From 2007 attorney of the Moscow Bar Association, registered number 77/8709.

Experience comprise

• representation and protection of Russian and foreign clients in criminal cases with economic and technical background;
• assistance to the compliance and internal security service of companies during internal audits with the subsequent prosecution of the perpetrators;
• legal audit, identification and elimination of criminal risks in the activities of companies;
• advising on insolvency procedures of legal entities and individuals.

Some of the “white collar criminal defence” practice projets

• Representation of the interests of federal state unitary enterprise (FSUE) as a victim in the criminal proceedings in regards to damage of more than 8.5 bln. Roubles to the FSUE as a result of major fraudulent activities of group of persons (para 4 of Art. 159 of the Criminal Code of RF);
• Legal assistance to employees of FSUE "Paramilitary mine rescue force" of EMERCOM of Russia brought to criminal liability in connection with the accident at the mine "Raspadskaya" of Kemerovo region (Art. 216, 217 of the Criminal Code of RF);
• Termination of criminal prosecution of broker's clients on suspicion of participation in cashing and embezzlement of funds (Art. 160 of the Criminal Code of RF)
• Successful defense of client suspected of participation in market manipulation (transactions with shares with the availability of insider information), viz.: development of procedural strategy, interaction with law enforcement agencies, assistance in calling the client's employees for questioning (para 2 of Art. 185.3 of the Criminal Code of RF);
• Termination of criminal prosecution of top managers of the Moscow bank in connection with suspicion of illicit banking activities (Art. 172 of the Criminal Code of RF);
• Assistance to the security service of the warehouse complex in bringing to criminal liability a former employee for illicit collection and use of information constituting a trade secret (para 2 of Art. 183 of the Criminal Code of RF);
• Return to the prosecutor of a criminal case initiated on the fact of concealment of funds and property of the company, on which taxes shall be levied, with the subsequent termination of the criminal case (Art. 199.2 of the Criminal Code of RF);
• Advising FSUE “Paramilitary mine rescue force" of EMERCOM of Russia in regards to the accident at the mine "Severnaya" of city of Vorkuta (Art. 216 of the Criminal Code of RF);
• Legal assistance to top managers of the international automobile concern in connection with the initiation and investigation of a criminal case on tax evasion (para 2 of Art. 199 of the Criminal Code of RF);
• Legal assistance to the Russian representative office of an international group of companies specializing in the production and sale of construction materials in connection with an accident at work (para 2 of Art 143 of the Criminal Code of RF);
• Successful protection of employees of the warehouse management company suspected of complicity in the scheme of evasion of customs duties (para 4 of Art. 194 of the Criminal Code of RF);
• Assistance to the security service of the bank in relation to the criminal prosecution of former bank employee for committing fraudulent activities in the sphere of computer information; the support of prosecution in court (para 4 of Art. 159.6 of the Criminal Code of RF).

Frome "insolvency" practice

• Legal assistance during a car-repair plant insolvency in Lipetsk under the receivership: the interests of the main creditor in the tender (Case No. 19АП-6048/2015, A36-174/2013);
• Legal assistance on inclusion accounts payable of our client in the register of creditors of LLC "Regiontehstroy" (Case number A40-19240/13-73-38 "B", F05-9740/2015, 09AP-42447/2013, A40-19240/);
• Advising management of one of the largest tyre manufacturers – Amtel-Vredestein at pre-insolvency and the stage of monitoring. The initiation of insolvency of debtors from group of companies (Moscow and Kirov) (Case No. Ф05-3870/2010, 09AP-27023/2009, A40-64739/2009, YOU 6129/2010, Ф01-28/2010, 02АП-5993/2009, A28-8487/2009);
• Management of the winery insolvency project in the Smolensk region, effective mediation in relations with the mortgage lender (Case No. A62-3397/2009);
• Advising the client, participation in meetings of creditors, interaction with the State corporation "Deposit insurance Agency" in connection with the revocation of the license of the International joint-stock bank (IJSB);
• Effective support of the insolvency of several individuals with a debt of more than 800 mln. Roubles;
• Successful implementation of bankruptcy projects of a number of debtors-legal entities with a debt of more than 1.5 bln. Roubles;
• Successful completion of insolvency projects of a number of debtors  - legal entities with a debt of more than 1.5 bln. Roubles.

Publications

Author and co-author of a number of publications on legal matters:

• Freedom-threatening: how the accidents and the fire put directors behind bars. "General Director", November 2016.
• Specific features of merger and acquisition (M&A) in Russia: guarantees. “Hostile acquisitions in Ukraine”, No. 3, 2007.
• The shareholder’s shares safeguard. “Corporate lawyer”, No. 5, 2006.
• Amicable agreement during insolvency. Legal matters of insolvency (bankruptcy). M., 2004.

Proficient in English language.

Education

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Law faculty, Business law department, honours degree. Postgraduate studies on Business law department of Lomonosov Moscow State University. Lectures a special course for Masters of Business law department of Lomonosov Moscow State University on “Abuse and misconduct during insolvency”.

Specialisation

Valentin is a recognized expert in corporate law, a practicing criminal lawyer and a specialist in the field of anti-trust regulation.

Among Valentin's main M&A projects is the establishment and subsequent corporate restructuring of a joint venture between Sukhoi and Alenia Aeronautica SpA in the field of civil aviation - the production and sale of SSJ – 100 aircraft, namely: the creation of a joint venture of SCAC in Russia and SJI in Italy and the legal shaping of the project business model. Valentin provides legal assistance both in cases related to commercial/corporate activities – tax crimes (Art. 199 of the Criminal Code of RF) and abuse of authority (Art. 201 of the Criminal Code of RF), and in the event of major technological accidents (Art. 216 and 217 of the Criminal Code of RF).

Also among the completed projects of Valentin is advising "EUROCEMENT group" in connection with a judicial challenge of fines and restrictions of activities imposed by the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation, and completion of comprehensive protection of SAP AG during the dispute to 25 mln. Euros in the course of which Valentin carried out the bankruptcy of the SAP AG debtor, and represented SAP AG in the trademark case.

Previously, Valentin worked for about 9 years in the international law firm Jones Day, was a lawyer of the management company of Severstal Group.

Proficient in English language.

Education

Admitted to the examination for the status of lawyer of English and Welsh law -- February 2013.

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Law faculty, Civil law department, honours degree.

PhD in Law.

Specialisation

Anna is a head of private clients legal service practice. Within this area, the firm provides services to individuals on family, tax and employment law matters. Anna has more than 15 years of practical legal experience, successfully represents our clients in courts and administrative bodies; acts as a legal adviser to entrepreneurs, top managers of corporations and their spouses on personal matters.

In 2018 the EMPP practice of family/inheritance law under the guidance of Anna has been praised by the national legal rating Pravo.ru (group 2).

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (SELECTively)

• Successful completion of a long-term family dispute on the division of joint property in regards to the mistake of the notary in the marriage contract which allowed the mala fide spouse to refuse to fulfill its’ obligations in favor of the spouse and children due to the interpretation of the debatable term of the marriage contract for his benefits.
• Protection of the interests of the spouse and minors of an insolvent-a natural person in regards to claims by creditors within insolvency proceedings and the risk of recourse to the property of the spouse and children.
• Obtaining a court decision on the permission of the child to leave Russia with his mother and the removal of the previously imposed prohibitions of the father on the child's departure abroad until the child’s majority.
• Representation of the spouse’s interests within procedure of division of the joint property and execution of marriage contract; settlement of business management issue via division of shares of a company.
• Preparation of a draft will providing the formation of an inheritance fund; settlement of issues concerning the inheritance of property in foreign jurisdictions (Cyprus, Switzerland, USA and Italy).
• Obtaining the necessary permits for the export abroad of antiquities belonging to the principal.
• Protection of honor and dignity of an individual in connection with the placement on the Internet discrediting information about him, blocking links to relevant resources by a court decision.

Publications

Author and co-author of several dozens of publications on legal matters, including those in following editions: "Corporate lawyer", "General Director", "Company Management", "Man and law", "Arbitrage practice", "Legal guide for director", "Labor disputes".

Proficient in English language.

EDUcation

Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL).

Mergen specializes in complex business litigation and arbitration, in particular cases with an international or cross-border dimension. He has conducted numerous legal proceedings for his clients, including corporate and commercial disputes, the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements and arbitration awards in Russian courts.

Mergen successfully represented ROSTEC in the defense of the attempts of Siemens AG to contest the delivery of gas turbines; represented Agrobusiness Group in respect of more than $1.5-mln claim brought by a Russian subsidiary of Sucres & Denrées; represented SAP CIS in different proceedings in Russian courts; coordinated the defense of ARMZ Uranium Holding Co, successfully opposing an attempt by the plaintiffs to obtain an order validating service of a statement of claim abroad in contravention of the Hague Convention on Service, effectively ending a $300-mln claim.

In addition to his work with clients, Mergen is lecturer in law in the International Business Transaction course at the Lomonosov Moscow State University Law Faculty and the HSE Faculty of Law. He is also an author of two books dedicated to sanctions issues: Economic Sanctions in the Law of the US, EU and Russia (published in 2016) and Economic Sanctions Against Russia: Legal Challenges and Perspectives (published in 2018).

In 2019, Best Lawyers recognized Mergen among leading dispute resolution lawyers in Russia. Kommersant ranking recommends Mergen for his work related to Russia’s transport industry.

PRIOR EXPERIENCE

Mergen joined the firm in 2015. He worked as a Partner at Egorov Kryazhevskikh & Partners, head of project at ARMZ Uranium Holding / TENEX and Head of Corporate Law Division / Associate at the Resource division of SEVERSTAL.

EDUCATION

University of Pennsylvania Law School (LL.M. 2015)

University of Pennsylvania, Wharton's Aresty Institute of Executive Education (WBLC 2015)

Lomonosov Moscow State University (Ph.D. in Law 2012; Diploma in Law 2004)

PROFILE

Ivan is a recognized expert in corporate matters, complex cross-border and domestic M&A transactions and joint ventures in various industries. Ivan has an extensive experience in financings including transactions at financial and capital markets. As a recognized practitioner Ivan was included in various editions of the Chambers & Partners legal guides.

Among the most complex and remarkable Ivan’s deals and projects are:

• acting as transactional legal counsel in the acquisition by the largest Russian IT company, Mail.ru Group, of a share in education platform Skillbox;
• acting for Rosneft on the acquisition of global oil merchanting and trading business of Morgan Stanley;
• representing JSC Polymetal and its major shareholders on the landmark $6bn redomiciliation of the company to the UK, its take-over by Polymetal International plc with simultaneous IPO and listing on the London Stock Exchange;
• acting for Rosneft on certain corporate aspects of its JV with BP plc and asset swap; establishment of X5 Retail Group by merger of Pyaterochka and Perekrestok and its following acquisition by Alfa Group;
• advising ConocoPhillips on its $8bn sale of LUKOil shares and GDRs back to LUKOil Group;
• advising on the merger of assets of Glencore, RUSAL and SUAL to create UC RUSAL plc;
• participation in the largest IPOs and bond offerings at domestic and international exchanges and advising on various private equity and venture investments.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

• 2017 – to date: Partner, EMPP Law Firm
• 2014 – 2017: Counsel, Winston & Strawn LLP
• 2009 – 2014: Senior associate, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
• 2003 – 2009: Associate, Linklaters LLP.

Education

Lomonosov Moscow State University (Diploma in Law with honors, 2005).

Specialisation

Petr is specialized on acquisition of companies and assets deals related to Russia as well as corporate disputes.

Petr has represented interests of Igor Yakovlev, founder of Eldorado network during the sale by PPF Group of his participation interest in Eldorado Group; represented Maslov PR, Russian PR-agency in regards to establishment of a joint venture with leading global communicational network Ketchum; represented interests of the Moscow City Government and subsidiary of OJSC "OEK-Finance" in the case of Ashot Yeghiazaryan and Vitaly Gogokhiya on recovery of more than 2 billion US dollars in connection with the joint venture for the reconstruction of the hotel "Moscow". The case was heard before the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).

From 2003 to 2006 Petr was legal adviser to Severstal JSC, where he worked on various types of transactions. In 2006-2008 Petr was the head of the legal service of the company "Sveza". He has participated in the work of the acquisition by the company "Sveza" of the controlling stock of the Perm and Manturovskiy plywood mills, and the establishment of a joint venture with UPM for the construction of plants for the production of pulp, OSB and lumber in the Vologda region, estimated at 1.2 billion Euros.

past experience

• 2008 – 2013 International law firm Jones Day, senior associate.
• 2003 – 2006 Legal Director of Sveza-Les LLC.
• 2003 – 2006 OJSC Severstal, lawyer.

Proficient in English language.

Education

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Law faculty, honours degree.

Specialisation

Vasiliy interacts with state and local authorities, conducts civil and arbitrage cases of our clients, successfully represents their interests in cases of administrative offenses.

Has extensive experience in the implementation of various transactions with real estate and land.

Provides protection within the investigation of economic and financial crimes, in particular: illegal actions during bankruptcy (Art. 195 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), illicit entrepreneurship (Art. 171 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), malicious evasion of repayment of accounts payable (Art. 177 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), violation of copyright and related rights (Art. 146 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), fraud (Art. 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

Vasiliy represented the interests of Moscow construction companies in criminal and arbitrage proceedings, accompanied projects on registration and subsequent alienation of large land plots in Moscow and the Moscow region. Vasiliy is an expert of Pravo.ru.

Past experience

Moscow Arbitrazh Court, assistant judge, counsellor of justice.

education

Professional institute of management, Law faculty, Civil law department.

Specialisation

Olga has 12 years of experience in tax and audit. She specializes in audits of organizations in the field of leasing, personnel rental, repair and rental of aircraft, wholesale trade, engineering, as well as audit of joint stock companies, non-profit organizations, FSUEs. Olga advises clients on tax and accounting issues; deals with tax structuring of transactions; represents clients in tax disputes in arbitrage courts and courts of general jurisdiction.

Olga participated in the preparation of the draft Federal law on the establishment of a consolidated group of taxpayers and an explanatory note to it (within the working group of the Department of tax and customs tariff policy of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation). Olga also participated in the preparation of the draft Federal law on the peculiarities of taxation, management and disposal of property and shares of organizations operating in the field of nuclear energy (as part of the working group of the Industry Commission for the restructuring of the Russian nuclear industry).

Olga has been a member of the Scientific and expert council of the Chamber of tax consultants since April 2008.

Past experience

• April 2007 – January 2014 Audit firm Remida Audit, head of tax department.
• November 2006 – April 2007 Law firm Pepeliaev, Goltsblat and partners, lawyer.
• 2003 – November 2006 Audit firm Remida Audit, lawyer.

Proficient in English language.

Education

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Law faculty, Administrative and financial law department, honours degree.

PhD in Law.

Specialisation

Alexey has wide experience in the field of civil, labor and family law. Alexey specializes in protecting the interests of clients in courts of general jurisdiction in labor disputes (reinstatement, illegal dismissal, compensation payments for dismissal) and in family disputes (division of property, alimony; determining the order of communication with the child).

Has 10 years of experience representing individuals in corporate and contractual disputes, disputes with government authorities.

Specialisation

Leonid specializes in resolving legal issues of varying complexity in the field of commercial and corporate law. He represents the interests of the clients in arbitrage courts and public authorities, as well as within insolvency cases and anti-trust disputes.

Education

South Federal University, Law faculty, Civil law department, bachelor degree with honours. Russian school of private law, master degree.

Specialisation

Andrey specializes on the resolution of commercial and corporate disputes, as well as insolvency cases. Andrew successfully defended:

• the interests of the leading Russian retailer in the dispute over the recovery from a major Russian telecom operator of debts for the payment of agency fees and penalties in the amount of more than 1 bln. Roubles. and the related dispute for the recovery of compensation for violation of trademark rights in the amount of more than 77 bln. Roubles;
• interests of a member of the board of directors of the bank in a separate dispute with the Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA) on bringing to subsidiary liability and recovery of damages in the amount of more than 13 bln. Roubles in the framework of the bank's insolvency;
• interests of a foreign company in enforcement of the decision of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) to recover more than $ 135 mln. on the territory of the Russian Federation;
• the interests of a large construction company (general contractor) in a dispute with the customer on the contract for the construction of an international hotel in the historical centre of Saint-Petersburg with the total amount claimed by the parties of 6 bln. Roubles.;
• interests of Sberbank of Russia in several disputes related to the regaining of corporate control in a large timber processing company and recovery of damages in the amount of more than 1.6 billion Roubles;
• interests of the bank in cases related to debt collection in the amount of more than 700 mln. Roubles under loan agreements, as well as foreclosure on three mortgaged buildings in Moscow and the right to lease land plots occupied by these buildings (including before the Supreme court of the Russian Federation);
• interests of the Military Industrial Company in several disputes with the Ministry of defense of the Russian Federation on the recovery of penalties and interest on supply contracts and contract of hiring work for state needs in the amount of about 1 bln. Roubles;
• the investor's interests in the dispute on recovery from the Moscow Government of costs associated with the implementation of the investment project, as well as interest for the use of other persons' funds in the total amount of more than 90 mln. Roubles.

Past experience

• 2015 – 2018 Law firm S&K Vertical, project manager.
• 2011 – 2015 Law firm Yust, senior associate.
• 2009 – 2011 Law firm Padva & Epshtein, senior associate.
• 2006 – 2009 Law firm FINECO, lawyer
• 2000 – 2006 OJSC SUAL Group, OJSC Evraz Group, legal counsel.

Education

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Law faculty, Civil law department, honours degree.

Specialisation

Nikolay specializes on personal data and protection of private life, legal regulation of the use of digital technologies in the economy and public administration, telecommunications and intellectual property.

Experience

• Advising major IT and telecommunications companies (AT&T, T-Systems, Microsoft, IBM, British Telecom, KDDI, Vodafone, Elisa, VimpelCom, NTV-PLUS, etc.) on legal regulation in the field of information technology, intellectual property and communications.
• Development of draft laws: in Russia "On electronic signature", "On amendments in the Federal law “On personal data", "On amendments in certain Federal laws in connection with the adoption of the Federal law "On information, information technologies and information protection", by-laws in the field of electronic document circulation, information protection, information technologies and communications; in Kyrgyzstan: "On electronic management", "On electronic signature", "On amendments in the Law of the Kyrgyz  Republic "On personal information"; in Tajikistan "On personal data and their protection"; elaboration of more than 50 by-laws on information technologies in Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan.
• Participation as a member of the delegation of the Russian Federation in UNCITRAL Working Group IV.
• Participation as a speaker in all-Russian seminars of the company "Garant", conferences IGF, "Law and Internet", "Wireless Content", "Internet and business", "Mobile CONTENT", etc.
• Presentation of master classes on the protection of private life and personal data in Moscow, Minsk, Bishkek, Almaty, Astana, Ohrid, Toronto; permanent participation in the "School of digital rights" (http://internetpolicy.kg/digital-rights-school-ru/) with lectures on digital economy, electronic management, electronic signatures, personal data protection.
• Participation as an expert in working groups on electronic document circulation in federal executive bodies on the development of legislation on personal data, on the concept of information technology development, etc.

Awarded by the Government of the Russian Federation for the great contribution to the development of the legal framework in the field of information technology, communications and mass communications. Proficient in English language.

Education

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Law faculty, Civil law department, honours degree. Internships at the University of Regensburg (Germany, 2005), Carlton University (Canada, 2016) PhD in Law (MSU, 2007).

Specialisation

Bairta specializes in corporate law, legal support for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, business restructuring and anti-trust regulation.

Education

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Law faculty: bachelor’s degree; 2019 - master’s degree with honors.

 

Specialisation

Daniza specializes in corporate law, legal support for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and business restructuring.

Education

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Law faculty (2017 – bachelor’s degree), Supreme State Audit School (2019 – master’s degree), honours degree.

Specialisation

Zhanna specializes on corporate law, M&A transactions support, establishment of joint ventures and business restructuring.  

Education

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Law faculty: 2017 – bachelor’s degree, 2019 – master’s degree with honours.

Graduate of the Russian State University of Justice at the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. Proficient in English language. Marjan has initial experience in representing interests in arbitrage courts, courts of general jurisdiction, including family and employment disputes. Represents the interests of our clients in the tax authorities and other government agencies and institutions.