collaterals, foreclosure and transfer of pledged property to the banks.‘

‘The firm shows commitment and professionalism.’

Commercial, Corporate and M&A

GOLAW has a ‘deep understanding of the international legal framework, as well as the particularities of Ukrainian legislation, which is especially important for foreign companies entering the Ukrainian market’. The practice led by Sergiy Oberkovych and Max Lebedev acts for large and medium-sized domestic and foreign companies, banks and financial institutions, as well as private investors doing business in Ukraine. It mainly handles cross-border matters for both Ukrainian and international businesses and is known for its ‘diligence, professionalism and expertise’.

Testimonials:

‘The GOLAW team is very professional and business oriented. They are able to select and follow a winning strategy.’

‘The firm’s lawyers assisted us in developing a winning strategy that helped us to save time and to launch our project on time and in accordance with our planned budget.‘

‘Max Lebedev is a top lawyer with a unique combination of commercial acumen and deep legal knowledge. Max is a strategic thinker and an absolute pleasure to work with. He always acts as a competent negotiator, and is very practical and readily available for our assignments.‘

Dispute resolution

The litigation practice at GOLAW ‘always searches for different, creative approaches’. Practice heads Valentyn Gvozdiy and Kateryna Manoylenko exhibit ‘a high level of professionalism and commitment, and an individual approach with respect to the client’s needs’. They frequently represent clients in disputes in the general, economic and administrative courts of all levels, as well as in international commercial disputes.

Testimonials:

‘The team always establishes an individual approach towards clients, trying to take into account their needs while developing a strategy and action plan. The team seems to share the same values and always searches for different, creative approaches.‘

‘They show a high level of professionalism and commitment, and an individual approach with respect to the client’s needs.‘

‘We like the in-depth knowledge and vast experience of the professionals, the ability to select and follow a winning strategy and their goal-oriented approach, as well as a track record of successful litigations.‘

‘Valentyn Gvozdiy, managing partner, leads the process of developing a legal position and strategy to protect the interests of clients in litigation proceedings. Kateryna Manoylenko chairs the dispute resolution practice and successfully represents the interests of her clients in complex and challenging litigation cases. She has a proven track record of successful disputes settlements. She is expert in out-of-court deals as well.‘

Private client

GOLAW advises on business structuring, tax, succession planning, trusts, funds and risk management, as well as handling residency matters for foreign and domestic clients. Corporate partner Max Lebedev leads the practice, in which senior partner and cross-border investment expert Sergiy Oberkovych also plays a key role.

Real estate and construction

GOLAW acts for investors’ interests in international real estate transactions, handling the structuring of transactions and property management issues. It also advises on the financing of acquisitions and construction projects, as well as the related tax matters. Sergiy Oberkovych and Max Lebedev jointly lead the practice, which has extensive experience in the zoning and allocation of land plots for infrastructure, alternative energy and agricultural projects.

Tax

GOLAW has a strong track record in a diverse range of matters including tax litigation, international tax planning and tax audits. ‘They are the best tax advisers we have encountered in Ukraine,’ remarks one client, while another highlights the firm’s ‘strong expertise in the protection of clients in tax disputes’. Managing partner Valentyn Gvozdiy and head of tax Iryna Kalnytska stand out in a practice that handles transactional support, audits, the administrative appeal of tax decisions, the defence of criminal tax proceedings, transfer pricing, and domestic and international tax planning.

Testimonials:

‘It provides comprehensive analysis and overview of all related issues with a high level of professionalism and specialisation.’

‘They are the best tax advisers we have encountered in Ukraine. We appreciate the creative approach to tax issues that leads to efficient payment of taxes as well as the ability to resolve complex tax issues related to the business of foreign companies in Ukraine.’

‘The qualities of Valentyn Gvozdiy, managing partner, include leadership in tax law, tax planning and structuring.’

‘GOLAW is one of the leading Ukrainian law firms in many spheres, including tax.’

‘The partners care about their reputation, have a strong culture of success, and are both goal- and client-oriented. GOLAW has strong expertise in client protection in criminal cases and tax disputes.‘

‘Iryna Kalnytska and her team demonstrated advanced technical and strategic skills.’

Click here to view the results on the official The Legal 500 website

The Legal 500 is the international ranking which for almost 30 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world in more than 100 jurisdictions. The research is based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of researchers who have unrivalled experience in the legal market. A comprehensive research programme revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market.