Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP > Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan > Firm Profile

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP
2 DINMUKHAMED KUNAYEV STREET
LEFT BANK OF ISHYM RIVER
010000 Nur-Sultan
Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Led by Askar Moukhitdinov, Astana based Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP acts as a legal advisor of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its state-owned enterprises, and has been involved in high-profile international arbitrations for upstream oil and gas, uranium, gold and construction sectors. Paris-based Peter Wolrich is experienced in investor-state and commercial arbitration proceedings, alongside Geoffroy Lyonnet who has expertise in international commercial arbitrations for a number of different tribunals and chambers. Nurlan Mukhitdinov is noted for his work on major oil and gas projects across Kazakhstan.

Practice head(s):

Askar Moukhitdinov

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘I consider that in respect of the oil and gas arbitration cases I know, the work provided for by the team was of top-quality. The issues dealt with were highly challenging, difficult and complex. One dispute amounted to a number of billions of dollars and was related to various cutting-edge contractual, fiscal, financial and economic issues in regard to interpretation and implementation of petroleum production sharing-contracts and related agreements. ’

‘Based on my long and global experience in oil and gas matters and considering my interaction with Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP (CMP) lawyers, I remain deeply impressed by their efficient and excellent performance.’

‘Their strategic mindset stands out. Rather than approaching disputes reactively, they take a proactive stance. They thoroughly analyze cases, develop innovative strategies, and explore alternative dispute resolution methods to save time and costs. What I appreciate most is their unwavering commitment to clients. They prioritize understanding our goals, providing clear communication, and involving us in decision-making throughout the process.’

‘Their team reflects a diverse range of backgrounds and perspectives, which enhances their problem-solving capabilities. They promote a collaborative environment, pooling the strengths of their attorneys to deliver comprehensive solutions.’

 

Key clients

Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan

PSA LLC

Samruk-Kazyna

Kazatomprom

Work highlights

  • Representing the Republic of Kazakhstan in a UNCITRAL arbitration commenced by a Canadian investor pursuant to the Bilateral Investment Treaty between Canada and the Soviet Union. The case arises from the termination of a contract for the management of a gold mining company. One of the key issues in the case has involved state succession to treaties in public international law, as the applicability to Kazakhstan of the treaty with the Soviet Union has been disputed by the parties.

Kazakhstan > Energy and natural resources Tier 1

Noted for the team’s ‘diverse expertise covers a wide range of issues in energy and natural resources,’ Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP handles large natural resource negotiations and arbitrations for numerous government agencies and state-owned entities including the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Finance, alongside advising on upstream oil and gas matters, uranium and gold. Askar Moukhitdinov is the managing partner for the Almaty and Astana offices, and is focused on all aspects of the energy industry, including the development of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas industry. Eric Gilioli is recognised for his work on transactions relating to the exploration, development and production of oil and gas, whereas Susan Maples deals with energy disputes and negotiations. Nurlan Mukhitdinov is a name to watch.

Practice head(s):

Askar Moukhitdinov; Eric Gilioli

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘They understand the intricacies of our industry inside and out, enabling them to provide targeted and effective legal counsel. Their practice extends across international boundaries, which is crucial in the energy sector. They offer a comprehensive understanding of global markets, regulatory environments, and industry trends. ’

‘The team’s diverse expertise covers a wide range of issues in energy and natural resources, from environmental regulations to project finance. This breadth allows them to offer holistic solutions to complex problems. Their collaborative spirit extends beyond their own team. They actively engage with industry experts, environmental organizations, and government agencies to stay at the forefront of industry developments.’

Key clients

Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan, acting on behalf of the Republic of Kazakhstan

PSA LLC

Samruk-Kazyna

Kazatomprom

Work highlights

  • Representation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in a UNCITRAL arbitration commenced by a Canadian investor pursuant to the Bilateral Investment Treaty between Canada and the Soviet Union. The case arises from the termination of a contract for the management of a gold mining company. One of the key issues in the case has involved state succession to treaties in public international law, as the applicability to Kazakhstan of the treaty with the Soviet Union has been disputed.

The firm: Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP, founded in 1830, was one of the first US law firms to develop a truly international practice. Dedicated to counselling clients involved with some of the most challenging transnational transactions and complex multi-jurisdictional disputes, Curtis represents multinational companies, international financial institutions, governments and state-owned entities, family and other privately held businesses, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals. With offices in the United States, Central and East Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, Curtis is located in the key business centres where clients need the firm most.

Areas of practice: Curtis established its Nur-Sultan office in 2008. The firm’s attorneys in the region focus on oil and gas, energy, infrastructure development and public projects, investment management and international arbitration. The firm has served as legal advisor on some of the largest projects in Kazakhstan, counselling both private sector companies and government entities.

Curtis continues to be a trusted advisor to the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Justice on strategic oil and gas matters in Kazakhstan. In January 2017, Curtis partner Eric Gilioli was awarded a medal for Distinguished Labor in recognition of his legal work in the Kazakh oil and gas industry.

The office’s Kazakhstan lawyers work closely with commercial, tax and international arbitration lawyers from its London, Paris and New York offices.

The Nur-Sultan office is particularly strong in oil and gas and energy work in Kazakhstan, but also undertakes corporate and capital markets work, reflecting the developing legal services market in the country.

The firm’s market-leading international arbitration practice continues to represent the Republic of Kazakhstan in high-profile arbitrations. The team represents clients in matters ranging from complex multi-party, multi-jurisdictional disputes to mid-sized commercial arbitrations and mediations and is involved in all stages of the arbitration process, including drafting arbitration clauses and, in the event of a dispute, handling pre-arbitration negotiations and representing clients before arbitral bodies and in court proceedings to recognise and enforce arbitral awards.

Highlights include securing a comprehensive victory for the Republic of Kazakhstan, in an arbitration appeal brought before the commercial court in London by Ruby Roz, a Kazakh poultry farm company. Curtis also continues to advise Samruk Kazyna, the sovereign wealth fund of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on many of its most significant financial transactions.

The team’s practitioners have appeared before all the major European and international arbitral bodies in disputes arising under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

Resident attorneys in the Nur-Sultan office are admitted to practice in Kazakhstan. Curtis Mallet-Prevost (Kazakhstan) LLP is owned by Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP (New York).

Department Name Email Telephone
Corporate
Energy/oil and gas
Environmental
Finance and capital markets
Hotels and tourism
International and sovereign wealth funds
International arbitration
Investment management
Mergers and acquisitions
Private equity
Project development and finance
Real estate and construction
Restructuring and insolvency
Venture capital
English
French
Italian
Kazakh
Russian
Contact : Askar Moukhitdinov
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