27 March 2013
Legal 500 EMEA 2013 recognises EPAM’ expertise for all key practice areas across the CIS

Over the last year EPAM has significantly strengthened its positions in the CIS. The firm is top ranked in Belarus. In Russia it has been recommended for 11 practice areas with a number of new faces appearing in the guide among the top experts for certain practice areas. In Ukraine EPA&P is highly ranked for all key practice areas.

In Russia, EPAM is recommended for Banking & Finance work. "Largely occupying a different space to the international firms", EPA&Ps’ banking and finance practice "spans insolvency, disputes and restructurings for bank clients, and government advisory work". The team "has strong experience in advising state-owned giants on restructuring of their debt obligations after the financial crisis and has also been involved in some of the biggest state bank transactions in recent years". The firm has also been advising two multinational banks on local banking issues. Arkady Krasnikhin and Roman Malovitsky are the key contacts.

EPAM has become the only Russian law firm top-tiered for M&A and Corporate both in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The firm acts for multinational clients such as Cisco Systems and Lagardere, as well as its long-established Russian private corporate clients. The team advised Telcrest on its $1bn acquisition of a 25% interest in CTC Media. St. Petersburg-based Elena Agaeva heads the corporate practice, which has separate real estate and transport teams. Recent work includes advising Johnson Controls on issues relating to its Russian subsidiaries. The guide mentions Associate Anton Alekseev who is "a very good professional with profound analytical and communication skills".

EPAM is number one law firm in the area of Dispute Resolution. EPA&P "can easily be compared with international law firms in terms of its level of service and efficiency». "The firm’s huge team in Moscow and St Petersburg litigates in Russia’s highest courts and in international courts of arbitration". Evgeny Raschevsky "leads in major international cases", and is recommended along with recently promoted partner Denis Arkhipov.

This year EPAM appears among the firms recommended for its expertise in the area of Employment law.

The firm is listed among the prominent legal advisors in the area of Energy & Natural Resources. "Its strong reputation in dispute resolution is partly the product of its particularly high success rate representing large energy clients. It also advises government bodies on amendments to energy legislation". "The team significantly bolstered its English law capabilities by recruiting partner Robin Wittering in November 2012".

EPAM’ team is praised for its experience in the area of Intellectual Property, it is also highly recommended for TMT. "The firm provides ongoing advice to its clients regarding patents, copyright and data protection, and has strong experience advising IT companies on IP issues". Other clients include Jaeger. IP and TMT team head Pavel Sadovsky is a registered trade mark attorney, he is praised for his "invaluable knowledge and expertise". TMT highlights included advising Lagardère on the $162m sale of its Russian media unit.

According to the guide EPA&P is highly active in the area of Public-Private Partnerships.

EPAM is "well known" for its Real Estate expertise "acting for a wide range of impressive clients". Partner Yuri Savvin and expert Elena Gavrilina are recommended, as is Denis Arkhipov for disputes. Clients include Johnson Controls on corporate and real estate matters.

Among other recommendations the firm’s expertise in Shipping and Transport. The firm represents clients in the rail, aviation and shipping industries on joint ventures, corporate and contentious matters.

EPA&P is also among the firms advising on Tax issues. The practice includes transfer pricing, litigation and tax support in corporate transactions. The team recently advised Beringov on pre-merger tax structuring prior to the company’s sale to Russian retail group Eldorado. Practice head Igor Schikow’s "in-depth knowledge of Russian law is combined with very good knowledge of German law, international tax law and the Russian courts".

In Belarus, EPAM is a top tier law firm. The firm is a frequent presence in major Belarusian financings and is advising Eurasian Development Bank on its $1bn financing of Belaruskali, a state-owned company. Highly regarded managing partner Dennis Turovets has experience in capital markets as well as finance expertise. Anna Rusetskaya heads the corporate and M&A practice. Both are among the individuals recommended by the guide.

In Ukraine, EPAM is traditionally recommended for Banking, finance and capital markets. Partner Olga Khoroshylova "has a solid reputation, and often advises international financial institutions".

EPA&P is recommended for its expertise in M&A and Corporate. The firm is working on a large solar energy deal in the Crimea. Oleg Boichuk is recommended along with Ilona Zekely, who advises many German-speaking clients.

The firm «strong in dispute resolution» and is acting in a number of ongoing international arbitrations for the State of Ukraine including a dispute with Globex. Its outstanding litigators Serhii Sviriba and Oleksii Reznikov are recommended for cross-border disputes.

EPA&P’s Ukraine team is praised for its experience in the area  of Intellectual property. The firm is a strong force in IP disputes, and Taras Kyslyy advises various pharmaceuticals and technology companies.

The firm is known for its "experience and professionalism" in large real estate transactions and construction projects. Oleg Boichuk is recommended.

EPA&P is also recommended for tax disputes and pre-litigation advice in Ukraine.

The firm’s London office is listed among the London-based European law firms and is recognised for advising on international corporate and litigation matters, and also works with European and US law firms to provide cross-jurisdictional advice. UK/US dual-qualified lawyer Allen Thomas leads the team.

Key contacts

Elena Agaeva

Elena Agaeva

St. Petersburg

Arkady Krasnikhin

Arkady Krasnikhin

Moscow, Limassol

Denis Arkhipov

Denis Arkhipov

Moscow, Limassol