Petro Kostiv

Petro Richard Kostiv was born in Ukraine and immigrated to the United States at the age of eighteen, an experience that shaped his enduring values of perseverance, adaptability, and purpose. Adjusting to a new life in a different culture gave him an understanding of the immigrant journey and a lasting empathy for those seeking opportunity through change. These early experiences inspired a career dedicated to helping others navigate complex transitions, supported by his global perspective and extensive travels to more than 150 countries. Petro is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Ukrainian, and also conversant in German and Mandarin Chinese. His academic background mirrors the international scope of his professional life. He graduated with honors from the University of California, Berkeley, earning a B.A. in history with a focus on Latin American political and economic development. He went on to receive an M.A. in political science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School, with a specialization in international law. During his studies, Petro gained hands-on experience working at the Supreme Court of Argentina, where he observed constitutional and administrative law in practice. Beyond his legal education, he holds a B.S. in Aviation and a certificate in U.S. Aviation Law from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Petro later founded Kostiv & Associates, a law firm with offices now spanning Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Baltimore, and Miami, offering clients support in immigration, business, and aviation law. A licensed private and commercial pilot with multiengine and instrument ratings, Petro combines technical aviation knowledge with legal acumen. He is also an FAA-certified flight instructor and ground instructor, with specialized training in aviation safety, accident investigation, and airline compliance. His rare dual expertise allows him to provide strategic guidance to clients operating at the intersection of law, business, and aviation. As managing partner, Petro values clarity, consistency, and preparation in every client engagement. He lectures internationally on comparative law and aviation regulation, and developed a course on the U.S. Legal System for Kiev University of Law. His humanitarian initiatives include sponsoring orphanages and disaster relief programs across Latin America and Africa. Today, as president of the Ukrainian American Bar Association, Petro Kostiv advances collaboration and legal reform between Ukraine and its global diaspora. Guided by empathy and discipline, he continues to strengthen his firm, mentor future leaders, and contribute to communities worldwide.