Aequitas

Leading firm 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.

General business law  

Work highlights

Acted for Siemens on the local leg of the company’s global restructuring, which included advice on corporate issues.

Represented the Kuwait Food Company, which is in Kazakhstan under the name Americana Group, on its regional restructuring. The client runs 90 restaurants in the country.

Supported Brokers IO on its local market entrance as the first company with a project providing cryptocurrency buying and selling services to the mass consumer.

Advising the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Eurasian Development Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank as a lending syndicate of $585 million debt financing for a concessionary project involving the construction and operation of a ring high-speed toll road, the Big Almaty Ring Road.

Acted for Portuguese company, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, on its 100% share sale in its subsidiary organisation Partex Holding to Thai state energy PTT Exploration and Production Public Company (PTTEP). Upon closing, Partex held a 20% interest in the production sharing agreement for the major oil and gas Dunga field in Kazakhstan.

Key clients

Bitfury, Chevron, Gazprombank, Marks & Spencer

Client feedback

“Provides services in a timely manner with high quality.” – Banking and finance

“The firm provides tailored-made advice. Excellent work within a multi-jurisdictional group of lawyers. Takes an extraordinary approach to challenging tasks.” – Corporate and M&A

“Representatives of the law firm stick to given deadlines, are easily accessible and make additions and clarifications to the opinion when requested.” – Dispute resolution

“Firm has perfect client service, meaning prompt replies, always accessible, and very good expertise.” – Labour and employment

“Strong communication and professionalism.” – Tax

Yekaterina Khamidullina

“She is proactive and responsive.”

“Provides good communication and clear answers.”

Valikhan Shaikenov

“He has the ability to think out of the box and provides exclusive solutions that fit clients' requirements.”

Lyailya Tleulina

“Responsive and competent.”