Ratings and Awards
Chambers Europe
Competition / Antitrust (Band 3)
What the team is known for
Although best known for its market-leading tax practice, Pepeliaev Group also fields a strong competition/antitrust team. Its considerable experience in domestic corporate transactions means the firm is particularly adept in merger control matters, and its dedicated team also has considerable experience in advising on behavioural issues. The competition team is backed up by a strong disputes group to handle any contentious matters, making it an appealing choice for many foreign and Russian companies.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"Attentive professionals with a high level of competence."
Notable practitioners
Elena Sokolovskaya is the key contact for this practice.
Corporate / M&A (Band 5)
What the team is known for
This year saw Pepeliaev increase its corporate manpower. The team wins praise from interviewees for its detailed and analytical advice. Although the firm continues to be known primarily for its excellent reputation in tax, the corporate team also earns respect for its handling of transactions in the media, manufacturing and retail sectors.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"I was impressed by their solid, comprehensive, and analytical approach to the issues."
Notable practitioners
Ilya Bolotnov concentrates on commercial law and possesses significant experience advising domestic and foreign clients on M&A, joint ventures and complex contractual structures. Commentators highlight him as someone with a '"profound knowledge of the Russian legal environment".
Ranked lawyers
Ilya Bolotnov (Up-and-coming)
Dispute Resolution (Band 2)
What the team is known for
The firm’s growing reputation in this sphere owes much to its market-leading tax litigation practice. However, the team also offers comprehensive coverage of commercial litigation issues, and wins praise for its client focus, responsiveness and speed.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"The team is well structured, communicative and organised. It is amongst the most competent and efficient in Russia."
Work highlights
It recently acted for a major international sportswear company on a dispute involving the enforcement of promissory notes.
Notable practitioners
Denis Bykov heads the firm's dispute resolution department and enters the rankings for the first time following persistent praise from commentators. According to clients: "Denis is sharp and always takes a creative approach to complicated issues."
Ranked lawyers
Denis Bykov (Up-and-coming)
Employment (Band 2)
What the team is known for
Clients say this firm combines theoretical knowledge with a practical approach to help them achieve the best possible results. Its large employment team and strong dedication to the practice area are noted by sources, and its coverage of the labour law field also proves impressive. It has a significant migration law practice which appeals to many foreign clients. Sources also note the group's quick turnaround times and transparent pricing.
Notable practitioners
Practice head Julia Borozdna is considered a "serious player with terrific skills." She has accumulated more than 10 years of experience advising multinationals and Russian clients on a wide range of employment and migration law issues.
Ranked lawyers
Julia Borozdna (Band 2)
Intellectual Property (Band 3)
What the team is known for
This firm provides comprehensive coverage of IP services and is particularly renowned for its strong domestic practice. The team is active across a diverse range of sectors and is supported by a number of registered patent attorneys, enabling it to offer use full service.
Work highlights
It recently acted for an Italian sportswear manufacturer on a licence agreement to allow it the use of trade marks. The team was also instructed by a Finnish oil company with regard to the drafting of claims relating to an infringement of an exclusive right to a trade name, as well as competition in bad faith and improper advertising.
Notable practitioners
Valentina Orlova was formerly legal head of the Russian Patent Authority, and brings exceptionally detailed knowledge of legislation and a wealth of experience to her new role as head of the IP department at Pepeliaev Group. She focuses on trade mark registration, licensing and franchising, e-commerce and advertising law.
Alexandra Pelikh is particularly noted for her excellent trade mark practice and she regularly provides services on both national and international applications for intellectual property. She is a regular presence before the Chamber for Patent Disputes and the Russian Patent Authority.
Significant clients
Ranked lawyers
Valentina Orlova (Band 3)
Alexandra Pelikh (Band 3)
Real Estate (Band 3)
What the team is known for
The real estate team of this prominent Russian practice remains highly active and influential in this sphere.
Work highlights
Particularly noted for its strength in construction and lease agreements, the firm recently advised a French home-improvement and gardening company on the acquisition of a number of land plots for development.
Notable practitioners
Natalia Stenina heads the real estate and construction practice and is the main point of contact.
Tax (Band 1)
What the team is known for
With 85 lawyers, this tax team is by far the largest in Russia, and it puts these resources to good use advising on some of the largest and most complex cases in the market. Commentators note that it has had a busy and productive year. The team is comprised of highly specialised and extremely well-educated attorneys, with the tax litigation practice receiving particular praise. Clients hail from a wide range of industries, from telecoms, IT and industrial production to metallurgy, mining, oil, gas and power.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"A legendary tax firm."
Notable practitioners
Office head Sergey Pepeliaev has an unparalleled wealth of experience, and sources unanimously agree that he is "quite simply a phenomenon."
Denis Schekin is noted for his transfer pricing expertise, in which field he is highlighted as a leading professional. He is described as an "extremely knowledgeable and strong practitioner."
Valentina Akimova regularly advises on the refund of export VAT, the application of VAT and income tax benefits, as well as payment of excise and reminds of road user tax.
Rustem Akhmetshin is increasing in popularity, with sources praising his disputes practice and agreeing that he is “really bright and fascinatingly creative.”
Ranked lawyers
Sergey Pepeliaev (Star Individuals)
Valentina Akimova (Band 3)
Rustem Ahmetshin (Band 2)
TMT (Band 3)
What the team is known for
The three-partner telecommunications group is a key driving force behind the success of this strong Russian practice. The team handles a wide variety of instructions and its knowledge of domestic legislation is highly sought after. Clients include leading Russian and internationals companies, as well as telecommunications equipment manufacturers and new technology enterprise.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
“The price, the time frames, and the quality of advice are all very balanced and reasonable.”
Notable practitioners
Natalya Ivaschenko heads the department and is the key contact.
St Petersburg
General Business Law (Band 3)
What the team is known for
This firm is one of the largest domestic outfits in the country, and best known for its stellar tax practice. It is also well regarded in other spheres such as M&A, IP and employment, and it has a strong core of local clients. The team also works with a number of foreign companies with business interests in the region. It wins praise from sources for its understanding of the local business environment.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"This firm handles things proactively and gives thoughtful recommendations."
Work highlights
It recently advised Finnish IT and telecoms operator Forte Netservices on the Russian aspects of the sale of its business.
Notable practitioners
With more than 15 years of experience in the local market, Sergey Spasennov has considerable experience in the automotive, telecommunications, media and power sectors, and is well known for his work on infrastructure projects. Clients note his negotiation skills, knowledge and "calm manner in challenging situations."
Sergey Sosnovsky is a "brilliant and promising tax lawyer" and a growing force in the local market. His practice covers a wide range of tax matters, including VAT and profit tax legislation.
Ranked lawyers
Sergey Spasennov (Band 2)
Sergey Sosnovsky (Up-and-coming)
Dispute Resolution (Band 2)
What the team is known for
This firm climbs a band in the rankings this year following excellent praise from clients. The team continues to be a notable presence in the St Petersburg disputes market.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
Market sources say the firm offers "high-quality knowledge in any professional field, as well as a customer focus and a readiness to work to strict deadlines."
Work highlights
Another busy year saw it represent Extar in an arbitration over services rendered to a Dutch forwarding company. The group also acted for Citibank on a prominent tax dispute.
Notable practitioners
With more than 15 years of experience to his name, Sergey Spasennov has a profound understanding of legislation, and wins praise for his dynamic management of the office.
Clients note Andrey Pekhovsky's strong communication skills, and say he "always shows initiative and comes up with great ideas."
Significant clients
Extar, Citibank
Ranked lawyers
Sergey Spasennov (Band 3)
Andrey Pekhovsky's (Band 3)