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Ratings and Awards

Chambers Europe

Ranked Departments:

Competition/Antitrust – Band 3

What the team is known for

Known for its experience in advisory services, the team assists international and domestic clients with regulatory compliance issues relating to contracts and transactions. Increasingly active in mandates relating to state procurement processes and the pharmaceutical sector. Also provides support in contentious cases, including investigations by the FAS.

Strengths

The practice is noted for its industry connections, with sources noting that it is "great at having conferences and roundtables with the regulator."

Work highlights

Represented Rehau in abuse of dominance proceedings before the antitrust authority.

Notable practitioners

Practice head Elena Sokolovskaya (Band 3) is singled out as a "very accomplished lawyer." She assists with behavioural investigations and litigation, as well as advising on procurement and antitrust risks.

Corporate / M&A: Mid-Market – Band 2

What the team is known for

Notable team acting for a broad roster of blue-chip international clients as well as significant Russian corporates. Provides corporate structuring and governance advice and is also regularly instructed on due diligence projects. Particularly active in the consumer products, agriculture and life sciences sectors. Additionally, well regarded for its excellent tax capabilities.

Strengths

Clients commend the team for its breadth of expertise in different areas, with one noting: "They are able to offer us comprehensive support on a broad range of matters including some complex, controversial, and unique issues."

Notable practitioners

Ilya Bolotnov and Nikolay Solodovnikov co-head the corporate practice and are key contacts for clients.

Dispute Resolution: Domestic Mid-Market – Band 2

What the team is known for

Well-regarded commercial disputes practice, separate from the firm's formidable tax litigation force. Regularly handles complex debt recovery disputes alongside commercial and contractual disputes. Also assists with enforcement proceedings. Represents notable domestic natural resource and energy corporates, European financial institutions and a broad range of Asian business names.

Strengths

One source says that the team is "definitely strong and visible in domestic disputes."

Work highlights

Acted for Rietumu Banka as creditor on a series of domestic bankruptcy cases.

Notable practitioners

Yuri Vorobyev and Roman Bevzenko are key client contacts.

Employment – Band 1

What the team is known for

Leading team with a significant contentious practice alongside well-established advisory capabilities. Strong track record in handling dismissals, migration, remuneration and personal data protection matters. Acts for a client base comprising major global and domestic companies. Advises clients from across a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, financial services and healthcare.

Strengths

Clients appreciate the team's pragmatic approach, with one source noting that it "always demonstrates a practical approach both in providing advice on general legal issues and on specific situations."

Another interviewee praises the department for its "very valuable practical recommendations on labour issues, high level of expertise and client-oriented approach."

Notable practitioners

Anna Berlina (Associates to watch) is praised by clients for being "very thorough" and providing "detailed analysis of each question. "She represents clients in contentious employment matters, including dismissal and compensation cases.

Department head Julia Borozdna (Band 1) maintains a prominent position in the market. She advises domestic and international companies on a wide range of contentious employment matters. Sources highlight her expertise and also note her client focus.

Intellectual Property – Band 2

What the team is known for

Respected IP team providing comprehensive legal advice on IP rights management. Advises on the drafting of trade mark licence agreements or the transfer of IP rights through M&A transactions or restructurings. Increasingly active on patent and trade mark registration and infringement mandates. Clients include significant domestic companies and notable international brands from the FMCG, fashion, pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries.

Strengths

Sources appreciate the decisive insight the firm provides. One interviewee reports that "the lawyers are concise, focused and clear in their recommendations."

Clients note that the firm "examines issues from all angles and offers different solutions to problems," adding: "The lawyers evaluate the risk to the client and try to minimise those risks, helping the client to choose the best way to solve problems."

Work highlights

Acted for Kavminvody on its intervention in favour of the Russian Ministry of Health's decision to remove a competitor's exclusive right to an appellation of origin for bottled water.

Notable practitioners

Practice head Valentina Orlova (Band 1) lends her insight and experience to a broad range of contentious and advisory mandates. Clients praise her pragmatic approach, with one reporting that "she is results-oriented and immediately understands what we need." "She is open to discussing matters and is always prepared to answer questions," states another interviewee. Orlova attracts additional attention for her previous experience working within the Russian IP administration.

Yury Yahin (Associates to watch) enters the rankings owing to consistent praise for his key role in the firm's contentious IP practice. He acts on a broad range of contentious mandates, including the defence of patent revocation proceedings or the filing of patent infringement cases.

Life Sciences – Band 2

What the team is known for

Advises pharmaceutical and medical devices companies on pricing, compliance and contract distribution issues. Also handles regulatory matters for international clients, with further expertise in antitrust investigations and commercial mandates. Acts on clinical trials and criminal cases.

Strengths

Interviewees regularly highlight the team for its client-oriented approach, with one source adding that this is"helpful in finding appropriate solutions or providing legal advice in a timely manner."

Work highlights

Assisted a pharmaceutical company with launching a monoclonal antibody cancer treatment.

Notable practitioners

Alexander Panov is a key contact for clients.

Real Estate – Band 3

What the team is known for

Well-regarded domestic team advising on a spectrum of real estate matters. Acts on real estate transactions, construction projects and lease agreements. Advises clients across Russia's industrial and agricultural centres. Notable real estate litigation capabilities complemented by its stellar tax practice. Provides due diligence support and day-to-day regulatory advice. Boasts a diverse client base, demonstrating a particularly solid track record in the retail sector. Also acts for companies in the manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors.

Strengths

Clients note that the team has "extensive practical experience, prompt response times and a responsible approach."

Work highlights

Assisted Zaha Hadid Architects with its participation in the architectural competition to design the renovation of two districts in Moscow.

Notable practitioners

Alexey Konevsky (Band 4) assists with the construction of and investment into real estate projects. He is described as "well respected in real estate."

Natalia Stenina (Up and coming) has a focus on transactions, joint ventures and investment in the real estate space. She regularly assists clients in the retail and industrial sectors.

Restructuring / Insolvency: Litigation – Band 3

What the team is known for

Well-reputed domestic team of litigation specialists also active in bankruptcy matters. Advises both domestic and international companies as well as financial institutions on insolvency-related risks and represents them in contentious matters. Has knowledge of the pharmaceutical, natural resources, agriculture and industrial manufacturing industries. Further benefits from its stellar tax practice.

Strengths

Interviewees commend the team for its handling of insolvency proceedings as well as its "solid advice."

Work highlights

Assisted Credit Libanais with insolvency proceedings brought by The Central Bank of Russia.

Notable practitioners

Practice head Yulia Litovtseva (Band 3) regularly represents international and domestic creditors in insolvency proceedings. Interviewees highlight her as "a very experienced litigator."

Tax – Band 1

What the team is known for

Formidable tax litigation practice with an exceptional track record of acting on high-profile tax disputes, including representation in the Supreme Court. Offers strong coverage of regulatory and advisory matters, assisting with a particularly broad selection of issues. Regularly advises on VAT law as well as international taxation issues. Clients include blue-chip international and Russian names from a variety of sectors. Also represents private individuals.

Strengths

The team is praised for its level of preparation and capabilities, with one impressed client noting the ''multifaceted knowledge of lawyers in absolutely all areas of taxation.''

Another source highlights the team's attentiveness, adding: "They have a proactive approach; they monitor and keep a close eye on the changes in legislation, current court practice and other trends."

Work highlights

Assisted Hitachi Zosen Inova with tax structuring of a project to construct five waste incinerators.

Notable practitioners

Andrey Nikonov (Band 2) is a well-regarded practitioner with notable experience in VAT and tax audits. He also regularly acts on contentious tax cases.

Rustem Ahmetshin (Band 2) is lauded by market sources for his ''expert support and tax experience.'' He has an extensive track record in contentious tax matters and boasts further experience in international taxation matters.

Managing partner Sergey Pepeliaev (Eminent Practitioner) remains one of the leading figures for tax mandates, with sources describing him as a "stellar lawyer." He has a wealth of experience in tax disputes and audits, providing clients with strategic advice.

Head of St Petersburg tax practice Sergey Sosnovsky (Band 3) is reputed for his experience in representing clients in disputes with tax authorities.

St Petersburg

Dispute Resolution – Band 2

What the team is known for

St Petersburg branch of a strong domestic firm with a stellar reputation for tax disputes. Represents clients in a broader range of commercial disputes, including those linked to breaches of supply agreements or the recovery of debt. Also handles administrative disputes, assisting domestic and international companies with appeals against decisions made by Russian regulators.

Strengths

Interviewees state that the lawyers "keep to deadlines and are prepared to work non-stop."

Work highlights

Represented Mucos Pharma in a coverage dispute with an insurance company.

Notable practitioners

Elena Krestyantseva and Sergey Sosnovsky co-head the practice.

General Business Law – Band 4

What the team is known for

St Petersburg-based outfit of a well-known Russian domestic firm. Advises on compliance matters as well as tax issues in connection to investment projects and M&A transactions. Also well positioned to handle employee incentive programmes and issues arising from implementation. Clients include both international and domestic corporates from a wide range of industries.

Strengths

One source explains that the team is "particularly good at tax," before noting: "They also have a strong corporate practice."

Notable practitioners

Sergey Sosnovsky (Band 4) heads the St Petersburg tax practice. He acts on contentious and non-contentious tax matters, including tax aspects of transactions and corporate structurings.

Managing partner Sergey Spasennov (Band 3) focuses his practice on corporate M&A and restructuring.


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