M&A and Corporate - PRACTICE AREAS

The practice

M&A and Corporate Practice at EPAM Law is one of the largest in Russia and the CIS. We provide comprehensive support for complex transactions and help to resolve corporate disputes by working alongside the Firm’s Tax, Competition Law, Employment, Litigation, Arbitration and other Practice teams.

EPAM lawyers have unique experience in providing comprehensive legal assistance in transactions involving special situations and complex regulatory approvals.

We have supported a significant number of major Russian and cross-border transactions, including

purchase of a 50% stake in Tele2 Russia by a consortium of investors;
sale of the Real retail chain from METRO to the Auchan group;
Danone-Unimilk merger;
sale of the Azbuka Vkusa grocery supermarket chain;
sale of part of Shiseido Co.’s business to CVC Capital Partners.

The Firm has capabilities that are unique among Russian firms in supporting cross-border transactions. Our advantage lies in our own team of lawyers who are qualified in English and American law, as well as our network of trusted advisors in multiple jurisdictions. This enables us to handle complex cross-border projects of any nature coordinating the work of local and international lawyers.

We use an optimal project management model. Thanks to our wide range of highly specialised practices, including Energy, Environmental and Technical Regulations, Natural Resources, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare, the Firm is well placed to provide turnkey support for unique projects without input from third-party specialists.

Our lawyers make a significant contribution to the development of Russian legislation. They have been directly involved in the reform of the Russian Civil Code, and continue to participate in working groups focused on the reform of corporate law and related areas.

The Firm assists businesses with their complex matters relating to their ongoing operations, including adapting corporate structures to changing legal requirements and, where necessary, developing exclusive and targeted solutions.

Our leadership in corporate law is confirmed through recognition by specialised industry-oriented media and rankings both in Russia and internationally. Notably, our practice won the highly regarded Corporate Deal of the Year Award at The Lawyer European Awards ceremony, where leading British, American and European firms competed for the top spot.

Services

We provide legal assistance in the following matters:

legal due diligence;
drafting business sale and purchase agreements, shareholder agreements, options and other related documents;
structuring direct foreign investment, setting up joint ventures, partnerships and strategic alliances;
advising on corporate restructuring using multiple instruments;
counselling on registration procedures with public authorities;
advising on corporate governance and setting-up of efficient governance systems;
counselling on redomiciliation and reorganisation;
structuring of asset ownership and management.

Reputation

"...everything is on time and done to good quality, our expectations are always met." (Chambers Europe 2020)

"They can translate complex Russian law into something Western corporates can do something with." (Chambers Europe 2020)

“This is a team of lawyers which has the ability to cover the most complicated, multi-jurisdictional matters as well as matters with a regulatory element that other law firms cannot cope with.” (The Legal 500 2020)

"The top counsel" (The Legal 500 2019)

“Great professionalism and commitment to clients’ projects”, “high standards and creativity” (The Legal 500 2018)

European Corporate Team of the Year (The Lawyer European Awards 2014)

"They don't just consult, but they work out the best solution and all the documents to see that option through". "They handle tough schedules very well and provide very good advice from different perspectives and their legal research is very good; they're good at explaining the information they discover". (Сhambers Europe 2018)

“Commercially minded, quick to reply and practical”, “well connected to the local reality” (Chambers Europe 2017)

“Excellent, consistent and reliable”, “short response times, clear advice and high-quality knowledge and expertise” (The Legal 500 2017)

“Clients praise the Firm for being “one of the best” Russian M&A and corporate advisors, “providing very high-quality services” (Chambers Europe 2016)

"Аccurate, up-to-date knowledge’ and ‘effective support at every level" (Legal 500 2016)

“The lawyers always deliver on their promises: if they say a document will be sent by a certain time, it will be done” (Chambers Europe 2015)

“Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners have an extremely strong Russia practice and Robin Wittering provides very good support on English law issues” (IFLR1000 2014)