Accepting new casesBucharest · KyivMon–Fri · 10:00 – 16:00
+380 95 401 0000 / +40 757 275 394[email protected]
Iryna Arapova at work
Iryna ArapovaFounder Arapova Counsel

Born in Luhansk. Rebuilt my professional practice twice first in Kyiv, then in Bucharest.

My professional path did not start from a position of comfort it was forged through displacement. It is this unique, firsthand experience in navigating complex transitions that makes my consulting practice truly valuable to those who rely on me today. I don’t just offer solutions I provide the strategic clarity needed to rebuild and secure your future in a new jurisdiction.

I am a legal and business consultant currently operating between Bucharest and Kyiv. Originally from Luhansk, I relocated in 2016 due to the ongoing regional conflict a turning point that transformed my perspective on both life and law. My career began in Luhansk and gained significant momentum following my move to Kyiv, where I navigated complex institutional environments.

In 2024, I founded my own consulting firm. Today, I lead a specialized team providing cross-border support to clients in Ukraine and abroad. My mission is to demystify complex migration and business regulations, empowering clients whether corporations entering new markets or families integrating into new legal systems to manage their affairs with confidence and strategic clarity.

My professional foundation was built prior to 2014, working with the Zhovtnevyi District Court of Luhansk, the Luhansk City Department of Justice, and the State Department of Ecology and Natural Resources. These formative years instilled in me a rigorous approach to legal procedure.

Upon moving to the Kyiv region, I joined the 'Imperatyv Plus' law firm, where I managed environmental legal issues supported by Swiss-European grants. This experience solidified my technical skills and professional confidence.

In 2018, I joined the Regional Center for Free Legal Aid (Ministry of Justice of Ukraine), collaborating with over 200 attorneys. Subsequently, I headed the legal department of the Pension Fund of Ukraine in Boryspil.

My expertise in regulatory, property, and administrative matters was forged at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, where I specialized in real estate and land management litigation. I further honed my skills in judicial representation at the National Commission for State Regulation of Financial Services (2019–2020) and later contributed to the Department of Strategic Investigations at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

From 2022 to 2024, I served with the International Organization for Migration (IOM/UN) in Bucharest, assisting Ukrainian citizens with complex integration processes. This experience served as the catalyst for establishing my firm, which now focuses on providing high-level cross-border legal and business solutions for individuals and corporate clients alike.

2024 —
Founding Arapova Counsel SRL.
Bucharest & Kyiv
Founded a business consulting firm providing strategic administrative support for individuals and companies operating between Romania and Ukraine. Areas of expertise , corporate strategy, commercial and labour compliance, IP protection, family and immigration affairs, and real estate advisory.
2022 – 2024
Consultant, United Nations (IOM)
Bucharest
Assisted Ukrainian citizens with integration processes in Romania, providing professional guidance on residency, labor rights, and administrative procedures. This firsthand experience forms the foundation of our firm's cross-border practice and our expertise in temporary protection applications.
2020 – 2022
Senior Legal Specialist, Legal Support Department
Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
Provided comprehensive legal support for the Department, which specializes in identifying and disrupting high-level strategic crimes. A core component of my responsibilities was professionally representing the Department’s interests in administrative and other court proceedings. Working within a team led by a PhD in Law, I conducted legal reviews of operational decisions, drafted procedural documents, and prepared expert legal opinions. My role demanded an impeccable command of the legislative framework, the ability to conduct rapid analysis of regulatory acts, and ensuring procedural integrity at every stage to ensure that the Department’s positions remained resilient under rigorous judicial scrutiny.
2019 – 2020
Chief Specialist of the Department for Legal Representation in Courts
National Commission for the State Regulation of Financial Services Markets (NCSRSM), Kyiv
Work at the regulatory authority became the foundation of my expertise in financial law. By combining litigation practice with work at the intersection of regulatory law and financial services, I gained experience in effectively representing the interests of a government agency and resolving complex legal cases. My specialization in banking and insurance law, as well as regulatory compliance, currently forms the basis of my professional practice.
2019
Ministry of Defence · Real Estate & Land Dept.
Kyiv, Ukraine
Provided comprehensive legal support for the Division’s operations concerning the administration of real estate and defence land assets. My core responsibilities included representing the Ministry in litigation and providing legal counsel on administrative and property-related matters, specifically regarding land use and the management of state assets. This tenure laid the foundation for my professional expertise in real estate and land law.
2018
Head of the Legal Department, Pension Fund of Ukraine
Kyiv Region (Boryspil Office)
Directed the legal operations of the Boryspil office, overseeing all aspects of legal compliance and regulatory adherence. My responsibilities included managing the legal department’s workflow, representing the Fund in complex administrative and social welfare disputes, and providing strategic legal counsel to the management team. This leadership role sharpened my ability to interpret and apply complex social security legislation while ensuring the robust protection of institutional interests.
2017
Free Legal Aid Centre
Ministry of Justice, Kyiv
Provided specialized legal consultations to citizens and facilitated professional engagement with a vast network of over 200 attorneys. Handled high-volume case workflows, ensuring effective communication and operational synergy between the Center and private legal practitioners to uphold access to justice.
2016
Attorney, Imperative Plus
Kyiv region, Ukraine
Provided comprehensive legal support for projects funded by European grants, focusing on environmental initiatives. Drafted formal inquiries, complex contractual agreements, and represented the organization’s interests in court proceedings, ensuring full compliance with international grant requirements and national legislation.
2012– 2014
State Department of Ecology and Natural Resources.
Luhansk, Ukraine
Served as the primary legal advisor on environmental law and natural resource management. Managed complex regulatory matters, represented the department’s interests in legal proceedings, and ensured that institutional operations remained compliant with evolving environmental legislation and administrative mandates.
2011 – 2012
Legal Counsel,Luhansk City Department of Justice
Luhansk, Ukraine
Advised on regulatory compliance and the implementation of administrative policies within the municipal jurisdiction. Facilitated the execution of legal mandates, ensured the integrity of official documentation, and provided legal expertise to support the effective functioning of the department’s operations.
2010
Judicial Assistant, Zhovtnevyi District Court of Luhansk
Luhansk, Ukraine
Provided comprehensive analytical and procedural support to the presiding judge. Responsibilities included drafting judicial decisions, conducting legal research, and managing case documentation, ensuring the efficient administration of justice and strict adherence to procedural requirements.
Degree · 01

Law degree

Comprehensive legal expertise encompassing procedural, civil, and administrative law. Application of advanced legal frameworks to ensure strategic compliance and robust protection of client interests. Proven capacity to navigate complex intersections of national legislation and international legal standards

Degree · 02

Journalism degree

The multidisciplinary background in journalism provides an expert command of information management, data synthesis, and strategic communication. This foundation enables a deep analytical approach to complex legal concepts, allowing for the precise articulation of legal positions. These competencies significantly enhance the efficacy of legal representation and ensure high-level professional communication in multifaceted practice areas.

Degree · 03

Master of Public Administration (MPA) Specialization in Administrative Management.

This degree provided advanced expertise in public sector governance and institutional operations. The acquired knowledge was successfully implemented during my tenure in state institutions and is currently utilized to structure the cross-jurisdictional framework of my legal practice.

i.

Scope before you commit

Every engagement starts with a written scope and a fixed or capped fee. No open-ended hours, no surprises on the invoice. If the matter turns out to be outside the firm's strengths, you hear that on the first call.

ii.

Cross-border by default

The practice spans Romania and Ukraine by design, not by exception. Most legal questions faced by clients here sit in the gap between two systems — the firm is built to work in that gap.

iii.

State experience on your side

Eight years inside Ukrainian ministries means an understanding of how public institutions interpret rules and exercise discretion — knowledge that changes how you approach a regulatory dispute or a government-facing contract.

iv.

Justice without compromise

The firm's motto since founding. It means taking positions that are legally sound even when they are commercially inconvenient, and not advising clients to accept settlements that do not reflect their rights.

Ukrainian
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English
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Romanian
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