Since Ukrainian independence was established in December 1991, there has been a growing portfolio of home-grown and international law firms opening in the capital Kiev. The initial wave of office launches in the early 1990s was relatively short-lived, but firms are showing a renewed interest in the market, with domestic mergers and office launches gathering pace.
Ukraine still represents a much higher risk investment for law firms than those countries that are on track for European Union (EU) membership, but with growing numbers of clients moving to the jurisdiction because of low manufacturing labour and production costs, those firms that have taken the plunge obviously think it is worth the gamble. Baker & McKenzie, Chadbourne & Parke, CMS Hasche Sigle, DLA Piper and Salans are among the international names present in the market, working alongside a growing band of respected local firms.
