ANDRII KOTYK

Corporate Governance

• Led legal teams responsible for government relations (GR) in major industry-specific and consulting firms, in-house and within consulting practices. 
• Provided comprehensive legal support for establishing and launching a microcredit business in Asia. This involved everything from concept development to operational activities, including corporate structuring, obtaining necessary licenses, hiring personnel, and ensuring regulatory compliance in the respective jurisdictions. 
• Represented the interests of the non-banking financial sector during the regulatory transition (SPLIT) and contributed to the adoption of key sector-specific laws, including those related to financial monitoring, payment services, virtual assets, and debt collection. This participation involved active cooperation with the Verkhovna Rada, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and the National Bank of Ukraine and membership in industry associations focused on shaping regulatory policy. 
• Led a team that successfully protected an international company’s interests in a complex legal dispute regarding banking assets and debt restructuring exceeding 100 million UAH. The project required collaboration with global law firms, coordination across multiple jurisdictions, and negotiations with counterparties and regulators. As a result, the team effectively prevented forced asset seizure, secured favorable debt restructuring terms, and safeguarded the client against further financial and reputational risks. 
• Managed the development of a legal framework for launching an innovative fintech service that offers payment services and issues electronic money across multiple countries. Responsibilities included obtaining financial licenses in the EU and Ukraine, drafting agreements with banks and payment partners, and establishing compliance procedures in accordance with PSD2, GDPR, and FATF regulations. Additionally, organized legal support for integration with international payment systems (Visa, Mastercard), facilitating the company's seamless entry into the global market and attracting significant investments. 

Cybersecurity

• Led the development of a legal compliance framework for data protection laws and GDPR alignment. This involved creating and implementing internal policies, conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA), and formulating comprehensive cybersecurity strategies for clients in the financial and technology sectors. Ensured integration of international information security standards into internal processes, thereby minimizing regulatory risks.
• Provided strategic legal support to clients during large-scale inspections by the Ukrainian data protection regulator, helping them avoid fines and administrative liabilities while securing official confirmation of compliance with legal requirements. Coordinated thorough preparation for inspections, including audits of data processing systems, implementation of updated security policies, and alignment of contractual relations with international standards (GDPR, ISO 27001).
• Developed legal risk management models for cybersecurity in financial and technology companies. This included contractual regulations for data transfers, incident response policies, and protocols for managing data breaches. Advised top management on the legal aspects of cybersecurity, particularly about engagement with government authorities.

Finance and M&A Transactions

• Led legal support for acquiring a Ukrainian bank, which involved creating and implementing a comprehensive corporate restructuring strategy for the new ownership structure. Conducted an in-depth legal review of transactions to minimize regulatory and financial risks. Coordinated interactions among investors, regulators, and international legal advisors to ensure compliance with global corporate governance and financial monitoring standards.
• Developed a comprehensive strategy for restructuring significant mortgage-backed debt for one of the largest Ukrainian companies amid substantial changes in circumstances. This involved thorough legal analysis, adaptation of contractual mechanisms, and successful negotiation with creditors and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These efforts enabled modifications to repayment terms, avoidance of forced asset foreclosure, and minimized financial risks.
• Led legal support for the acquisition of a group of companies operating an extensive network of gas stations, ensuring the transaction was structured comprehensively. Developed and implemented an optimal model for transferring corporate rights, granting the buyer complete control over strategic assets. Conducted a detailed analysis of regulatory and financial risks, which helped prevent legal disputes and creditor claims, facilitating the seamless integration of assets into the new ownership structure.
• Provided legal support for comprehensive due diligence and structuring multiple complex mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity transactions. Coordinated asset verification, tax analysis, and contractual structuring and developed risk mitigation mechanisms for international and local investors, ensuring regulatory compliance for the successful closure of transactions.
•  Designed and implemented effective cross-border tax structuring, liquidation, and asset restructuring models to reduce tax burdens while minimizing regulatory and financial risks. Ensured corporate structures were adapted to international standards (OECD, BEPS, FATCA), including the optimisation of asset ownership through tax-efficient jurisdictions, utilisation of tax residency mechanisms, structuring of financial flows, and management of transfer pricing risks.