Few people love the litigation process as much as I do

From legal assistant to partner, that’s the career path of Iryna Kobets, head of dispute resolution at LCF Law Group. The gold medal of the Physics and Mathematics Lyceum defined her way of thinking. An algorithmic approach is the secret to success in solving complex tasks. Iryna’s motto is to seek unconventional solutions, have a flexible approach to work, and always remember plan B. In this interview, we’ll discuss where she finds inspiration and motivation during the war.

Iryna, congratulations on your promotion to partner at LCF and recognition in the Ukrainian Women in Law 2023 study. Can you remember how it all started; did you dream of such achievements at the beginning of your career?

Thank you. These are indeed two significant professional recognitions for me.

My professional career at LCF Law Group began in 2014. Maybe 10 years ago, I didn’t dream of all these achievements, but I definitely knew I wanted to be a litigation lawyer. This was a defining moment. I always say that few people love the litigation process as much as I do.

I still feel the same excitement and energy that overwhelmed me on my first day at work and in the early years of my career. Developing at LCF has been an incredible opportunity for me to learn, grow and collaborate with extraordinarily talented people in a creative team. Trust and support of partners and team have helped me move forward and reach new heights.

Starting from the position of legal assistant at LCF to partner in the company, which transition was the most difficult and why?

The most difficult for me was the transition from the position of senior lawyer to the role of counsel and head of the dispute resolution team. This was a completely different level of responsibility.

This stage required me to develop new skills, including strategic management and leadership qualities, as well as improving my communication abilities. Organizing project work was no longer sufficient. Now it was important to effectively manage relationships with clients, the team and finances.

This period coincided with the post-COVID business conditions, and later with the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against our state. This required LCF and me personally to transform our work approaches: setting up remote work and communication, considering safety aspects and an individual approach to life situations. I am confident that we successfully coped, preserved the team and team spirit as well as adapted internal processes. This contributes to the success of not only the company but also our clients.

Complete this sentence: ‘It so happened that in my profession I always had to…’

…seek unconventional solutions. Being successful in litigation practice requires not only a deep understanding of legal issues, but also looking beyond standard approaches and seeking creative strategies, especially in our unstable and changing world. That’s why I love judicial practice.

Each client and each case is unique for us. It has its own story that requires a special approach. We understand that there are no universal solutions, so we strive to create individual strategies for each client.

Do you think it is necessary to take risks?

I always focus on awareness and responsibility for risky decisions.

We handle highly complex disputes of such significance that their consequences directly determine our clients’ business development. The nature of these cases requires not only the formulation of a legal strategy, but also a deep understanding of the client’s business processes. Industry knowledge helps to reduce risks and enables making right decisions as well as achieving results not only in specific court cases, but also for the client’s business as a whole.

In our project work, there are always plans A, B, and possibly C, since it is a strategic tool for achieving success. In a world of constant change and uncertainty, it’s important to have a flexible approach and always be prepared for various scenarios to successfully resolve tasks.

What are the peculiarities of the dispute resolution team and what is the secret of success?

At LCF, we strive for growth and creation of equal opportunities for all our team members. Our biggest value is the people, and this principle is key to building all our internal processes.

When I think of the dispute resolution team, calling them as a ‘dream team’ is not a marketing strategy for me, it comes from my heart. This reflects my confidence in our team. I believe that success lies in the ability to find an individual approach to each team member, focusing on their strengths and offering a personalized area of responsibility.

Loyalty in the team is an equally important aspect, especially in today’s highly emotional world. I am proud that most of our dispute resolution team has been working at LCF Law Group for over five years. For me, this is not only an indicator of trust, but also a sign that we are moving in the right direction.

I often hear from your colleagues that you have a high KPI and are passionate about mathematics. What led to such preferences?

The gold medal of the Physics and Mathematics Lyceum indeed defined my way of thinking. This influenced me by developing algorithmic thinking, which is now reflected in everything I do. When I look at a litigation document, I imagine it as a detailed plan, and the strategy in a project as a multi-level algorithm.

This enables me to see jurisprudence as a creative exact science, where each case is a unique puzzle. An algorithmic approach is my secret to success in solving complex tasks. It’s a sort of oxymoron that combines creativity and precision.

Iryna, you often represent clients before the courts, have a large number of successful cases and won cases, but could you share your personal rules on how to recover from setbacks in court proceedings, have you experienced any setbacks?

In a profession where a cold mind determines success, it’s important to realize that accepting loss is a necessary component to prevent professional burnout, no matter how difficult it may be.

My belief in the legal position in each case forms the quality of documents and appearance before the court. It’s important to believe in what you say or write. However, this approach puts you under great emotional pressure, especially in the event of setback in court proceedings.

My solution is always to have a plan B or alternative options, as we manage risks. Understanding what to do in case of loss helps me perceive it as just another battle, not a war. This approach makes it possible to find optimal solutions, and ultimately, our clients always win.

Where do you find inspiration and motivation, especially in recent years during the war? How do you manage to maintain mental health and not go crazy?

My family is main inspiration and motivation. What I’ve learned over the past two years is to appreciate every moment and find joy in the little things. Small family traditions and evening walks have become my main way to maintain emotional balance.

Although it may seem cliché, sport has also become part of my life. The opportunity to do ballet in adulthood has become an unexpected joy and a source of energy for me.

For me in this unstable world, at least something must remain stable. At LCF, it’s the team atmosphere, our invincible island. LCF team consists of incredible people with whom I have been working for almost 10 years. They’re not just colleagues but a real family, an important part of my success formula.

What are your further plans in your career development?

Further development of LCF dispute resolution will be focused on specialization within the practice. Our traditional areas of expertise include banking, agricultural, corporate disputes and disputes with the state. We plan to continue deepening our specialization in these areas.

Today there is an increasing number of disputes in the energy sector. The synergy of litigation and industrial practice in energy and natural resources is already demonstrating its effectiveness. Therefore, we consider disputes in the energy sector to be one of the key focuses in further work.

I also see prospects for increasing land disputes and disputes in the privatization sector. The start of mass privatization and the realization of sanctioned assets mean these disputes will find their niches in the structure of judicial practice.

What pro bono cases are you currently working on?

I hope that in the near future, we will be able to present the results of cooperation between LCF and ‘Kyiv Military Hub’ regarding legal assistance to military personnel and their family members. This is an important step for us in the direction of social responsibility as lawyers.

In my personal development, I plan to continue to actively participate in the work of the Ukrainian Bar Association Committee on Procedural Law. Submission of draft amendments to the procedural codes is our strategic task for 2024.

Besides, I believe it is important to share my experience and knowledge, so I intend to realize my potential as a teacher.

You quite often act as a speaker at professional events. What attracts you the most in these presentations?

Public speaking for me is not just a mandatory part of the work, but also a real pleasure. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a TV news anchor, so speaking at professional events allows me to fulfill this dream.

I believe that the success of public speaking is the result of proper preparation and emphasis. I prepare for each speech both in court session and public events.

My participation in the judicial forums of the Ukrainian Bar Association was a very special event for me. I am proud to have been a member of the organizing committee and act as speaker for the second consecutive year. It is also nice to remember the offsite meeting of the Committee on Procedural Law, where we discussed relevant issues following the introduction of new procedural codes. I am confident that we will revive this tradition in the future.

Do you notice female solidarity among colleagues in the legal market? Do women help each other in difficult situations during the war?

I really feel the female solidarity in LCF team, where intelligent, talented, and strong women have become a real force. From the beginning of my career, I had the example of a successful woman, the managing partner at LCF, which always inspired me and gave me faith in my own abilities.

Female support has always been extremely important, and during the war it became a special kind of support.

Facing challenges in various areas, from family to professional, we encounter unpredictable situations. Decisions related to family separation, living in two countries, or, conversely, the responsibility for children’s lives in a country at war present difficult choices. At the same time, you need to preserve yourself, your profession, your personality. In such moments, solidarity and mutual support become invaluable.

I hope that dialogue and the exchange of ideas will grow and platforms for important discussions will be popularized across the entire legal market.

What would you advise colleagues who have just started their career path in legal practice?

Start your path in the legal sphere with self-belief and perseverance. Be able to learn, discover your uniqueness, and don’t be afraid to try new approaches and find creative solutions. The present youth has a unique potential. Today’s youth is a force to be proud of.

Iryna Kobets, Partner at LCF Law Group, for “Yurydychna Gazeta”