EDITORIAL: MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS IN THE CIS
Who’s Who Legal
Jan 15 2010
Our research identifies 95 outstanding lawyers in this practice area.
White & Case receives the most nominations and is particularly strong
in Moscow. Marc Polonsky is "one of the most experienced lawyers in
Russia" and has particular expertise in the natural resources sector.
Igor Ostapets has advised Russian and foreign companies in the metal
and oil industries. Eric Michailov heads the M&A practice in Moscow and
regularly represents investment funds and international companies on
their projects in Russia, particularly in the real estate, consumer
products and telecommunications sectors. The "brilliantly skilful"
Hermann Schmitt has represented major foreign investors and Russian
banks, telecommunications operators and industrial manufacturers. In
Kazakhstan, Yuriy Maltsev is "first class for M&A" and was previously
involved in the privatisation and acquisition of Shymkent refinery
by Hurricane Hydrocarbons (now Petrokazakhstan) for approximately
US$1 billion. The merged entity was the first vertically integrated
oil company in Kazakhstan.
Four lawyers at Baker & McKenzie stood out during our research. Based
in Kazakhstan, Curtis Masters is "a great lawyer" who advises
President Nazarbayev twice a year on legal issues pertaining to
foreign investment into the country. Azamat Kuatbekov practises in
this area and has recently advised an Israeli investor in connection
with the bankruptcy acquisition of the mining and chemical facilities
in Kazakhstan. In Azerbaijan, Natik Mamedov is an associate noted for
his work in telecommunications transactions, while Aykhan Asadov is
"the man for M&A".
Magisters also has four nominees in this chapter. The "marvellous" Anna
Rusetskaya heads the M&A practice in Belarus while Dennis Turovets is
a managing partner of the Minsk office and is also recommended. Marta
Khomyak in Kazakhstan has advised leading CIS-based corporations and
global investors across a broad range of sectors, as well as acting
for state authorities. Andrew Mac manages the Kiev office and is also
on our list.
Vlasova Mikhel & Partners provides four lawyers for our Belarus list.
Liliya Vlasova is "a business guru" while Konstantin Mikhel is
"a high quality and reliable" lawyer. Tatiana Emelianova is also
seen as a leading lawyer in this jurisdiction and Sveltana Dashuk
"should definitely be on anyone’s list".
We list three lawyers at Clifford Chance LLP. Marc Bartholomy is "a
real player in Moscow" while Andrei Dontsov is also highly rated. Alex
Erasmus’s "top quality" practice has also been pointed out to us.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP also has three Moscow lawyers
prominent in our research. Jacky Baudon is a "terrific guy" with a
broad corporate experience in a range of industries such as energy,
natural resources, chemicals, engineering and telecommunications.
Dmitry Surikov is "a top-tier lawyer" who advises leading Russian
metal, mining companies and Western investors on their projects
abroad while Igor Gerber also advises on major projects in the energy,
metals, mining and retail sectors.
Grata Law Firm has three representatives in our final list. The
"superior" Zafar Malikov is managing partner and director of the
Tashkent office and controls the firm’s activities in Uzbekistan
and Turkmenistan. Umid Aripdjanov heads the commercial law group
and advises international corporations in the oil and gas industry,
telecommunications and automobile manufacturing. Rashid Gaissin is
a managing partner in Kazakhstan and advised the UniCredit Group in
its US$2.3 billion acquisition of ATF Bank.
Three lawyers at Salans have proved to be prominent in our research.
Oleg Batyuk "is a true expert in this area" and is managing partner of
the Kiev office. Aigoul Kenjebayeva is managing partner of the Almaty
office with a focus on foreign investment in Kazakhstan. James Hogan is
a managing partner of the Baku office and "has profound experience in
the region". He has concentrated exclusively on corporate, commercial
and natural resource matters relating to the CIS and Eastern Europe
since 1988.
Russia has a large pool of talent in this area with 18 leading
lawyers identified by our research. Two lawyers from Egorov Puginsky
Afanasiev & Partners are in the final list. Managing partner Ilya
Nikiforov is seen as "top-notch" and in 2004 was given the diploma
"for successes in commercial law" by the council of the Russian federal
bar association. Dimitry Afanasiev is also a managing partner of the
firm and was awarded the order of "fidelity to a lawyer’s duty" by
the same association. Two lawyers at Goltsblat BLP are particularly
well regarded in this area. Managing partner Andrey Goltsblat is
"an outstanding lawyer" and "very well known in Moscow". Previously
the Chief of Staff for the constitutional commission of the Russian
parliament, he counsels boards of directors and senior management in
connection with investment projects and deal structuring in Russia
and the CIS. Anton Sitnikov "should be on anyone’s list of the best"
and works in a number of industries such as oil and gas, mining,
the food industry, services sector and banking and finance. At
Linklaters LLP Denis Uvarov is "exceptional" and was involved in the
acquisition by BP of strategic investments in TNK-BP and Slavneft,
while John Goodwin is a managing partner of the firm’s Moscow office
and has "first class" counsel. Edwin Tham from Allen & Overy LLP is
"a rising star" and has been involved in the acquisition of a drinks
producer in the Ukraine and within the oil and heavy transportation
sectors. At ALRUD Law Firm, Alexander Zharskiy has been active in
joint venture projects from Europe expanding into Asia while Vassily
Rudomino "certainly deserves to be on the list". From Cleary Gottlieb
Steen & Hamilton LLP, Scott Senecal regularly advises on merger and
acquisition transactions and joint ventures, representing foreign
investors (both private equity and corporate) and Russian entities.
At Debevoise & Plimpton LLP the "highly skilful" Dmitri Nikiforov
chairs the Moscow office and advises on complex international
transactions for the Russian government. From Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP,
the "highly distinguished" Oleg Berger co-chairs the M&A group and
represents a growing number of Russian clients. Alexei Roudiak at
Herbert Smith LLP is "incredibly smart" and advised Tata on the
transfer of Land Rover and Jaguar in Russia from Ford Motor Company.
Oxana Balayan at Lovells LLP is also well regarded by her peers and
she advises a variety of major international and Russian clients. Her
work involves a wide range of industries, including financial services,
retail, media, pharmaceuticals, automotive and real estate.
The "highly respected and business minded" Anatoly Andriash at Macleod
Dixon LLP is a managing partner and advises clients in the spheres
of natural resources and telecommunications. Ilja Ratschkov of Norrr
OOO has a "very impressive" practice and advises Russian and foreign
companies including banks and state authorities. Anton Klyachin of
Salomons is held with high regard in our research and has extensive
experience in Russia. He has previously provided legal counsel for the
corporate restructuring of the largest media holding in Russia. From
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP the "highly reputable" Alexey
Kiyashko co-heads the Moscow office and has advised major Russian
companies and investment banks in connection with international
corporate finance transactions. Maxim Sterin at Hannes Snellman LLC
is a "stellar practitioner".
Ukraine also has a strong representation in this practice area and
provides 14 leading lawyers for our list. Asters has two of its lawyers
included. Armen Khachaturyan is held in high regard for his practice
in this area. The "highly experienced" Oleksiy Didkovskiy is managing
partner of the firm and has been involved in a number of acquisitions,
including the takeover of Poltava Diamond Plant by Element Six from the
De Beers Group. Two lawyers at Sayenko Kharenko are listed. Vladimir
Sayenko is "extremely active" in the financial, energy, oil and gas,
real estate and media sectors and Michael Kharenko has advised a range
of leading investment banks, multinational financial institutions
and corporates. At Arzinger & Partners, Timur Bondaryev is seen as
"outstanding" in the field while Oleh Malskyy of Astapov Lawyers
heads the firm’s M&A practice. From Chadbourne & Parke LLP, Jaroslawa
Johnson is "a big name" and recently represented the bank of Cyprus
in its acquisition of a medium-sized Ukrainian bank. Adam Mycyk,
the managing partner at CMS Cameron McKenna, regularly advises
multinationals, foreign and domestic companies, banks, investment
banks and other financial institutions.
Margarita Karpenko from DLA Piper LLP is "highly recommended" for local
M&A. At Frishberg & Partners, Scott Brown is held in high regard for
his work in this area, while at KM Partners Alexander Minin also comes
highly recommended. At Konnov & Sozanovsky the "very distinguished"
senior partner Sergei Konnov was granted "The Badge of Honour of the
Ministry of Justice of Ukraine" by the Ukranian government. Denis
Lysenko of Vasil Kisil & Partners has wide experience in representing
interests of foreign investors in cross-border transactions involving
Ukrainian assets and companies.
Roman Kolos at Wolf Theiss Rechtsanwälte GmbH has also featured
strongly in our research.
In Belarus, we identify 11 prominent lawyers; Sorainen Law Offices
provides two of these. Maksim Salahub is "a world-class lawyer" and
co-manages the Minsk office while heading the M&A practice. He has
significant experience in advising on cross-border M&A transactions in
the complex Belarusian legal environment, especially in due diligence
of local enterprises and provides a full array of legal advice to
foreign investors. Kiryl Apanasevich is also highly rated and provides
legal support to clients in numerous complex M&A transactions and asset
deals. Two lawyers from Stepanovski Papakul and Partners Ltd have
also been nominated. Alexander Stepanovski is "a fantastic lawyer"
and has extensive experience in Russia and Belarus. Valery Papakul
is the managing partner and is perceived as "truly one of the best
in the region". The "exceptional" Dmitry Viltovsky from Arzinger &
Partners also makes it onto the list. Borovtsov & Salei receives
two nominations: Vassili Salei is well regarded for his expertise
in this area, and Alexander Botian is "highly knowledgeable". At
Businessconsult, Timour Sysouev is known for his "broad experience"
while Dmitry Bokhan provides "impressive" counsel. Sergei Makarchuk
is the managing partner of the Belarusian office of Cerha Hempel
Spiegelfeld Hlawati while at Law Firm Trust Eugene Lazarenkov is also
a leader in this jurisdiction.
A further six exceptional lawyers in Kazakhstan are selected in
our research. Two nominees from Aequitas have been listed. Tatyana
Suleyeva is "excellent in the field" and has been involved in
advising major European and US banks in acquiring other banks active
in Kazakhstan. The "very talented" Olga Chentsova, managing partner
of the firm, also features. At Denton Wilde Sapte Kazakhstan Limited
Joel Benjamin is "superb" and represents clients from a range of
industries such as oil and gas, mining and banking. From Dewey &
LeBoeuf LLP, Aset Shyngyssov is the managing partner of the Almaty
office and provides "fantastic counsel". At Macleod Dixon LLP Maxim
Telemtayev manages the firm’s Almaty office and is "a top M&A lawyer",
with over 10 years of legal practice in the mining, oil and gas,
uranium and telecommunications industries. Michael Wilson is the
founder of Michael Wilson & Partners and has been involved in many
of the largest projects in the region.
In Azerbaijan, Omni Law Firm has two lawyers on our list. Ismayil
Zargarli is "one of the best", while Jeyhun Bayramov is "a very fine
lawyer". At BM Law Firm, Farhad Mirzayev has an "exceptional" practice
and has represented Lukoil Europe in connection with the acquisition
of shares of a leading telecommunications company. Nariman Ramazanov,
the founder and managing partner of Fina LLP, is a "first-rate"
lawyer. MGB Law Offices’ Ismail Askerov is reported to be "the man
for Azerbaijan" and has previously advised on the acquisition of
shares in the telecommunications sector.
In Moldova, Turcan & Turcan has two lawyers in our final list.
Alexander Turcan is highly regarded for his work in the field and
Octavian Cazac has an "outstanding practice" in this jurisdiction.
Victor Burac is perceived as "very good" and is active in this practice
area while Mihail Buruiana at his own firm, Buruiana & Partners,
is seen as "great with this kind of work". Managing partner Victor
Levintsa at Levintsa & Associates is the "main competitor" and is
rated highly rated.
Three lawyers based in Armenia are featured here. At Ameria Legal
Practice David Sargsyan has "brilliant" practice in the field while
Andrew Lazarian has also received positive mention in our research.
Thomas Samuelian is a managing partner at Arlex International Ltd
and is one of the first foreign lawyers admitted to the Armenian bar.
>>From Kyrgyzstan Gulnara Kalikova is seen as "number one" and is
managing partner of Kalikova & Associates. Niyaz Aldashev from Lorenz
is "an extremely good lawyer" and his practice in the past has involved
a large M&A project in the telecommunications sector. Mirgul Smanalieva
at Partner Law Firm has also been highly recommended in our research.
Finally, Ilkhom Azizov heads Azizov & Partners in Uzbekistan and
provides "highly skilled services" in the field.
article/19727/editorial-mergers-acquisitions-cis/