Press releases
Legal 500 announced the leading law firms in Kazakhstan
April 12, 2018 the Legal 500 has published the results of the 2018 EMEA research, the authoritative independent international legal guide. AEQUITAS Law Firm maintains strong rankings in Legal 500 EMEA 2018.
For 29 years, The Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research programme revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market. The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law firms in over 100 jurisdictions. The research is based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of researchers who have unrivalled experience in the legal market.
Law firms are typically based in either Almaty or Astana. International law firms such as Dechert Kazakhstan Limited, Dentons, Baker & McKenzie - CIS, Limited, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Reed Smith LLP, Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP and White & Case Kazakhstan LLP all have offices based in the region. Norton Rose Fulbright recently closed its Almaty office and the team has transferred to newly established firm KM & Partners LLP. Key domestic firms in the region include Kinstellar LLP, AEQUITAS, Grata International and Centil Law. In addition, AEQUITAS lawyers were ranked as Leading Individuals and Next Generation Lawyers.
Compared to the results of 2017, the position of AEQUITAS is stable strong in the ranking Legal 500 2018. From the evaluation of projects implemented and the level of client service AEQUITAS became one of most recommended firms in Kazakhstan in 5 practice areas and is recommended for 4 of them (Tier 1):
BANKING, FINANCE AND CAPITAL MARKETS
COMMERCIAL, CORPORATE AND M&A
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION (INCLUDING PROJECTS)
Compared to the results of 2017, the position of AEQUITAS is stable strong in the ranking Legal 500 2018. From the evaluation of projects implemented and the level of client service AEQUITAS became one of leading law firms in Kazakhstan in 5 practice areas and is recommended for 4 of them (Tier 1):
Banking, finance and capital markets
AEQUITAS is particularly strong on the regulatory aspects of banking and finance, and its team is ‘very responsive and responsible’ and ‘provides well-structured and comprehensive consultations in limited timeframes’. Practice head Yelena Pestereva has particular expertise in financing transactions and capital markets, and provides ‘detailed, client-tailored advice’. Project finance specialist Nurlan Sholanov is also a key figure.
Commercial, corporate and M&A
AEQUITAS’ team has a strong skillset in corporate, commercial and M&A, with additional expertise in labour and employment matters. Managing partner Olga Chentsova heads the practice and is heavily involved in corporate and commercial matters. Corporate specialist Nurlan Sholanov is particularly active in complex public borrowing and restructuring issues and M&A expert Natalya Braynina is particularly strong on natural resources-related matters. Senior associate Larissa Yemelyanova is experienced in contract and labour law. Highlights included advising Hewlett Packard Enterprise on the Kazakh elements of its global merger with CSC and subsequent spin off into DXC Technology.
Dispute resolution
The ‘simply superb’ AEQUITAS has expertise in litigation and arbitration, with a strong track record in construction-related disputes. Practice head Valikhan Shaikenov focuses heavily on the real estate and construction sector; arbitrator Klara Mukasheva recently joined from Dentons; and managing partner Olga Chentsova has a significant skillset in international arbitration. Senior associate Ardak Idayatova handles construction disputes. The firm recently advised ExxonMobil on a pre-trial settlement pertaining to a Kazakh company using the client’s logo in an advertisement.
Energy and natural resources
AEQUITAS’ team is known for its ‘deep and detailed analysis of legal issues and legislation and the high quality of its drafted documents’. The group’s expertise covers civil, commercial, and environmental and subsoil issues, as well as disputes work in the energy and natural resources space. Practice head Olga Chentsova has extensive experience in oil and gas issues and knowledge of environmental legislation. Natalya Braynina is an expert in subsoil-use contracts. Banking and finance expert Yelena Pestereva advised West Hydrocarbons Commercial Investment on the construction of a Kazakh refinery. Chevron is also a key client.
Real estate and construction (including projects)
AEQUITAS has a strong track record in real estate and infrastructure projects, especially in contentious issues. The firm provides ‘in-depth expert advice on complicated Kazakh law matters’, with one client commenting that ‘response times were short and quality of work was high’. Olga Chentsova is experienced in construction and infrastructure projects, and Nurlan Sholanov specialises in project finance and infrastructure projects. Construction disputes specialist Valikhan Shaikenov is also recommended.
AEQUITAS is proud of its team and expresses its gratitude to all customers and colleagues who support the firm!
The full results are published on the official rating site http://www.legal500.com/c/kazakhstan.
Информация о компании:
AEQUITAS is one of Kazakhstan’s leading law firms acknowledged in the global legal services market. For many years, authoritative legal guides, including Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal, are rating AEQUITAS and its partners and associates as the country’s most recommended.
AEQUITAS’s clients are companies active in the leading sectors of economy from more than 50 countries, including major international corporations, companies representing world famous brands, banks and financial institutions, most of them working with AEQUITAS for years.
AEQUITAS lawyers have been actively participating in the development and improvement of the most important legislative acts governing market relations and business activities in Kazakhstan, which allows the firm not only to keep abreast of potential amendments in legislation, but also to influence, to a certain extent, the making of the rules of the game.
The firm has offices in Almaty and Astana (Kazakhstan).