Aequitas remains a top-tier choice for local counsel. It specialises in banking and finance, labour and employment, M&A, natural resources and environmental law. The firm has been expanding in the areas of healthcare and pharmaceuticals and has developed recognition in the market for specialist areas such as insurance, media and customs. It is also foraying into the bitcoin and cryptocurrency space with recent work representations. Managing partner Olga Chentsova is a key contact. Partner Nurlan Sholanov departed the firm in March 2023.
Work highlights
Advising Coinhub on matters related to cryptocurrency exchanges and applicable regulations in the Kazakhstan territory.
Assisting a global project in the restructuring of a German business, involving preparation of the reorganisation plan and spin-off of the mining business, transfer of assets, re-registration of ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions Kazakhstan, and registration of a branch of ThhyssenKrupp Mining Technologies.
Artyushenko & Partners is a boutique law firm focusing on real estate and construction. The firm specialises in the construction, development and litigation segments of real estate. Partner Andrey Artyushenko heads the firm’s construction practice and is renowned for his experience in FIDIC and EPC construction contracts in Kazakhstan and ex-Soviet Union countries.
Work highlights
Successfully represented Olimp Security in both district and appeal courts. The client provided security services for a construction site in the Almaty region and faced significant debt from the site owner.
Represented a local service supplier in the preparation of a pre-trial claim and participation in a mediation process to settle a dispute with an Arab company.
Bolotov & Partners is the leading IP specialist firm in the market. It provides services covering registrations of trademark, patent and copyright in Kazakhstan, and other central Asian countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The firm assists in the protection and enforcement of trademark rights, preparation of assignment and licence agreements, matters related to copyright, utility models, and patent and domain name-related issues. Managing partner Yuri Bolotov is a registered patent and trademark attorney of Kazakhstan, with more than 20 years of experience
Work highlights
Represented an American multinational corporation in filing a trademark opposition with the Appeal Board against registration of a trademark on the ground of its similarity and unfair competition.
Advised Toyota Motor Corporation on trademark enforcement in Kazakhstan.
Acted for a client in a trademark cancellation procedure on the non-use ground against a Ukrainian company. The case was resolved amicably, and the Ukrainian company issued a letter of consent to the firm’s client.
Key clients
Procter & Gamble.
Grata International is ranked ‘Outstanding’ in general business law. The firm has been especially active in the natural resources sector in the past year, particularly in mining, and oil and gas. Partner Yerzhan Yessimkhanov has extensive experience in the areas of construction, infrastructure, real estate and telecommunications.
Work highlights
Advised Food Empire Holdings, a global leading food company, on acquisition of Tea House, one of the largest tea manufacturers in Kazakhstan.
Advised European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on the financing of Shalkiya Zinc, a quasi-state ore mining company that mines polymerase in Kazakhstan.
Advised Clayton, Dubilier & Rice on various Kazakhstan legal matters in relation to the global acquisition of the PwC's Global Mobility Tax and Immigration Services business.
Key clients
Korea National Oil Corporation, LX International Corp, Mastercard, MIE Holdings Corporation.
Following the separation from the wider KPMG network, KPMG Kazakhstan has formed KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia, uniting firms across the region. KPMG Law Kazakhstan's corporate and M&A practice, led by partner Alexey Abramov, comprises 17 lawyers who offer versatile expertise. The team has advised on asset and share deals, complex restructurings and extensive due diligence reviews. Abramov heads KPMG Law in Caucasus and Central Asia. He has more than 20 years of legal consulting experience in real estate, corporate litigation projects, bankruptcy and restructuring. The firm’s practice enjoys steady growth, recently promoting Bakdaulet Imanbayev and Satzhan Mukatayev to senior positions to reinforce the team.
Work highlights
Advised Locotranskz on the acquisition of shares in Kamkor Vagon and Kamkor Lokomotiv, two of the largest locomotive repair and car repair enterprises in Kazakhstan.
Advised COFCO International Netherlands on the sale of shares of its Kazakhstan-registered companies.
Advised Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Joint Stock Company on its privatisation of assets.
Redbrick Law Firm is well known for resolving complex commercial, tax and corporate disputes. The litigation practice covers a wide range of dispute areas while the corporate practice advises on mergers and acquisitions, complex corporate structures, restructurings and governance in cooperation with the litigation team to resolve corporate disputes. The firm's corporate lawyers are popular for M&A transactions involving private companies and the creation of corporate structures, restructurings and governance issues. Key partners include Rauan Dairbekov, Nurzhan Dairbekov and Ainura Dairbekova.
Client feedback
“Quick in response, reliable, professional.” – Energy
“The employees are professionals in their field. I know that our company is legally protected, and we are fully responsible to society and employees.” – Labour and employment
Rauan Dairbekov
“Responsible, professional and knowledgeable.”
Nurzhan Dairbekov
"I like Nurzhan's professionalism and competence. Corporate law is especially his forte. His customer service and super-competitive pricing are outstanding."
Work highlights
Successfully represented the Kazakhstan branch of Salini Costruttori in defending a tax dispute.
Advised Inclusive Development Foundation’s corporate fund on legal matters related to the online event Central Asia Nobel Fest Live. This was the first online event featuring world scientists and Nobel laureates discussing important scientific issues for audiences in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Key clients
Alinur Konsalting, Borey Energo.
With offices in Almaty and Astana, Sayat Zholshy & Partners has been serving its clients for more than two decades. The firm has partnered with the IFC over the past three years on developing a corporate governance programme for Kazakhstan. Senior partner Arman Berdalin leads the firm’s Astana office and he is experienced in corporate governance and M&A.
Client feedback
“The firm proactively responds to questions raised and provides comprehensive advice.” – Corporate and M&A
“They are the best litigators.” – Dispute resolution
Olzhas Daniyarov
“Committed to the business with a creative and constructive approach.”
Vitaliy Vodolazkin
“He is a top-notch litigator in Kazakhstan. He understands all our needs and aims for the result.”
Work highlights
Representing Baiserke Agro in defending the interests of a large diversified agricultural holding in a dispute over the recovery of debt under a property complex lease agreement.
Representing a client in a dispute over the recovery of debt and the invalidation of a series of transactions for the total amount of $2.2 million.
Representing a subsoil user in a dispute against government authorities over the invalidation of a subsoil use contract.
Key clients
Mechel-Service Kazakhstan, Portola Cyprus, RG Brands Kazakhstan
Signum Law Firm provides legal services in the areas of construction, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, employment, IP and regulatory compliance. Last year the firm engaged in a number of corporate, finance and regulatory projects that affected industry sectors and helped shape law enforcement practice. Managing partner Sofiya Zhylkaidarova has a record of advising oil and gas and mining companies for more than 20 years on strategic acquisitions and various subsoil use issues.
Client feedback
“Everything about them is very good – their communication and the provision of services.” – Regulatory
Ulan Stybayev
“Good communication skills and timely delivery.”
Work highlights
Advised a client on tax matters related to the potential legal consequences and tax liabilities arising out of obtaining a business identification number in Kazakhstan by a non-resident legal entity.
Advising one of Europe's leading financial services groups on granting a $750 million project finance facility to Advaita Trade DMCC to be used to fund prepayments to a Kazakh producer for the delivery of copper products. The facility would be guaranteed by Kazakhmys Holdings.
Established in 2020, Tukulov & Kassilgov is a Kazakhstan law firm specialising in dispute resolution. Drawing on rich and unique experience of its partners Bakhyt Tukulov, Ravil Kassilgov, and Nataliya Shapovalova, the firm takes on complex cases.
Work highlights
Represented G-Taxi in the infringement case relating to automated taxi ordering system against a Russian multinational.
Representing major telecoms operator KazTransCom in a shareholder dispute in Kazakhstan.
Key clients
Huawei, Oppo, Samsung, Sulpak
Unicase provides legal services in the areas of corporate and M&A, finance and securities, dispute resolution, environment, labour and tax law. It recently expanded into the neighbouring Uzbekistan market with a new office in Tashkent that focuses on the full economic spectrum, from working on PPP projects to growing its renewables client base. Managing partner Saniya Perzadayeva is an expert in project finance and construction. Partners Artem Timoshenko, Zhanar Abdullayeva and Rausahana Chaltabayeva round out the leadership team.
Work highlights
Providing corporate services to TKJV operating in the North Caspian region. Supporting the company to participate in local tenders and ensure the company is compliant with local laws and regulations.
Advised ValvTechnologies on the establishment of a valve manufacturing plant in Kazakhstan’s Atyrau region. The firm also provides day-to-day legal service to the client.
Advising China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) on all legal issues arising in the client’s construction activity in Kazakhstan.
Key clients
British Embassy, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, EBRD, GlaxoSmithKline, Sailing Leasing, Schmidt Kranz GHH Kazakhstan
