Ms. Shvets graduated from the Academy of Advocacy of Ukraine in 2004. Prior to joining AstapovLawyers, Ms. Shvets had been working in Kyiv`s Representative Office of Gide Loyrette Nouel Law Firm for about two years, where she specialized in domestic and international corporate law, M&A, securities issues, legal support to refinancing and restructuring, increasing of share capital, establishment and sale of companies, and preparing of due diligence procedures.

In 2005 Ms. Shvets joined the team of Asters Law Firm (formerly known as Shevchenko Didkovskiy & Partners) where she worked for about three years and advised on such practice areas as M&A, foreign investments, corporate restructuring, contracts, project financing, due diligence, securities and labor law.

In 2004-2005, after graduation from the Academy, Maria was hired as a legal assistant by one of the major banks of Ukraine - ProCredit Bank CJSC.

Ms. Shvets` major practice areas include corporate law, M&A, commercial law, civil and labor law.

Maria Shvets is a member of the Ukrainian Bar Association.

Andrey Astapov, AstapovLawyers` Managing Partner, comments:

"Investing in the best people and creating outstanding career opportunities for our lawyers and business professionals remains one of the Firm`s highest priorities. It is especially pleasing to see so many talented young people coming through in those areas of expertise that are essential to our clients`, and the Firm`s, growth. Our latest announcements reflect the Firm`s continued commitment to building breadth and depth of high professionalism across all practice areas."