In 1997, as a freshly minted graduate of Georgetown University’s Law Center, I came back to my birthplace, Ukraine, without a job, without any money, with only a dream.

Despite opportunities for a safe and lucrative job in North America, I was determined to take part in the building of a prosperous, market economy in my homeland. My goal was to help my country, as well as to build Ukraine’s most successful law firm. Serhii Sviriba, my partner, and I also aimed to build one of the most powerful law firms in the former Soviet Union.

Our dream began to turn into reality in 1997 when, in our mid-twenties, we set up Magister & Partners. We have been focused on realizing that dream ever since.

Over the years we’ve done what others said was impossible. Some doubted we could merge the two leading law firms on the domestic market, one of which specialized in litigation, the other in consulting. Others doubted it was possible to implement a cross-border merger between Russia and Ukraine. Still others said a local law firm from the CIS could not be successful internationally. But we have managed to overcome these stereotypes and to achieve our goals. We prefer to believe that nothing is impossible. This attitude may explain why, today, Magister & Partners is a thriving international law firm rooted in Ukraine, based in the CIS, and trusted worldwide.

And the proof is here for all to see. Together with our employees, we’ve built a firm with the highest professional standards, where challenging, extremely complex tasks require knowledge of the latest developments both locally and internationally.

Our people are the driving force behind our success: they provide superb service for clients, are always eager to deepen their skills, and are motivated by trust in our team and our organization.

The past ten years have not been an easy ride. It has taken persistence, patience, and hard work to increase our expertise, assemble our core teams, and develop the necessary support and administration to build a world-class business. We have traveled the world to learn the best practices in the legal profession. All of this knowledge has been brought home and implemented to create a truly great firm and to ensure Magister & Partners’ future as a leader in its profession.

Ukraine will be a crucial center of our work. Its economy is booming. The energy of its emerging generation of entrepreneurs is palpable. A growing influx of foreign direct investment is contributing to its dynamism and fast-paced growth.

This quarterly newsletter is our effort to communicate to clients, investors, and analysts the exciting opportunities that are emerging in Ukraine and in the region.

As part of that effort we have also expanded outreach in the U.S. (through our affiliate Magisters USA) and in Europe. Through these initiatives we seek to create a focal point for businesses and investors seeking to enter into and navigate the complex Ukrainian market.

There is much opportunity in Ukraine. To take advantage of it requires an understanding of where the country is heading. This newsletter and the trusted law firm that stands behind it are one good place to start.

 

Oleg Riabokon, Managing Partner, Magister & Partners