Aequo Shortlisted in Four Categories at the Legal 500 CEE Awards 2026

The firm has been nominated for the Firm of the Year: Ukraine award, while three members of the team have received individual recognitions: Executive Partner Anna Babych has been shortlisted for Lawyer of the Year: Ukraine, Executive Partner Yulia Kyrpa for Banking, Finance and Capital Markets Lawyer of the Year, and Counsel Vasyl Mishchenko for Tax Next Generation Partner.

The Legal 500 CEE Awards recognize leading law firms and lawyers across Central and Eastern Europe based on independent research that considers client feedback, significant matters and transactions, market reputation, and professional achievements.

Firm of the Year: Ukraine

Aequo has been shortlisted for the Firm of the Year: Ukraine award at the Legal 500 CEE Awards 2026.

This recognition reflects the results of Legal 500’s independent research and the outcomes of The Legal 500 EMEA 2026 rankings, where Aequo was highly ranked (Top Tier) in 11 practice areas. In addition, 16 of our colleagues received individual recognitions.

Anna Babych – Lawyer of the Year: Ukraine

Anna Babych, Executive Partner at Aequo, has been shortlisted for the Lawyer of the Year: Ukraine award at the Legal 500 CEE Awards 2026.

Anna is one of Ukraine’s leading corporate and M&A lawyers. She advises Ukrainian and international clients on complex transactions and strategic projects, while also driving initiatives related to Ukraine’s reconstruction and the defence sector.

Among her key achievements over the past year are the further development of the Rebuild Ukraine Task Force, which helps investors navigate reconstruction opportunities in Ukraine, and the advancement of Aequo’s large-scale pro bono initiatives supporting the country’s recovery, veterans, and other socially important projects, including those carried out in cooperation with Brave1 and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

Anna also actively contributes to the development of Ukraine’s technology ecosystem and legal profession through cooperation with Diia City United, her work within the International Bar Association, and involvement in the Ukrainian Bar Association.

Yulia Kyrpa – Banking, Finance and Capital Markets Lawyer of the Year

Yulia Kyrpa, Executive Partner at Aequo, has been shortlisted for the Banking, Finance and Capital Markets Lawyer of the Year award at the Legal 500 CEE Awards 2026.

Yulia is widely recognised as one of the leading banking, finance and capital markets lawyers in Central and Eastern Europe, advising international financial institutions, banks and corporations on some of the most complex cross-border financing transactions involving Ukraine.

During the research period, Yulia advised on a number of projects of strategic importance for Ukraine, including financing and debt restructuring matters for Naftogaz of Ukraine, as well as legislative and market reform initiatives in the areas of factoring, leasing and non-performing loan management supported by international financial institutions.

These reforms are designed to align Ukraine’s legal framework with EU directives and international best practices, strengthen the country’s financial infrastructure, facilitate access to capital, improve asset recovery mechanisms, and support Ukraine’s long-term integration into European and global financial markets.

Beyond her legal practice, Yulia represents Ukraine on the Board of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, where she contributes to the development and implementation of the international compensation mechanism.

Yulia is the only Ukrainian representative shortlisted in this category.

Vasyl Mishchenko – Tax Next Generation Partner

Vasyl Mishchenko, Counsel at Aequo, has been shortlisted for the Tax Next Generation Partner award at the Legal 500 CEE Awards 2026.

With more than 14 years of experience in tax law, Vasyl advises Ukrainian and international companies on transaction structuring, corporate reorganisations, international tax planning, and tax risk management. He also leads and supports complex cross-border projects for leading Ukrainian and international clients.

Alongside his client work, Vasyl actively contributes to initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery and business development.

Vasyl is the only Ukrainian representative shortlisted in this category.