Sayenko Kharenko wins twice atThe Lawyer European

Awards 2019

Sayenko Kharenko won the titles of Law firm of

the year: Russia, Ukraine and the CIS and European energy and infrastructure

deal of the year at The Lawyer European Awards 2019. The firm is the only

one on the Ukrainian market ever to have won two accolades in a single year. Please click here for more information.

The ceremony took place

on Tuesday 19 March

2019 at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London. “Despite

an uncertain market in Ukraine, Sayenko Kharenko grew its top line in 2017 and

continued to invest in quality lateral hires. It is firmly international in

outlook. Those clients, which form the bedrock of the firm’s practice, have

propelled Sayenko Kharenko to a top position in terms of cross-border corporate

activity. A striking aspect of the firm is its commitment to inclusion, both

within the firm and outside of it in the form of corporate social

responsibility. It has supported over 100 social impact projects in Ukraine.

Its associated think-tank is actively researching social, economic developments

that will shape the firm’s response to client delivery”, says The Lawyer. The

judges noted warmly the firm’s “strong financials, good evidence of people

initiatives, and investment in strategic thinking and tech.”

Sayenko Kharenko scooped the prize for the European energy, infrastructure and

projects deal for its work on the complex financing to State Enterprise

“National Nuclear Energy Generating Company “Energoatom” (Energoatom),

operator of all running nuclear power plants in Ukraine.

The Lawyer notes that “the significance of the

project for Ukraine as a whole was enormous, since it will create a safe

environment for processing, storing, safeguarding significant quantities of

nuclear spent fuel. The facility will not only reduce the need to ship the

spent fuel to Russia but importantly, will increase capacity to store spent

fuel moving Ukraine closer to energy independence.” The judges lauded the way

that the firm dealt with the “complex technical and legal challenges around the

financing as well as the navigation through the new state aid regime.”

The lawyers of the firm particularly involved

in the project are partner Nazar Chernyavsky, counsel Olexander Olshansky,

associates Denis Nakonechnyi, Vira Pankiv, Oles Trachuk and Dmytro Vasylyna.

Partner Nazar Chernyavsky comments: “The Lawyer European Awards

is no doubt one of the most distinguished awards in

Europe, and I am more than happy to know that

Sayenko Kharenko is the only Ukrainian law firm ever to have won two categories

in a single year. I would like to thank each and every member of the Sayenko

Kharenko team. You do a great job and deserve this professional recognition.”

To see the

full shortlist, please follow the link.