Senior Associate, Cross-Border Litigation and Arbitration – Ukraine
We are seeking an experienced and highly driven Cross-Border Litigation and Arbitration Senior Associate to join our Dispute Resolution team in Ukraine.
This senior role offers the opportunity to take a leading position in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes, working directly with Partners, while having exposure to international clients on high-value, multi-jurisdictional matters.
As a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution service line, you will play a key role in shaping strategies, managing day-to-day conduct of cross-border cases, and acting as a primary point of contact for clients on assigned matters. You will also contribute to the development of the practice through mentoring junior lawyers, supporting business development initiatives, and strengthening client relationships.
Responsibilities include:
- Leading and managing complex cross-border and multi-jurisdictional litigation matters and matters before arbitration tribunals under Partner supervision;
- Developing and implementing dispute resolution strategies, including jurisdictional analysis, risk assessment, and procedural planning;
- Acting as a key client-facing lawyer, maintaining regular and proactive communication with clients on case strategy, progress, risks, timelines, and budgets;
- Drafting, reviewing, and finalizing high-level pleadings, submissions, legal memoranda, motions, and procedural documents in English;
- Coordinating and supervising work of Associates, Junior Associates, and paralegals on international litigation matters;
- Managing and coordinating workstreams with foreign counsel, international law firms, experts, and local advisers across multiple jurisdictions;
- Overseeing evidence collection, disclosure and discovery processes, including complex common law discovery procedures;
- Preparing for and supporting hearings before foreign courts and international tribunals, including advocacy support, hearing bundles, chronologies, and strategic briefs;
- Advising on recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments and arbitral awards, including interim measures, asset tracing, and enforcement strategies;
- Identifying legal, procedural, and commercial risks and proposing practical, business-oriented solutions;
- Contributing to business development activities, including preparation of pitches, client presentations, legal updates, and thought leadership materials;
- Supporting client relationship development and assisting Partners in expanding existing client engagements;
- Mentoring junior team members and contributing to knowledge sharing and internal training initiatives.
Key skills and experience required:
- Law degree from a recognized university and qualification to practice law;
- Minimum 5–7 years of experience in dispute resolution, litigation, or arbitration, with significant international or cross-border exposure;
- Strong knowledge of civil and commercial litigation procedures and international dispute resolution mechanisms;
- Proven ability to independently manage complex matters and supervise junior team members;
- Excellent legal drafting, analytical, and strategic thinking skills;
- Fluent English, both written and spoken; additional languages are an advantage;
- Strong client-facing skills and the ability to build and maintain trusted client relationships;
- Commercial awareness and interest in business development activities;
- Ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously and meet demanding deadlines;
- Admission to the bar in Ukraine is a must.
Only candidates who meet all the requirements set out above will be considered for the position.
What we offer
At Kinstellar, we prioritize your goals. We begin by understanding your strengths and ambitions as an employee and strive to create opportunities that unlock your full potential. By joining our team of exceptional talents, you become part of our high culture where we are committed to your personal and professional growth. We offer:
- High-level corporate culture: Our culture comes to life through our five core values: Excellence, Insight, Integrity, Team Spirit and Drive. At Kinstellar, we place a premium on integrity and are the only regional law firm with a dedicated risk and compliance team, along with a comprehensive anti-corruption compliance program.
- Learning & development: Benefit from professional development and training in a leading Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Southeast Europe (SEE) and Central Asia (CA) law firm, engaging in interesting work for reputable local and international clients.
- Wellbeing: Experience comprehensive benefits tailored to individual needs, fostering your mental and physical wellbeing. We prioritize your work-life balance with firm-wide days off and offer competitive compensation, including future salary growth and an annual performance bonus.
- Social impact: Engage in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives for both local and global impact. Our employee-driven Community Investment program includes pro bono work, volunteering, donations, and sponsorships.
Why Kinstellar?
At Kinstellar, we provide premium legal services and pride ourselves on having a collaborative, team oriented, future looking culture providing unique development opportunities to grow in a highly supportive working environment throughout all stages of your career. At Kinstellar you will have the opportunity to work with outstanding lawyers of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Southeast Europe (SEE) and Central Asia (CA) and of the world’s greatest referring law firms on highly complex cases. We are a purpose-driven organization, with outstanding sector and service line expertise, knowledge and commitment to client service and innovation.
We know our people value flexibility around when and where they work. So, we are committed to offering a more adaptable way to work, balancing the way you work and your lifestyle with hybrid working options.
We will support your career aspirations by offering access to mobility programs such as intra- office secondments and secondments with referring law firms where possible. These programs give you the chance to travel to other countries, engage with international clients, lawyers and develop your networks.
Equal opportunities
Kinstellar provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants and strictly prohibits discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected characteristics.
Joining Kinstellar means working with some of the finest legal minds in CEE, SEE & CA on the region's most challenging mandates. We attract the best and brightest talents to help us continue our stellar growth.
Do you consider yourself Stellar? Apply now!
At Kinstellar we welcome direct applications. Please send your application (CV and cover letter) in English to Kateryna Kryvozub, HR Manager, at . We will then be in touch with you once we have reviewed your application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
By submitting your application, you agree to provide us with your personal data for the purposes of the recruitment process at Kinstellar. Your personal data will be processed with utmost confidentiality by Kinstellar solely for the purposes of selection and recruitment and will not be transferred to other data controllers unless required by law.
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