Ratings and Awards

Competition / Antitrust (Band 2)

What the team is known for

Well-known antitrust group active on transactional and compliance matters. Assists clients with Federal Antimonopoly Service investigations and audits. Strong focus on the pharmaceuticals industry.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

"The team listens very carefully to our needs. It is very easy communicating with the lawyers and they are prompt in giving solutions." 

Notable practitioners

The "very responsive and client-oriented" Elena Sokolovskaya, who heads the department, has over seven years of experience working for the Federal Antimonopoly Service. She advises on anti-monopoly due diligence of companies and on competition investigations.

Significant clients

FIFA, Maersk, Novo Nordisk.

Ranked lawyers

Elena Sokolovskaya (Band 4)

 

Corporate / M&A (Band 4)

What the team is known for

Maintains a first-rate reputation for its tax practice. Within the corporate sphere, it advises on investment projects and joint ventures, with in-depth knowledge of minerals and mining, oil and gas, and the food production sector.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

"Highly qualified and client-oriented." 

Notable practitioners 

Vladimir Sokov is the main contact for this practice.

Significant clients

Coca-Cola, Gazprom, MICEX, Shtokman Development, VimpelCom.

 

Dispute Resolution: Domestic (Band 3)

What the team is known for

Highly acclaimed for its tax litigation practice. Also renowned for advising on bankruptcy, contractual and corporate disputes.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

"A highly qualified and client-oriented team."

"A boutique firm that specialises in handling tax disputes." 

Work highlights

Represented SITRONIKS in the bankruptcy proceedings of its debtor, Tsifrovaya Elektronika.

Notable practitioners 

Yuri Vorobyev is the key contact for this practice.

Significant clients

Nike, Citibank, Johnson & Johnson, Thomson Reuters.

 

Employment (Band 2)

What the team is known for

Advises on the full range of employment matters, including restructuring, employment documentation and data protection issues. Offers consultation on migration issues to employers and government agencies. A popular choice for employment disputes and supported by a strong tax department.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

"The team is highly qualified and client-oriented."

Work highlights

Represented FIFA in negotiations regarding the drafting of the federal law in preparation for the hosting of the 2018 World Cup and the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia.

Notable practitioners 

Department head Julia Borozdna gives "very clear and confident" support, according to commentators. With over 14 years of experience advising on employment and immigration matters, she can provide "a sense of security to the client."

Significant clients

Citibank, DHL International, Novo Nordisk Siemens, PepsiCo, Renault.

Ranked lawyers

Julia Borozdna (Band 2)

 

Intellectual Property (Band 3)

What the team is known for

Advises clients on IP rights and devises contractual strategies for IP protection. Prepares legal opinions on Russia-specific trade mark and copyright issues, and deals with patent disputes.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients) 

"The team can do anything for the comfort of the client and reacts really fast."

"I really like the team's efficiency; it answers questions, even complicated ones, quickly."

Work highlights

Advised FIFA on the development of IP rights related to the 2018 World Cup.

Notable practitioners 

Valentina Orlova has a significant reputation on the market. She has been advising on IP for 30 years and is recommended for her expert opinions, which are highly regarded by commentators. Sources say that "Orlova knows Russian IP law inside-out."

Drawing from her previous experience working at Rospatent, Alexandra Pelikh is well placed to represent her clients' interests before the Russian patents authority. Sources agree that she is a "great communicator."

Significant clients

Independent Media, Messe Duesseldorf, Metro, Shell, Vimpelcom.

Ranked lawyers

Valentina Orlova (Band 2)

 

Life Sciences (Band 2)

What the team is known for

Recognised practice assisting pharmaceutical clients with production localisation and clinical trials. Draws on a strong anti-monopoly practice to offer competition advice. Additional areas include transactional advice and dispute resolution.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients) 

"It's very proactive in informing us about precedents and keeping us in the know. The team is pragmatic and really helps in practical business decisions."

"Very strong in competition and litigation within the pharmaceutical industry." 

Notable practitioners 

Vladimir Sokov heads the corporate practice at the firm and brings over a decade of experience in M&A projects, as well as in general commercial and antitrust matters. Sources recommend him for his "attention to detail" and "client-oriented" approach.

Significant clients

Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Merz, Novo Nordisk, Roche.

Ranked lawyers

Vladimir Sokov (Band 2)

 

Real Estate (Band 3)

What the team is known for

Domestic firm offering deep insight into Russian law and business practices. Particularly active in infrastructure and utilities projects, and counts many major Russian oil and gas companies among its key clients.

Work highlights

Assisted Shtokman Development with Russian law real estate, construction, regulatory and environmental issues pertaining to the development of an Arctic offshore gas and condensate field.

Notable practitioners 

Natalia Stenina heads the practice, and is the main contact for clients.

Significant clients

Gazprom, Rosneft, Vimpelcom, Inditex Group, Moscow Stock Exchange.

 

Tax (Band 1)

What the team is known for

Houses a large and experienced team, which can handle complex litigation and highly technical tax issues. Offers in-depth knowledge of legislation due to frequent involvement in drafting amendments. Increasingly busy assisting clients from the energy sector.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

"The team has a serious desire to help and is pragmatic in the best possible way."

"The legal opinions are always very well written and understandable even to people who don't know anything about tax."

"Number one in terms of matters related to taxation issues." 

Work highlights

Assisted FIFA and the Russia 2018 Organising Committee by assisting with amendments to the Russian Tax Code, which establish tax concessions and preferences for international companies and legal entities involved in the World Cup.

Notable practitioners 

Commentators describe Sergey Pepeliaev as "the father of Russian taxation." He has an outstanding reputation in tax litigation, for which he is said to be "absolutely brilliant."

Rustem Ahmetshin acts on contentious and non-contentious tax mandates. He has considerable expertise in areas such as VAT and audit advice.

Valentina Akimova is a "smart tax specialist," according to sources. Her practice covers a wide range of tax matters, such as VAT, income tax and excise duties. 

Sources recommend Andrey Nikonov as an authority on VAT, mineral extraction tax and unified social tax. He also advises on the tax aspects of M&A transactions, and tax disputes.

Sergey Sosnovsky heads the tax practice in St Petersburg. One of his key areas of expertise is enforcement of VAT and profit tax legislation. Sources note: "I can always speak openly with him and we have constructive conversations."

Significant clients

VimpelCom, BAT, Zara, Citibank, Shell.

Ranked lawyers

Sergey G Pepeliaev (Star Individuals)

Rustem Ahmetshin (Band 2)

Valentina Akimova (Band 3)

Andrey Nikonov (Band 3)

Sergey Sosnovsky (Band 3)

 

TMT (Band 2)

What the team is known for

Advises clients in the telecoms and media sectors on regulatory, licensing and tax issues. Gives ongoing operational support to international and Russian businesses from its offices in Moscow and St Petersburg.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

"The team offers comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Russian law, as well as the legal practicalities." 

Notable practitioners 

The "highly analytical" Natalia Ivaschenko heads the department. She is a seasoned tax litigator, and can also advise on non-contentious matters. Her clients describe her as "very organised, efficient and involved."

Significant clients

VimpelCom, Nokia Siemens Networks, TeliaSonera, Moscow City Telephone Network.

Ranked lawyers

Natalia Ivaschenko (Band 2)

 

St Petersburg

General Business Law (Band 3)

What the team is known for

Acts primarily for companies in industrial and consumer products spheres. Advises clients on establishment in Russia, real estate acquisitions, tax and employment issues.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

“The lawyers offer to-the-point and comprehensive advice”.

Notable practitioners

Sergey Spasennov is well recognised for his experience in real estate and infrastructure projects. Sources appreciate his straightforward approach saying: “He is upfront and makes you feel at ease”.

Sergey Sosnovsky is highlighted for his in-depth knowledge of tax, in both contentious and non-contentious spheres.

Significant clients

SNF Baltreagent, Domina Hotel Group

Ranked lawyers

Sergey Spasennov (Band 2)

Andrey Pehovsky (Band 3) 

 

Dispute Resolution (Band 2)

Basic facts about the department

- 1 partner 

- 6 other qualified lawyers

What the team is known for

Advises on complex tax matters at all levels of the Russian courts, with particular expertise in disputes with state authorities. Additional expertise in employment, real estate and construction disputes.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients) 

"The team is original in its approach and always looks for solutions. The lawyers are very intelligent, knowledgeable and calm."

Work highlights

Advised Citibank on an arbitration relating to its loyalty programme for VIP clients. The court upheld the client's position that these programmes are exempt from income tax.

Notable practitioners 

Sergey Spasennov is "really well known in real estate and construction," according to market sources. He also advises on antitrust, employment and customs law.

Andrey Pekhovsky heads the corporate practice in St Petersburg and has been closely involved in key dispute resolution matters relating to tax and anti-monopoly law issues. 

Significant clients

Nissan, Citibank.

Ranked lawyers

Sergey Spasennov (Eminent Partner) 

Andrey Pehovsky (Band 3)