EQUITY held the first Yaroslav Zeikan Opening Statement Competition
EQUITY held the Yaroslav Zeikan Opening Statement Competition, an event that combined the preservation of the legal heritage, practical legal training, and the formation of a new generation of lawyers.
This competition is of particular importance to EQUITY. It is not only an educational initiative, but also a conscious step towards preserving the memory of Yaroslav Pavlovych Zeikan, a partner of the company and a master of Ukrainian advocacy, who shaped the culture of courtroom speech, taught respect for the court, depth of argumentation, and principled legal positions. The competition has become a way to immortalize his professional contribution to the legal profession and the values he taught by example and practice.
At the opening of the competition, welcoming remarks were made to the participants by Natalia Melnychuk and Yevgeny Gerasymenko, Deputy Directors of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Law at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Maxim Pampura, Head of the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine, and Oleh Malinevskyi, Managing Partner of EQUITY. In their speeches, they emphasized the importance of the opening statement as a tool of persuasion, the responsibility of lawyers for every word they say, and the need to develop professional standards through practice.
The format of the competition was as close as possible to a real court proceeding. After preliminary selection, the teams prepared opening statements for the prosecution and defense.
The format of the competition was as close as possible to a real court proceeding. After preliminary selection, the teams prepared opening statements for the prosecution and defense based on the facts of the cases. During the rounds, participants faced changing circumstances in the cases, which required them to quickly adapt their legal positions, restructure their arguments, and deliver their speeches under intense time and procedural pressure.
On the first day, the competition performances were evaluated by a panel of judges, including judges, academics, practicing lawyers, and representatives of the legal business, in particular partners, counsels, and lawyers from EQUITY, representatives of the judiciary, the academic community, and legal institutions. This composition of the jury ensured a comprehensive and balanced evaluation of the performances.
All teams demonstrated a high level of preparation: in-depth study of the cases, confident orientation in the case materials, and a serious attitude towards the competition. For EQUITY, it was important that teams from different cities of Ukraine participated, which emphasized the nationwide nature of the event. At the end of the first day, seven teams successfully completed all the tests and demonstrated their ability to work under pressure and maintain a convincing legal position.
The final of the Yaroslav Zeikan Opening Statement Competition was the final and most important stage. Oleg Tkachuk, judge of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, joined the panel of judges for the final round, which was important and symbolic for the participants.
EQUITY partners Oleksandr Lysak and Vyacheslav Krahlevich joined him in evaluating the final presentations.
Two teams made it to the finals: Bastion and Lex Advocatus. The final round was marked by high tension, deep reasoning, and professional composure on both sides. The difference in points was minimal, which indicates the equality and high level of preparation of the finalists.
The Lex Advocatus team, represented by Artur Kovalenko, won the final. The winners received professional recognition and valuable practical experience, as well as sharing the competition prize fund and receiving gifts from LIGA ZAKON.
The plot of the case, based on a real case that Yaroslav Pavlovich Zeikan had handled at one time, gave the final a special symbolic meaning. For EQUITY, this was an important element of the competition — preserving a living connection with the master's legal legacy and passing on his professional standards to the next generation of lawyers.
The competition confirmed that the Ukrainian legal profession has a strong, responsible, and professionally mature future.