CIS firms launch network

By Jonathan Ames

Nine firms from across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) launched a legal network at the beginning of November.

Called the CIS Leading Counsel Network, the group consists of: Ashga Consulting Team in Turkmenistan, Aequitas Law in Kazakhstan, Ameria in Armenia, EPAM in Russia, Fina in Azerbaijan, Kalikova & Associates in Kyrgyzstan, Rulg in Ukraine, Turcan & Turcan in Moldova and Vlasova Mikhel & Patners in Belarus.

The network announced that Rulg partner Irina Paliashvili was elected as its first chairwoman. Ms Paliashvili commented: “As our profession is becoming more globalized, it is increasingly important for independent law firms to offer clients top quality cross-border capabilities, especially within our broader economic regions”.

She described the alliance as being a “combination of the traditional non-exclusive network approach with innovative ideas answering the demands of the modern markets. It allows participating firms to retain the independence while harmonizing and enhancing their services.”