EPAM keeps its top positions in Chambers Europe 2015, one of the most reputable legal rankings. In the newly published Guide the Firm has been recognized for all key practice areas in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. The firm is also well positioned in the CIS ranking as one of the largest players in the region.
In Russia, EPAM tops the Competition/Antitrust and Dispute Resolution rankings. Besides, it is listed among the leading law firms in the area of Corporate/M&A, Capital Markets, Employment, Intellectual Property, TMT, Restructuring/Insolvency, and Tax.
This year the Firm’s “elite” Competition/Antitrust team tops the respective ranking for Russia. Its "substantial, top-quality team that covers the gamut of antitrust and merger control issues" is acknowledged for its "strength in handling anti-monopoly investigations, including audits and compliance matters". This "large and strong team" led by Natalia Korosteleva is well known due to "its responsiveness, high quality of work and the results” it achieves.
The Frim’s Competition/Antitrust team advised 3G Capital on the Russian competition law issues in relation to Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital's USD28 billion acquisition of HJ Heinz. It also acted for Evraz in relation to an ongoing investigation by the FAS regarding an alleged abuse of dominant position.
Chambers ranks Natalia Korosteleva among prominent practitioners as a lawyer who is acting “on contentious competition cases for a very long time". Natalia represented Pfizer in the tendering for public procurement of a vaccine. She also acted for the manufacturer before the FAS in the preliminary investigation related to the characteristics of various vaccines.
Counsel Anna Numerova is “much experienced in the areas of anti-monopoly filings and disputes”. She has “enough experience to advise very quickly”, “speaks perfect English and is able to tailor advice to our business needs, spot on".
Senior Associate Elena Kazak, whose core area of practice is merger clearances, has been included in the list of Up and Coming lawyers.
In addition, EPAM stands first in the Domestic Dispute Resolution category and is listed among the leaders in International Dispute Resolution and Corporate Crime rankings.
The Firm is “active in international arbitration and litigation both in Russia and abroad, offering specialist knowledge on contentious issues within a number of industries and sectors”. The practice team which is “prominent for its deep bench of disputes lawyers covering the full range of contentious issues” predominantly acts for large Russian corporate clients and is also increasingly popular with international entities. Clients value “its speed and hands-on attitude” and ability “to do large volumes of work".
The Firm’s practice team represented Torgoviy Dom Setunskaya on a dispute with Rosimuschestvo with regard to reclamation of a land plot in Moscow valued at USD1 billion.
In the individual lawyers’ ranking Dimitry Afanasiev who is among the Eminent Practitioners is regarded as the Firm's “key rainmaker, acting as a strategic adviser on significant business matters”. He is recognised for his “experience in the field of dispute resolution, notably in litigation”.
Top-ranked individual Partner Victoria Burkovskaya, who leads the White Collar Crime Practice, is “one of the best-recognised academics and practitioners in the field of criminal law”.
Recognised “for his international arbitration expertise” Head of International Arbitration and Litigation Practice Evgeny Raschevsky focuses on large corporate disputes that include a number of proceedings in Russian and foreign courts.
Top-ranked Partner Dmitry Dyakin divides his time between international arbitration cases and domestic disputes. "He is hands-on and a good communicator and is prepared to listen and gets to the bottom line of issues". Dmitry "is entrepreneurial and creative, and has a winning attitude".
Head of the Firm's Litigation Practice Sergey Kovalev is “a respected name in Moscow”. He is noted for his “particular expertise in financial product-related disputes as well as his experience in contentious commercial and energy cases”.
Partner Valery Eremenko is noted for “his track record in highlighting local disputes”. Valery is “an excellent specialist and has great experience in significant disputes cases". His experience covers corporate, securities and IP disputes as well as cases related to privatisation.
Partner Denis Arkhipov who is among Up and Coming lawyers focuses on commercial disputes, IP litigation and defamation cases. He has been “extremely active over the past year on large corporate disputes".
In a separate category for St. Petersburg the Firm's team, which is “exceptionally strong in international arbitration matters, and highly active in local litigation”, stands in Band 1. "Straight to the point and practical advice - these lawyers are real experts, and form a cohesive team". The team represented Orlovsky Tunnel in a dispute concerning performance under a concession agreement, valued at RUB4 billion.
Ilya Nikiforov, Managing Partner of the Firm, is recognised as one of the leading international arbitration specialists in the market. In addition to his work as a counsel, he also acts as an arbitrator. Sources describe him as a "smart, energetic and diligent lawyer".
Ivan Smirnov recently rejoined the Firm's St. Petersburg office as its Managing Partner, boosting the team's strength in commercial litigation. He is described as a “creative, practical and always to-the-point” lawyer.
EPAM is also praised for its M&A and Corporate capabilities. The practice team is advising international and Russian clients on transactional, corporate and restructuring deals. With a strong CIS reach the Firm is well known due to the "very broad coverage of various practice areas and strong international standards".
Among work highlights - advising Bank Rossiya and Alexey Mordashovon in the acquisition of a 50% stake in Tele2 Russia for USD1.2 billion.
The member of the Partners' Committee Dimitry Afanasiev is listed by Chambers among Russia’s Eminent Practitioners. “An excellent strategist" and “an instrumental rainmaker for the practice” he focuses on advising on the strategic aspects of M&A transactions and contentious cases.
UK-qualified Robin Wittering advises on the English law side of the practice's most high-profile deals. He was part of the team assisting with the purchase of Tele2 Russia.
Newly ranked US and Russian-qualified partner Arkady Krasnikhin is active on corporate and restructuring transactions. He was one of the lead partners advising Metro on the sale of hypermarket Real's Eastern European business to Auchan.
In St. Petersburg Chambers also lists the Firm in General Business Law category. Its local team provides all-inclusive support to large Russian and international clients with a range of business matters and gives “prompt and specific answers, in-depth knowledge and attention to detail”.
Head of Corporate/M&A practice in St. Petersburg Elena Agaeva is “an experienced lawyer who has the knowledge of the market, finance, automotive and logistics sectors”.
In addition, EPAM is recognised for its in-depth specialisation in Russian Capital Markets. The Firm has "significantly bolstered by the addition of a ten-strong capital markets team", which is known as an “experienced one in international deals”.
Head of Banking and Financial Practice, Capital Markets Dmitriy Glazounov is a widely recognised capital markets lawyer who is described as "very knowledgeable, experienced and a pleasure to work with". He is also well known "for his detailed knowledge of Russian securitisation law". Senior Associate Oleg Ushakov is also recommended among Russia’s Other Notable Practitioners .
The Firm’s Employment Practice is highlighted for employment disputes work, including disputes with the Federal Labour Inspection in relation to imposed fines as well as for defending employers' interests in court in relation to staff dismissals. EPAM’ Employment team “has expertise in issues of fraud and labour law matters” and is praised for "the quality and speed” of its advice. The team“always offers a few options of creative solutions and describes the specific risks of each one".
Top ranked Practice Head Anna Ivanova “has experience in dealing with disputes concerning collective agreements, including with trade unions".
EPAM is also highly recommended for Intellectual Property. The practice focuses on contentious IP instructions, including representation in the IP court as well as before the relevant administrative bodies, it also focuses on franchising, licensing agreements and handling of corporate IP assets and it is active in anti-counterfeiting work advising a number of pharma clients, particularly in patent litigation.
The Firm’s IP team represented Essen Production in disputes with Kazan Fat Plant regarding the use of labels allegedly similar to Essen Production's trademarks.
Chambers also recommends the Firm for TMT work in Russia. The practice team assists a number of technology and telecoms giants, as well as media groups, with regulatory, compliance and IP issues. It has an impressive track record in contentious mandates”. Clients says that the Firm is "consistently responsive and commercially sensitive, its advice is clear, well written and pragmatic".
EPAM advised CTC Media on various regulatory and IP concerns arising from changes to the legislation regarding foreign ownership of Russian media. it also successfully defended DARYAL-TV, a Russian subsidiary of CTC Media, in a multimillion-dollar patent infringement litigation.
Head of IP/TMT Practice Pavel Sadovsky is ranked among leading lawyers in Russia for both categories. "A very practical lawyer who is really specialised in software law", Pavel is praised for his "excellent court practice and knowledge of IP legislation”. With his "strong understanding of Russian data protection matters" he advises on contentious IP cases and also assists with regulatory and data protection issues.
Chambers also lists EPAM for Restructuring & Insolvency work in Russia. Advising creditors and corporates on debt restructuring the practice team’s expertise includes court-driven bankruptcy proceedings.
Recently it represented a number of Russian banks in relation to insolvencies and debt collection from borrowers. Sources say the Firm’s practice is known for “the high quality of work, the robustness of the advice and the results the team has achieved”. It "expertly evaluates legal risks and is also very client-oriented; its priority is to resolve the client’s problem".
The Firm’s "reliable and efficient" Tax Practice is also recommended by the Guide. Its team is “best known on the market for its deft handling of tax disputes, supported by a market-leading litigation” provides “very practicable, well-structured advice". “Well connected internationally and especially active on behalf of German clients” it also “advises on non-contentious matters, including customs, income tax and controlled foreign company legislation”.
Practice Head Igor Schikow is known as an expert who "always understands not only tax aspects of the problem, but also the situation as a whole". "Very reliable" Counsel Mark Rovinskiy is highlighted for his "excellent knowledge and experience".
“One of the largest Russian firms that assists international and Russian clients with CIS-wide cross-border dispute resolution, M&A and restructuring matters” EPAM is well positioned in the CIS category of Chambers Europe. The Frim is “active in Asian CIS countries via local partners, and also has an office in Belarus”.
Among the clients the Guide highlights banks and pharmaceutical, telecoms and natural resources companies. According to the clients, "he Firm has “very strong understanding of the court system, its advice is very commercial".
The member of the Partners' Committee Dimitry Afanasiev is a key contact in Russia, while Dennis Turovets is managing partner of the Firm's Belarus office.
In Ukraine EPAM has once again demonstrated its excellence being highly recognized in the newly released Chambers Europe 2015. Its lawyers earned 12 rankings across 9 key practices: Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Competition/Antitrust, Corporate/M&A, Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Litigation), Intellectual Property, Real Estate, Restructuring/Insolvency, and Tax. In addition, for the second year in a row, the firm remains the only law firm to be recognized in the highest Band 1 in Dispute Resolution: Arbitration category.
The Firm's Banking & Finance Practice is ranked among the best in Ukraine. Clients say: "The team is very open minded and is always finding creative solutions to legal issues". "Solution-oriented" Practice Head Roman Stepanenko is praised for “having a broad financing practice” and additionally noted for his “capital markets expertise.” Among significant clients - Barclays, China Development Bank, Oschadbank, Sberbank, Credit Suisse.
The Firm's Capital Markets Practice is named among the top 3 strongest in Ukraine and tied for the highest ranking, with researchers applauding its “increasingly significant market share.” “Superb capital markets team” is “particularly experienced in cross-border deals” and noted for its “expertise in derivative instruments.” Clients praise the team as “knowledgeable, experienced and strong in cross-border transactions" and value its “experience” and their “awareness of the wider market". The team acted as Ukrainian legal counsel to the joint lead managers, Barclays, Morgan Stanley and Sberbank CIB, on a USD500 million debut Eurobond issuance by the State Administration of Railway Transport of Ukraine. It also advised Barclays, Citigroup Global Markets, ING and RBS as the lead managers on a due diligence of Kyivstar in relation to a Eurobond issuance by parent company VimpelCom Holdings.
Partner and Practice Head Roman Stepanenko receives “high praise for his technical knowledge, diligence and ability to offer advice that is both practical and commercial.” Sources further appreciate his "genuine desire to get the deal done" and name him "one of the best capital markets lawyers in the market." Among significant clients Chambers lists Adeo, BNP Paribas, BMW Bank, China Development Bank Corporation, Credit Suisse International, Nomura International, Oschadbank, UBS.
“Well known” Competition/Antitrust Practice is also highly recommended for its “work on merger clearance, antitrust investigations and unfair competition matters.” The team is “closely supported by the firm's litigation and IP practices to provide comprehensive advice” and “advises both domestic and international corporates.” It represented Nokia in obtaining merger clearance for the acquisition of Nokia's devices and services business segment by Microsoft. Other recent instructions include advising Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte, Caesars Entertainment, Erste Group Bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, Apax Partners.
“Well-regarded” Partner and Practice Head Oksana Ilchenko is noted for her “growing presence in the competition sector”. Her recent work highlights include advising DFC Holdings on obtaining merger clearance for the purchase of shares in Dole Food.
Oksana is praised for her “broad practice covering M&A, private equity and restructuring”, “particular expertise in advising energy companies and financial institutions, and in acting for food businesses.” The practice team represented Apax Partners on the Ukrainian elements of its USD420 million acquisition of GlobalLogic, and acted for Richmont Holdings on its acquisition of Agel Enterprises. An enviable client list includes Caesars Entertainment, Cyprus Popular Bank, DCH Group, Intesa Sanpaolo.
Since the launch of the Dispute Resolution: Arbitration category EPAM Ukraine remains the only law firm to be recognised in the highest Band 1. “Highly regarded for both cross-border and domestic litigation” the Firm’s Dispute Resolution team wins recognition as “market leaders for high-value and complex international arbitration cases.” Chambers notes that the Firm is known for its “diverse experience, covering white collar crime, IP, sports law and trade and customs.” According to the clients’ feedback the team is “great at coming up with strategic advice and implementing it” and consists of "strong lateral thinkers and expert litigators - the lawyers know the court system and are effective at anticipating risk."
“A great strategist”, Managing Partner and Practice Head Serhii Sviriba is described as “an affable, helpful and proactive - one of those people who make things happen.” The Guide also marks out Partner Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi and recalls his work for football player Cristobal Marquez Crespo on a dispute regarding the termination of his employment contract. Counsel Dmytro Marchukov is "a strong lawyer who knows the law inside out" , while senior associate Arsen Miliutin is highlighted as a "very bright and knowledgeable" lawyer, who “assists clients with court proceedings arising from insolvency and tax disputes.” Among practice clients the Guide enumerates Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, Ukrainian Ministry of Justice, UEFA, Auchan, Unilever.
EPAM Ukraine also earned acclaim for its “broad Intellectual Property expertise”. “Best known for representing clients from the media and entertainment sector” the Firm’s IP team advised Viacom on the enforcement of IP rights and the prevention of the sale of counterfeit goods. It also acted for both Unicarriers and Viterra on a series of trade mark registrations. Chambers ranks Practice Head Taras Kyslyy as among the leading IP practitioners. He is further praised by Chambers researchers for his practice covering “licensing and IP rights transactions, anti‑counterfeiting and domain disputes.”
The firm's Restructuring/Insolvency Practice is highly estimated, with clients noting that "for insolvency litigation we have 100% efficiency and results. It is seamless between practices; it always seems like one team with a comprehensive approach." Chambers highlighted the team's coverage of a wide range of restructuring and insolvency matters, including bankruptcy proceedings, insolvency litigation, debt and corporate restructuring; as well as its work for clients including Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, Alfa-Bank Ukraine, DCH Group, Altimo Holdings & Investments. Partner Roman Stepanenko is the key contact for this practice.
The Firm is also highly recommended in Tax category. Chambers noted that the team, comprised of "client-oriented, with skilled and practical lawyers," "provides strong knowledge of the financial services, energy and IT sectors." The team conducted tax analysis and risk assessment for Apax Partners, as part of its assistance with the private equity investment group's USD420 million acquisition of GlobalLogic. Recent activity also includes representing Johnson Controls Ukraine in tax and customs litigation proceedings.The Guide recommends Senior Associate Oleksandr Maydanyk for “general tax advice”, whilst Senior Associate Arsen Miliutin is praised for his “tax litigation” experience.
In Belarus, EPAM stands first for Banking & Finance and Corporate/Commercial. It is also highly recommended for Dispute Resolution work.
The Guide ranks the Firm in the highest Band for Banking & Finance. The team is widely recognized for its skills in international, sovereign and private financing and also for “its strong expertise in project financing”. Praised for handling project finance mandates and capital markets work the Firm “provides answers very quickly”. The Minsk team assisted EBRD with a EUR20 million multi-jurisdictional financing mandate regarding the construction of a railway vehicle manufacturing plant. It also advised Eurasian Development Bank on the Polotskaya Hydro Energy Station construction financing, valued at approximately USD100 million.
Minsk Managing Partner Dennis Turovets is recommended for his experience in handling cases that require Belarusian state guarantees. He is excellent in representing both borrowers and lenders in finance cases. Partner Anna Rusetskaya regularly represents major financial institutions in banking mandates. Her expertise extends to privatisations and capital markets cases.
Chambers top ranks the Firm for Corporate/Commercial work in Belarus and describes the practice as “highly visible team continuing to build its market share”. The firm mentioned as “one of the top ones, with strong clients and interesting projects in Belarus". It is highlighted for its transactional and financing work, as well as for its professional advice on competition, tax and employment matters.
A "remarkable lawyer" Dennis Turovets advises foreign clients on their local operations and has experience in investments, tax and real estate. “He is experienced in different areas, meaning that he can provide a holistic view of the local environment”. Anna Rusetskaya focuses on M&A transactions, joint ventures and commercial agreements.
EPAM in Belarus is also acknowledged for Dispute Resolution. The practice is well known for its involvement in foreign legal proceedings, particularly in the CIS region. Dennis Turovets recently represented Swiss client DGM Pharma Apparate Handel in a multi-jurisdictional dispute.
