Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP > Almaty, Kazakhstan > Firm Profile
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP Offices

KEN DALA BUSINESS CENTER, 5TH FLOOR
PROSPEKT DOSTYK 38
050010 ALMATY
Kazakhstan
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Kazakhstan > Legal market overview
Kazakhstan > Real estate and construction (including projects)
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP assists clients with real estate transactions, portfolio management, joint ventures and disputes, among other mandates. Managing partner and general director Aset Shyngyssov heads up the practice and has experience of leading on M&A, oil and gas and infrastructure projects, among others.Practice head(s):
Aset Shyngyssov
Other key lawyers:
Bakhytzhan Kadyrov; Karina Ilyussizova
Key clients
Airbus
VTB Bank PJSC
RG Processing
EBRD
Magnetic Oil Ltd.
Arcelor Mittal JSC
RG Processing LLP
EDGE Group PJSC
RTS Ltd.
Kusto Agro Pte.
Work highlights
- Advised Aldar Properties PJSC on the development, drafting and negotiations of various lease agreements for retail, office, and residential premises in Abu Dhabi Plaza in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. There were more than 100 lease agreements/tenants in total.
- Acted for VTB Bank PJSC on financing of KazTransGas JSC – the largest gas supply company and operator of Kazakhstan’s major gas pipeline system. The loan proceeds were used to refinance the borrower’s outstanding current debt applied in respect of project for construction of booster stations on main gas pipeline.
- Advised RG Processing LLP on the construction of a gold processing plant.
Kazakhstan > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP’s team represents clients in high-value financial matters, including drafting, negotiating and providing advice to an energy company on a $250m trade deal involving Kazakhstan, Switzerland and the UK. More recent additions to its clientbase include a number of Kazakh and international clients. Managing partner and general director Aset Shyngyssov leads the Kazakhstan corporate and commercial practice, and has led M&A, oil and gas and infrastructure projects, among others, in his 20 years of work.
Practice head(s):
Aset Shyngyssov
Other key lawyers:
Karina Ilyussizova; Zhamilya Bilisbekova
Testimonials
‘Firstly, I would like to note the team’s excellent communication skills. We highly appreciated their attentiveness to our issue. They were able to quickly and comprehensively assess our situation and provide timely advice and assistance, extensive, detailed and responsive counsel.’
‘We have mainly worked with Aset Nakupov and Bakhytzhan Kadyrov. The individuals mentioned provided us with excellent product and legal service and practical advice; their vast knowledge of current legislation and considerable experience deserve special mention. The diligence and care shown by these lawyers in our case were very much appreciated.’
Key clients
Kusto Agro
Alstom Transportation
Compass Group / ESS Kazakhstan
Wabtec Corporation
EBRD
Air Astana JSC
Airbus
Kaznickel LLP
RG Processing LLP
Work highlights
- Advised Kaznickel LLP (full project support on matters of Hong Kong, Singapore and Kazakhstan laws) on a proposed IPO at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX).
- Represented EBRD in connection with financing of construction, operation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic power plant with capacity of 30MW located in Zhangiztobe village in the East Kazakhstan region.
Kazakhstan > Energy and natural resources Tier 1
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has a first-rate reputation in energy and natural resources projects in Kazakhstan and other neighbouring countries. Under the leadership of Aset Shyngyssov, its team is able to advise on M&A, financing arrangements, equity capital markets transactions, tax issues and dispute resolution. In 2020, Shyngyssov and Karina Ilyussizova were among the advisers to VTB Bank PJSC on the provision of circa $200m to KazTransGas as part of a debt refinancing. Bakhytzhan Kadyrov, Asem Bakenova and Marat Mukhamediyev are other practitioners of note at the firm.Practice head(s):
Aset Shyngyssov
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The collaboration with the team was excellent overall. The communication was quick, direct and effective. Their output was always timely, accurate and valuable.’
‘Skilled and very professional partners and associates. I would like to give a specific mention to Mr Aset Shyngyssov and Mr Bakhytzhan Kadyrov for their great business strategy vision that materialized through valuable insights and advice.’
‘The firm is extremely capable in energy practice, especially in renewables. Morgan Lewis supported most of the country’s significant transactions in the RE industry.’
‘Managing partner Mr Asset Shyngyssov and associate Ms Karina Ilyussizova are always ready and able to provide their outstanding knowledge of a subject matter. Partner Asem Bakenova is very experienced in EPC matters.’
Key clients
China National Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Corporation
Compass Group / Eurest Support Services
Magnetic Oil Ltd.
Arcelor Mittal JSC
Indian Oiltanking Limited
EBRD
RG Processing LLP
EDGE Group PJSC
Smape srl
AltynAlmas
Work highlights
- Represented a Kazakhstan private investment group in connection with due diligence and successful acquisition of oil producing assets (two target companies) in the West of Kazakhstan from an international oil company. There was embedded financing and debt assignment.
- Assisted a large international oil and gas company in connection with the proposed acquisition of 100% of shares in a subsoil user.
- Represented VTB Bank PJSC in connection with financing of KazTransGas JSC – the largest gas supply company and operator of Kazakhstan’s major gas pipeline system. The loan proceeds were used to refinance the borrower’s outstanding current debt applied in respect of project for construction of booster stations on main gas pipeline.
Kazakhstan > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP’s corporate and business transactions and finance department represents clients in high-value financial and corporate work, including cross-border trade matters concerning Kazakhstan's natural resources. Managing partner Aset Shyngyssov leads the Kazakhstan corporate and commercial practice, and has led M&A, oil and gas and infrastructure projects, among others, in his two decades of work.Practice head(s):
Aset Shyngyssov
Testimonials
‘They deliver very comprehensive advice, thinking outside the box. Very approachable.’
‘Asem Bakenova is very proactive and professional. She delivers very high quality advice and is extremely pleasant to work with.’
‘I want to note the ability of the firm to collaborate with other firms, and often around the world, to give us a clear direction even in some complex matters. I would recommend the firm to those clients who are facing cross-practice and multijurisdictional issues.’
‘I want to emphasize the excellent and constructive work with both Aset Shyngyssov and Bakhytzhan Kadyrov. The thing that impressed me most was their creativity. I am sure that they have an excellent understanding of finding creative ways of working within a legal framework, and, most importantly, they always answer the question: ‘How can we get the deal done?’’
‘Skilled and very professional partners and associates. I would like to give a specific mention to Aset Shyngyssov and Bakhytzhan Kadyrov for their great business strategy vision that materialized through valuable insights and advice.’
‘They know the answers to all the client’s questions, help to solve legal problems in the shortest possible time and are always extremely polite and delicate. They are the best in the market of legal services.’
‘The team historically have outstanding capabilities in the practice and is always ready to propose good advice based on their broad experience combining with knowledge of all new market’s legal and commercial insights.’
‘The firm’s managing partner Aset Shyngysov is a brilliant lawyer, one of the market leaders and is very reliable in terms of complicated M&A transactions. Karina Ilyussizova was our direct contact within the transaction. She has outstanding knowledge of the M&A market with brilliant negotiation skills, is very experienced in transactions, is highly reliable, and is always ready to go extra mile for her client.’
Key clients
Kusto Agro Pte.
Alstom Transportation
Compass Group
ESS Kazakhstan
Wabtec Corporation
EBRD
Air Astana JSC
Airbus
Kaznickel LLP
VTB Bank PJSC
RG Processing LLP
Work highlights
- Representing Kusto Agro on a strategic unprecedented AIFC-based joint venture with Tyson Foods that will engage in creating agro-multi-protein industry in Kazakhstan, including work with the Kazakhstan Government to amend the Kazakhstan investment laws.
- Represented a Kazakhstan private investment group in connection with due diligence and successful acquisition of oil producing assets (two target companies) in the West of Kazakhstan from an international oil company.
- Represented RG Processing LLP on a large project in connection with the construction of a gold processing plant.
Kazakhstan > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP focuses on cross-border litigation and arbitration, frequently joining forces with the firm’s London office. Exclusively Kazakh disputes, including arbitration proceedings, are a growing line of work. The group’s expertise includes construction, oil and gas, corporate and tax disputes. The Almaty-based Aset Shyngyssov, managing partner and general director, is the head of the practice.Practice head(s):
Aset Shyngyssov
Testimonials
‘They have a very strong, skilled and professional team led by Aset Shyngyssov. They are responsive and practical, and always get to the core of the issue. I and my colleagues can rely on Morgan Lewis and recommend them without reservations.’
Key clients
Compass Group/Eurest Support Services
Petrokazakhstan
MRC Global
Alstom Transportation
Smape srl
Wabtec Corporation
EBRD
Airbus
RG Brands
Skytanking Holding GmbH
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP > Firm Profile
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Corporate and business transactions | Aset Shyngyssov | ||
Corporate and business transactions | Klara Nurgaziyeva | ||
Corporate and business transactions | Bakhytzhan Kadyrov | ||
M&A | Aset Shyngyssov | ||
M&A | Klara Nurgaziyeva | ||
M&A | Bakhytzhan Kadyrov | ||
Energy transactions | Jonathan Hines | ||
Energy transactions | Klara Nurgaziyeva | ||
Capital markets | Aset Shyngyssov | ||
Real estate | Aset Shyngyssov | ||
Real estate | Bakhytzhan Kadyrov |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Ms Aida Akhmetova | Aida is an associate in Morgan Lewis’s corporate business transactions practice who… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Yerke Alikhanova | Yerke is an associate in the firm’s corporate business transactions practice, which… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Bakhytzhan Kadyrov | Kazakh and international companies turn to partner Bakhytzhan Kadyrov for advice on… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Marat Mukhamediyev | Marat is an associate in the firm’s corporate business transactions team who… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Klara Nurgaziyeva | Klara is a partner in Morgan Lewis’s corporate business transactions team who… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Aset Shyngyssov | Aset is the managing partner of Morgan Lewis’s Almaty and Astana offices. He… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 1,960 at this office : 9Languages
English French Kazakh Russian Spanish TurkishOther
Contact : Aset Shyngyssov (managing partner) Other offices : Astana Other offices : Beijing Other offices : Boston Other offices : Brussels Other offices : Century City Other offices : Chicago Other offices : Dallas Other offices : Dubai Other offices : Frankfurt Other offices : Hartford Other offices : Hong Kong Other offices : Houston Other offices : London Other offices : Los Angeles Other offices : Miami Other offices : Moscow Other offices : New York Other offices : Orange County Other offices : Paris Other offices : Philadelphia Other offices : Pittsburgh Other offices : Princeton Other offices : San Francisco Other offices : Shanghai Other offices : Silicon Valley Other offices : Singapore Other offices : Tokyo Other offices : Washington DC Other offices : Wilmington- Banking, finance and capital markets
- Energy and natural resources
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Dispute resolution