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Baker & McKenzie – CIS, Limited’s well-stocked 19-lawyer office is headed by its Australian managing partner John Connors, who is backed up by Curtis Masters and disputes head Azamat Kuatbekov. The full service offering is especially strong on banking, finance and capital markets as well as mining, energy, and corporate work, both on the contentious and non-contentious sides.

Chadbourne & Parke LLP advises domestic and international clients across the energy, mining, metals, banking and telecommunications sectors. The firm continues to advise China National Petroleum Corporation on two multi-billion dollar oil pipelines to China. In the mining sector, it advised Satimola on its acquisition of a Kazakh company holding subsurface rights. Managing partner Kenneth Mack heads the highly active 15-lawyer office.

Energy and Asia head, Marla Valdez, 
and banking and capital markets expert, 
Joel Benjamin, are the two main partners at Denton Wilde Sapte’s impressive 22-lawyer Kazakhstan office. Among the highlights for 
2008, it advised Alnair Capital on its acquisition 
of a $500m 25% stake in Kazkommertsbank. It 
also represented the Kazakh mining company ENRC on its $2.77bn IPO on the London Stock Exchange and subsequent listing on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange.

Headed by Aset Shyngyssov, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP’s Kazakh office has been particularly busy on the financial services side, where it advised Allianz on its acquisition of JSC ATF Policy, one of Kazakhstan’s leading insurance companies. The firm is also highly recommended for oil and gas work.

Managing partner Aigoul Kenjebayeva has been running Salans.’ highly rated practice since it first opened in 1994, and enjoys an excellent reputation in the market. The firm is unique among Western firms in that it also has an office in the city of Atyrau, headed by Abai Shaikenov. With nearly 30 lawyers on the ground, the firm is especially recommended for dispute resolution, and energy and natural resources work

In office head and corporate finance expert, Yuriy Maltsev, White & Case Kazakhstan LLP boasts one of the best-known lawyers in the market. Aside from corporate, banking and privatisation work, the ten-lawyer office is also highly recommended for energy, natural resources and project finance, areas where partner Daniel Walter is recommended.

Aequitas offers its clients, which include ExxonMobil, World Bank, JPMorgan, HSBC, Tengizchevroil and Kazakhmys, a quality service in the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Managing partner Olga Chentsova heads the six-partner firm.

Gregory Vojack heads Bracewell & Giuliani LLP’s nine-lawyer office, which acts for a mix of state run and international businesses on their commercial legal matters.

With offices in both Almaty and Astana, Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP continues to impress. Askar Moukhtidinov heads the expanding office, which recruited five associates in 2008. The firm is active in oil and gas, and recently advised KazMunayGas on the development of the Kashagan Field and its negotiations with the North Caspian Sea consortium of oil majors.

GRATA Law Firm is a major law firm within the Central Asia and Caspian region, which has offices in Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan, with representative offices in the UK, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, USA and Turkey. Clients have included Air Kazakhstan, Shell Chemicals, ING and Lufthansa.

Macleod Dixon ELP’s two partners include managing partner Maxim Telemtayev, who is recommended for energy and natural resources work, and Yerzhan Kumarov, who is strong on the corporate finance side. Recently it advised the Polish company Petrolinvest on its $200m acquisition of shares in a Kazakh oil and gas company. It also advised the IFC in a $160m syndicated loan to Jambyl Cement Production Company and Mynaral Tas Company.

Yuri Bolotov is recommended at McGuireWoods Kazakhstan LLP which has been practising in the country since 1994. The firm is particularly strong on IP matters.

Michael Wilson & Partners is a prominent player in the Kazakh legal market and is well-versed advising clients on their interests throughout the Caspian region. The firm’s two partners, Michael Wilson and Michael Dark, both enjoy an excellent track record, especially on energy, infrastructure and corporate matters. Clients include BHP Billiton, Goldfields, BP, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.

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Press releases

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Legal Developments in Kazakhstan

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

  • Kazakhstan Amends Tax Code

    On 16 November 2009, Kazakhstan adopted certain amendments to its Tax Code (the "Tax Amendments"). Most of the Tax Amendments take effect from 1 January 2010. However, some changes are effective retroactively from 1 January 2009. The primary purpose of the Tax Amendments is to keep the current rates of the corporate income tax and the mineral extraction tax until 2012. Another objective is to simplify tax administration and clarify certain provisions of the Tax Code.
    - Baker & McKenzie

  • Formation of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan

    Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan will adopt new unified customs tariff and non-tariff regulations from January 1, 2010, and the Customs Union (the “CU”) of the three countries of the Eurasian Economic Community (the “EurAsEC”) will become a reality. The CU Customs Code (the “Customs Code”) is expected to take effect from July 1, 2010 to regulate the resulting integral customs zone.
    - Baker & McKenzie

  • Intellectual Property Rights and the Internet in Kazakhstan

    The protection of intellectual property from unauthorized or improper use is always a source of international contention because of the varied protection and enforcement levels between countries. The internet has only intensified this conflict by providing a vast new medium for IP infringement. Thus, the spread of the internet into the countries of the former Soviet Union where private property rights are still very much a developing concept has created numerous IP enforcement issues.
    - Magisters

  • Doing Business in Kazakhstan 2009

    Doing Business in Kazakhstan 2009 has been prepared as a general guide for companies operating in or considering investment into Kazakhstan. It is intended to present an overview of the key aspects of the Kazakhstani legal system and regulation of business activities in this country.
    - Baker & McKenzie

  • Kazakhstan Introduces Islamic Finance Law

    Kazakhstan has promulgated a new law, the Islamic Finance Law,1 intended to broaden the range of finance options available to Kazakhstani companies and to provide a legal framework for Islamic finance in Kazakhstan.
    - Baker & McKenzie

  • Review of the new law on subsoil and subsoil use

    The draft law combines the principles of the Law of the RK in effect on ”Subsoil and Subsoil use” of January 27, 1996 (further the Law on Subsoil) and the Law of the RK on “Oil” of June 28, 1995 (further the Law on Oil), and involves the provisions and requirements of certain governmental resolutions and other delegated legislation.
    - GRATA Law Firm

  • Tightening of the subsoil user tax legislation: the main stages of development

    At the present time, the government subsoil users tax policy is one of the most important issues for subsoil users. The export duty, discussions as to the severance tax levy and the new draft of transfer pricing demonstrate the urgency and importance of analysis of the government tax policy and the possible consequences of its implementation for subsoil users.
    - GRATA Law Firm

  • Mergers & Acquisitions in Kazakhstan: To Buy or Not to Buy….

    Should foreign companies continue to conduct mergers & acquisitions in Kazakhstan? What are the risks that they face? What are the new laws that the government plans to introduce and how will they affect investors?
    - GRATA Law Firm

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

  • KF Fastigheter develops the trade area Mobilia in Lund

    KF Fastigheter has acquired parts of the trade area Mobilia in Lund, and will together with Arne Paulssons Byggnads AB develop the area, including i.a. a Coop supermarket. KF Fastigheter has in connection herewith sold a larger property in central Lund to Paulssons. Mannheimer Swartling advised KF Fastigheter.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Kaul and Capol sold to Riverside

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised the owners in the sale of Kaul GmbH and UK-affiliate, Capol UK Ltd., to The Riverside Company.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Proventus establishes vehicle for investments in corporate loans and bonds

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Proventus in connection with the establishment of Proventus Capital Partners – a co-investment vehicle focusing on corporate loans and corporate bonds. The investment strategy for this vehicle also allows direct loans to companies and the ambition is to contribute with financing to mid-sized companies in need of capital for growth or restructuring when these companies are unable to secure traditional bank financing.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Protego Real Estate Investors selling Swedish retail properties

    Protego Real Estate Investors has been advised by Mannheimer Swartling on the sale of twelve retail properties situated throughout Sweden for a total value of approximately SEK 210 million.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Teracom divests its broadband business

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised the Teracom Group in the divestiture of its subsidiary Comet Networks to CSIT. Comet Networks operates the Group's broadband business, currently reaching more than 650,000 households and 80,000 businesses in approximately 50 municipalities in Sweden.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Södra Timber acquires Trivselhus

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Södra Timber in connection with its acquisition of Ittur Prefab Industrier AB, the parent company of the Trivselhus Group, one of Sweden’s leading producers of prefabricated homes. Closing is expected to take place on 1 October 2009. The transaction is subject to inter alia competition clearance.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Varian Medical Systems selected for new proton therapy centre

    Mannheimer Swartling has assisted Varian Medical Systems in entering into agreements for delivery of a proton therapy system to Skandionkliniken. The agreements include supply of an estimated USD 60 million in products. Varian Medical Systems will also have a five year service agreement valued at approximately USD 25 million. Skandionkliniken is the first clinical centre for proton therapy in Scandinavia and will have a capacity of treating 1,000 – 2,500 cancer patients per year. Varian Medical Systems is the world’s leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Wallhamn, Sweden’s largest private port, gains approvals for expansion

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Wallhamn AB on matters related to gaining approval for expansion of the port’s fairway to facilitate access for larger cargo ships. The port, owned by the Italian-based Grimaldi Group, is used for RoRo cargo, mainly in relation to the import and export of vehicles. The matter involved negotiations and permitting approval from, among others, the Swedish Transport Agency as well as other authorities and concerned parties. The firm recently also advised the Grimaldi Group on its acquisition of 50 per cent of port Wallhamn from EUKOR Car Carriers Inc, making the Grimaldi Group the sole owner of port Wallhamn.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Stena Bulk in joint venture with Asahi Tankers

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Stena Bulk AB in its new joint venture with Japanese shipping company Asahi Tankers. The joint venture company, Asahi Stena Tankers, will be owned 50/50 by the parties and will invest in tonnage of varying sizes, initially focusing on Suezmax tankers for global transportation of crude oil.
    – Mannheimer Swartling

  • Skandia Liv signs asset management agreement with DnB NOR

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Skandia Liv on an agreement with DnB NOR to manage a portfolio of assets valued at approximately SEK 80 billion. The agreement replaces a previous asset management agreement between the parties and covers DnB NOR’s continued management of a portfolio of Swedish shares and interest and includes a number of special mandates, amongst others in tactical allocation and advice on “socially responsible investing.”
    – Mannheimer Swartling
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