The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, CMS Russia is a third tier firm,

CMS Russia’s ‘very professional team’ has ‘very good knowledge of the market’, and variously represents international and Russian banks, as well as borrowers. It advised Sberbank on its acquisition of a stake in Nitol Solar Limited. Konstantin Baranov, who joined from Allen & Overy Legal Services in 2010, has extensive experience in cross-border and structured financings, regulatory, restructuring and insolvency matters. Karen Young heads the group.

Within Moscow , CMS Russia is a third tier firm,

CMS Russia acts on many significant mid-market deals, as well as some notable higher-value transactions. Recently, it assisted the London office with Takeda’s $10bn multi-jurisdictional acquisition of Swiss drugs manufacturer Nycomed. It also advised Terex Corporation on a joint venture with Gaz Group. Practice head David Cranfield ‘organises very good teams quickly, is technically strong, very hands-on, and thinks outside the box’. Thomas Heidemann has ‘fine negotiation skills’.

Within Dispute resolution, CMS Russia is a third tier firm,

CMS Russia has a solid and well-rounded disputes practice, for which recent work includes defending Henkel in a complex and potentially precedent-setting case regarding minority shareholder claims. Practice head Sergey Yuryev is ‘very meticulous’ and ‘very efficient’.

Within Employment, CMS Russia is a third tier firm,

CMS Russia advises on routine and more complex employment matters such as dealing with trade unions and collective bargaining agreements. Recent work includes advising international corporations on the dismissal of senior employees. Christophe Huet leads the team.

Within Energy and natural resources, CMS Russia is a second tier firm,

Although traditionally focused on the offshore and upstream markets, CMS Russia’s practice is now developing experience in downstream deals and inward investment. Recent work includes advising a regional power generation company on a joint venture with a Chinese partner for the construction of a 450MW gas power station in north-western Russia. Dominique Tissot has ‘very good knowledge of the political and commercial environment’ and also specialises in energy efficiency issues. Practice head Natalia Kozyrenko is also recommended.

Within Intellectual property, CMS Russia is a third tier firm,

CMS Russia recently advised Takeda on extensive due diligence as part of its €9.6bn acquisition of Nycomed. Leonid Zubarev heads the team, which also acts for clients in the luxury goods, hotel and technology sectors.

Within Public private partnership, CMS Russia is a third tier firm,

CMS Russia advises the sponsors and concessionaire on the Moscow-St Petersburg toll road, and acts on several other significant projects in the transport, water supply and sewage sectors. Jean-François Marquaire leads the team. Stephen Cozens joined Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.

Within Real estate, CMS Russia is a first tier firm,

CMS Russia’s ‘dedicated team’ has traditionally focused on transactional matters, including real estate finance, but is also developing experience in regulatory and dispute resolution matters. Vladislav Sourkov heads the practice, and is ably supported by Ivan Gritsenko and construction specialist Georgy Koval.

Within TMT, CMS Russia is a second tier firm,

CMS Russia’s broad practice recently won some key new clients, including French government-funded research organisation Crocus Technology, which is entering into a joint venture with Rusnanotechnology. Maxim Boulba leads the team.

Within Tax , CMS Russia is a second tier firm,

CMS Russia provided Ilim Timber Industries with complex tax advice on all tax aspects of its €100m buyout of a Germany-based sawmills business. Other clients include leading supermarket chain ATAK. Stanislav Tourbanov is a well-known tax expert.