The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Baker Botts L.L.P. is a second tier firm,

At Baker Botts L.L.P., the ‘prompt and reliable’ Maxim Levinson heads the banking and finance group that provides ‘outstanding levels of service’. His team ‘foresees issues well in advance’ and ‘is very commercially minded’. The ‘firm works to find solutions’ and ‘maintains a firm but non-confrontational stance in negotiations’. Recently, the group advised Aeroflot in relation to the financing of six new Airbus A321 aircraft, and the IFC and EBRD on a number of new financings totalling over $500m. John Sheedy joined the firm in 2010 from Orrick (CIS) LLC.

Within Corporate and M&A: Moscow, Baker Botts L.L.P. is a second tier firm,

Baker Botts L.L.P. provides ‘a top-rate service, with a good focus on commercial issues’ and has expertise in advising on transactions in the energy, banking, manufacturing, petrochemical and real estate sectors. Recently it advised on the merger of MDM Bank and URSA Bank, which resulted in the creation of the largest privately held Russian retail bank. Steve Wardlaw and Maxim Levinson are held in particularly high regard within the market. Of counsel Sergei Stepanov is ‘very knowledgeable on due diligence issues and structuring’.

Within Dispute resolution, Baker Botts L.L.P. is a third tier firm,

Baker Botts L.L.P. impresses following the appointment of new practice head and international arbitration specialist Dominic Pellew, the former head of disputes at Hogan Lovells (CIS). The firm is currently acting for RenSec and RASL in two LCIA arbitrations in London against companies in the Renova Group. The total value of the claims is approximately $65m.

Within Energy and natural resources, Baker Botts L.L.P. is a first tier firm,

Baker Botts L.L.P.’s Steve Wardlaw heads a team that includes the talents of Maxim Levinson, Elena Stepanenko, Sergei Stepanov and now John Sheedy from Orrick (CIS) LLC. The firm is project counsel to Novatek on the Yamal LNG project on the Yamal peninsula, and continues to represent Gazprom Sakhalin Holdings BV on matters relating to the operation of the Sakhalin II LNG development.

Within Intellectual property, Baker Botts L.L.P. is a third tier firm,

Baker Botts L.L.P. has impressed following the arrival of former IP head at Goltsblat BLP, Ekaterina Tilling.

Within Real estate, Baker Botts L.L.P. is a second tier firm,

Baker Botts L.L.P.’s real estate practice continues to thrive under the leadership of Simon Elliott. The firm handles real estate M&A/joint ventures and corporate real estate restructuring as well as borrower finance and the sale of assets. Clients include Hines International and various Hines-sponsored emerging market funds.

Within TMT, Baker Botts L.L.P. is a second tier firm,

Baker Botts L.L.P. advised the majority shareholders of Teleset Networks on a divestment of their stakes in the company to Volga Telecom, a major Russian telecommunications company. The transaction involved complex structuring and regulatory considerations and combined the elements of a public takeover and a private deal. Maxim Levinson and special counsel Sergei Stepanov are recommended.