An in-depth look at Igor Lozenko of Sayenko Kharenko covering his career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.
Career:
- Sayenko Kharenko; Partner; 2020-present
- Sayenko Kharenko; Counsel; 2017-2020
- Avellum; Counsel; 2016-2017
- Avellum; Senior Associate; 2016
- Sayenko Kharenko; Senior Associate; 2013-2015
- Sayenko Kharenko; Associate; 2007-2013
Education:
- School of International Law, Kyiv International University; LL.M.; 2008
- King’s College London; LL.M. in International Financial and Commercial Law; 2022
Favorites:
- Out-of-office activity: travelling; sailing; playing squash
- Quote: “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know” – Albert Einstein
- Book: Martin Eden by Jack London
- Movie: The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) by Anthony Minghella, and equally, the 2024 series adaptation
Top 5 Projects:
- Advising J.P. Morgan on USD 22.5 billion consent solicitation by Ukraine in relation to 13 series of its outstanding Eurobonds and GDP-linked securities
- Advising Landesbank Berlin on EUR 245 million financing for constructing two stages of the 200-megawatt Botievo wind farm by Wind Power, the renewables segment of DTEK, Ukraine’s largest energy holding
- Advising Deutsche Bank, ING, Natixis, and UniCredit on the USD 1.592 billion Eurobond issue coupled with the cash tender offer and consent solicitation to refinance existing Eurobonds of Metinvest, one of the largest steel producers
- Advising BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and Ukreximbank on the debut USD 825 million state-guaranteed ESG Bond issue by Ukrenergo, the state-owned electricity transmission system operator, to finance repayment of “green” tariff debts in the system
- Advising the ad hoc bondholders committee on the USD 2 billion long-term restructuring by DTEK, resulting in the conversion of all existing bond and bank debt into new Eurobond issues implemented through two inter-conditional schemes of arrangement sanctioned by English courts
CEELM: What would you say was the most challenging project you ever worked on and why?
Lozenko: Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a wide range of loan financings, international capital markets transactions, and debt restructurings involving major Ukrainian corporates, as well as sovereign and quasi-sovereign borrowers. These transactions were always highly complex and varied, each posing unique challenges, making it difficult now to single out one as the most challenging above all others. That said, the real test came with the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Every project completed within a war setting brought its own set of challenges. We had to reinvent our approach to deal-making, working under unprecedented circumstances with air raid sirens in the background, unstable internet connections, and the need to ensure business continuity while prioritizing the safety of our team.
Still, from my most recent practice, I would distinguish one project finance deal in the renewables sector (the details of which remain confidential). In addition to the typical complexities of project finance and the need to adapt the structure to the restrictive currency controls under martial law, a massive Russian cyber-attack took down all public registers in Ukraine the night before the security documents were registered as final conditions precedent. We had to quickly adapt, working through unforeseen hurdles to meet critical deadlines.
CEELM: And what was your main takeaway from it?
Lozenko: The key takeaway is that legal expertise alone may not be enough. What could be decisive is your ability to adapt to extreme circumstances while maintaining an unwavering commitment to client service. Crises reveal not just professional capabilities but also human resilience.
CEELM: Name one mentor who played a big role in your career and how they impacted you.
Lozenko: I have worked with Michael Kharenko since the very start of my career, and I think he has been instrumental in shaping my professional development. What stands out about his mentorship is not just the legal expertise he shared but also his ability to see the bigger picture in every situation. I learned from him that being a great lawyer isn’t just about knowing the law – it’s also about understanding business realities, anticipating market trends, and, most importantly, building trust with clients.
CEELM: Name one mentee you are particularly proud of.
Lozenko: I’ve had the privilege of mentoring many talented lawyers, and one of the mentees I’m particularly proud of is Oles Trachuk. I first met Oles when he joined as a Junior Associate, and watching his growth has been incredibly rewarding. What makes me particularly proud is his technical excellence and how he’s developed his unique approach to client relationships and team leadership. He’s now managing complex international transactions and mentoring others, perhaps the greatest satisfaction a mentor can have.
CEELM: What is one thing clients likely don’t know about you?
Lozenko: I am a licensed skipper. Boat sailing has enhanced my ability to perform under pressure, anticipate potential obstacles, and adapt quickly.
CEELM: What is the one piece of advice you’d give yourself fresh out of law school?
Lozenko: Don’t just focus on legal knowledge – invest time in understanding business, developing emotional intelligence, and building trusted relationships. Technical expertise is just the foundation. Your ability to connect with people and understand business needs will define your success.
This article was originally published in Issue 11.12 of the CEE Legal Matters Magazine. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the magazine, you can subscribe here.
