Corporate Tax in the CIS
Local corporate tax knowledge is invaluable to foreign companies investing or setting up business operations in countries in the CIS. We have identified 33 lawyers in nine countries who can be considered leaders in the field.
DLA Piper LLP earns three inclusions in Russia. In Moscow, Igor Venediktov is “very knowledgeable” and advises on acquisitions, transfer pricing and international tax issues. The “experienced” and “versatile” Scott Antel advises clients in the real estate and hospitality sectors on tax issues. In St Petersburg, Ruslan Vasutin is “pragmatic and hard working” and focuses on coordinating tax disputes, cross-border work and transaction structuring.
Baker & McKenzie also earns three listings in this chapter. Sergei Zhestkov is “highly respected” and has advised Russian and international companies on tax structuring and planning. Alexander Bychkov has “extensive experience in tax structuring” and Alexander Chmelev is “a go-to lawyer for any tax issue in Russia”.
Five further practitioners are included in Russia. Herbert Smith LLP’s Oleg Konnov advises foreign and Russian clients at all stages of tax disputes and is based in Moscow. Maxim Alekseyev is listed from ALRUD Law Firm where he manages the firm’s tax practice. He is a founding partner and “a trusted advisor on domestic and international tax matters”. Sergey Pepeliaev, the managing partner of Pepeliaev Group, has over 20 years’ experience of both contentious and non-contentious tax-related matters. White & Case LLP earns one listing and Irina Dmitrieva is the head of the Moscow tax practice and has recently advised clients such as Google, Goldman Sachs and Lebedyansky on tax issues. Evgeny Timofeev is one of two Salans lawyers in this chapter and he co-heads the global tax practice.
Borovtsov & Salei earns two inclusions in Minsk. Managing partner Vassili Salei is “an authority” and Alexander Botian is a lawyer who peers “wouldn’t hesitate to recommend”. Also in Minsk, Businessconsult’s Igor Verkhovodko is “very knowledgeable on tax regulations” and Timour Sysouev was also noted by peers for his work in this area. Eugene Lazarenkov is the deputy director of Law Firm Trust and “a recognised tax specialist”. Stepanovski Papakul and Partners’ managing partner and head of corporate Valery Papakul is listed and he is “reliable and business-minded”. Tatiana Emelianova is listed from Vlasova Mikhel & Partners and she is “resourceful and intelligent”. Dennis Turovets manages Magisters’ Minsk office and is “a first-class tax lawyer”.
Vladimir Didenko is included from Magisters in Kiev and he focuses on tax planning, due diligence and general tax advice. Peers noted that “he has an unparalleled knowledge of Ukraine taxation conditions”. Amparo Consulting Group has two lawyers listed in Kiev and the firm is “well known for its defence of clients’ interests in front of the Ukraine tax administration”. Alexander Zlenko and Evgeniy Slavniy are both highlighted for their tax expertise. KM Partners’ senior partner Alexander Minin was identified by one source as “the leader in Ukraine tax law” and he focuses on tax consultancy, disputes and restructuring. Oleh Marchenko is “top notch” for his regulation, disputes and transactional advice and is the managing partner of Ulysses. Konnov & Sozanovsky’s head of tax law is Yevgeniya Derbal and she is “a strong and well-informed lawyer”.
In Baku, Ophelia Abdullayeva is included from Salans. She is a member of the tax committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan and has advised clients such as KPMG, an international telecomms company and a major domestic industrial company on Azerbaijani tax issues. MGB Law Offices’ Elchin Mammadov is “outstanding” and Jeyhun Bayramov, a former senior officer in the Azerbaijani ministry of tax is included from Omni Law Firm.
Grata Law Firm earns two inclusions. Almat Daumov in Almaty is “terrific” and Zafar Malikov in Tashkent is “reliable and very skilled”. In Armenia, David Sargsyan of Ameria Legal Practice is “highly recommended”. In Bishkek, the “exceptional” Maksim Smirnov is at Kalikova & Associates. Turcan & Turcan in Chisinau provides one listing and Alexander Turcan is “the best in Moldova for tax structuring and negotiating with tax authorities” according to one source.