ALRUD in Chambers 2017 rating
April 10 the worldwide known ranking agency Chambers and Partners published the results of the Chambers Europe 2016 rating. ALRUD Law Firm has been ranked in the following fields of law: Banking & Finance (Band 4), Competition/Antitrust (Band 2), Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability (Band 2), Dispute Resolution: Domestic (Band 4), Employment (Band 2), Energy & Natural Resources (Band 4), Intellectual Property (Band 3), Real Estate (Band 4), Restructuring and Insolvency (Band 3), Tax (Band 4).
Corporate law and M&A practice advances in the rankings this year as a result of consistently strong feedback and advice on key deals. ALRUD is a well-respected domestic firm known for its activity on high-level local and cross-border transactions and joint ventures. Corporate/M&A team advises a broad Russian client base from a variety of industry sectors, including acting on corporate restructuring and governance matters. Also often provides due diligence and regulatory assistance to international deals, working in co-operation with international law firms. Among the team`s strengths clients name practical advice and responsiveness: “Their advice is practical and aimed at finding compromises and solutions”; “A helpful and responsive firm. They provide quality legal advice which is tailored to clients’ needs.”
Alexander Zharskiy (Band 3), Partner, heads the practice. His practice focus on in-bound and cross-border M&A transactions in a variety of sectors: energy and power, real estate, consumer markets, TMT, pharmaceuticals and general industry. The depth of his expertise enables Alexander to advice on highly complex domestic and international transactions working closely with a leading local counsel. He has extensive experience in restructuring and corporate governance matters. Alexander is often invited to be a speaker at different M&A and corporate governance conferences all over the world. Sources say that he provides "genuinely commercial legal advice. He is responsive and creative."
Another Partner in Corporate/M&A practice is Anton Dzhuplin (Up-And-Coming), who acts on the firm's significant transactions, representing domestic as well as international clients. "He's committed and client-oriented; he's always trying to find the solution," a source said. Anton’s diverse practice includes domestic and international finance transactions in variety of segments, corporate finance, acquisition finance, IPOs, debt and capital markets, derivatives, private equity deals, corporate governance, M&A, public takeovers and JV, restructuring and insolvency. He has profound trackrecord in many industries including technology, life science and pharma, real estate and infrastructure.
Intellectual Property Practice is a developing practice assisting with trademark applications and domain name and patent disputes as well as industrial design matters. It is also active on data protection issues, compliance and licensing agreements. Represents clients across a range of sectors, including retail, life sciences and technology. A client says the team provides "very pragmatic advice that is based on hands-on experience." Another source describes them as "business-focused," adding that "they are smart and savvy in this area." The team Head is Maria Ostashenko. Client comments that Maria is “pleasant and kind to work with, responds fast, and has a good understanding of the situation and what needs to be done.”
Energy & Natural Resources Practice entered the ranking this year as a result of positive client feedback and increased visibility. Predominantly advises domestic and foreign energy companies on corporate, M&A and joint venture issues. Also provides assistance with restructuring. Sources particularly emphasise the team's commercial approach, saying that the lawyers "always try to understand the commercial background of the project and suggest effective approaches to negotiations and documents." Another client notes the team's responsiveness and "very goal-oriented, practical and helpful advice." Andrey Zharskiy (Up-And-Coming), Head of the Practice, is a corporate lawyer assisting Russian and international clients with their investments into energy companies in Russia. Clients say he is "result-driven," adding that he pays "great attention to detail." Another client appreciates that he provides a full and objective overview of a situation and "as a result, a client can choose the right way."
ALRUD Antitrust practice is described in the rating as a well-established practice covering the full spectrum of antitrust issues. Particularly experienced in advisory and regulatory issues, including assisting with merger control matters relating to global deals. Additionally, the practice team represents international clients in cartel investigations and unfair competition disputes.
Clients point to the team`s practical approach, saying “They are technically excellent and pragmatic.” Moreover, sources highlight team's experience working with international clients: “You can tell that they've been working a lot with international companies, so they know what we're used to and what we need. When it comes to preparing domestic merger filings, they know what to do to help us in the best way possible.” Another source adds: “They're good at dealing with international clients and the FAS. And they get good results.”
Head of the team is Vassily Rudomino (Eminent Practitioner), ALRUD founder and Senior Partner widely respected as “one of the most experienced competition lawyers in Russia.” He remains an active member of the team, overseeing the practice and providing strategic advice.
German Zakharov (Band 4), who has been recently promoted to Partner, is also a member of the practice. He assists clients with merger filings and regulatory advice. “He's very knowledgeable, very client-focused and he's easy to deal with, he just does a very thorough job,” a source reports.
Chambers Europe rating states that ALRUD Law Firm is notable local firm that advises banks and corporate borrowers. Increasingly active in significant domestic restructuring and refinancing mandates. Active on projects in the Russian regions, also instructed on cross-border financing mandates. Among Banking & Finance practice strengths, clients value the practicality of the advice, saying: “They demonstrated strong knowledge of local law as well as good understanding of the commercial side of things.”
ALRUD Labour and Employment Practice is highly reputable practice assisting with a broad range of employment law matters, including advisory matters. Increasingly busy in contentious mandates. Local regulatory compliance, contractual assistance and non-contentious redundancies are areas of practical experience. Commentators say that the team is "definitely quick to respond" and also appreciate the "accuracy of responses."
Irina Anyukhina (Band 3), Head of the Practice, is a versatile lawyer with significant experience of representing clients in labour matters, including compliance as well as contentious cases. She specializes in advising international and Russian companies on international and cross-border workplace issues, reductions and restructurings, senior executives and expatriate issues, compensation and benefits. Irina leads cross-border and internal investigations of employees’ misconduct, the projects connected with Data Protection issues, Advertising and Marketing. Clients praise Irina for her business-oriented approach, outstanding communication skills, thoughtfulness and ability to clearly enunciate the core of the matter.
Chambers Europe describes ALRUD Real Estate practice as a well-regarded domestic team providing assistance with sales and acquisitions, including due diligence of real estate assets. Notable for advising a number of global retailers, often in relation to leasing issues. Growing experience of handling construction-related matters, including real estate development projects. Advises on joint ventures and represents clients in contentious mandates. Active in the Russian regions. Clients emphasise the team`s business sense, describing the lawyers as "pragmatic and excellent at coming up with sensible and commercial solutions to problems." Other clients appreciate client-oriented approach ("They really listen attentively and are understanding."). The team comprises of three Partners - Andrey Zharskiy, Anton Dzhuplin and Alexander Zharskiy. Moreover, this year Senior Associate Stanislav Veselov entered the rankings following positive client feedback. He is active in a range of real estate and construction mandates. Sources highlight his "practical approach."
ALRUD Tax Practice assists clients with the tax aspects of transactional and compliance matters; acts on business restructurings in the context of changes to Russian tax legislation; predominantly represents international clients, including a number of Asian clients, from a variety of industries. Also instructed by high net worth individuals. Tax structuring in joint venture and M&A instructions are areas of recent activity. Clients appreciate their practical, solution-oriented approach, noting their "ability to anticipate possible developments and to proactively offer possible strategies and solutions." Another source adds: "They want to provide a real working solution."
According to the rating ALRUD Restructuring/Insolvency is a notable practice representing creditors and companies in Russian bankruptcies, often involving large regions-based companies. Clients highlight the team`s "Responsive, commercial, timely advice."
ALRUD Dispute Resolution team assists its clients, Russian corporates, international names and individuals, with general commercial litigation, including administrative disputes, as well as insurance, competition and debt-related conflicts. Also active in international arbitration and cross-border litigation. Among specialists mentioned in the rating are Vassily Rudomino, Head of the Department, and Alexander Zharskiy.
Moreover, ALRUD TMT Practice has been included in the rating as "Other Noted Firm".