Andriy Yermak, the former head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, is under scrutiny for failing to complete mandatory continuing education courses required for his reinstatement as a lawyer. This revelation comes from an investigation by the project “Schemes,” which reported that Yermak did not fulfill the necessary qualifications set by the National Association of Advocates of Ukraine.
According to the findings, there is no record of Yermak having completed the required special courses on either the National Association’s website or the resources of the Higher School of Advocacy. The regulations stipulate that lawyers returning to practice after a hiatus of more than a year must complete specialized training within three months of resuming their duties. Yermak regained his legal rights on January 23, 2026, after a nearly six-year absence from the field.
In a statement, Yermak acknowledged that he had not taken the courses, citing his extensive legal experience and his work on legal matters during his tenure in the Presidential Office as justification.
Legal experts interviewed by “Schemes” indicated that failing to comply with the decisions of the advocacy self-governing bodies could be classified as a disciplinary violation. Artem Donyets, a lawyer and military officer, noted that potential penalties could range from a warning to a temporary suspension or even revocation of his legal license.
Adding to the controversy, Lidiya Izovitova, the head of the National Association, appointed Yermak as the head of one of the association’s committees and provided a positive reference during a recent court hearing in the High Anti-Corruption Court.
Allegations Against the Former Presidential Office Chief
Yermak is also facing serious allegations from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) regarding his involvement in the laundering of over 460 million hryvnias during the construction of an elite cottage community near Kyiv. Yermak has dismissed these accusations as unfounded.
The High Anti-Corruption Court has ordered Yermak to be held in custody, with the option for bail set at 140 million hryvnias. Additionally, he is required to surrender his foreign and diplomatic passports.
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Andriy Yermak, former head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, is facing legal challenges for not completing required continuing education courses after his return to law. He is also implicated in serious allegations of financial misconduct, raising questions about his professional conduct and future in the legal field.
Source: Radio Svoboda