Ratings and Awards
Chambers Europe
Competition / Antitrust (Band 2)
What the team is known for
Pepeliaev Group climbs a place in the rankings following substantial praise for its deep industry knowledge, pragmatism, responsiveness and solution-oriented service. The team is particularly well known for its work in pharmaceuticals, and regularly advises both international and Russian companies on the full range of anti-monopoly issues.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
“The lawyers that make up Pepeliaev Group are results-driven and highly reliable.”
Notable practitioners
Elena Sokolovskaya leads the team and is acknowledged for her “precise advice.” According to the clients, she is “the one person you definitely want on your team when it comes to all matters relating to anti-monopoly regulation.”
Significant clients
Maersk
Ranked lawyers
Elena Sokolovskaya (Band 4)
Corporate / M&A (Band 4)
What the team is known for
The firm traditionally associated with excellence in the tax sphere, this strong and experienced local office has built a reputation as one of the foremost providers of legal services in Russia. The team’s reputation is on the rise, and recent years have seen the firm expand in both numbers and market reach. Recent transactions saw the practice advise a number of foreign and domestic clients.
Notable practitioners
Vladimir Sokov heads the corporate practice and is key contact for the office.
Significant clients
Transneft, Volkswagen and MICEX-RTS.
Dispute Resolution (Band 3)
What the team is known for
Pepeliaev Group continues to be most recognised for its market-leading tax litigation practice. It also provides a wider array of dispute resolution services.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
“Pepeliaev Group has a terrific team that provides responsive, pragmatic and value-for-money advice. The firm can turn desperate situation into acceptable deals.”
Work highlights
The team has recently been busy with a number of bankruptcy proceedings a group of companies in the bankruptcy of Tsifrovaya Electronika. Gazprom transgaz Ukhta, a Gazprom subsidiary, also instructed the firm on the recognition and enforcement of a Russian state arbitration court judgment in Israel.
Notable practitioners
Yuri Vorobyev heads the practice and is the main point of contact for clients.
Significant clients
Tsifrovaya Electronika, Gazprom, Nike, Johnson & Johnson, Thomson Reutres.
Employment (Band 2)
What the team is known for
A number of promotions and an additional hire signal this firm’s upwards trajectory in the employment sphere. Its involvement in some complex, contentious matters is acknowledged, and it also advises companies on compliance and regulatory issues in large transactions.
Notable practitioners
Julia Borozdna possesses more than ten years of experience in labour law, during which she has advised numerous local and international companies on employment and migration questions. She is praised for both her excellent contentious work and business understanding.
Significant clients
Gazprom, Electrolux and Renault
Ranked lawyers
Julia Borozdna (Band 2)
Intellectual Property (Band 3)
What the team is known for
Also this firm remains best known for its tax offering, its IP department is also building a fine reputation thanks to its technical prowess. Working in harmony with the firm’s other practices, the group wins praise for its timelines and bespoke client service. It represents both domestic and international clients and receives additional support from its membership of the TerraLex global legal network.
Notable practitioners
Valentina Orlova continues to build her reputation in the market, following her recent move to the firm. She wins praise for her work in IP infringement matters, and is described as “a person who can resolve any matter that arises.”
Alexandra Pelikh has a background in the Russian patent authority, Rospatent, which gives her an edge when representing clients in proceedings. Her practice covers all forms of IP rights protection, including advisory services, licensing and filings.
Significant clients
FIFA, Shell, Citibank
Ranked lawyers
Valentina Orlova (Band 3)
Alexandra Pelikh (Band 3)
Real Estate (Band 3)
What the team is known for
This nine-strong real estate and construction practice has grown substantially in recent years, and is recommended for its practical approach to Russian legal realities. Its lawyers are particularly known for their work in construction and lease agreements, and sources praise the firm's cross-departmental, integrated approach. It handles work for both international and domestic companies.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"We liked that the firm gave us a one-stop solution".
Notable practitioners
Alexey Konevsky is head of the practice, and a key contact for prospective clients.
Significant clients
Rosneft, Inditex Group, Orenburggazprom
Tax (Band 1)
What the team is known for
Pepeliaev houses the biggest tax team in the country and has been at the forefront of the Russian market since its inception. Although it continues to be identified for its phenomenal disputes work, the team covers the full range of tax matters. Notably, the group has been particularly active in transfer pricing. Sources are effusive in their praise, pointing to the firm's significant experience, deep knowledge, responsiveness, value for money and commercial instinct.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"Always on top of everything going on in t the lax market, and attentive and caring for clients’ needs.''
"Fantastic lawyers."
Work highlights
In recent matters, the team advised the FIFA Organising Committee on amendments to the Russian tax code, and also represented Bloomberg in a tax structuring mandate.
Notable practitioners
Sergey Pepeliaev is a globally renowned tax expert, and one of the most important figures in the market. One commentator suggests: ''He is like the god of Russian tax law."
Rustem Ahmetshin is roundly regarded as a "creative and и solid lawyer," possessing considerable knowledge of a number of tax issues, including VAT, tax audits and contentious matters.
Denis Schekin is a top tax specialist particularly noted for his expertise in tax litigation cases. According to clients, "if you come to him you can be sure of great quality."
Andrey Nikonov is a "proactive and practical lawyer," say sources. He focuses on a number of tax issues, including profit tax, VAT, mineral extraction tax and unified social tax.
Market observers highlight Valentina Akimova's knowledge of transfer pricing matters. She also covers VAT and income tax, excise duties and tax audit projects.
Sergey Sosnovsky leads the firms St. Petersburg office and is noted for his “excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.” His clients are drawn from various industries, including oil and gas, food and banking.
Significant clients
FIFA Organising Committee, Bloomberg, Gazprom, Citibank and BAT
Ranked lawyers
Sergey Pepeliaev (Star Individuals)
Rustem Ahmetshin (Band 2)
Denis Schekin (Band 2)
Valentina Akimova (Band 3)
Andrey Nikonov (Band 3)
Sergey Sosnovsky (Band 3)
TMT (Band 2)
What the team is known for
This firm's clients are drawn primarily from the telecoms and media sectors.
The four-partner group has invested substantially in the TMT market, and offers expertise in a wide array of instructions, including tax and regulatory advice as well as transactional work. Spread between Moscow and St. Petersburg, the team is well equipped to advise clients throughout the Russian regions.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"Pepeliaev Group provides us with an outstanding level of service and excellent value for money."
Notable practitioners
Natalia Ivaschenko specialises in tax and regulatory matters relating to the telecoms sector. She enters the rankings following strong recommendations from market sources.
Significant clients
TeliaSonera, CTC Media, Nokia Siemens Networks
Ranked lawyers
Natalia Ivaschenko (Band 2)
St Petersburg
General Business Law
What the team is known for
The St. Petersburg branch of this renowned Russian firm offers full-service advice to a range of clients, and helps to bolster the reputation of the Moscow office's market-leading tax practice. Working predominantly with domestic companies, the group has recently been highlighted for its employment law work, as well as its corporate and litigation practices. The team is acknowledged for its business acumen, acquired through long exposure to the local market.
Notable practitioners
Sergey Sosnovsky leads the tax department in St. Petersburg, and works closely with his colleagues in Moscow to provide comprehensive tax advice in both contentious and non-contentious matters. A highly visible presence in the market, he is regarded by sources as an "experienced and knowledgeable person."
Sergey Spasennov specialises in corporate law, whilst also handling matters relating to labour law, real estate, competition and customs and trade law. As office managing partner, he is widely respected for his management and organisational ability.
Ranked lawyers
Sergey Sosnovsky (Band 3)
Sergey Spasennov (Band 3)