Competition in the CIS
In this chapter we identify the 29 outstanding individuals across the region for counselling and litigating on behalf of clients on competition matters relating to mergers and acquisitions, monopolisation and cartels.
Vladimir Sayenko of Sayenko Kharenko is said to be “the finest competition lawyer in Ukraine” by our sources, a view endorsed by the number of votes he received in our research. He appears alongside Dmitry Taranyk, counsel to the firm and a “first-class practitioner” with experience in antitrust disputes against multinational companies, particularly in relation to abuse of dominance.
Vasil Kisil & Partners is another firm to feature twice in this chapter. Denis Lysenko has an “international reputation” as a result of working with the European Commission on competition matters. Alongside him, Mariya Nizhnik scored very highly and is listed for the first time.
Asters is the third firm to garner multiple listings. Igor Svechkar is “one of the best in the country” and has advised Sony Pictures Entertainment, General Electric Energy and Siemens AG in relation to merger filings with the Anti-monopoly Committee of Ukraine, Coca-Cola on competition compliance and Beiersdorf AG on unfair competition matters. Oleksandr Padalka has advised Nissan Motor Co and its affiliate Ukrainian distributor in connection with protection against unfair competition practices and is very highly rated.
At Baker & McKenzie - CIS Limited, Antonina Yaholnyk is head of the competition practice in Kiev and widely recognised as a “highly skilled practitioner”. In recent years she has advised Magna Management AG with respect to obtaining a merger control clearance, as well as ArcelorMittal on antitrust law matters with respect to abuse of dominant position and obtaining global merger control approvals.
Alexey Pustovit, of Konnov & Sozanovsky is regarded as an “outstanding lawyer” and is deputy head of the competition law committee of the Ukrainian Bar Association.
Olexander Martinenko of CMS Cameron McKenna is viewed as a “guru” for anti-counterfeiting and unfair competition matters, and represented Finland’s leading media group in obtaining Ukrainian merger control approval in connection with its acquisition of a publishing house.
In Russia, Vassily Rudomino is head of the competition practice at ALRUD Law Firm and an “outstanding practitioner” in the eyes of our sources. His merger clearance work in particular was highlighted to researchers.
Yevgeny Voevodin joined Capital Legal Services in 2010 from CMS Cameron McKenna, and is “very active in this field” and “definitely worthy of inclusion”. He was highlighted for his work on the successful protection of IKEA, as well as representing the interests of the InterRao electric power company in Finland and the EU.
Alexander Viktorov heads the antitrust, competition and trade practice in Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s Moscow office. He is regarded as “first class for merger related work” including the preparation of antitrust and “foreign strategic investment” filings and the obtaining of clearances.
Torsten Syrbe heads the Russian competition group at Clifford Chance LLP and is “very experienced” in advising on domestic and EU merger clearance proceedings, cartel and abuse of dominance investigations and anti-monopoly matters in other CIS countries.
Ilja Ratschkov at Noerr OOO has an international reputation for his work in this sector, and is “extremely knowledgeable on Russian anti-monopoly matters”.
At Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners, Grigory Chernyshov is considered to be “one of the country’s finest competition litigators” and garnered votes from across the CIS.
Artem Kukin of Yust in Moscow is well regarded by his peers and his merger work in particular drew praise, and Igor Ostapets at White & Case LLC is similarly well known for his antitrust pedigree.
Anton Sitnikov of Goltsblat BLP was cited as “the first port of call” for clients seeking representation in disputes with competition authorities.
In Belarus, Tatsiana Ignatovskaya of Stepanovski Papakul and Partners was praised as “a consummate professional” and commended for her anti-monopoly work.
Liliya Vlasova is senior partner of Vlasova Mikhel & Partners and a “very knowledgeable competition lawyer”, while Alexander Korsak of Arzinger & Partner LLC provides “reliable and effective counsel” to clients.
Sayat Zholshy & Partners is home to two of the three nominees to feature in Kazakhstan. Rustam Ospanov is well known for his dominance and anti-monopoly related expertise, while fellow senior partner Aidyn Bikebayev is a former deputy chairman of the committee for protection of competition of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan and “one of the country’s leading authorities in this sector”. At Aequitas, respondents repeatedly cited Yulia Chumachenko’s “technical excellence”.
Armen Melkumyan of Ameria Legal Practice in Armenia received high levels of recommendation from our sources across the region, while Ismail Askerov at MGB Law Offices in Baku is regarded as “the leading competition expert in Azerbaijan”. Karlygash Ospankulova of Kalikova & Associates occupies a similarly esteemed position at the top of our research in Kyrgyzstan.