Akin Advises on Establishment of Ukraine’s Lobbying Disclosure Laws

(Washington, D.C.) – Akin advises the Committees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on its establishment of lobbying laws to enhance transparency and democratic governance. Under the leadership of Taras Tarasenko, People's Deputy of Ukraine, Akin’s team—led by Akin senior political law counsel & consultant Ken Gross and lobbying & public policy counsel Kevin Paulsen and including intern Georgii Grygorian—provided pro bono counsel to develop the lobbying disclosure laws. On March 12, President Zelenskyy signed Ukraine’s lobbying laws.

Ukraine's commitment to increasing transparency and democratic processes aligns with its long-term vision for greater transparency. The Akin pro bono team collaborated with the Committees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to review and refine the draft lobbying laws. Leveraging their extensive experience with state and federal laws in the United States, Ken and Kevin offered invaluable insights to ensure that Ukraine's lobbying framework meets international standards now and in the future.

“Ukraine’s vibrant democracy was seeking greater transparency in its lobbying and disclosure laws. We are honored to support Ukraine in its efforts to enact a lobbying disclosure law and foster greater transparency,” said Ken.

The significance of Akin's role in advising the legislature on lobbying laws extends beyond Ukraine's borders. As co-chair of the Practising Law Institute's annual seminar on Corporate Political Activities, Ken has been instrumental in raising awareness about lobbying disclosure laws worldwide. From France's robust legislation to Slovenia's ongoing reform efforts, Akin remains at the forefront of advocating for transparency and democratic principles across diverse jurisdictions.

Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

###