On 30 September 2008 the VII Annual M&A Forum took place in Moscow. The event, attended by more than 130 delegates. was sponsored by EPAM. Attorneys Grigory Chernyshov and Mikhail Kazantsev from EPAM participated in the Forum.

The Forum focused on major trends of the Russian M&A market, effect of local risks and international economic situation for Russian M&A transactions. The conference specially targeted the amendments made to the corporate and antitrust regulations and public private partnership projects.

Grigory Chernyshov, a Partner leading the Litigation Practice Department, gave the presentation on “Non-Traditional Effect of Judiciary on Shareholders’ Relationship”. Grigory quoted real cases, in which Russian law enforcers served as a tool of influence on shareholders in the context of M&A transactions. “A detailed review of the documents by experienced legal counsel may help to avoid controversial situations in preparation of the M&A transactions and secure interests of all the shareholders”, the speaker concluded.

Attorney Mikhail Kazantsev, a senior lawyer at EPAM reported on “Regulation Updates on Investments in Strategic Industries” in the session titled “Preparation for Transaction: Factors of Success”. Mikhail reviewed legal aspects of regulation of investments in the strategic industries and detailed the step-by-step procedure followed by the Russian government authorities in relation to applications of foreign investors.

EPAM was the general partner of the VII Annual M&A Forum on Key Points of Successful Business Sale, which was traditionally organized by The Moscow Times.