Russia

Insight
2016
DOING BUSINESS IN RUSSIA
The guide presents an overview of the key aspects of the Russian legal system and regulation of business activities.

Overview

Our Russia lawyers advise clients on some of the most complex, pioneering legal matters in the country. With more than 130 lawyers in our Moscow and St. Petersburg offices, we are the go-to firm for Russia's largest companies and major foreign investors seeking innovative advice on cross-border, multijurisdictional transactions.

We are ranked Band 1 by Chambers Europe and The Legal 500 for the quality, responsiveness and commercial approach of our Dispute Resolution, Mining, Employment, Intellectual Property, Life Sciences, Real Estate & Construction, Telecoms, Media & Technology and Tax practices. Our St. Petersburg office is ranked Band 1 in the local market.

These awards reflect our commitment to client service, with more than half of our revenue coming from longstanding clients. From project finance to white collar crime, we act as a one-stop firm advising clients on all aspects of their business. We collaborate with colleagues across all of our offices to help clients achieve their cross-border objectives and succeed in Russia's rapidly evolving market.

Offices

Moscow

White Gardens 9 Lesnaya Street
Moscow 125047
Russia
Tel: +7 495 787 2700 Fax: +7 495 787 2701

St. Petersburg

BolloevCenter, 2nd Floor 4A Grivtsova Lane
St. Petersburg 190000
Russia
Tel: +7 812 303 9000 Fax: +7 812 325 6013

Local expertise, global approach

We provide first-class legal and commercial advice to major foreign investors in Russia, including ArcelorMittal, Ford Motor Company and Carlsberg. We also advise some of Russia's largest companies, including Gazprom Neft, Kaspersky Labs, Novatek, Rusnano, VTB, and Power Machines.

Our strength is our ability to combine domestic and international expertise on a single legal team, working with colleagues across our offices in Europe, Asia, and the rest of the world to find the best legal and commercial solutions for our clients.

Our Dispute Resolution group, headed by the vice president of the ICC International Arbitration Court, maintains an excellent reputation for both domestic litigation and international arbitration, offering expertise in areas such as intellectual property, competition and tax. Our top-ranked team of more than 30 Intellectual Property lawyers work with colleagues in Almaty, Baku, Kyiv and beyond the region to register, transfer and enforce trademarks, copyrights and patents.

Our Corporate/M&A lawyers act for large multinationals, financial advisers and Russian companies pursuing domestic and cross-border transactions and reorganizations. Our Tax practice provides sophisticated tax advice and tax structuring for some of Russia's largest cross-border M&A transactions, leading to recognitions such as "Tax Team of the Year" and "Russia Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year" at the ITR European Tax Awards.

Our Employment practice has been continuously top-ranked for more than a decade, advising clients on contractual, regulatory and litigious employment matters. Our Real Estate team offers strong expertise on real estate M&A, development and lease transactions, and is valued for its support on contentious matters.

As government enforcement of anti-corruption laws continues to rise, our Compliance team has a deep understanding of local business practices to tackle high-stakes investigations from all legal angles both in Russia and across borders. Our Trade & Commerce team advises clients on customs laws, exchange controls and foreign investment requirements to help them avoid possible risks and liabilities.

We also provide local and global advice in the following areas:

Law Student Program

Our program is designed to give law students a feel for what it's like to work at Baker & McKenzie by assisting partners on actual cases, receiving professional training and attending Firm networking events. Interns may be offered future employment with the Firm based on their performance.

To apply, candidates should send their resumes to Ekaterina Kirillova in Moscow or Anna Kruglova in St. Petersburg.

View opportunities in Russia

Insight
1 July 2016
Draft Law Envisages New Punishments for Healthcare Violations
A draft law either establishing or strengthening administrative liability for certain violations in the field of healthcare is currently under review.
Insight
30 June 2016
Russia to Enact Mass Internet Surveillance Laws, Companies Required to Store and Enable to Review Communications of Their Users
Companies that enable the use of instant messaging, social networks, operators of multiplayer games ...
Insight
2016
Doing Business in Russia 2016
Our guide for companies operating in or considering investment into the Russian Federation presents an overview of the country's business environment.
Insight
June 2016
VAT on Services Electronically Supplied to Russian Customers: New Rules
On 29 June 2016, the Federation Council of Russia approved Federal Law (Draft law № 962487-6).
Insight
March 2016
A New Set of Amendments to the Russian CFC and Beneficial Ownership Rules
Foreign companies and unincorporated foreign vehicles must disclose their direct and indirect owners as of December 31.
Insight
February 2016
A New Set of Amendments to the Russian CFC and Beneficial Ownership Rules
On 15 February 2016, the President of the Russian Federation signed Federal Law No. 32-FZ "On Amendments to the First and Second Parts of the Russian Tax Code (with Respect to the Taxation of ...
Insight
February 2016
Russian Thin Capitalization Rules Revised
On 15 February 2016 the Russian President signed Federal Law N 25-FZ, which revises the existing thin capitalization rules and expands the scope of their application.
News
13 November 2015
International Tax Review Recognizes Baker & McKenzie’s Global Tax Practice
News
01 July 2015
Baker & McKenzie’s International Arbitration Practice Members Honored by ICC Court Appointments
News
23 March 2015
International Commercial Practice Earns Top Ranking by Chambers Global
News
27 February 2015
Baker & McKenzie Advises Siemens on Metals Technologies Joint Venture with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
News
22 January 2015
Baker & McKenzie Advises Orkla on Sale of Orkla Brands Russia
News
3 September 2014
Baker & McKenzie Provides Legal Support to New High Tech Park
News
22 July 2014
Baker & McKenzie Advises on First Ever Euro-Commercial Paper Program by an Azerbaijani Bank

We are committed to investing in our local communities by providing pro bono services and financial support to causes we believe in. As part of those efforts, we provide free legal advice to organizations including the State Hermitage Museum, American Chamber of Commerce, Russo-British Chamber of Commerce and the International Business Leaders Forum.

We recently assisted YUM! Restaurants International with establishing a Russian charity fund for socially vulnerable children by advising on the structuring of the charity fund, preparing documentation and getting approvals from state authorities. We also support Downside Up, a Russian non-profit that supports parents raising children with Down syndrome, and participate in annual futsal tournaments and ski competitions organized by Charity Sports to raise money for programs for children with Down syndrome.

Key Contacts