Tax Lawyer (1-3 PQE)

Kyiv · On-site

About this role

We are seeking a motivated and capable tax lawyer to join our Commercial/Tax team in Kyiv. The role is primarily focused on tax advisory work, with a strong emphasis on supporting complex cross-border, regulatory and transactional projects and exposure to related commercial and regulatory matters. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified lawyer with 1–3 years' post-qualification experience who is keen to develop into a tax lawyer within an international firm environment, to build a broad and intellectually stimulating practice.

The successful candidate will work across a varied caseload, supporting senior lawyers in delivering pragmatic, commercially aware tax and legal advice to clients operating in a range of sectors. You will have good drafting skills and the ability to translate legal theory into structured and practical advice with appropriate supervision. As the role is client-facing, you will need sound judgement and good interpersonal and consultancy skills. To meet the needs of the role, you will have an appropriate level of relevant tax and legal experience in a leading law firm, Big 4 firm or comparable professional environment. The ability to communicate succinctly with clients is a must.


About the role

Our team covers a wide range of tax and commercial matters, with a particular focus on cross-border structuring, inbound investment into Ukraine and regulated industries, serving clients from large corporations to innovative small businesses.

Our clients operate across various industries, including consumer products, media, energy, oil & gas, renewables, IT and telecoms, financial sector, defence tech, pharmaceuticals and others.

The work we perform combines tax advisory, regulatory and transactional support, and we pride ourselves on using our technical expertise and commercial acumen to find pragmatic solutions that meet our clients’ needs. In particular, our team’s work typically includes:

  • tax structuring of cross-border investments and group holding structures (including application of double tax treaties, beneficial ownership and permanent establishment analysis);
  • tax aspects of M&A transactions, joint ventures and corporate reorganisations;
  • advising on financing structures (including IFI/ECA financing, shareholder loans and debt instruments);
  • supporting large-scale projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors (including production sharing agreements and other regulated frameworks);
  • advising international clients entering the Ukrainian market, including corporate structuring and ongoing tax compliance considerations;
  • tax support for technology and digital businesses (including Diia City framework, gig-contractors and cross-border service models).

Role includes:

  • Researching and preparing drafts of advice on tax matters in commercial projects and transactions, including M&A, greenfield and brownfield investments, IFI financing, for review by senior team members
  • Drafting and reviewing tax memoranda, structuring notes and client correspondence, as well as assisting with commercial contracts in close cooperation with partners and senior team members
  • Preparing tax analysis and practical client advice on Ukrainian and cross-border matters under supervision
  • Supporting various commercial, regulatory, transactional projects where tax input is required
  • Providing efficient professional support for partners and team members, including legal research, preparation of working materials and internal coordination
  • Developing professional relationships with clients and supporting business development and marketing initiatives (e.g. research, presentations, publications)

About you

The ideal candidate will be a qualified lawyer with 1–3 years' PQE and experience in tax advisory work (Big 4 experience is a significant plus). We also welcome applications from trainee lawyers with a strong interest in tax and the ability to demonstrate the necessary competencies.

We are looking for an energetic, proactive and enthusiastic individual with strong business English and excellent Ukrainian; someone who is focused on results and is able to manage and prioritise competing demands.
To support our valued clients in the fast-moving legal landscape, we are looking for candidates with a future-facing mindset, based in Kyiv. We would love to hear from candidates who have:

  • 1-3 years of relevant experience gained in a law firm, in-house or a Big 4 environment in Ukraine
  • a basic but solid grounding in Ukrainian tax rules (CIT, VAT, WHT) and an interest in developing deeper expertise in cross-border taxation
  • an ability to work with complex information and develop structured, well-reasoned written analysis
  • an interest in drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial or project agreements
  • a law degree from a reputable university
  • excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Ukrainian (other languages would be a plus)
  • a commercial approach and strong interpersonal, administrative and time management skills
  • the flexibility to multi-task and deliver results efficiently 
  • the ability to work both independently and as part of a team 
  • a collaborative, supportive and positive attitude
  • the drive to develop as a tax lawyer within an international law firm

 
Ready to apply? Here are the next steps.
Please apply using the ‘Apply’ button where you will be taken straight to our application portal.

What’s in it for you?

As a future facing firm, we take a bold, dynamic and agile approach to help clients of every size face the future with confidence. We empower and support our people to realise their ambitions through access to high quality, interesting and engaging work alongside a competitive package.

Please note that we have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.

Company at a glance

Are you a MENA-based business seeking investments abroad, or a multinational looking to enter, establish or grow your business interests in the dynamic markets of MENA? With our lawyers based throughout the key regional commercial centres, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria and Turkey, CMS MENA has the resources and expertise to support all aspects of your business.

If you’re looking for new markets, investment opportunities, implementation of new strategies or have a dispute to resolve, we have specialist teams of over 125 lawyers on the ground to help across some of the region’s most exciting economies. Our local knowledge and business savvy approach means we give you both commercial and legal insight to make the most of the opportunities in the region. Our sector focus gives us a comprehensive understanding of our clients’ businesses and markets and allows us to constantly deliver sound and commercially relevant advice from any of our offices We focus on relationships, not deals, and we are considered more approachable and accessible than many of our competitors. Our clients tell us that they like working with us and that we’re often seen as the human face of the law.

International law firm CMS has over 5,000 lawyers in 79 locations worldwide to help organisations thrive in changing times. Through our technical rigour, strategic expertise and deep focus on building long-term partnerships, we are committed to putting our clients and their business success first.

Team Size5,001-10,000 employees
WorkspaceOn-site
IndustryLegal Services
Location
Kyiv, Ukraine

Top Benefits

  • Competitive Package

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