Biography: Mining

Prior to embarking on a career in law, Levon was an intern at the Soviet Embassy in Burundi, Africa, between 1990-1993 he was a manager of a crude oil trading department of a major international commercial house and a sales executive at the State Oil Company Nafta, both in Moscow. Since then and over almost two decades, Levon has built an impressive legal practice and earned an enviable reputation as a leading practitioner in his specialised field of mining. He is highly regarded and sought after for his knowledge and practical application of law in the natural resource sector by clients and fellow professionals alike. His advice spans the structuring of joint ventures to conduct mining activity, drafting and negotiating metal sales agreements, representing clients in litigation cases involving title to mineral licences, dealing with issues of transfer of mineral licences and performing and supervising due diligence exercises for mining projects. Levon has participated in numerous mining transactions involving corporate work, issuance and transfer of shares in Russia and abroad. It is a practice which also involves highly sophisticated and industry specific tax advice.

Levon graduated with honours from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations where he specialised in international trade law. He completed a three-year course in international economics and a five-year course in international law. Levon also participated in the East/West Exchange Programme on Business Administration at York University in Toronto, Ontario.

Levon chairs regular meetings of the Mining Advisory Council, a type of 'mining think tank' which brings together senior Russian government officials and high level mining industry participants.

Consistently recognised as a leader in his field and for his specialist knowledge of the mining sector, Levon has been awarded by Chambers and Partners a top tier (band 1) ranking under the mining category for four consecutive years (2008 - 2011) and described by his peers as "a formidable figure in the mining market" in Russia.

Levon has published numerous articles in the area of Russian's natural resource legislation. A regular contributor at major international conferences, Levon has given presentations on investment, M&A and business restructuring issues in the natural resources sector.