In Memoriam
Vasil Kisil
(1948 - 2019)
Experience
Vasil Kisil is one of the founders of Vasil Kisil & Partners. Running one of the first Western-style Ukrainian law firms for over 15 years and holding the position of a senior partner for over 10 years, Vasil Kisil advocated three underlying principles that have remained unchanged throughout the entire 30-year history of the firm: leadership, high professionalism, and talent development.
Vasil Kisil dedicated all of his life to the scientific work and lecturing. Doctor of Laws, Professor of Private International Law at the Institute of International Relations of the National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv, Vasil I. Kisil has authored numerous legal publications, including, without limitation:
- course books and textbooks (Private International Law: Textbook (1986), International Family Law: Student Textbook (1993), Private International Law. General Part: Textbook (2012));
- scientific and practical publications such as Civil Law: Questions & Answers (1987), Protection of Foreign Investments in Ukraine (Theoretical and Practical Aspects) (1994), Private International Law. Scientific and Practical Commentary on the Law (2008));
- scientific and theoretical works (Private International Law: Codification Issues (2000, 2005));
- publications in periodicals (Conflict-of-Law Regulation in the Modern International Law // Scientific Bulletin of the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine (2000); Governing Law of Foreign Economic Contracts: Legislative Regulation Development Trends // The Legal Journal (2004)).
Dr. Kisil has brought up several generations of lawyers and supervised a lot of Ph.D. and Doctoral students. His students have become presidents, ministers, politicians, statesmen, heads of the most successful law firms in Ukraine.
For a significant contribution to the development of higher education and training of highly qualified professionals, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the 3rd Degree.
By skillfully combining scientific work, lecturing and legal practice, Vasil Kisil has become a leading Ukrainian expert in Private International Law, Civil Law, and Investment Law.
Following the proclamation of independence, Dr. Kisil was directly involved in drafting a number of bills that determined the future of our young State. These included, in particular, draft laws on business companies, auditing, and ownership.
He was a member of the Public Council with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, a member of the Judicial Reform Committee with the President of Ukraine, a member of the Scientific Advisory Council of the High Commercial Court of Ukraine, an Arbitrator of the International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
Vasil Kisil advised the relevant Parliamentary Committee of Ukraine on the improvement of legislation in the field of concession, natural resources, production sharing agreements, rights of foreign investors. He was a member of the Ukrainian Bar Association and the International Bar Association (IBA).
In all of his professional activities as a lawyer, head of the law firm, scholar, and lecturer, Vasil Kisil followed a simple rule of his life: law is the art of goodness and fairness. Outside his professional environment, Dr.Vasil was a kind and fair-minded man. Vasil Kisil’s name has become a brand in the legal services market and is synonymous with honesty, ethics, high professional and moral principles.
We want the legacy of Vasil Kisil to live on. Accordingly, we have established the Dr. Kisil Memorial Fund. The Fund will finance programs aimed at supporting young scholars and students and developing the Ukrainian canon of international law. To find more about the Fund, follow the link.
Recognition
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Honorably mentioned for his impeccable reputation in the Ukrainian legal market, the Chambers Europe and Chambers Global, 2009-2019. Dr.Kisil was recognized as "Senior Statesman for advising clients on complicated strategic issues"
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Best Lawyers 2009-2019 listed Dr.Kisil among the best Ukrainian practitioners for Corporate, Investment, Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions and Trade. Recognized by "Corporate Lawyer of the Year" (2010, 2014). "Kyiv Investment Lawyer of the Year" (2013) awards
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Endorsed as a leading practitioner in Corporate Law/Mergers & Acquisitions in Ukraine, The PLC Which Lawyer?, 2009-2012
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Repeatedly mentioned by Who's Who Legal among the world-leading practitioners in Corporate Governance
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Repeatedly recommended as a leading expert in investment issues by Ukrainian Law Firms. A Handbook for Foreign Clients
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Rated among the best 100 lawyers of Ukraine according to the Clients' Choice Rating (by Yuridicheskaya Gazeta), 2008 – 2013 (Corporate and M&A)
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Honored with an Outstanding Professional Achievements Award as part of the "Legal Awards 2013"organized by the “Yuridicheskaya Practika” (Legal Practice) newspaper
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The KyivPost weekly ranked Mr Kisil among the top 10 leading lawyers in Ukraine
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Laureate of the honorary award for Honour and Professional Dignity by the Ukrainian Bar Association in 2013.
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Received Market Makers Award in Ukraine by CEE Legal Matters in 2017
Publications
18/05/2018
Interview with Vasil Kisil
18/09/2017
Interview with Vasil Kisil
10/02/2017
Interview is available in Ukrainian
21/07/2016
"I am most inspired by the enthusiasm of young people working with me and anxious to create"...