Edward Bekeschenko practices mainly in the area of dispute resolution. In 2008, Mr. Bekeschenko was highly recommended by European Legal 500 in the field of dispute resolution. Prior to joining Baker & McKenzie in 2001, he headed the legal department of a major Russian metallurgical company and served as vice president of a Belarusian law firm. He graduated from the Law Faculty of Belarus State University, and has a Master of Law degree from Duke University.

Practice Focus

Mr. Bekeschenko’s practice is focused on litigation and international arbitration. He also handles general corporate matters and commercial contracts, and provides sound legal advice on telecommunications law and on compliance issues. Mr. Bekeschenko has extensive experience in defending the clients’ interests at state courts in disputes with contracting parties as well as with state authorities.

Representative Legal Matters

• Represented Lukoil in multi-jurisdictional disputes in Kazakhstan, the Netherlands and Sweden relating to its activities in Kazakhstan.
• Represented the international bank in the Russian and the US proceedings initiated against the bank. The amount of the claim was about USD280 million.
• Represented Mattel in a number of product liability proceedings initiated by Russian authorities.
• Represented a Western air cargo company in disputes related to an aircraft against a Russian company and governmental organizations in proceedings in Russian and Ukrainian courts.
• Represented a global financial services provider in a dispute with the Russian tax authorities claiming that some particular services are not banking operations and, therefore, are subject to the Russian VAT. The claims were fully denied by the Russian Supreme Arbitrazh Court which made this a landmark case in the money transfer business.
• Representing a Russian bank in numerous litigations initiated by Russian supervisory authorities with regard to certain provisions of standard loan agreements.
• Acted on behalf of a major US privately owned fund in several disputes concerning real estate in Russia.
• Advised and represented a major corporation in the ammonia industry in a number of disputes in state courts.
• Represented a major mining-related company in two arbitrations in Sweden.
• Advised a telecommunication provider on licensing and dispute resolution matters.

Admission

Russia (1993)

Education

Byelorussian State Univ. of Economics  (B.A. Accounting) (1997)
Duke University  (LL.M.) (1994)
Byelorussian State University  (Law Degree) (1993)