Kyiv, September 26th– As part of our updated development strategy, Eterna Law is pleased to announce the establishment of Lobbying & GR Practice in Ukraine. The Practice will be headed by Mr. Philip M. Griffin, who joins Eterna Law as a Partner with more than 30 years of experience in GR, lobbying and political consulting. It is the first Lobbying & GR Practice in Ukraine which adheres to and complies with all American legal practices.
This appointment resulted out of the needs of businesses in Ukraine for professional classical lobbying services, the success of which depends on the actions and decisions taken by elected officials and government and public authorities.
One of the priority client segments the Practice is to cover includes companies that attach strategic importance to growing their business in the west or that already operate or plan to start a business in the United States. Mr Griffin’s knowledge and experience and his government contacts in the United States and Ukraine are a valuable asset for the GR Practice.
“It was a conscious decision to appoint a citizen of the United States with substantial experience in government relations within and outside the CIS region. The United States is the birthplace of classical lobbying techniques, and we want to implement its best practices in the Ukrainian market to achieve compliance with international ethical and professional standards,”- says Oleh Malskyy, Partner, Head of Corporate and M&A Practice.
Mr. Griffin has developed and implemented various strategic communications plans as well as law making and lobbying initiatives. These campaigns have been at the international as well as U.S. state and national levels. Before coming to work in Ukraine, Philip worked on political races in Russia, South Africa, Haiti, Pakistan, Nigeria and Tajikistan.
Mr. Griffin has been involved at the highest levels of Ukrainian politics for over 11 years. During that time, he has been a political consultant to several leading political parties and politicians during election campaigns and once elected to office. Most recently, Philip Griffin advised Ukraine’s Minister of Economy and Trade, Aivaras Abromavičius on various reforms and law drafting activities. In 2010, the Kiev Post recognized Mr. Griffin as one of the “Most Influential Expats” in Ukraine.
Prior to joining Eterna Law Group as a Partner and Head of the Government Relations and Lobbying practice, Philip was a Senior Counselor at PBN Hill+Knowlton Strategies working with numerous foreign corporate and Ukrainian clients. Philip works and lives in Ukraine.
The main task of the Lobbying & Government Relations Practice will be the forming of various strategies for cooperation with public authorities in Ukraine and the United States individually for each customer, then supporting our clients through all stages of the process, as well as representing and lobbying the interests of clients before State authorities and local governments at all levels to support initiatives.
Eterna Law Council of Partners are of the opinion that specific legal services provided by GR & Lobbying Practice are of indispensable to the business objectives of our clients. At the same time, the Firm complies with the legal and ethical requirements in all aspects of interaction with public authorities and other participants in these dialogues.
The appointment of Mr. Griffin is another important step in the development of Eterna Law. This step was preceded by the merger with the European company which will allow our team to reach new horizons and strengthen its leading position in the EU and the United States. Having a US citizen join Eterna Law as a Partner is a logical step in the successful and coherent global development of our Firm.
