The international Women in Business Law EMEA ranking has shortlisted VB Partners in two categories:
- Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year
- Career Development Law Firm of the Year
In the Pro Bono category, several of the firm’s initiatives were recognized.
The firm provides legal assistance to protect the property rights of an orphaned girl.
The team is also working on cases related to protecting women’s rights in the workplace in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
VB Partners systematically supports the #ArmWomenNow project, which provides women on the front lines with military uniforms, ammunition, and body armor adapted to the female anatomy.
In addition, VB Partners’ pro bono activities continue through its partners’ charitable foundations:
- The “Lawyers for Lawyers” Foundation – has provided over 9 million UAH in assistance to colleagues and their relatives serving in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- The “Sniper 153” Foundation – fully equips the Sniper Training Center according to NATO standards.
In the Career Development category, the ranking highly praised the firm’s internal team development programs, coordinated by business partner Anna Monakhova.
Among the firm’s key initiatives, the following were highlighted:
- Talent development in practice. Liliia Kuznets and Yuliia Kuznets serve as striking examples. They joined as interns in 2019 and, over the course of six years, advanced to the role of advisors thanks to transparent career growth paths and mentorship from partners.
- The internal Growth Check-In system. These are structured meetings between senior colleagues and junior team members. During these sessions, they discuss results, workload, motivation, and agree on specific development steps.
- Talent-focused recruiting. The search for young lawyers takes place through moot courts, educational projects, essay contests, and scholarships. In 2025, over 70% of new junior staff members came from these initiatives, and the majority of them are women.
“For me, this is much more than just a professional award. It confirms that at VB Partners, career development is determined by talent, responsibility, and a willingness to grow, not by gender. At the same time, international recognition of our pro bono projects and support for those defending the country is a source of particular pride for us. I am proud to be part of a team where shared values are demonstrated through daily actions,” comments business partner Anna Monakhova.
Women in Business Law is an international ranking for law firms that has been recognizing firms for over 15 years for the development of women’s leadership, the implementation of equality policies, and social initiatives. The ranking covers countries in Europe, North and Latin America, as well as the Asia-Pacific region, encompassing a total of over 80 jurisdictions worldwide.
