Vasil Kisil & Partners Achieves New and Higher Rankings by Chambers Europe 2012

Vasil Kisil & Partners Law Firm has been ranked in 8 practice areas in Ukraine by the recently published legal directory Chambers Europe 2012.

VKP’s core practice areas maintain outstanding recognition in Banking & Finance, Corporate/M&A, Intellectual Property and Dispute Resolution, improving its ranking in Employment and Real Estate, while it’s Competition/Antitrust and Tax practice groups are honoured for the very first time, both making it to prestigious Band 2.

According to Chambers Europe, Vasil Kisil & Partners is undoubtedly the strongest name in dispute resolution in Ukraine, being the only Ukrainian law firm top ranked for this practice. A wealth of experience at the highest level and a mastery of legal strategy are what set the firm apart with the four-partner and 20-lawyer`s team. Recent highlights include representing BNP Paribas and its subsidiary UkrSibbank in a range of disputes with Ukrainian Metallurgical relating to a minority shareholder buyout clause worth USD458 million. Another major case for VKP`s team was acting for Vanco Prykerchenska in a dispute with the Ministry of Environmental Protection arising from the government’s unilateral termination of the Hydrocarbons Sharing Agreement, the commercial value of which is put at USD1 billion. Sources say: "I think the firm is exceptional. By international standards it is great. It is the leader in the country.” “The firm was very effective: from first contact it understood our problem. In a few days it presented a realistic strategy that it implemented with great success.”

Chambers Europe also admits VKP being particularly strong in employment-related litigation and disputes. According to peers and clients` feedback, "The team is full of great professionals. It maintains good client relationships and provides you with tailored, business-oriented solutions."

VKP is well known for its prestigious disputes practice, and contentious matters are a particular strength of the IP team. Practice head Oleksiy Filatov is one of Ukraine's foremost dispute resolution lawyers and brings his considerable litigation skill to the IP practice. The team recently represented DuPont in a series of disputes resulting from the alleged infringement of agrochemical patents. Other recent work includes representing YouTube in litigations related to its Ukrainian domain name and trade marks. The team also counts EuroSport, Google and Volkswagen among its major clients.

According to the directory, flourishing real estate group of VKP has gone from strength to strength in recent years. The team recently advised Pioneer Hi-Bred International on the land acquisition and corporate structuring issues involved in the development of a seed plant, as well as drafting and negotiating the various agreements for the USD10 million project. Sources say: “Superb for real estate.” and “A very strong practice.” Oleg Alyoshin, Head of Real Estate practice, is regarded as a “key figure in real estate.” His expertise also extends to infrastructure and natural resources projects. Counsel Alexander Borodkin wins praise from clients for his “flexible, practical approach and problem-solving attitude.”

VKP`s strong competition practice is referred by the sources as “a growing practice, especially visible on merger control work.” and "a strong firm for competition." Practice head Denis Lysenko has formidable experience across the full range of competition law issues. He assisted Hewlett-Packard with the merger clearance issues involved in its USD13.9 billion acquisition of EDS.

VKP has been also steadily expanding its footprint in M&A and other transactional areas. It fields a ten-person team that focuses on a prominent domestic clientele. Banking and real estate M&A were recent growth areas for the firm, in which it advised Ukrsotsbank, Crédit Agricole and UniCredit amongst others. The firm was also recently involved in one of the largest M&A transactions in the region, where it advised Danone on its USD2.5 billion joint venture with Unimilk CIS. The directory says: “This firm is one of the local leaders, with a sound reputation for being a straight shooter. It is a very reputable firm that I would recommend to anyone.” Sources highlight corporate practice head Denis Lysenko's professionalism, responsiveness and managerial skills. He is the lead partner on most significant deals handled by the firm, including the Danone-Unimilk joint venture and several banking M&A transactions. Today, senior partner Vasil Kisil plays a largely ambassadorial role at the firm, but retains a glowing reputation for the career and firm he has built, and remains a key contact.

VKP`s tax team is also highly praised by Chambers Europe. Peers say that “the level of competence and expertise is very high; I have rarely seen better.”

The directory also admits that VKP is increasingly visible on finance mandates. The firm is active in regulatory work and local bank mergers. The five-strong team advised Ukrsotsbank on the granting of a UAH150 million loan for an LBO. Chambers Europe says: "Vasil Kisil & Partners works to international standards of quality." "I think that it is an excellent local firm for finance issues."

Practice head Denis Lysenko is best known for the corporate and competition knowledge he brings to finance cases. One source said: "He is very professional, responsive and has excellent managerial skills." Associate to watch Yulia Kyrpa has impressed both clients and peers with her technical know-how and deep understanding of the finance sector. One client commented: “Our impression is just excellent and we always find her work to be really convincing."

Chambers Europe is a world`s leading guide to the legal profession which has built a reputation for its objective research. The authors have been researching the legal profession in Europe, identifying the leading lawyers and law firms through interviews with thousands of lawyers and their clients and providing in-depth analysis of the legal markets in 51 jurisdictions.