EPAM has been top ranked by the most reputable legal directory Chambers Europe 2013 for its three core CIS jurisdictions including Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Chambers recommends the Firm for a range of practices including Dispute Resolution: Corporate Crime, Domestic, and International; General Business law, Competition/Antitrust, Corporate/M&A, Restructuring/Insolvency, Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Intellectual Property, Energy & Natural Resources, Tax, TMT.

EPA&P commonly gets the praise from its clients as a leading team in Russia with an incomparable CIS-wide reach and in-depth understanding of business. “Its network of offices in the region also provides clients with specialised local knowledge in cross-border mandates. The team distinguishes itself by its deep knowledge of market dynamics and trends”.

In Russia, the Firm is highly recommended for Competition/Antitrust, Corporate/M&A, General Business law, Dispute Resolution: Corporate Crime, Domestic, and International; Energy & Natural Resources, Restructuring/Insolvency, Tax, and TMT.

The Firm’s Competition/Antitrust Practice with the capacity to handle the most complex and largest competition matters has “brilliant professionals who are flexible and able to solve problems.” Chambers Europe 2013 marks Natalia Korosteleva, who heads the Firm’s Practice in Moscow and covers all areas of competition law. The guide says “she is particularly acknowledged for her work in anti-monopoly investigations, in which she regularly represents clients before the FAS”. Chambers also marks Moscow-based Senior Associate Evgeny Bolshakov as a “smart lawyer” with a growing profile, thanks to his work in the Russian non-governmental competition law partnership.

According to Chambers Europe 2013 EPA&P’s Corporate/M&A team “distinguishes itself by its deep knowledge of market dynamics and trends”. According to the clients’ feedback the team is “proactive and creative in finding solutions”. The member of the Partners' Committee Dimitry Afanasiev gets individual clients’ praise as “an extremely well-regarded, influential figure”.

The Firms’ Corporate/M&A practice has become one of the most dominant players in the market following recent mergers. Its network of offices provides clients with specialised local knowledge in cross-border mandates. The team distinguishes itself by its deep knowledge of market dynamics and trends. As a result, the group advises on many of the most exciting transactions around.

In  St. Petersburg  the Firm is top ranked in the category General Business law. The guide says EPA&P maintains a very strong reputation for its expertise in prominent disputes, and also commands an impressive transactional offering through its strong corporate team. As one of the oldest firms in the city, it has cultivated excellent links across both public and private sectors, and its business knowledge is much sought after. Head of M&A and Corporate Practice in St. Petersburg Elena Agaeva is recommended as “the best-known transactional lawyer at the firm, and a key figure in the local market”. Clients praise her for “creativity, communication and business development skills”.

EPAM is especially famous for its Dispute Resolution team. Due to its unparalleled track record and solid reputation both in Domestic and International Dispute Resolution the firm is ranked in Band 1. “The firm fields one of the most impressive disputes practice in the CIS. The group is exceptionally adept at navigating cases through Russian courts.” Describing the Firms’ Dispute Resolution team clients say it is “оne of the best”, “I would put them right at the top”. In Dispute Resolution: Domestic category the member of the Partners' Committee Dimitry Afanasiev earns particular praise as “one of the most high-profile Russian lawyers on the market. He is highly regarded for his management and rainmaking skills”. Partner in Moscow Valery Eremenko is widely respected for his more than 15 years' experience in corporate, real estate, antitrust and IP litigation. Clients have also distinguished Moscow-based Senior Associate Alexander Vaneev as a “rising star of the litigation team”.

St. Petersburg Litigation team is marked by the guide in a separate line “amongst the best in Russia. Its knowledge of court procedure and practice is second to none, and clients further benefit from the group's notable connections”. Managing Partner Ilya Nikiforov gets a splendid clients’ feedback: being "an arbitration star”. He “has an excellent reputation for his litigation work. Undoubtedly the best known contentious lawyer at the firm, he wins praise from all corners of the market for his highly detailed and business-oriented advice”.

EPA&P’s International Arbitration and Litigation team is recognised by Chambers Europe 2013 as “one of the finest” in Russia. Evgeny Raschevsky, Head of Practice in Moscow, has “has considerable experience handling cross-border disputes, and has particular knowledge of the energy sector.”.

Chambers Europe 2013 recommends the Firm’s Employment Law Practice as one of the strongest in Moscow. According to the clients’ feedback Practice Head Anna Ivanova is recognised as a distinguished expert for her “perfect knowledge of legislation, and ability to work very quickly”.

EPA&P’s Energy Practice is noted in the category as one that “concentrates on providing transactional and regulatory advice in the oil and gas and power sectors, as well as energy disputes. Clients include large multinational and Russian companies”.

When describing EPA&P’s Intellectual Property/TMT Practice, clients say that “the advice was straight to the point and covered both legal and commercial implications”, and underline the Firm’s ability to provide services throughout Russia and the CIS, thanks to its strong network of offices. Head of Intellectual Property/TMT team in Moscow Pavel Sadovsky is recommended for his “marked versatility”. “His practice extends from transactional matters to litigation and advisory work”.

EPA&P is also recommended by Chambers Europe 2013 for Real Estate. According to the guide the Firm is “best known for its transactional and disputes work, and the real estate team bears this out through its involvement in a number of prominent real estate acquisitions, as well as its activity in litigation. The group has the capacity to advise on a broad range of topics and large-scale projects.”

Chambers Europe 2013 top ranks the Restructuring/Insolvency team and mentions that EPAM is famous for its capability to provide “a full service, including restructuring and insolvency advice”.

According to the guide, EPA&P is also recommended for its Tax law expertise. Clients note that “the services provided have been well structured, well grounded and extremely detailed”. Head of Tax Practice in Moscow Igor Schikow is known for his representation of German clients, and acknowledged by clients for his “comprehensive approach, and reliable and practical advice”.

In Belarus, the Firm is recommended for Dispute Resolution and General Business Law.

The guide notes that “the Minsk office focuses on large-scale, high-value international investment projects in the Belarusian market”.

The sources acknowledge the lawyers of the team “are able to handle complicated matters and it's easy to communicate with them.” “They have excellent knowledge of the Belarusian legal system and institutions, and provides clear responses in a short timeframe.”

Local Managing Partner Dennis Turovets is recommended individually for both dispute resolution and general work in Belarus. He impresses sources by taking the lead on deals, and by “putting himself in the shoes of the client to provide answers to all questions.”

The guide top ranks Partner Anna Rusetskaya in General Business Law and notes her as a high-skilled practitioner who “demonstrates particular prowess on cross-border assignments.”

The team in Minsk is “particularly effective in combining its strong connections to domestic industry with its cross-border capabilities,” according to Chambers Europe 2013.

In Ukraine, EPA&P is ranked for eight practice areas including Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Competition/Antitrust, Corporate/M&A, Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property, Restructuring/Insolvency, and Tax. The Firm’s lawyers obtained twelve individual recommendations, and three Kyiv-based partners are top tiered for the respective practice areas.

The guide recommends the Firm’s Banking & Finance and Capital Markets Practice, and its Head Olga Khoroshylova is ranked in Band 1.

The Firm’s team “continues to advise large government-owned companies, and has also secured a number of mandates from international creditors”. Clients say: “The team had the will to close the deal, and was available 24/7.”

Olga Khoroshylova is much liked by clients: “She is highly knowledgeable and helpful, and has superior insight into potential risks.”

EPA&P’s “well-established” Capital Markets team “is a notable player in the securities market”, and is recommended by its long track record of advising the state of Ukraine on sovereign debt matters, as well as assisting international law firms and lead managers. It receives plenty of instructions from international investors. The sources say the Firm’s “experience on the debt side is very strong.” Olga Khoroshylova is singled out as a “very experienced practitioner.” She is admired for her stellar practice, covering capital markets, banking and finance, and restructuring and insolvency. EPA&P Ukraine is also ranked for its long-standing local experience and excellent advice on restructuring matters, providing full litigation support. Clients and peers recommend Partner Olga Khoroshylova as a highly skilled practitioner “well versed in restructuring and insolvency matters.”

“A strong” Competition/Antitrust practice “predominantly handles merger clearance issues.” Partner Oksana Ilchenko is highlighted as “a competition law all-rounder.”

EPA&P continues to provide top-drawer work in the area of Corporate and M&A. Within the last year the Firm is “continuing to advise notable international corporates.”

Clients describe Corporate and M&A Partner Oksana Ilchenko as ”well versed in competition and employment issues” and ”good to work with – quick and efficient.”

For a couple of years in a row the Firm is a top tiered for Dispute Resolution in Ukraine.

Its sizeable disputes team devotes a significant part of its time to cross-border litigation, often involving several CIS jurisdictions. The group also continues to advise on several investment arbitration cases, in which it represents the government of Ukraine. Commercial litigation remains an important part of the practice, usually involving disputes with tax and customs authorities.

Managing Partner and experienced arbitration specialist Serhii Sviriba leads on a number of international arbitration cases. Sources describe him as a “savvy and smart practitioner.”

Head of Litigation Practice in Kyiv Olexiy Reznikov is lauded as “one of the top litigators” in Ukraine.

Partner Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi enters the ranking following extensive praise from the sources. He is described as a “deal-driven and dedicated” lawyer, and often advises on sports arbitration cases.

Clients also praise Counsel Dmytro Marchukov as “a highly active disputes practitioner”.

The Firm continues to maintain a solid presence on the Ukrainian Intellectual Property market, and clients say: “The advice was pragmatic and the lawyers provided us with realistic alternatives.” The team advises a number of media and broadcasting clients, and international players. The clients admit the IP team is “responsive and good at managing other parties involved in a case”.

Counsel Taras Kyslyy is described by sources as a “prompt and client-friendly” lawyer. He handles both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Finally, the Firm’s Tax Practice has been recommended by Chambers Europe as “notable in contentious tax issues”. The team “benefits greatly from the firm's excellent reputation in dispute resolution and supports the firm's transactional practice, and assists with tax compliance issues and related white-collar crime matters”.