“Everything—your job, your home, even your life—can be taken from you. But no one can take away your knowledge, your experience, or your dedication to helping others”

“Everything—your job, your home, even your life—can be taken from you. But no one can take away your knowledge, your experience, or your dedication to helping others”. - Yevheniia Soloviova, OPORA’s legal team coordinator.

For more than 15 years, Yevheniia Soloviova has dedicated herself to the legal profession—not only in courtrooms and offices, but also in the hearts of communities that need her most. From her early days preparing documents at a notary’s office, to running a public legal aid center in Borodianka (Kyiv region), and now supporting displaced Ukrainians in the Netherlands, her journey is one of resilience, purpose, and deep empathy. A witness to the Russian occupation and a displaced person herself, she continues to offer free legal support and volunteer in humanitarian efforts. Her story is a moving testament to how professional dedication and personal compassion can walk hand in hand.

When you think back to your early days working with a private notary, what moments or lessons stand out that made you feel, “Yes, this is the right path for me”?

Yevheniia Soloviova: I began working as a notary assistant in 2010 while studying full-time for my master’s degree. Balancing both was incredibly challenging, especially since I also worked weekends, but it turned out to be a truly formative experience. The notary I worked with taught me to be meticulous and detail-oriented in drafting legal documents. I remember how my drafts would often be revised several times. The office was located near the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv, and many of our clients were high-profile individuals. That environment taught me not only legal precision, but also professional discipline and proper etiquette in communication.

Further on you worked in corporate law. That must have been fast-paced and intense—how did that chapter shape you, both as a lawyer and as a person?

Yevheniia Soloviova: It was an invaluable experience. I was the sole legal professional there, with no supervisor, and managed legal matters for five different entities, including a financial leasing company. I had to learn quickly and constantly improve my knowledge. This role taught me to be self-reliant and decisive. My responsibilities ranged from drafting legal documents to representing the company during inspections and in court. It was a period of intense growth and development—both professionally and personally.

What led you to make the shift from corporate law to public legal aid, and how did it feel stepping into a role where you were helping people who might have had nowhere else to turn?

Yevheniia Soloviova: Transitioning from the private sector to public legal aid felt natural to me—it wasn’t a difficult choice.The biggest challenge was that I had to start from scratch. I established and managed a separate office in Borodianka, Kyiv region, while our central office was based in Vyshneve. It truly felt like a mission. Sadly, after I resigned in 2022, the office ceased to exist—it was destroyed by Russians during the invasion, and for now, there are no plans to reopen it.

During my six years in that role, I gained diverse experience helping Ukrainian citizens directly. We assisted military personnel, combat veterans, and internally displaced persons from Donetsk and Luhansk regions (Russian invasion into Ukraine started in 2014). I gave legal advice across various areas of law, drafted countless lawsuits and complaints, and represented clients in court. We weren’t just lawyers—we were also listeners, counselors, and mediators.

I also conducted legal awareness lectures for schoolchildren and students and participated in mobile legal consultations in various local communities. In this role, I truly felt like a practicing lawyer who could positively impact people’s lives and futures.

You lived through the occupation and had to leave your home—how did that experience change your view of your work, and how did it guide your efforts in supporting other displaced Ukrainians through OPORA and beyond?

Yevheniia Soloviova: Yes, I was living in Nemishaieve, just 5 kilometers from Bucha, when the Russian full-scaled occupation began. Together with two other mothers and our children—including my 7-year-old—we walked 30 kilometers through occupied territory, avoiding Bucha. We were finally rescued by friends once we reached a safe zone under Ukrainian control.

That experience deeply changed me. I realized that everything—your job, your home, even your life—can be taken from you. But no one can take away your knowledge, your experience, or your dedication to helping others.

When I arrived in the Netherlands, I quickly became involved in volunteer work. I served as a translator for the municipality, participated in charity concerts for Ukraine, and provided free legal advice to Ukrainians—both in the Netherlands and back home. So when I joined OPORA, I already had the experience. The only real challenge was adjusting to Dutch law.

Now that you’re in the Netherlands, still giving legal advice and volunteering, how do you see all these parts of your life coming together in the future? What’s your dream direction from here?

Yevheniia Soloviova: My greatest dream is for the war in Ukraine to end and for people to stop dying. It’s hard to make concrete plans for the future when everything feels so uncertain—like it does for many Ukrainians today. But I do know this: I will always work as a lawyer and continue helping people. For me, it’s not just a job—it’s a calling and a passion.

Besides being a lawyer, do you have any other passions?

Yevheniia Soloviova: Yes, I do—music is also a deep passion of mine. I’ve been taking vocal lessons at a music school here in the Netherlands, and it brings me incredible inspiration. Music helps me recharge and stay grounded, giving me the energy I need to continue supporting others. I also have a small personal dream: to record a song with my daughter. She plays both the guitar and piano, and sharing that creative experience with her would be something truly special.