Pepeliaev Group rated by Chambers Europe among the top law firms in 2011

Сhambers Europe, one of the top international legal directories, ranks Pepeliaev Group as an undisputed leader in Russian tax law in 2011. Sergey Pepeliaev, the firm’s managing partner, is recognised as Russia’s best tax lawyer – Band Star (an absolute leader).

“This 83-strong tax team is legendary for its standing in the field. It is especially noted for its strength in contentious tax matters”, says Chambers Europe. Sergey Pepeliaev is referred to as “… an undisputed authority in the field.” Chambers Europe has consistently ranked Sergey Pepeliaev as Band Star in tax for the past several years. According to the rating, clients are also impressed by several other tax lawyers within the firm, most notably senior partners Denis Schekin, Rustem Akhmetshin and Andrey Nikonov, and partners Valentina Akimova and Andrey Tereschenko.

Sergey Pepeliaev believes his team to be “truly stellar”. “We have a number of key practice areas, in which our teams are no less visible on the market than our tax practice. Among them are: our customs team, whose members drafted the Customs Code and almost all documents relating to the Customs Union; dispute resolution; intellectual property and trademarks; labour, employment and migration law; and antitrust”. “There are not that many law firms in the market that have dedicated antitrust or customs teams”, says Sergey Pepeliaev. “In 2010, our corporate and commercial teams received instructions that would be the envy of any law firm”, he adds. “These included preparing a contractual framework for the development of the Shtokman gas field, providing legal support under Russian law to Rusal’s IPO in Hong Kong, and undertaking due diligence, at the request of FIFA, of the Russian bid for hosting the football world cup.”

Chambers Europe also praises Pepeliaev Group’s labour, employment and migration law team headed by Julia Borozdna, and its land, real estate and construction practice led by Alexey Konevsky. Other practice areas of Pepeliaev Group recommended by Chambers Europe as particularly strong in legal support to business in Russia include dispute resolution; intellectual property and trademarks; and antitrust.

Apart from the firm’s Moscow office, Chambers Europe also commends Pepeliaev Group’s St Petersburg operation. “This team handles a fair share of relevant contentious instructions in St Petersburg,” says Chambers Europe. “Sergey Spasennov (partner and head of Pepeliaev Group’s St Petersburg office) is appreciated by clients for getting the results.”

Chambers Europe describes Pepeliaev Group’s lawyers as “commercial and successful”. Furthermore, they are “strategic, efficient and really feel at home in court.”