Magisters has lost co-founding partner Oleg Riabokon as he leaves the leading CIS firm to take up a career in Ukrainian politics.

Riabokon will depart the firm today (4 September) but is yet to announce what public office he will be running for in Ukraine.

Riabokon stepped down as Magisters' managing partner in March this year after 18 years in the role, handing over leadership to a strategic council of partners.

Commenting on his decision, Riabokon said: "It is with great passion and purpose that I have taken a decision to enter the world of politics. It is my ambition to establish our country as one firmly based on democratic principles and to enable change in Ukrainian society focusing on our most important asset – our people.

"I am very proud of the Magisters team, which has been consistently recognised as the leading law firm across the CIS, and, with great confidence, I leave a great organisation."

Serhii Sviriba, co-founding partner and strategic council member, said: "We wish Oleg all the best in his mission to serve for the good of society."

Magisters, the largest law firm in Ukraine, is now managed by a strategic partner council comprising Moscow-based partner Dmitry Dyakin and Kiev-based Olga Khoroshylova, Andrew Mac, Oleh Marchenko, Alexey Reznikov as well as Sviriba.

The firm's chief operating officer Irina Nikitina, who was also appointed in March, is also heavily involved in the running of the firm.

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