Mr Joel Benjamin > Kinstellar LLP > Almaty, Kazakhstan > Lawyer Profile

Noted for its expertise within the banking sector of Kazakhstan, Kinstellar LLP regularly acts as counsel on both the buyer and seller side of M&A transactions for major domestic and international banks. The team is experienced in working on cross-border transactions, including those involving documents governed by English law, with one standout matter involving advising the establishment of a digital bank, which included an in-depth analysis of Kazakhstan’s regulatory framework for digital banking. Joel Benjamin co-leads the practice and has been involved in a broad spectrum of transactions, from trade finance to  M&A deals. Adlet Yerkinbayev also co-leads the team and focuses on large-scale M&A projects for clients in the banking sector. Kuanysh Shekerbekov and Kuanysh Kanlybayev are other key names from the firm.

Kinstellar LLP advises international clients active in the oil and gas, power, mining and renewables industry in work ranging from energy M&A, to environmental issues and energy litigation and arbitration. Almas Zhaiylgan leads the practice and assists clients on upstream exploration and production projects. In cross-border matters, managing partner Joel Benjamin focuses on major energy, infrastructure and mining projects, and deals with both transaction counterparties and regulators. Adlet Yerkinbayev specialises in transactional and corporate work that intersects with the mining and renewables sectors. Zhandaulet Sholanov joined from AEQUITAS in January 2025.

Kinstellar LLP is active in assisting clients in the telecommunications sector, often combining its expertise in project development and corporate and M&A to assist technology clients in a range of issues including data protection and digitalisation projects. Managing partner Joel Benjamin covers the Almaty, Astana and Tashkent offices, and Kuanysh Kanlybayev‘s expertise extends to advising on regulatory frameworks and data privacy challenges, as well as digital transformation. Adlet Yerkinbayev is also a key name.

Kinstellar LLP continues to advise clients on real estate and construction transactions, as well as handling project development issues in the natural resources, oil and gas and TMT sectors. Joel Benjamin combines his expertise in corporate and commercial deals to advise on high-profile construction projects.

Kinstellar LLP‘s banking, finance and capital markets department combines expertise from lawyers qualified in Kazakhstan, the AIFC, the US and UK. The team is noted for leading international IPOs for fintech companies and, working closely with its corporate and M&A practice, handling significant transactions in the banking sector. Practice heads Joel Benjamin and Adlet Yerkinbayev specialise in capital market deals and high-stakes transactions including trade finance, project finance and debt capital markets, with Yerkinbayev often utilising his understanding of the AIFC and AIX to advise on international transactions. Pavel Kornilov and Yerlan Akhmetov are other key names.