The newly released edition of IFLR 1000 - one of the leading legal guides focusing on finance and corporate law - recommends EPAM for all jurisdictions of the Firm’s presence in the CIS as “the largest law firm in the region”.
In Russia, EPAM is recommended for 4 practice areas, including restructuring and insolvency and M&A and corporate. Further, IFLR ranks the Firm for banking and project finance as “the firm which has strong positions in banking sector due to its notable role in various bank-related M&A transactions”.
Among the Firm’s highlights IFLR names a “standout” transaction for the USD 1.2 billion refinancing of a Russian car manufacturer led by Arkady Krasnikhin and his team and advice for a pan-CIS bank on a $73 million syndicated loan.
The Firm is also recognized in “real estate financings for both lenders and borrowers”.
In Belarus, the Firm’s team continues to top the local ranking. According to the peers and clients, Belarus–based Managing Partner Dennis Turovets is “among the firm's strongest lawyers”. A client who recently worked with his team says: "EPA&P did a decent job. They have a clear picture of what's going on in Belarus in terms of local laws and trends so it was very helpful to seek their advice." Clients also note Igor Odinets, Senior Associate in Minsk.
IFLR notes that in Belarus EPA&P “continues to build on its success, securing roles in a number of important deals” and that “banking and finance has been the most active practice area for the firm”. Among the firm’s landmark projects in Belarus the guide names advice to the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) on structuring a USD 1 billion facility – the largest syndicated loan ever extended to a state-owned Belarusian company – for fertilizer producer Belaruskali. Two further ongoing matters include advising the EDB on providing credit lines to domestic manufacturers BelAZ and Amkodor for USD 100 million and USD 75 million respectively.
In Ukraine, IFRL traditionally recommends EPA&P for banking and finance, as well as M&A and corporate law led by Partners Olga Khoroshylova and Oksana Ilchenko accordingly.
