Redcliffe Partners, working with Clifford Chance and George Yiangou, has advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation on the USD 435 million financing for the merger of Lifecell Group and the Datagroup-Volia Group (reported on by CEE Legal Matters on September 17, 2024). CMS, working with Chrysostomides, advised the borrowers.

Sayenko Kharenko, working with Hogan Lovells, has advised the International Finance Corporation on two risk-sharing facilities for Raiffeisen Bank Ukraine totaling approximately USD 210 million equivalent, one of which IFC cooperated on with the US International Development Finance Corporation. Redcliffe Partners and Mayer Brown reportedly advised the DFC.

CMS has advised a consortium led by NJJ Holding and Horizon Capital on the acquisition of Datagroup-Volia and Lifecell. Avellum advised NJJ on obtaining merger control clearance from the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine for the acquisition. Kinstellar also advised NJJ.

On February 29, 2024, energy experts from Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldova, Turkiye, and Ukraine sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the key developments in the field of oil & gas over the past few years.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. Given the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the legal profession, we asked: What is the one critical skill that you’re investing time and energy in to develop within your team, and why?

On April 4, 2024, Clifford Chance announced that the formation of Arcelik's new standalone home appliance business JV with Whirlpool (reported by CEE Legal Matters on January 24, 2023) had been completed, resulting in the formation of Beko Europe.

Marked by the turbulence of war, Ukraine’s legal sector has adjusted to the new circumstances but potential future talent challenges loom on the horizon.

The Ukrainian economy has endured unprecedented shocks resulting from the unprovoked invasion by Russia, which led to the seizure of assets in the occupied territories, massive destruction of or damage to assets throughout Ukraine, closure of a number of markets, disruption of various transport routes, huge losses in trade, flight of capital and human resources, etc.

Clifford Chance has advised KKCG on the acquisition of the end-to-end software engineering and consulting platform Avenga from funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management and Cornerstone Investment Management.

Redcliffe Partners Partner and Co-Head of Energy Albert Sych talks about the evolution of energy and their role as legal advisors in Ukraine over the last 10 years.

Redcliffe Partners has advised the IFC, EBRD, and DFC on their USD 480 million loan to Ukrainian poultry and grain producer MHP. Avellum advised MHP. CMS and Harneys reportedly advised the DFC and EBRD, with Harneys and Baker Botts reportedly advising the IFC.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. As key steps, requirements, and timeline for becoming a Partner may vary from firm to firm, this time we asked: Does your firm have a formal Partnership Track and if yes, what does it involve?

Integrites has advised the Kovalska Group on a EUR 27 million long-term secured loan from Dutch Invest International to finance the construction of a new aerated concrete production plant in Rozvadiv, Ukraine. Redcliffe Partners, working with the Amsterdam office of Clifford Chance, advised the lender.

Despite the ongoing challenges generated by the Russian invasion, the markets in Ukraine have seen surprising levels of activity, according to Rob Shantz, a Corporate and Compliance Partner with Redcliffe Partners. In the midst of it all, Shantz remains optimistic about the future, envisioning a busy legal market as Ukraine aligns more closely with the EU, leading to significant opportunities in the country's rebuilding efforts once the war is over.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. With the first quarter of 2023 wrapped up, we turned to the future and asked: In which practice area do you expect the most growth – in terms of work volume – in the next 12 months?

The CEELM Top 10 series looks back over the past ten years and celebrates the milestones we have achieved together. First up: most-read Briefings, with each article featuring a short description reflecting the authors’ opinion at the time.

On August 17, a gathering of Dispute Resolution experts from many of the leading domestic and international law firms in Ukraine gathered in Baker McKenzie’s Kyiv offices for a Round Table conversation. 

On July 26, 2016, a cross-section of eminent lawyers from leading law firms in Ukraine gathered at DLA Piper’s Kyiv office for a wide ranging Round Table conversation about the state of the Ukrainian economy and legal market and their expectations for both going forward.