Our Team
Our team is the heart of Kanzlei Menaker – a dynamic unit of experienced specialist attorneys and dedicated legal professionals. Together, we handle both the major and minor challenges of daily business and complex legal proceedings. In doing so, we are not only the best possible legal representatives for our clients but, above all, a great team.
As an internationally oriented law firm, we bring together diverse backgrounds, areas of expertise, and perspectives – and yet we speak a common language: excellence, precision, and client focus.
Our open corporate culture combines agile working methods with the highest level of professionalism.
Flat hierarchies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continuous professional development are not just buzzwords for us – they are lived reality.
For us, diversity is not an obligation, but an enrichment. Our international team brings together legal expertise from various jurisdictions and provides innovative, tailor-made solutions to complex legal issues.
We invest in our employees because we know: the success of our clients begins with the competence of our team.
Welcome to Kanzlei Menaker – where legal excellence meets a modern law firm culture.
Attorneys-at-Law (Germany)
Ilona Menaker
R
ealising legal excellence with my own entrepreneurial signature – that was my lifelong dream. To me, law is above all about strategy – my goal is not only to defend my clients, but to proactively develop the best solutions for them. Kanzlei Menaker stands faithfully and loyally by the side of its clients and partners. We take on the responsibility of providing clear and confident advice.
Thanks to my own entrepreneurial background, I am able to understand the challenges faced by my clients from multiple perspectives, enabling me to act strategically in their best interest.
Email: menaker@kanzlei-menaker.de
After completing legal clerkships at various institutions in Berlin and internships in the private sector – including in Kyiv – Ilona Menaker developed her legal focus in general civil law, traffic law, and immigration law.
Ilona Menaker advises clients in German, Russian, Ukrainian, and English.
2006 – 2011
Law studies at Humboldt University of Berlin
2013 – 2019
Attorney at Rosenthal & Aberschanskij
2019 – 2021
Attorney at Kaufmann & Kollegen
2021
Founding of Kanzlei Menaker
Christiana Upmann
S
ecuring justice for clients promptly and effectively is the guiding principle of my legal practice. With a focus on traffic law, I have acquired extensive knowledge and experience in over 30 years as a “Specialist Attorney for Traffic Law” (“Fachanwältin für Verkehrsrecht”) providing structured and economically targeted legal advice and support.
Email: upmann@kanzlei-menaker.de
After studying in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg and completing her legal clerkship in Lower Saxony, Ms. Upmann began her legal career in Berlin following the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Since then, her professional focus has been on traffic law, general civil law, and criminal and administrative offences law.
1991
Attorney at Horst Sandner Traffic Law Firm
1991 – 1992
Attorney at Rochus P. Strangfeld
1992 – 2020
Attorney at Wolf Wegener Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH
2020 – 2023
Attorney at Helmut Klinski Traffic Law Firm
Since 2023
Attorney at Kanzlei Menaker
Valerie Banse
C
riminal defense is, for me, not just about legal expertise, but also about responsibility, strategic vision, and empathy. I represent my clients with personal dedication, especially in situations where a great deal is at stake – both professionally and privately. I pursue a holistic approach that takes into account the actual life situation and not just the surface. My goal is: Clarity, certainty, and effective protection of your rights.
Email: banse@kanzlei-menaker.de
24/7 Emergency Phone: +49 1575 669 1374
After law studies in Bonn, including a stay abroad in Bari (Italy), Valerie Banse completed her legal traineeship in Cologne and Toronto (Canada). Her legal career began as a legal advisor at the Fraunhofer Society for the Advancement of Applied Research (Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.). She then worked more than six years as a criminal defence lawyer in specialized law firms in Cologne and Bonn – since 2019, as a specialised attorney in Criminal Law (so called “Fachanwältin für Strafrecht”). After a position in Business Development at the Embassy of the State of Israel, she fully returned to legal practice. Her legal focus lies in Criminal Law.
She consults in German, English, and Italian.
2014 – 2016
Legal adviser at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
2016 – 2017
Attorney at Brüssow Rechtsanwälte, Cologne
2017 – 2022
Attorney at Lehmkühler Rechtsanwälte, Bonn (Certified Specialist – Fachanwältin für Strafrecht – since 01.12.2019)
2022 – 2023
Business Development Lead, Economy & Trade Dept., Embassy of Israel
2023 – 2024
Attorney at reuschlaw, Berlin
Since 2024
Attorney and Certified Specialist in Criminal Law – Fachanwältin für Strafrecht – at Kanzlei Menaker
Yuliya Dite
Legal clarity in complex and intercultural life situations – that is my standard. I represents clients with a special focus on Civil, Traffic, and Immigration Law, often beyond national borders. Within my legal consultation I combine well-founded legal expertise combine with a precise understanding of cultural and individual dynamics. I believe that good legal work must not just be accurate, but comprehensive and human.
Email: dite@kanzlei-menaker.de
Yuliya Dite studied Law at the State University Perm in Russia as well as at the Humboldt-University in Berlin. After completing her legal traineeship at the regional court of Berlin, she worked as an attorney at the law firm Jörg Koch and subsequently at MALMENDIER LEGAL. Her main areas of legal expertise lies with the main Civil Law, Traffic Law and Immigration Law. Through her international education and legal practice she is specialised in cross-border legal issues.
She consults in German and Russian.
2002 – 2007
Law studies at Perm State University (Russia)
2008 – 2013
Law studies at Humboldt University of Berlin
Attorney at Jörg W. Koch, Berlin
Attorney at MALMENDIER LEGAL, Berlin
Since January 2025
Attorney at Kanzlei Menaker
Shvets Bogdan
| Education: | Institute of Advocacy, Kyiv University (Ukraine), 1996–1999University of Passau, 2018–2019 – LLM |
| Languages: | German, Ukrainian, Russian |
| Specialisations: | Immigration law, Ukrainian law |
E-Mail: shvets@kanzlei-menaker.de
Anastasiia Mala
| Education: | National University “Odessa Law Academy,” Odessa (Ukraine), 2008–2013 |
| Languages: | Russian, Ukrainian, German |
| Specialisations: | Ukrainian corporate law, immigration law |
E-Mail: mala@kanzlei-menaker.de
Valentyna Zadoia
| Education: | Ilya Mechnikov National University, Odessa, 2002–2007 |
| Languages: | Ukrainian, Russian, German, English |
| Specialisations: | Ukrainian law, international maritime law |
E-Mail: zadoia@kanzlei-menaker.de
Arzu Bodur
| Education: | Legal Assistant Training at Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Schleicher, 02/1999–01/2001 |
| Career: | Legal Assistant at Prof. Dr. H.-J. Schleicher, 02/2001–06/2005
Legal Assistant at Attorney Friedemann Koch, 01/2019–07/2024 |
| Languages: | German, Turkish |
E-Mail: bodur@kanzlei-menaker.de
Legal Researchers
Ali Topal
| Languages: | German, Turkish, English, French |
Elida Çali
| Languages: | German, Turkish |
Ercüment Bora Yeşilay
| Languages: | German, Turkish, English |
Tuğba Bali
| Languages: | German, Turkish, English |
We’re Growing – Grow with Us!
Our law firm is expanding – and we’re looking for bright minds to grow with us. We offer not only a dynamic, international team but also a modern, digital work environment and real career prospects.
What We Offer:
- Work in international teams – clients and colleagues from diverse countries
- Direct communication with partners and clients – flat hierarchies, short decision-making paths
- Modern digital work environment – efficient, flexible, and future-oriented
- A unifying team culture – regular team events, shared lunches, and collegial atmosphere
- Flexible working hours – because work-life balance is more than just a phrase
We look forward to your application!
Submit your application to karriere@kanzlei-menaker.de and become part of our team.
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