Ratings and Awards

The Legal 500: EMEA

Tax – Tier 1

Pepeliaev Group is ‘the best tax consultant in the Russian market’, according to clients, and is equally good for contentious and non-contentious advice. Among several tax specialists, Rustem Akhmetshin and Natalia Ivashchenko are ‘great professionals – clever and erudite’; Andrey Nikonov and his team ‘provide deep analysis of historical and recent taxation practise; and Sergey Sosnovskiy ‘clearly understands the needs of the client’. The firm is a member of global tax network Taxand (www.taxand.com). 

Corporate and M&A, St Petersburg – Tier 2 

Sergey Spasennov’s team at Pepeliaev Group acts on a range of corporate matters including restructurings, and energy or real estate deals. Spassenov recently led a team which advised Domina Hotel Group on restructuring following the acquisition of a luxury. Corporate head Andrey Pekhovsky is recommended.

Dispute Resolution – Tier 2 

Pepeliaev Group has been particularly active in bankruptcy proceedings on both the debtor and creditor side, as well as in high-value debt recovery cases. Team head Yuriy Vorobyev represented a Russian conglomerate in the enforcement of a Russian state arbitration court judgement in Israel. Varvara Knutova and Yulia Litovtseva are other key contacts. 

Employment – Tier 2 

Pepeliaev Group is advising a multinational on the outsourcing of its global payroll operation. Julia Borozdna’s team also has an impressive recent track record in employment litigation, with recent successes including two wins in a regional court for a ‘Big Four’ accountancy firm.

Intellectual Property – Tier 3

Pepeliaev Group has acted for clients including VimpelCom, Metro AG and Independent Media. The firm has been appointed by FIFA to advise on various issues, including IP, in preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Valentina Orlova heads the practice.

Real Estate and Construction – Tier 3

Recent work includes advising a multinational investor on a major Moscow development and related disputes. Team head Alexey Konevsky, who was promoted to the partnership in August 2012, attracts praise for his ‘wide knowledge and experience’.

TMT – Tier 3

Pepeliaev Group has extensive experience acting for major Russian telecoms and media companies in tax-related litigation as well as corporate matters. Senior associate Natalia Ivashchenko heads the team, and is recommended along with tax partner Rustem Ahmetshin. 

Corporate and M&A, Moscow – Tier 4

Pepeliaev Group is ‘excellent’, and has ‘specialists across the disciplines’. Vladimir Sokov heads the team, which acted on several high-value mandates for major Russian state-owned and private companies, and also represented a German multinational on the Russian aspects of a global acquisition.

Energy and Natural Resources – Tier 5

Pepeliaev Group utilises its considerable tax expertise to advise Russian clients on contentious issues, transfer pricing and deal structuring. The firm has also been advising a multinational oil and gas company on emission allowances. Corporate head Vladimir Sokov and tax partner Rustem Ahmetshin are the key contacts.

Banking and finance – Recommended firm