Commercial, corporate and M&A

CMS

Client Satisfaction

Boasting English-law capabilities, CMS is skilled in handling M&A and JVs across Ukraine, CEE and Europe. The team’s experience in high-profile transactions sees it advise household names both in Ukraine and beyond. The firm is also involved in the Ukrainian National Recovery Plan and supports the Superhumans Centre. Tetyana Dovgan heads the CMNO Kyiv practice and plays a key role leading English law-governed transactions in Ukraine and CEE. Managing partner of the RRH office in Kyiv Maria Orlyk is an expert in corporate restructurings across a gamut of industries. Mariana Saienko advises multinational companies on JVs, corporate restructurings and M&A on both a national and international basis. Oleksandra Prysiazhniuk's broad corporate practice spans various sectors and encompasses specialisation in greenfield investments and cross-border M&A. Ihor Pavliukov specialises in the infrastructure, energy, real estate and construction industries.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘What sets this practice apart is their remarkable combination of legal expertise, practical and pragmatic approach to negotiations and high-level of efficiency. The team demonstrates exceptional speed in drafting and providing legal counsel, consistently delivering high-quality work within demanding timelines.'
'What truly makes CMS’s M&A practice unique is their ownership mindset. They don't just advise on legal matters; they take genuine interest in the overall success of the deal. This kind of commitment, where each team member is deeply invested in achieving the best outcome, is rare and invaluable in M&A transactions. In comparison to other firms, CMS stands out for their seamless coordination and deep understanding of the commercial dynamics that accompany complex M&A work. Potential clients will find the team’s responsiveness and dedication to every aspect of the deal to be one of their strongest assets.’
‘Graham Conlon demonstrated unparalleled leadership, vision and genuine care about the success of the deal. Graham has an extraordinary ability to distill complex legal issues into practical, actionable advice. Importantly, he always maintains a high-level, strategic view of the deal, knowing which aspects are important and are worth fighting for, and which ones we can give away, taking into account the specific needs of a client.'
'Vitalii Mainarovych is exceptional in managing the day-to-day aspects of the deal, always ensuring that the project moved forward efficiently. His drafting skills are impeccable, he is able to produce high-quality drafts under very tight deadlines.'
'Louise Cakar brings a sharp legal acumen to the table, combined with strong project management skills that make her an indispensable part of the team. Her meticulous attention to detail, especially in drafting complex documents and her collaborative spirit ensure smooth progress even when under pressure.'
'Inna Koval is outstanding in managing the intricate details of the transaction. Her responsiveness and ability to provide clear and concise advice on complicated matters set her apart.’
‘We work mainly with Tetyana Dovgan. She's a real guru in Ukrainian corporate law as well as in cross-border M&A transactions. Her expertise and skills never stop impressing me.’
‘CMS is the only international law firm in Ukraine that is able on-the-ground to provide tier 1-level advice on acquisitions work, on Ukrainian and English law combined. Their network also suggests that they can bring any lawyer from CMS worldwide on a deal at no time. This is unique in Ukraine. Many partners and high-ranking lawyers are able to advise on English law competently from Ukraine and close the deal with Ukrainian elements. This is not common with other firms in Ukraine. Many deals in Ukraine are governed by English law with the assets in Ukraine, so you need a combination of both.’

Key clients

Arise
Superhumans Center
Goldbeck Solar Investment
Bank Lviv
MND

Work highlights

Advised the Dutch Good Growth Fund (DGGF) on the equity investment in joint-stock company 'Bank Lviv'.
Advised Arise AB on its acquisition of a 70% stake in Norway and Ukraine-focused renewables developer Fenix Repower AS, in a bid to diversify its business technologically and gain a foothold in the Ukrainian market.
Advised Goldbeck Solar on its acquisition of a portfolio of RES projects in Ukraine.