The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Hogan Lovells International LLP is a third tier firm,

Hogan Lovells (CIS) has high-end expertise in trade and export finance and acted on a number of pre-export finance transactions in 2011. It also advised VTB (Deutschland) AG on a $275m syndicated trade-related term loan facility for Bank URALSIB. Alexander Rymko heads the team, which shows ‘professionalism, a high level of communication, and accuracy’.

Within Capital markets, Hogan Lovells International LLP is a third tier firm,

Hogan Lovells (CIS) has recently been most active advising on significant debt-related transactions for a mix of international and domestic clients. These included advising Credit Bank of Moscow on a $200m issue of loan participation notes, listed on the Irish Stock Exchange. Michael Pugh heads this ‘very efficient’ team.

Within Moscow , Hogan Lovells International LLP is a second tier firm,

Hogan Lovells (CIS) lost Sergey Komolov and Alla Naglis to King & Spalding LLP, but has coped impressively well. The remaining team, led by Oxana Balayan, has increased the volume and complexity of its transactions. These included advising X5 Retail Group on the $1.6bn acquisition of Kopeyka retail chain, and acting for Rostelecom on its $1bn acquisition of a controlling stake in National Telecommunications.

Within Dispute resolution, Hogan Lovells International LLP is a third tier firm,

Hogan Lovells (CIS)’ global network gives the team excellent cross-border capability. Although the team has experience conducting arbitrations under a diverse range of rules, it is particularly strong representing clients in MKAS arbitrations in Moscow and LCIA arbitrations in London. In the Russian arbitrazh courts, the team predominantly focuses on representing foreign parties. Counsel Alexander Scard heads the practice.

Within Employment, Hogan Lovells International LLP is a third tier firm,

Hogan Lovells (CIS) advises its diverse client base on routine matters as well as more challenging issues such as mass redundancies and employee transfers. Recent work includes assisting Marriott International with employment packages for senior employees. Ekaterina Petrova heads the practice.

Within Intellectual property, Hogan Lovells International LLP is a first tier firm,

Hogan Lovells (CIS) still ‘deserves its tier one ranking’, despite the loss of Julianna Tabastajewa to Gowlings International Inc. It covers the full spectrum of IP work, and excels in life sciences matters. Highly regarded practice head Natalia Gulyaeva is representing GlaxoSmithKline in a number of patent litigations and unfair competition actions.

Within Real estate, Hogan Lovells International LLP is a first tier firm,

Hogan Lovells (CIS) has a varied practice, and its lawyers often support the firm’s corporate and finance groups on transactional matters. Recent work includes advising Marriott on the management of its real estate portfolio; X5 Retail on its $1.65bn acquisition of Kopeyka retail chain; and Discovery Russian Realty on the $1bn Vivaldi Plaza development. Taras Oksyuk heads the practice.

Within TMT, Hogan Lovells International LLP is a first tier firm,

Hogan Lovells (CIS) remains unrivalled in the scope of services it provides to its diverse and high-profile client base. Natalia Gulyaeva leads this expert team, which has in-depth knowledge of the technology, telecoms, and media and entertainment industries. It recently advised Russian World Studios on a unique €30m facility agreement secured by a pledge of copyright to a content library. Other clients include ProfMedia Limited and De Agostini.