The Ukrainian American Bar Association (UABA) is a national bar association created in 1977 whose members are U.S. judges, attorneys and law students of Ukrainian descent and those American attorneys with an interest in Ukrainian matters. Associate Member status is available to foreign jurists from other jurisdictions, such as Canada and Ukraine, who share the UABA’s goals and dedication to the rule of law, and the UABA’s mission objectives.   

UABA MISSION STATEMENT

UABA is co-sponsoring a virtual CLE by the Columbian Lawyers Association, First Department on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 6:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Via Zoom Videoconference, entitled Ethical and Practical Guidance to Safely and Successfully Use Technology in Your Law Practice.

The program provides 1 CLE Credit in Cybersecurity-Ethics and 1 CLE Credit in Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias.

The program is free of charge to UABA members. You can register for the program here

We hope that you can join us for a networking event on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. at Passage Restaurant located at 10783 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19116. 

For more information and to register & RSVP for the event please visit Philadelphia Networking Lunch 

We hope that you can join us for a networking event on Friday, August 18, 2023 at 6:30 P.M. at Bryant Park during the NYC Opera's free presentation of The Barber of Seville. 

More information about the opera can be found here 

You can register & RSVP for the event at Bryant Park Networking

Victor Rud, Chair of the UABA's Committee on Foreign Relations has written an article in The Hill, dissecting NATO's fear of "war with Russia," which can be found here

A special thank you to UABA Board Member Walter Lupan, and programs and organizations such as Operation Renew Prosthetics (ORP), Medical Center Orthotics and Prosthetics (MCOP) and Brother's Brother Foundation (BBF) for their work to provide prosthetics and support for Ukrainian soldier amputees injured in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Please take a moment to view these articles Pavlik.pdf about Yaroslav Pavlik, an injured infantryman, and the work of ORP, MCOP, and BBF.

We appreciate Hon. Orest A. Jejna, Chair of the UABA's Board of Directors, for creating this video entitled: "What We Need to Know About Ukraine." It provides key historical insights and a concise summary of current topics that may be of interest to our members and the general public.

Congratulations to Hon. Orest A. Jejna, Chair of the UABA's Board of Directors, whose activism on behalf of Ukraine has been published in an article in Voice of America News.  Thank you for your tireless efforts with volunteer organizations, activists, the military, and Congressional representatives, to remind them of the necessity of unwavering financial and military support for Ukraine, and for Ukrainian NATO membership.

https://ukrainian.voanews.com/a/suddia-z-arizony-pro-advocacii-za-ukrainu-u-kongresi-ssha/7146868.html?fbclid=IwAR08OAUGdxGgA_FKONmtXgAm18t-CEmQYqh9vuFlrNGw1oHB1f8u3MmsdDA

The New Jersey State Bar Association is hosting a webcast entitled: "The Holodomor – Starvation of Ukraine in 1932-33: Genocide, Disinformation and International Law, Then and Now" on June 20, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET. The expert panel includes Victor Rud, Esq., UABA's chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, who will serve as a moderator/speaker. Click here for more information and to register 

The American Bar Association is hosting a webinar entitled: "Arbitration Arising from the War in Ukraine: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead” on June 7, from 1–2.30 pm ET. The discussion will focus on arbitration triggered by the ongoing war in Ukraine and legal remedies for the recovery of the resulting economic losses. The panel features a great lineup of speakers. Click here for full program information 

Members of Pennsylvania Delegation to Ukraine Action Summit meeting with staff of Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), including UABA members Andrew Fylypovych and Christina Tershakovec

Delegates to the Ukraine Action Summit (April 2023), including multiple members of the UABA

Members of the Pennsylvania Delegation to the Ukraine Action Summit meeting with staff of Senator Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA), including UABA members Andrew Fylypovych and Christina Tershakovec

You can view the final agenda for the UABA Special Conference by following this link: 2023 UABA Conference Agenda.pdf

As a reminder, if you have not already done so, you can purchase tickets for the UABA's Cocktail Reception - Special Conference on Friday, April 28, 2023 @6:30PM at Ukraine House 

and the Banquet Dinner - Special Conference at Sofitel on Saturday, April 29, 2023. 

You can now purchase your tickets for the UABA's Cocktail Reception - Special Conference on Friday, April 28, 2023 @6:30PM at Ukraine House 

and 

the Banquet Dinner - Special Conference at Sofitel on Saturday, April 29, 2023. 

The UABA's Special Conference focusing on Russia's War on Ukraine will be held on  Friday and Saturday, April 28-29, 2023, at Sofitel in Washington, D.C.

The conference will feature renowned organizations and speakers, including Oleksandra Matviichuk, co-recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize.

Conference attendees enjoy a special room rate at Sofitel of $299.00 per night Thursday, April 27, Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29, if booked by April 7, 2023, subject to availability.

More information and conference registration is available at:

UABA Special Conference

The FCIL-SIS is hosting a panel discussion addressing the war in Ukraine. The registration link and more information are provided below:

 https://chapman.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpcOiqqDgpGNAZNXwORIc9u9YxqxJl3Rpn

A message from the Ukrainian Embassy:

A message from the Ukrainian Embassy in the USA:

Please join us at 2 pm on February 25 in front of the Lincoln Memorial at a mass rally to mark the 1-year solemn anniversary of russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. 

The rally is co-organized by various nonprofit organizations, including the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Razom for Ukraine, United Help Ukraine, US Ukrainian Activists, Revived Soldiers Ukraine, Support Hospitals in Ukraine, Ukrainian Women League of America, the Ukrainian School in Washington DC. and many others. 

We would be honored if you could join us and demonstrate your solidarity with Ukraine.  Speakers will include H.E. Ambassador Oksana Markarova, representatives of the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Congress, former U.S. Ambassadors to Ukraine, and leaders of the Ukrainian American community. 

Thank you very much for your support and we are looking forward to seeing you on the 25th!

This November marks another anniversary of the 1932-1933 Holodomor. As Russia’s war against Ukraine rages on, Russia continues to use food as a weapon in achieving its genocidal and political goals. Has the world learned its lesson?

Victor Rud, UABA’s board member and chair of the International Affairs and Foreign Policy Committee, spoke on a panel organized by the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations titled “Weaponized Starvation: Long-Term Effects of Hunger for a Human and a Human Development”. 

https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1l/k1lq314666

An international non-profit called Water for All has been working to supply water filters to the people of Ukraine since the war broke out, and has created a "Lawyers for Ukraine" campaign to raise funds to get water filters to the Ukrainian Bar Association. More information can be found here: https://www.waterall.org/lawyersforukraine

The Ukrainian American Bar Association (“UABA”) joins all those who love freedom, all those who respect the law, and all those who refuse to accept a lie as the truth and who have condemned the sham “referenda” conducted by russia’s proxies on the occupied territories of Ukraine and russia’s “annexation” of said territories, in each case, a clear violation of international laws.

The UABA calls for appropriate responses from the international community, including an unequivocal stance on non-recognition of any “annexations” by the aggressor-state, designating russia as a state-sponsor of terrorism, establishment of a special tribunal for the investigation of russia’s aggression against Ukraine, stronger sanctions, and additional weapons that will allow Ukraine to remove the invaders from all of Ukraine’s territories and defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and the rest of Europe.  

On September 18 – 20, 2022, Ukrainian American Bar Association (“UABA”) Boardmembers Judge Orest Jejna and Christina Tershakovec, former UABA president Andrew Fylypovych and member Mike Baraban participated in the Ukraine Action Summit (“Summit”) on Capitol Hill.  The UABA was a coalition partner with lead organizer Razom and over 30 other Ukrainian American and Ukraine ally organizations whose members arrived in Washington, D.C. for two days of meetings with House representatives, senators and staffers, as well as with representatives of the State Department. 

In total, Summit participants from 32 states, representing 33 organizations attended nearly 140 meetings with Congressional representatives.  The over-arching message was the need for continued strong support for and to Ukraine, which message was warmly received.  Evidence of the success of the Summit was apparent even in its midst, as participants learned of passage of a pending bill, additional co-sponsorship by representatives of bills and the introduction of new bills.  The Summit underscored the importance of follow-up with our elected officials, so that Ukraine remains a top priority.  

In meetings with representatives, senators and staffers, delegations emphasized that Ukraine is not only fighting for her right to exist and for her self-determination, but is truly the front line in the fight for Western democratic ideals.

Judge Orest Jejna and Mike Baraban led the Arizona delegation.  Andrew Fylypovych and Christina Tershakovec were members of the Pennsylvania delegation. 

August 24, 2022

The anniversary of Ukraine’s renewal of its independence thirty-one years ago brings celebration, horror, and a warning.

Ukraine ensured the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and the world breathed with relief. Yet Ukraine’s warnings about an unrepentant aggressive Russia were ignored.

Russia renewed its war against Ukraine in 2014. Since its expansion of that war this past February, Russia proudly advertises its intention to destroy Ukraine not just as a sovereign state,  but as a nation. Its actions also amount to the destruction of the “rules-based international order” that the West established and maintained since the cataclysm of WWII.

With the aid from the West, Ukraine is fighting alone against the largest country in the world. And Ukrainians ask: “What does ‘Never again’ mean?” And they warn the West. Again.

The Ukrainian American Bar Association joins in that warning--liberty is both the pre-condition for and the product of democracy.  We must ensure both.

Слава Україні!

Welcome Connect is a first-of-its kind platform created to bridge the gap between Americans who want to sponsor, but don't know anyone fleeing the war, and Ukrainians seeking refuge in the U.S. This platform was launched by our partner, Welcome.US.

How it works: Registration is not an immediate obligation to sponsor – you will create a profile, be offered an online training and start the process of connecting with a Ukrainian seeking refuge to decide whether sponsorship is a good fit for you.

Video:Step-by-Step Guide to Completing a Welcome Connect Profile

The Ukraine Immigration Task Force has a page for FAQs and Clarifications on Immigration Law for Ukrainians Seeking to Enter the United States that is available in both English and Ukrainian 

Pre-Registration Form

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), is holding a large community outreach event in Brooklyn this Saturday, May 7th, and is still looking to fill some slots for volunteer attorneys at the Ukrainian legal clinic that will be situated in a private tent within the fair. The clinic will be staffed by immigration attorneys, and they are hoping to expand capacity with legal volunteers to conduct general intake (with supervision). NYIC will be providing training and a detailed intake form and so is not limited to immigration attorneys, but is hoping to work with attorneys who speak Russian or Ukrainian. 

Here is the link for volunteers for the event. NYIC will be providing access to a  recorded legal training for all who sign up.

Details:

Date & time: May 7th, 10am - 2pm (volunteers to arrive by 9:30am)

Location: Owl's Head Park, Brooklyn (Colonial Road, 68 St., & Shore Road, Brooklyn, NY 11220)

On April 21, 2022, President Biden announced Uniting for Ukraine, a new streamlined process to provide Ukrainian citizens who have fled Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression opportunities to come to the United States.

More information about Uniting for Ukraine, how to apply, eligibility requirements, and what to expect, can be found at: Uniting for Ukraine - Program and Instructions.pdf

*The information contained above is solely provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice from the UABA or any of its members.

The Ukrainian American Bar Association Joins Welcome.US Effort to Mobilize 100,000 Americans to Sponsor Ukrainians Seeking Refuge in the United States. A press release containing more information can be found at: UABA - Welcome.US Press Release.pdf

The Ukrainian American Bar Association (together with Razom, Inc. and Natalie Jaresko as co-petitioners) has submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) a Petition for Rulemaking, pursuant to which it is requested that the Commission enact a rule requiring issuers to disclose their business dealings in and with the Russian Federation (“Russia”) and the Republic of Belarus (“Belarus”). Enacting such a rule would be in line with the current US policy of sanctioning Russia for invading Ukraine and Belarus for its role in the invasion.

SEC Petition for Russia Disclosure.pdf

On April 18, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security posted a Federal Register notice on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine. The notice provides information about how to register for TPS. The registration process begins on April 19, 2022, and runs through October 19, 2023. To be eligible under the Ukraine designation, individuals must demonstrate their continuous residence in the United States since April 11, 2022, and continuous physical presence in the United States since the designation date in the Federal Register notice.

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-announces-registration-process-for-temporary-protected-status-for-ukraine-and-sudan?fbclid=IwAR0GnNQhGgCyVzsIhVAKfUgcxxjTsuhrslg87fmTofsaEyOhcZrPoL3cO7c

For details, please refer to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website:

https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-ukraine

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/04/19/2022-08390/designation-of-ukraine-for-temporary-protected-status

Information regarding Employment Authorization for Ukrainian F-1 Nonimmigrant Students can be found here

On April 8, 2022, along with several other leaders of the Ukrainian American community, Ukrainian American Bar Association’s President Victoria Kulik and Board Member Christina Tershakovec attended a White House meeting to learn what the US administration’s efforts to welcome Ukrainians to the United States are going to be. We would like to express our gratitude for the on-going support of Ukraine and Ukrainians by the United States and are looking forward to the official announcement of the path forward for those Ukrainians who are seeking refuge in the United States following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

TPS Announcement

Attention: Ukrainian Nationals seeking Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States of America, please fill out this form to join the list of people to be notified when Ukrainians are allowed to prepare and submit TPS applications. Legal assistance will be provided free of charge.

http://L4GG.org/TPS-Ukraine

Увага: Громадяни України, які хочуть отримати статус тимчасового захисту (Temporary Protected Status (TPS)) в Сполучених Штатах Америки, будь ласка, заповніть цю форму, щоб приєднатися до списку людей, які будуть сповіщені, коли українцям буде дозволено готувати та подавати заявки на TPS. Юридична допомога буде надаватися безкоштовно.

http://L4GG.org/TPS-Ukraine

Department of State Guidance for Ukrainian Nationals can be found at:

DOS Guidance for Ukrainian Nationals.3.11.22.pdf and

Further Explanation to DOS Guidance.3.11.22.pdf

Information on visa options for Ukrainian Nationals can be found at:

Visa Options for Ukrainian Nationals.pdf

Information on scheduling a visa appointment in Moldova can be found at:

Scheduling Visa Appointment - Moldova.pdf

March 12, 2022

The Ukrainian American Bar Association (UABA) vehemently condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its terrorist abduction of Mayor Ivan Fedorov of Melitopol, Ukraine. The UABA joins the government of Ukraine in its demands that Russia immediately and safely release Mayor Fedorov and all of the other protestors abducted by the Russian military, and to immediately remove its troops from and deoccupy Ukrainian territory.

Information for people fleeing the war in Ukraine can be found here

UCCA/UUARC Aid Updates can be found at the links below:

Update of Aid Efforts 6.1.22.pdf

Update of Aid Efforts 5.23.22.pdf

Update of Aid Efforts 3.31.22.pdf

Update of Aid Efforts 3-24-22.docx

Update of Aid Efforts 3.15.22.pdf

Update of Aid Efforts 3.11.22.pdf

Update of Aid Efforts Part 2 - 3.11.22.pdf

Update of Aid Efforts 3.3.22.pdf

Update of Aid Efforts 3.4.22.pdf

The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has prepared a short video with a call for a no-fly zone accessible here

Please click here for the latest information from the US Embassy and Consulate in Poland for US citizens evacuating Ukraine

The U.S. has granted TPS status to Ukrainian Nationals in our country. A statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Public Affairs can be found here

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Ukraine has launched an information platform for foreign audiences concerning the war in Ukraine, providing historical context, updates, photographs, and more which is accessible here

The MFA's press release is available here 

Upcoming Events

The UABA will be holding a Special Conference in Washington, D.C., April 28-29, 2023. The focus of the conference will be Russia's War on Ukraine. Details will be provided as we get closer to the event. 

Kyiv Post Homepage

^{Тихо плаче Україна сльозами і кров'ю
 Кат будує своє "завтра" на горі людському
 Гірко плаче Україна і тяжко ридає
 Своїх синів,що померли сльозами вмиває
 Плаче ненька Україна, плаче кожна мати
 Та що сина відпустила волю здобувати...}