With more than 20 years’ experience of providing legal advice in Russia, the CMS, Russia Corporate / M&A team is one of the most pre-eminent in Russia. Our work on challenging and high profile transactions has enabled us to gain valuable experience and resources, which we use to help our clients achieve their goals and add value to their business.

Our extensive network of offices located in the majority of European jurisdictions, with more than 600 corporate / M&A lawyers, enables us to provide one-stop-shop advice on cross-border transactions, without requiring the involvement of external counsel. Often our work involves being part of a multi-disciplinary, cross-border team of advisers. And where specialist industry knowledge is required, our lawyers can drawn upon experience of working across a wide range of industries including financial services, technology, energy, hotels and leisure, infrastructure and utilities to name but a few.

Providing business solutions and trusted advice
We frequently act as a company’s key advisor in the complete company life-cycle: from establishment, development and operation to business exit strategies. We have in-depth knowledge of the local and international markets and environment and assist our clients in searching for and making use of business opportunities and privileges.

Our Corporate / M&A practice provides integrated advice covering tax structuring and audit, antimonopoly clearance, employment and securities issues, among others.

Key areas of expertise:

M&A. CMS, Russia has a proven track record of advising on complex and high value transactions. We advise on acquisitions and disposals, domestic and international mergers, public and private transactions, asset and share deals, auction sales and divestitures. Bringing together local knowledge and international experience, we devise creative deal structures and develop and implement strategies for both acquirers and sellers.

Joint ventures and strategic alliance. We have advised on both major cross-border joint ventures and joint ventures between Russian parties in many sectors.

Private Equity. Our extensive sector expertise and strong M&A capabilities enable us to provide full-scope advice, including target evaluation, bidding and negotiation, the preparation of agreements and closing. In addition to investment matters, we also assist with private equity fund formation, portfolios, management issues and investment exiting.

Restructurings. Corporate restructuring arises frequently in the context of M&A when pre-sale reorganisation or post-acquisition consolidation are required. We advise on sale and acquisition transactions, domestic and cross-border mergers, entire or partial divisions, capital increases and reductions, setting up new branches and company liquidations.

Corporate governance. We possess a thorough understanding of Russian corporate legislation and are involved in all aspects of corporate governance, including minority shareholders and director and officer liability issues.

Equity capital markets. With extensive experience of fund raising, we work with a wide range of equity and equity-linked instruments, including IPOs, follow-on issues and rights issues.

Key contact - David Cranfield

Leading in M&A

#1 CEE, Bloomberg and Mergermarket
#1 Europe, Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters Mid-market
#2 Global, Bloomberg (counsel to principal)

"M&A Mid-Market Law Firm of the Year" by Acquisitions Monthly 2009-2011

Full Service Law Firm of the Year – Russia by DealMakers Global Awards 2011