Lawyers with a Ukrainian Spirit. How, in 20 years, a team of young lawyers built MORIS, a modern law company that has become a strategic partner for the military and business

Unconventional Growth Model

MORIS began its journey in 2004 in Ivano-Frankivsk, founded by a team of young lawyers – fresh out of university – who set themselves an ambitious goal: to build a law company that would not only lead in Western Ukraine but also establish itself as a key player in the national legal market. From the outset, the company was built on values, professionalism, and a reputation as a reliable partner.

The start was dynamic – within just three years, MORIS had outgrown the Western region. In 2007, the team moved to Kyiv. A year later, in 2008, the global financial crisis shook economies worldwide. Despite the challenges, MORIS navigated the turbulence successfully, thanks to its agility and effective management.

«Since then, our core principle has remained unchanged – you must always stay prepared, recognize and seize new opportunities, and remember that every crisis has both a beginning and an end».

Andriy Romanchuk MORIS Managing Partner

The companyʼs evolution mirrored the transformation of Ukrainian business. Initially focused on litigation and tax law, the company expanded alongside its clients, developing expertise in corporate law and M&A, competition and antitrust law, as well as bankruptcy and restructuring.

Every new practice area at MORIS has been an investment in the team’s growth.

«We take great care in forming our team and selecting partners who share our values, — emphasizes the company’s Managing Partner. — This approach allows us to maintain high professionalism and cohesion within the company».

MORIS frequently assembles cross-functional project teams to ensure comprehensive and effective solutions for clients. This integrated approach is one of the company’s hallmarks, enabling consistently high-quality results. The leadership believes the «synthesis of experience and rational intuition is key to making the right strategic decisions». That’s why MORIS goes beyond legal analysis – it studies the real economy and its client’s business processes. Combining deep, «molecular-level» expertise and broad industry knowledge allows the company to develop stronger legal arguments in court and better protect its clients’ interests.

One notable example is MORIS’ role in coordinating a large-scale financial restructuring for Persha Pryvatna Brovarnia, a brewing group that includes PJSC PBK Radomyshl and LLC TVK Persha Pryvatna Brovarnia «For People – Like for Ourselves!» The restructuring followed a special procedure outlined in Law of Ukraine «On Financial Restructuring». Thanks to the MORIS legal team’s comprehensive work, the company successfully restructured over UAH 1.19 billion in debt owed to a state bank.

What made this project unique was the seamless integration of in-depth legal and financial analysis with strategic business planning and effective negotiations with the creditor. As a result, both parties’ interests were balanced, ensuring a successful debt restructuring.

This case demonstrated how agreements between businesses and the state sector can strengthen the banking system while supporting domestic enterprises. MORIS’ strategic thinking and holistic approach turned this project into a market-shaping precedent that underscored the power of partnership and professionalism in challenging conditions.

 Strategy for the Future

«Our immediate goals are to support the Ukrainian army, enhance legal protection mechanisms, assist businesses, and prepare for post-war recovery», shares Andriy Romanchuk. «We see significant potential in developing corporate law and mergers and acquisitions, as Ukrainian businesses will require substantial resources and investments after the war. This is especially relevant for the agricultural sector, defense industry, and new technologies, which will catalyze growth in the Ukrainian corporate environment once the war ends».

An important and promising area for MORIS is supporting Ukrainian Miltech companies. According to Romanchuk, this sector will be a driving force for the Ukrainian economy, both now and in the post-war period.

«Our efforts are focused on supporting not only the military but also the businesses that sustain them», — says Andriy Romanchuk, who serves in the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, «Khartiia». «Ukrainian manufacturers, especially those in engineering and innovation, will have significant export potential in the global market after the war. By supporting them now, we are investing in reviving Ukraine’s economy».

A key focus for MORIS will be litigation to recover damages inflicted on Ukrainian businesses by russia’s war. An urgent need is to establish adequate legal mechanisms to protect corporate property rights, including procedures for compensating material losses and damages. In response, MORIS continues to invest in international legal expertise and prepare for a surge of cases in global investment arbitration courts.  

These future challenges also highlight the growing demand for legal talent. To address this, MORIS actively collaborates with students, conducting regular selections for paid internships, with the most promising candidates receiving offers for permanent employment. According to company representatives, MORIS is considered one of the most desirable law companies for young professionals looking to build careers.  

«We believe in our victory and foresee that domestic economic development – especially infrastructure projects and city reconstruction – will drive Ukraine’s economic growth, — says Andriy Romanchuk. — This will require joint efforts, investments, and new strategies. Together with our clients, we will continue working for the benefit of Ukraine and its people».

Victory Strategy for the Client

«We always ask our clients how they define their victory», says Andriy Romanchuk. «Our goal is not just to solve a specific issue but to offer a comprehensive approach to all their legal matters. We strive to develop a legal strategy that anticipates all possible risks and ensures long-term success».

Rather than short-term reactive solutions, this strategic approach is the foundation for valuable and long-lasting relationships with clients – some of which have endured for over 20 years.  

A prime example is MORIS’ two-decade partnership with PJSC «Ivano-Frankivsk cement», which has become a model of long-term client collaboration and effective resolution of complex legal challenges. With MORIS’ support, the client successfully integrated corporate restructuring, establishing a holding structure in Switzerland. This optimized management processes and ensured stronger protection of ownership rights. As part of this comprehensive strategy, the company successfully entered the European market, gaining access to foreign investments and financing from leading European banks – a move that significantly enhanced its global competitiveness.  

MORIS stands out for its deep understanding of the Ukrainian legal system, combined with a tailored business strategy, a holistic approach to legal development, a commitment to national identity, and a strong alignment with international standards.

Contribution to the development of military law

The most urgent issue today is the creation of a military justice system. «We are at the stage when we need to prepare the legislative framework, strengthen institutional capacities, and launch the relevant structures without wasting time», emphasizes the Managing Partner of MORIS. «This is a huge moral responsibility to our defenders – they deserve justice in the country for which they shed their blood more than anyone else. In particular, it is necessary to create specialized panels in general courts to involve military personnel, investigators, and prosecutors who understand the specifics of military cases».

With regard to social protection, the companyʼs lawyers joined the development of legislative initiatives to support the military and their families, and finally, in 2023, the relevant changes were adopted. They simplify the process of obtaining combatant status for volunteers and financial support for the families of fallen heroes. In addition, since 2014, MORIS has been working closely with Azov and the Azov Patronage Service to provide them with legal support. 

Pro bono 

Providing pro bono professional assistance to non-profit and civil society organizations has always been key to MORIS’ social responsibility. However, today, the companyʼs top priority is supporting initiatives related to military needs.  

«We have directed our pro bono legal efforts toward supporting the military, legislative reform, and the development of military law, — explains Andriy Romanchuk. — Providing legal assistance to military units and collaborating with civic, charitable, and volunteer organizations has become a systematic effort for our firm».

One of MORISʼ most extraordinary pro bono cases involved an inheritance claim on behalf of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). In January 2023, a Ukrainian-American bequeathed his estate to the Commander-in-Chief of the AFU, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Through precise legal interpretation and collaboration with U.S. colleagues, MORIS ensured that this $1 million inheritance was successfully allocated to support Ukraine’s military.  

In 2022, MORIS became a co-founder and permanent partner of the #SaveUkraineNow Coordination Center, which supplies equipment, gear, and medical aid to Defense Forces units from Prykarpattia stationed on the front lines.  

The company also partners with the Ukrainian Bar Association and collaborates on value-driven leadership projects with Aspen Institute Kyiv* Additionally, MORIS works with USAID AGRO on the «Land Without Corruption» project to reduce corruption and raiding in land relations at all levels.  

At the same time, MORIS continues to invest in educational and cultural initiatives, including its support for Babylonian Library Publishing House, which publishes works by contemporary Ukrainian authors and world literary classics that have yet to be translated into Ukrainian.