Aequo has been named Law Firm of the Year: Ukraine by The Lawyer European Awards 2025 for the second year in a row. This repeated recognition — a rare distinction in the history of the awards — reflects the firm’s sustained effectiveness, deep expertise and strategic influence on key transformations within the Ukrainian market.
In addition to the main award, Aequo received distinctions across four European categories.
European Corporate Team of the Year (highly commended)
Aequo advised NEQSOL Holding on the acquisition of OGHC – one of the first large-scale privatisations completed during martial law. The transaction demonstrated that complex deals in strategic sectors remain possible despite significant regulatory challenges and required deep legal and sector-specific expertise.
European Litigation Team of the Year (highly commended)
Within the submission, we highlighted one of the most significant series of court cases in recent years, in which the Supreme Court for the first time provided a comprehensive interpretation of the concept of a “beneficial owner of income” in the context of intra-group financing. The ruling established an important precedent for dozens of similar disputes and strengthened the predictability of tax practice and the level of legal certainty for foreign investors.
Most Impactful ESG Initiative of the Year (highly commended)
The initiative Rethinking Internships / Future Lawyer: Aequo Summer School combined Ukraine’s first national survey on legal internships with the launch of a summer school for 2nd- and 3rd-year law students. The project addressed the growing gap between academic training and market needs and supports the development of young lawyers.
Best Client Service (commended)
Startup Desk is Aequo’s platform designed for technology and defence-tech teams. Combining legal expertise with partnerships with Diia City United, MITS Capital and Brave1, the service helps startups become investment-ready and scale effectively, while retaining economic value and intellectual property in Ukraine.
“These distinctions reflect how the Aequo team operates at a time when the legal market is evolving every day. Ukraine needs new legal approaches, transparent processes, modern education and strong support for innovative businesses. Together with clients, partners and young lawyers, we are building solutions that will form the foundation for the country’s recovery and development” – comments Anna Babych, Executive Partner at Aequo.
Aequo’s achievements in 2025 reflect its broader Aequo.Rebuild strategy – strengthening institutional resilience, supporting reforms and contributing to Ukraine’s technological and investment landscape.