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Igor ShevchenkoUkrainian lawyer and politician, public figure
Date of Birth: 10.01.1971
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Legal Career and Public Service
- Controversy and Dismissal
- Political and Social Activities
Early Life and Education
Igor Shevchenko was born on January 10, 1971, in Oleksandria, Ukraine. His family moved to Kyiv in the same year, where he grew up in the Borshchahivka district. Shevchenko's parents were both engineers, and he had a passion for athletics, particularly in the 400 meters hurdles. He became a candidate master of sports in this discipline and joined the Ukrainian junior team.
After graduating high school, Shevchenko attended the Kyiv Institute of Physical Culture for two years before transferring to the history faculty of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. He then entered the university's law faculty and subsequently moved to its Institute of International Relations. Shevchenko also pursued studies at the European University Institute's Academy of European Law in Italy and at Harvard and Yale Universities.
Legal Career and Public Service
Shevchenko began his legal career in 1990, working for the law firms "Legis" and "Frishberg and Partners." He passed the bar exam in 1996 and established his own law firm, "Shevchenko Didkovskiy and Partners," in 1995. This firm became one of the most successful in Ukraine, ranking first in the country's top legal firms in 2004 and winning the "Correspondent" award for Best Employer in 2006.
In 2007, Shevchenko ended his legal practice and focused on public activities. He founded the Shevchenko Asset Management company and became Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources in the government of Arseniy Yatsenyuk in 2014.
Controversy and Dismissal
Shevchenko faced corruption allegations during his tenure as Minister. In 2015, he was accused of purchasing his ministerial post for $5 million and of frequent travel to Europe on private jets, leading to his late arrival at a fire at an oil depot near Kyiv. Shevchenko countered by blaming Prime Minister Yatsenyuk for "political persecution" and defending Ukrainian clans.
In June 2015, the Ministry of Internal Affairs opened a criminal investigation against Shevchenko for "unlawful enrichment." The Verkhovna Rada dismissed him as Minister in July 2015. However, in March 2016, the Solomensky District Court in Kyiv deemed the accusations baseless and closed the case.
Political and Social Activities
In 2002, Shevchenko founded the All-Ukrainian Public Organization "Association of Lawyers of Ukraine" (APU), where he served as President for two terms until 2007 and as Honorary President from 2008. He also participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos and later established the Young Leaders Forum of Ukraine, which became the "Youth League of the Ukrainian Community" in 2009.
From 2001 to 2006, Shevchenko held the position of Advisor to the Kyiv City Mayor on Attracting Foreign Investment. He also served in various public councils, including those for the Ministry of Justice, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the National Commission for Strengthening Democracy.
In 2010, Shevchenko initiated the creation of the Meritocratic Party of Ukraine, which he led from 2012. He has also worked as an advisor to the Governor of Odesa Oblast, Mikheil Saakashvili.
