Ratings and Awards
Chambers Europe
Competition/Antitrust – Band 4
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. Additionally advises on unfair competition and advertising law-related issues. Also provides support in contentious cases, including investigations by the FAS. Particularly visible in the pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors.
Strengths Clients highlight the lawyers' availability and practical approach, with one remarking that the team "provides comprehensive advice on how to avoid potential risks," adding that "all the urgent issues were resolved strictly within the required timeframe."
Notable practitioners
Elena Sokolovskaya is well versed in antitrust regulatory matters and also assists clients with competition investigations. "She was efficient and we were on the same page," a source says.
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. Active in the FMCG, manufacturing and energy sectors. Also highly regarded for its excellent tax capabilities.
Strengths Clients note the department's availability and flexible approach.
Notable practitioners
Practice co-heads Ilya Bolotnov and Nikolay Solodovnikov are key client contacts.
Dispute Resolution: Domestic Mid-Market - Band 3
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 as well as IP-related cases. Represents notable domestic manufacturing and natural resources companies as well as significant international names from a broad range of industries.
Notable practitioners
Practice co-heads 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 and collective negotiations involving trade unions.
Strengths Sources agree that the team is composed of "prominent" lawyers who "provide high-quality work."
A client appreciates that the group handles matters in a "business-oriented way" and "with the right sense of urgency."
Notable practitioners
According to an impressed client,
Anna Berlina is "a very experienced lawyer who can always share tips in the most challenging situations, and finds the right balance between conservative legislation and business needs." She acts on a range of advisory and contentious mandates, including advising on disputes, restructuring and HR policies.
Interviewees single out
Julia Borozdna as a "great lawyer" and a "top professional expert" in the employment law field. She offers significant experience acting on disputes and dismissals for major clients, in addition to handling advisory matters and the employment law aspects of corporate mandates.
Intellectual Property - Band 2
What the team is known for Established 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 sectors. Additionally, assists with contentious cases.
Strengths Clients appreciate the tailored advice, with one saying: "They put themselves in the client's shoes. They do everything in an effective way."
Notable practitioners
Highly regarded
Valentina Orlova is noted for her experience in handling contentious IP matters, including trade mark, patent and industrial design registration disputes, enforcement claims and infringement cases.
Life Sciences - Band 3
What the team is known for Advises pharmaceutical and medical device 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 says the team have a "very good understanding of the practice and our business," and further shares: "They understand our goals, assess the pros and the cons of a certain approach and evaluate the risks, finding a solution together with us."
Work highlights Assisted the Russian government with the development of an experimental legal regime that would provide for the development and use of AI tools and other technologies in medicine.
Notable practitioners
Ilya Bolotnov and Maria Nikonova are key contacts for the practice.
Real Estate - Band 4
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 A client describes the team as "accountable, proactive and scrupulous in its approach to whatever task it is called for."
Another client adds: "We appreciate the involvement that the team has shown at every stage of the implementation of the project."
Work highlights Represented a high net worth individual in the establishment of a joint venture with Samolet Group to develop land in the Moscow region.
Notable practitioners
Alexey Konevsky is active on real estate transactions and also assists with regulatory aspects of land acquisition and construction.
Natalia Stenina assists with the management of real estate assets as well as transactions. "She is a good negotiator," a source says.
Restructuring/Insolvency: Litigation - Band 3
What the team is known for Well-reputed team of litigation specialists who are also experienced in handling contentious bankruptcy matters. Advises both domestic and international companies as well as financial institutions on insolvency-related risks and represents them in disputes. Also assists with subsidiary liability-related issues. Client base includes banks, manufacturers and private individuals.
Strengths One client appreciates the lawyers' teamwork and efficiency, reporting: "They evaluate the legal risks and have the ability to find the right solution in difficult situations."
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. 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 Clients highlight the group's practical approach, with one enthusing: "It gives us risk estimations and tells us what to take into account, trying to be as flexible as possible but also being reasonable."
Another says: "They give sharp advice and advice tailored to our business. They have a proactive approach. They know the market," adding: "They answer very quickly."
Work highlights Represented Kimkan and Sutara Ore Mining and Processing Plant in a tax dispute against the authorities arising from the income obtained from favourable foreign currency exchange rates.
Notable practitioners
Andrey Nikonov is experienced in tax disputes and tax consultancy matters. Clients appreciate the promptness of replies.
Rustem Ahmetshin climbs to the top tier this year. He boasts prowess in contentious tax mandates as well as assisting with regulatory tax issues and risk assessments. "He is very supportive," appreciates a client, who adds: "He can talk about tax in a professional and easy-to-understand way."
Eminent practitioner
Sergey Pepeliaev garners praise for his outstanding reputation in Russian tax law defence. "He's a very good speaker," sources confirm.
St Petersburg-based
Sergey Sosnovsky is a well-regarded name in tax, including in contentious matters. A client appreciates his forward planning and also highlights his "fast and efficient advice." Another client adds: "He is aware of the latest court cases and the latest news on the position of tax authorities."
St Petersburg
Dispute Resolution - Band 3
What the team is known for St Petersburg branch of a notable domestic firm with a stellar reputation for tax disputes. Additionally represents clients in debt recovery and bankruptcy proceedings. Also assists with commercial litigation. Represents domestic and international clients with business in the North West region of Russia.
Strengths An impressed client describes the lawyers as "creative and hard-working."
Notable practitioners
Co-practice heads Sergey Spasennov and Sergey Sosnovsky are key client contacts.
General Business Law - Band 3
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. Additionally covers investment-related mandates and employment issues. Clients include both international and domestic corporates from a wide range of industries.
Strengths Sources highlight the team's availability and client care, with one source considering them to be "efficient and fast in responding to requests."
Notable practitioners
Sergey Spasennov is well reputed for his extensive experience advising on a variety of commercial and corporate-related issues. Market commentators highlight his calm manner and business-oriented approach.