Founded in June 1994, Koziakov & Partners is one of the pioneering law firms in Ukraine, originally focusing on Corporate Law, State Property Privatization, Litigation, and International Business Transactions.

The firm was established by Sergii Koziakov, co-founder of Proxen Law Firm—the first law firm licensed by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine (License №1, 1990)—together with a team of distinguished partners and lawyers from Proxen.

From its inception, the firm played a key role in shaping Ukraine’s post-independence legal landscape. It was among the first to provide legal counsel to Ukrainian and foreign entrepreneurs, private businesses, and international investors operating in the newly independent Ukraine. In the early 1990s, the firm focused on solving the practical legal challenges faced by emerging businesses, supporting cross-border transactions, and guiding the state property privatization process. Our lawyers were instrumental in drafting Ukraine’s first laws on privatization, international business activities, and military goods export regulations. By the late 1990s, the firm expanded its services, developing strong practices in Litigation and Arbitration, Tax Law, and Competition Law. In the early 2000s, the firm became one of the first Ukrainian legal practices to establish a dedicated International Trade Law department.

On 9 December 2014, the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine unanimously elected Sergii Koziakov as its Chairman. In order to avoid any conflict of interest or breach of anti-corruption legislation, he suspended his legal practice during his tenure. However, he continued his academic career at the Institute of International Relations, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

In 2020, after concluding his public service, Sergii Koziakov returned to private practice and resumed his partnership at Koziakov & Partners. Today, the firm is led by five partners who are recognized both in the domestic market and internationally: Sergii Koziakov, Mykola Podpalov, Andrey Karnaukhov, Nataliia Isakhanova and Andrii Pylypenko.

Over the years, Koziakov & Partners has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality legal services. Our lawyers advise Ukrainian and international clients across a broad spectrum of legal matters.

Our core practice areas include:

  • Commercial, Corporate and M&A
  • Competition & Antitrust
  • Commercial litigation
  • International Trade / WTO / Trade Regulation
  • International Arbitration (including VIAC, SCC, ICC, GAFTA, FOSFA etc.)
  • Intellectual property/art law
  • Private Client and business support
  • Real estate and construction
  • Environment

With a long-standing tradition of legal excellence and deep involvement in Ukraine’s legal development, Koziakov & Partners remains a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex legal and regulatory challenges.