Mr Nurlan Sholanov > AEQUITAS > Almaty, Kazakhstan > Lawyer Profile

AEQUITAS‘ energy and natural resources department focuses on subsoil use (oil and gas and solid minerals), with the team acting for leading mining and processing companies. The group have experience advising on a diverse range of issues, including M&A, financings and business structurings, as well as mineral exploration and production contracts between investors and the state. It is also well-placed to handle international arbitration proceedings and litigation in the Kazakh courts to settle mining-related disputes. Almaty-based partners Yelena Manayenko and Nurlan Sholanov head up the practice, which also includes managing partner Olga Chentsova.

AEQUITAS‘ work in the TMT space includes transactional M&A support, licensing matters and advice on the use of modern information technologies and equipment. The firm has been recently engaged by clients operating in the pharmaceutical, telecommunications and fintech sectors, such as Digital Health Technologies and Coinhub. Nurlan Sholanov – whose focus encompasses corporate law and project finance – heads up the practice. Senior associate Tair Kulteleev is also noted. All named lawyers are based in Almaty.

The construction and real estate department at AEQUITAS is known for its involvement in the construction of major industrial and social facilities, as well as large residential complexes in Kazakhstan. Construction-related litigation and international arbitration form a significant portion of the team’s workload, although it is also well-placed to provide foreign investors with transactional advice in relation to land plots, buildings, and residential and administrative compounds. Ardak Idayatova and Nurlan Sholanov jointly head up the practice. Valikhan Shaikenov left the firm in February 2022.

Yelena Manayenko and Nurlan Sholanov head the banking and finance practice at AEQUITAS. International clients turn to the firm for its experience in local business and security transactions, bank loans, and the acquisition of assets, shares and commodities. In addition, the group advises on Islamic finance and alternative financing instruments, and has seen recent growth in the number of clients whose activities relate to the use of cryptocurrency in Kazakhstan. Another name to note is senior associate Yekaterina Khamidullina.

Almaty-based partners Yelena Manayenko, Nurlan Sholanov and Yuliya Chumachenko jointly head the corporate department at AEQUITAS. M&A work is a core area of focus for the team, who are able to assist with deal structuring and negotiations, the acquisition of shares and assets, and applications before Kazakhstan’s competition regulator. Elsewhere, the practice is renowned for its involvement in the development of Kazakhstan’s corporate legislation, including the civil code, law on limited and additional liability partnerships, and law on joint stock companies.