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Olga Belyakova

Partner

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang
6th Floor,
38 Volodymyrska Street,
01054 Kyiv
Ukraine
Languages Ukrainian, Russian, English, German

Olga Belyakova is a Partner in the Commercial practice group in Kyiv office of CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang and a Co-head of the Technology, Media and Communications (TMC) sector group in Central and Eastern Europe. With over 20 years of focus in these sectors, Olga is best-placed to deliver innovative solutions and pragmatic advice on IT outsourcing, data protection, cybersecurity, cloud technology, IP and employment issues, as well as operational issues regarding data centres, AI, fintech and social media platforms.

Specifically, Olga is constantly involved in the structuring of employment relations between the companies and software developers, including suggesting and creating proper equity incentive schemes at various management levels, non-solicitation and confidentiality commitments of IT staff and tax structuring of the IT businesses with the use of appropriate foreign jurisdictions for purposes of creation of enforceable shareholders relations. Importantly, as a highly-acclaimed specialist in data protection, Olga constantly advises clients on legal issues in relation to the processing and protection of personal data, including with the help of cloud-based technology. In particular, Olga’s expertise includes drafting data protection policies and data transfer agreements, different types of consents in various sectors. Olga also assists leading IT outsourcing and product companies on the transfer and protection of IP rights, as well as software development services agreements.

Olga is a recommended lawyer for IT and a lawyer of the year for Telecommunications law by Best Lawyers. Chambers Europe and Legal 500 directories highly regarded Olga in the field of competition law in Ukraine, which describes her as “knowledgeable, service-minded and extremely impressive."

Olga is an invited professor of law at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine, works a lot with students and start-ups and helps them enhance their knowledge on legal issues in the IT sector.

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"Lawyer of the Year for Telecommunications law and recommended lawyer for IT law"

Best Lawyers, 2020

“knowledgeable, service-minded and extremely impressive.”

Chambers Europe, 2012-2021

Relevant experience

  • An AI/Machine Learning technology company on the establishment of a Ukrainian IT company for the client with its further potential registration in Diia City
  • An international financial institution on a contract to create the software to assist the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine regarding energy shutdowns and energy critical infrastructure
  • An American multinational technology company on providing legal advice and support for Ukrainian tech start-ups and entrepreneurs, covering how to set up and scale their business within Ukraine but with a focus on access to and learning from foreign markets
  • An American technology and media services provider and production company on procedures, requirements and the contents of cash rebates granted to foreign film producers in Ukraine in the context of shooting a new series in Ukraine, as well as on the VAT treatment of production services, taxation of foreign cast and crew, etc
  • Broadcasting services provider on reviewing the client’s stock option plan subject to Ukrainian law requirements
  • UK’s fastest growing provider of telemarketing and lead generation services on various HR matters related to the client’s operations in Ukraine, including implementation of incentive plan for Ukrainian employees; various models of engagement of Ukrainian personnel to minimize the reclassification and tax risks, aspects related to wartime (mobilisation to army, protections and benefits provided to the personnel in this case, etc.)
  • World’s innovative gaming company on a complex analysis of the current structure of relations with Ukrainian team, and IP and employment law advice regarding restructuring employment relations
  • A major international telecom company on due diligence of a group of companies in the IT and Fintech sectors
  • Microsoft on multijurisdictional legal support to the client's audit team responsible for compliance with licensing conditions in Central and Eastern Europe, CIS countries and Israel
  • Uber on preparing a comprehensive risk analysis in terms of the legal aspects of competition, regarding certain exclusivity arrangements, tax and currency control rules for the introduction and implementation of a new payment option and functions in the special application Uber Eats in Ukraine
  • American multinational technology and social media company on various employment, tax, IP, and commercial matters related to the acquisition of an AI startup
  • Comcast on specialised media, telecommunications and competition law regulation aspects of its aborted bid for Fox
  • Comcast on competition law aspects of its bid for Sky
  • ViaSat on procuring all necessary authorisations for purposes of it providing satellite broadband Internet connection services to passengers of aircraft flying through the Ukrainian air space plus adjusting the applicable Ukrainian regulations to the EU standards in that respect
  • A multinational agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology, Fortune 500 corporation on the possibility of creating and using their own fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for remote monitoring of crops and field administration
  • American multinational technology and social media company on various corporate and commercial matters (including drafting/negotiating of various commercial contracts) in connection with launching and running of its Ukrainian business; on various employment matters, including structuring of the relations with its local employees and independent contractors; developed template contractual framework in connection with the same; advised on complex outsourcing project involving several jurisdictions; on implementation of RSU incentive plan to Ukrainian personnel; and day-to-day legal support on various HR matters
  • American electronic commerce and cloud computing company on various issues related to potential operations in Ukraine (owning/leasing and operating equipment in Ukraine), including advising on a wide variety of IP issues, on data transfer relations, copyright issues, etc
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Memberships & Roles

  • American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, Co-Chair of IT Committee
  • Admitted to the Bar of Ukraine 
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Publications

2024

2023

2022

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Lectures list

  • January 2021 – ongoing - "Legal writing course" for students of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy; the course includes 15 practical lessons and focuses on how to properly and competently draft the most commonly used legal documents, how to work on documents individually and in groups, how to correctly assess client’s assignments and prepare legal advice
  • October 2020 – ongoing - “IT law course” for IT specialist at National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy; comprising 15 practical lessons based on simulation exercise on setting up and growing a start-up, covering only topics relevant for IT people, including intellectual property rights, service agreements, tax structuring of IT business, building relations with shareholders, compliance matters, employees’ stock options and other benefits
  • 26 April 2020 – Cybersecurity issues for students of the Certification Program on Information Technology Law: KMA & IT Ukraine organised by the Kyiv Mohyla Law Faculty and the IT Association of Ukraine, Kyiv
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Education

2011 – Postgraduate Diploma in EU Competition Law, King's College London, London
2003 – Admitted to Attorney at Law practice
2001 – Master of Law, National Economic University, Kyiv

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12/05/2022
10 key aspects of the revised EU competition law in the field of distribution...
The new Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (VBER) and the new accompanying Vertical Guidelines (VGL) were published on 10 May 2022. The new VBER will enter into force on 1 June 2022 and apply for the next twelve years. The new VBER/VGL introduce sev
14/07/2014
Olga Belyakova promoted to Counsel at CMS Cameron McKenna
The partners of CMS Cameron McKenna are pleased to announce that Olga Belyakova has been promoted to the position of Counsel at the international law firm`s Kyiv office. Olga advises clients on M&A, corporate...
29/01/2013
World Data Protection Report: Ukraine's new Data Protection Law Amendments
Olga Belyakova writes an article for the World Data Protection Report. To read the full article, please download the PDF

Feed

26/02/2024
CMS at Mobile World Congress
CMS lawyers are pleased to be attending the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona on 26 – 29 February.  Below you can find an overview of our attending partners, representing a large range of jurisdictions and practice areas. To arrange a meeting, please contact the individual lawyers directly. At CMS, we are proud to have some of the leading global legal specialists in the technology, media and communications sector. Fuelled by huge customer demand for cutting-edge products and increased supply of pioneering services, the sectors of technology, media and communications have each undergone unprecedented change. Innovation is key, and so tech and telecoms suppliers, and creators and distributors of media, need to protect their investments and maximise their commercial opportunities. Our global team of over 800 specialist Technology, Media and Communications (TMC) lawyers has been exposed to virtually every risk and challenge you face. With our long-standing focus on advising players, users, regulators and financiers in the sector we are best placed to deliver innovative solutions through our award-winning disputes, transactions, IP, commercial, data privacy and security, employment and tax practices. To find out more about CMS Technology, Media and Communications cap­ab­il­it­ies, vis­it our webpage belowLearn more about TMCFor further information, please see our partners attending the congress in the gallery below and an overview of all our expertise areas.
25/01/2024
Ukraine announces new rules for copyright registration
On 24 November 2023, the new Procedure for State Registration of Copyright and Agreements Concerning Proprietary Rights to Copyright Works went into effect (Order of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine...
18/12/2023
Digital health apps and telemedicine in Ukraine
Digital Health Apps/Software 1. How is the software in the form of digital health apps classified in your jurisdiction, and what regulation(s) apply? 1.1 Is it considered a “medical device,” and...
Comparable
13/12/2023
CMS Expert Guide to Stock option grants in CEE
Global companies today are in constant competition not only for customers, but also for the best talent. Most companies across the world now offer their employees equity compensation plans as part of...
Comparable
07/12/2023
CMS Rebuilding Ukraine: People - Resilience or burnout? How leaders and...
The second year of Ukrainians' courageous fight against the enemy and the challenges of war is coming to an end. We are constantly demonstrating resilience, but cases of emotional burnout are becoming...
24/10/2023
CMS Rebuilding Ukraine: People
We are pleased to announce the continuation of the series of interactive meetings as part of the "CMS Rebuilding Ukraine: People" initiative. The CMS team brings to you an important topic that has gained...
14/09/2023
Ukraine parliament moves forward with competition law reform
On 9 August 2023, the Parliament of Ukraine adopted the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Improving the Activities of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine”.This...
09/08/2023
Ukraine introduces amendments to law on advertising
On 30 June 2023, the President of Ukraine signed a newly adopted law, which introduces changes to the Law of Ukraine on Advertising. The new Law harmonises national advertising legislation with EU standards...
18/05/2023
5G regulation and law in Ukraine
1. What is the state of 5G deployment in your country? 5G is not available yet. In November 2020, the government adopted a plan to implement 5G. In August 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers postponed the...
Comparable
09/05/2023
Online gambling law and regulation in Ukraine
Footnotes and Notes NB: Only under licences issued by the local gambling regulator – the Regulatory Commission on Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL). NB: Advertisement of gambling restricted:on radio and...
27/04/2023
Organisational culture: “To be, or not to be” in times of chaos, paradox...
We are continuing a series of free webinars as part of the initiative CMS Rebuilding Ukraine: People. We have chosen the issue of organisational culture as our second topic for discussion since as long...
11/04/2023
Ukraine expands IP rights protection regulation
On 20 March 2023, the Parliament of Ukraine has adopted the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Strengthening the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights” (“Law”)...