Yermak appointed head of a committee of the Ukrainian National Bar Association

Andrii Yermak, former Head of the Office of the President, has been appointed to lead one of the committees of the Ukrainian National Bar Association (UNBA). He was appointed by UNBA Chair Lidiya Izovitova, a long-time associate of Viktor Medvedchuk. There is no doubt that this is the same Yermak: the register of advocates lists only one person with the name Andrii Yermak.

Thus, despite his earlier high-profile statements about going to the front, lawyer Yermak will now be working within the UNBA on issues related to the protection of victims of armed aggression, compensation mechanisms, and the legal framework for Ukraine’s European integration recovery.

UNBA committees are advisory bodies that do not have powers defined by law. However, Yermak’s appointment demonstrates his close ties with Izovitova, who for years has shielded lawyers who sided with Russia or are involved in criminal proceedings. The powers of Medvedchuk’s associate as head of the UNBA expired more than three years ago, yet she continues to retain control. It appears that the connection between Yermak and Izovitova is one of the reasons why the reform of the bar has stalled for years, even though it is a necessary step for Ukraine’s accession to the EU. The European Commission has stressed the urgency of this reform for three consecutive years.

The authorities must launch a comprehensive reform, including a reset of the bar’s governing bodies with the participation of international experts. These experts should ensure that pro-Russian or low-integrity lawyers do not enter the renewed bar governance bodies. A proper reform of the bar would mean that Yermak and Izovitova will no longer retain influence in the highest levels of power. A detailed plan for the changes is set out in the Bar Reform Roadmap.