Ratings and Awards
Chambers Europe
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 as well as M&A transactions. Active in mandates relating to distribution agreements as well as procurement processes. Also provides support in contentious cases, including investigations by the FAS.
Strengths
Clients praise the team's client-centric approach, with one saying that "they don't just possess the theoretical knowledge but also have practical expertise," while another client declares: "I am comfortable to work with them: their quality is high and the price is good."
Work highlights
Represented Rehau in abuse of dominance proceedings before the antitrust authority.
Notable practitioners
Elena Sokolovskaya (Band 3) has substantial experience in advising on investigations as well as antitrust regulatory mandates. She also represents clients in competition-related disputes. "She gave very practical advice," a client reports.
Corporate / M&A: Mid-Market – Band 2
What the team is known for
Notable team in the mid-market section acting for a broad roster of significant Russian corporates and international clients. Provides corporate structuring and transactional support as well as due diligence and contractual advice. Recently active in the FMCG, retail and energy sectors. Additionally, highly regarded for its excellent tax capabilities.
Strengths
Sources single out the pragmatism of the team as a strength. One reports: "They take a practical approach, they understand how we want to be advised."
Notable practitioners
Practice head Ilya Bolotnov and Nikolay Solodovnikov are key client contacts.
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 real estate and contractual disputes. Represents notable domestic manufacturing and natural resources companies as well as significant international names from a broad range of industries.
Strengths
The team is praised for its business-considerate attitude. "We got the result, a very good result, without having to go to court," a client enthuses, while another client says: "We can rely on their advice if they say there's no ground for the other side's claim," adding: "They are really reliable."
Work highlights
Represented Expert, a Russian consultancy company, in a RUB53.9 million debt recovery dispute with Binbank.
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 dismissal, migration and remuneration-related disputes, as well as providing non-contentious data protection and general advisory services. Acts for a client base of major global and domestic companies from across a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, financial services and healthcare. Additionally skilled at assisting with internal reorganisations.
Strengths
The team garners praise for its practical and tailor-made advice.
Another source appreciates the team's pragmatic and client-oriented approach.
Notable practitioners
Anna Berlina (Up and coming) assists clients with complex employment law disputes. Interviewees highlight her attention to detail and solution-oriented approach. One source also describes her as practical lawyer who is "available at any time and is always ready to help."
Julia Borozdna (Band 1) receives praise for her accuracy and ability to "keep everything in order. "She is adept at handling labour dismissals, reorganisations and disputes. One impressed client notes: "She is very strong and business-oriented, she finds solutions to our business needs."
Intellectual Property – Band 2
What the team is known for
Respected non-contentious IP team providing comprehensive legal advice on IP rights management. Advises on the drafting of trade mark licence agreements as well as the transfer of IP rights through M&A transactions and restructurings. Clients include significant domestic companies and notable international brands from the FMCG, pharmaceutical and industrial industries. Increasingly active on patent and trade mark registration mandates and acts on infringement cases.
Strengths
A client says: "They’re effective. They have a comprehensive approach, they can examine the situation from every angle and they think outside the box."
Another confirms this, explaining: "The team is very responsive, good on turning things around, they're very detailed and always available if we need to talk."
Work highlights
Represented Richter Gedeon Nyrt in a pharmaceutical patent dispute against Teva.
Notable practitioners
Valentina Orlova (Band 1) represents a broad range of domestic corporates in trade mark, patent and industrial design registration disputes, enforcement claims and infringement cases. She also acts on non-contentious ownership structuring, licensing and registration projects. A source enthuses: "She's very good, she knows her stuff; she's someone to talk through issues with. I like working with her."
Life Sciences – Band 2
What the team is known for
Advises pharmaceutical and medical devices companies on pricing, compliance and distribution contracts issues. Also handles regulatory matters for international clients, with further expertise in antitrust investigations. Assists with localisation projects as well as transactional mandates, and acts on clinical trial cases. Represents clients in cases of criminal liability.
Strengths
A client notes: "They are very good at making a thorough analysis," adding: "They are always able to answer complex questions."
Another source praises the department's responsiveness, saying: "I always got the results I was looking for on time."
Notable practitioners
Alexander Panov (Up and Coming) enters the rankings as a result of positive market feedback and is noted for his extensive experience by a source: "He knows exactly how it works as he's got experience in the industry and understands the business side of things." He advises companies from the healthcare sector on regulatory, commercial and localisation mandates.
Real Estate – Band 3
What the team is known for
Well-regarded domestic team advising on a range of real estate matters, including transactions, construction projects and lease agreements. 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 of domestic and multinational companies in the food and beverage, luxury goods and agricultural industries.
Strengths
Clients appreciate the clarity and speed of assistance. "All legal memorandums have a clear structure and are understandable to non-lawyers," a client reports.
Another client adds: "The whole team's responsiveness, attention to detail and timely replies makes our co-operation very efficient."
Work highlights
Advised Castorama Rus on its acquisition of a land plot for the construction of a new retail store in Moscow.
Notable practitioners
Alexey Konevsky (Band 4) is active on a variety of real estate matters, including transactions, construction and leasing. "He provides practical recommendations and takes into account our long-term interests,"a client says.
Natalia Stenina (Up and coming) advises on transactions as well as assists notable Russian companies with managing their real estate assets. She also acts on leasing mandates. "She asks good questions," a client says, adding: "She never promised something she can't deliver."
Restructuring / Insolvency: Litigation – Band 3
What the team is known for
Well-reputed domestic team of litigation specialists who are also experienced in handling litigious bankruptcy matters. Advises both domestic and international companies as well as financial institutions on insolvency-related risks and represents them in contentious matters.
Strengths
Clients appreciate the lawyers' approach, with one saying they can "evaluate legal risks and have the ability to find the right solution in difficult situations."
Work highlights
Advised Rietumu Bank on cross-border bankruptcy and asset recovery proceedings.
Notable practitioners
Yulia Litovtseva is a key partner at the practice.
Tax – Band 1
What the team is known for
Stellar practice widely recognised for the breadth and depth of its practice. Houses a 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 highly commended for its broad knowledge and experience as well as "attention to detail and provision of specific and detailed recommendations."
Work highlights
Represented KNAUF Insulation in court after the tax authorities refused to deduct expenses amounting to RUB1.4 billion after reclassifying intragroup loans as an investment.
Notable practitioners
Andrey Nikonov (Band 2) is an experienced practitioner advising on VAT and tax audit matters. He also represents high-profile clients in related disputes. A source describes him as "proactive and straight to the point."
Rustem Ahmetshin (Band 2) is a highly respected tax practitioner offering tax advice as well as representing clients in high-profile cases in court.
Sergey Pepeliaev (Eminent Practitioner) is a pre-eminent figure in the Russian tax market. He offers strategic tax advice, including representing major clients in the Supreme Court. "He's a superstar and respected by all professionals in the market," a source confirms.
St Petersburg
Dispute Resolution – Band 3
What the team is known for
St Petersburg branch of a strong domestic firm with a stellar reputation for tax disputes. Additionally represents clients in debt recovery. Represents domestic and international clients with business in the North-West region of Russia.
Strengths
Sources sum up the firm's approach as "fast, detailed, insightful, supportive and responsive."
Notable practitioners
Co-practice heads Sergey Spasennov and Sergey Sosnovsky are key client contacts.
General Business Law – Band 4
What the team is known for
St Petersburg outfit of a strong Russian domestic firm. Advises on M&A projects as well as providing corporate compliance, structuring and governance support. Well known for providing full-service tax expertise. Clients include both international and domestic corporates from a wide range of industries.
Strengths
Clients appreciate the tailor-made advice the firm provides. "They're always happy to give us advice based on our requirements," a client says, adding: "We like the quality and speed."
Work highlights
Advised a client on the acquisition of a Russian steel producer.
Notable practitioners
Sergey Sosnovsky (Band 4) heads the tax practice in St Petersburg. Clients highlight his pragmatism as a strength, with one stating: "He is very good at developing and suggesting practical solutions."
St Petersburg managing partner Sergey Spasennov (Band 3) assists with a broad range of commercial issues, including transactions and corporate governance projects. "He is very keen to support us; he always wants to know what problems we have and how he can support us in our business," notes one source.