Welcome to the fifth blog post for TheLawyerFiles!
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In this edition, we feature Viktoriia Ishcheriakova, a Ukrainian-qualified lawyer who has held roles ranging from Senior State Tax Inspector to Advocate, and who is now rebuilding her legal career in the UK. She shares what inspired her to pursue law during a time of political change in Ukraine, how her experience across both public and private sectors has shaped her approach to legal problem-solving, and the challenges of starting over in a new country. Viktoriia also offers heartfelt reflections on staying resilient through displacement and immigration, the motivation she draws from her daughter, and her honest advice for foreign-qualified lawyers navigating the UK legal system.
Let’s dive in! 🚀
- You began your legal journey in 2000 and have since held roles ranging from Senior State Tax Inspector to In-House Counsel and Advocate in Ukraine. What initially drew you to a career in law?
From a school age I had been interested in principles of justice, fairness, and the idea of standing up for others. Growing up in Ukraine during a time of political and legal transformation, I witnessed how deeply the law affects people’s everyday lives. This inspired me to pursue a career in law, not only to understand the legal system but also to contribute positively to it.
When I began my legal journey in 2000, I saw law as a powerful tool for change and empowerment. The dynamic nature of the legal field, where no two days are the same, continues to increase my passion. Over the years I have held a variety of roles from serving as a Senior State Tax Inspector to working as an in-house counsel for several trading companies, and later qualifying as an Advocate. These diverse experiences have broadened my legal expertise and strengthened my ability to adapt to different sectors and legal environments.
What truly inspires me is the impact my work has had on those I represent. I’m proud to say that approximately 99% of my cases have been successfully resolved in favour of my employers and clients. Knowing that my legal skills have directly contributed to protecting their interests and achieving positive outcomes makes me feel not only professionally fulfilled but also useful to society.
This sense of purpose drives me to continue developing as a legal professional. I am committed to constant learning and seeking new ways to enhance my knowledge and skills, so I can continue making a meaningful difference in people’s lives through the law.
- Having represented tax authorities in courts and later advised private companies as In-House Counsel, how did your approach to legal problem-solving evolve between public and private sectors?
When I look back on my legal career, one of the most defining shifts I experienced was moving from the public sector, where I represented tax authorities in court, to the private sector, advising trading companies as an in-house counsel. Each role shaped not only how I understood the law, but how I applied it to solve legal problems.
As a Senior State Tax Inspector I spent nearly every day in court, sometimes two or three hearings daily. Over the years, I handled more than 200 tax disputes, many of them were complex and high stakes. I argued cases from the first instance courts all the way up to the Supreme Court of Ukraine, drafting everything from initial claims to final appeals. The public sector taught me discipline, structure, and precision. I learned how to develop sharp litigation strategies under pressure and tough deadlines, and how to clearly communicate from the position of authority.
But when I stepped into the private sector, my perspective widened. As an in-house counsel for various trading companies, I wasn’t just dealing with legal issues, I was helping to prevent them. It was about aligning legal advice with business decisions, understanding contracts not only as legal documents but as tools for commercial success and income. I advised on employment disputes, drafted various supply agreements, and supported negotiations.
What really changed was my mindset. In the public sector, I worked to enforce the law. In the private sector, I used the law to enable growth, manage risk, and find practical solutions. Both sides of the legal profession taught me valuable lessons, but it’s the combination of these experiences that makes me more experienced legal professional.
- After moving to the UK in 2022, you’ve been working at the University of Sunderland and recently began your LLM studies. What has helped you stay motivated and optimistic during this significant career shift?
Moving to the UK in 2022 marked a major turning point in both my personal and professional life. What keeps me motivated is a clear and steady goal – to work as a legal professional here in the UK. I refuse to give up, not only for myself but also because I know I’m setting an example for someone very important, my 12-year-old daughter.
She’s adapted incredibly well to life and school here and now speaks fluent English, complete with a charming mix of Mackem and Scottish accents. Watching her grow with confidence makes me proud beyond words. It also fuels my determination to keep progressing, to provide her with the best future possible, and to show her that with hard work and resilience, any goal is achievable, even when you must start over from scratch.
- What advice would you offer to other foreign-qualified lawyers — particularly Ukrainian professionals — who are looking to start over in the UK legal system?
To Ukrainian and foreign-qualified lawyers starting over in the UK I would offer to be patient, stay persistent, and never stop studying. Your homeland legal experience and skills are valuable, but adapting to a new legal system takes time.
Start by building your legal knowledge through courses like an LLM, LPC, improve your legal English, and don’t hesitate to take transitional roles, it helps you gain UK work experience and confidence.
Most importantly, networking is a key. Connecting with others in the legal field can open unexpected doors and give you the encouragement you need to keep going.
You’re not starting from zero, you’re starting from experience.
- What has helped you stay resilient while rebuilding your life and career in a new country?
Rebuilding my life and career in a new country hasn’t been easy, and honestly, there are still moments when it feels surreal, like I’m living in a dream rather than my real life. I never thought about immigration before the full scaled war started in Ukraine; I wasn’t mentally prepared to leave everything behind – my hometown, my career, my friends, the life I built over decades.
But what’s kept me grounded and resilient is the kindness and welcomeness of people I’ve met here in the UK. Their support has helped me feel truly welcomed and settled. Most importantly, I’m grateful that my family is now safe. That sense of safety gives me the strength to keep moving forward, to rebuild, and to continue my journey in the legal profession with hope and determination.
Viktoriia Ishcheriakova – https://www.linkedin.com/in/viktoriia-ishcheriakova-1a6a2524b/
LLM Law Student/Ukraine Advocate
University of Sunderland
Thank you for reading the fifth edition of TheLawyerFiles!
I hope Viktoriia’s journey has offered you valuable insight and encouragement—especially if you’re navigating change, starting over, or finding your place in a new legal system. Her story is a powerful reminder that resilience, experience, and belief in your purpose can carry you through even the most unexpected transitions.
🎧 Stay tuned—our podcast episode with Viktoriia is coming soon, where we’ll explore her experiences even further and dive into the lessons she’s learned along the way. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it!
Until next time—keep learning, keep growing, and keep moving forward with purpose. 🌍⚖️
—Denice Obeng 🙂
