Lovells is delighted to confirm that Michael Pugh will be transferring from the UK to their offices in Moscow.
19 May 2008

Michael graduated from Bath University in European Studies (French and Russian) before working in Guildford and Poltava (Ukraine) for JKX Oil & Gas and the Poltava Petroleum Company. After his time in Ukraine, Michael studied law at Nottingham Law School and he joined Lovells as a trainee in September 1999, qualifying in September 2001. Michael specialises in debt capital markets in emerging markets (especially Russia) as well as Russian securitisation and equity offerings. Michael will be working in the Capital Markets Group in Russia.

Lovells CIS is please to announce the appointment of new partners in Moscow from 1 May 2008

 

Natalia Gulyaeva has been appointed Intellectual Property, Media and Technology (IPMT) Partner. Natalia graduated from Moscow State University in 1998 with first class honors in law. She holds PhD from Moscow State University and LLM from Tuebingen University, Germany. She has also attended the University of Bristol, Britain. Natalia joined Lovells CIS in 2000, since 2004 she has headed the IPMT practice.
Michael Pugh has been appointed Capital Markets Partner. As an undergraduate, Michael studied BA (Hons) European Studies (French and Russian) at Bath University. After working in Ukraine for Poltava Petroleum Company, Michael studied law at Nottingham Law School. Michael trained with Lovells in London and spent almost three years working at Lovells CIS. Michael specialises in debt and equity capital markets and securitisation.

11 April 2008
Lovells launches Russian domestic litigation practice with new hire

Lovells is launching a domestic litigation practice in Russia with the recruitment of senior associate Yevgeny Perkunov from Chadbourne & Parke LLP. Yevgeny, who is a specialist Russian litigator with around seven years' post qualification experience, joins the disputes practice in Lovells' Moscow office on 14 April.

Yevgeny's hire follows that of Moscow-based international arbitration partner Dominic Pellew in February 2007 and brings domestic court capability to Lovells' Russia disputes practice. Yevgeny has a strong track record acting in litigation for foreign investor clients, particularly within the oil and gas sector, in relation to tax, corporate and insolvency claims.

The Moscow office has not until now had a stand-alone Russian litigation practice, although its Intellectual Property, Media and Technology (IPMT) practice regularly and successfully conducts IP related litigation in the Russian courts. Lovells represents a number of companies involved in major disputes in Russia and the CIS across a wide range of industry sectors including energy, retail, financial services and telecommunications. The dispute resolution team in Moscow consists of one partner and three lawyers.

Strengthening the Moscow office's dispute resolution capability will benefit both domestic and international clients within the Russian market. According to a recent Lovells survey, Russia is one of the top three markets – alongside the US and China – in which European in-house lawyers are the most concerned about becoming involved in a major dispute. The report "The Shrinking World" was based on research among a total of 180 in-house counsel in Europe 's largest companies in France , Germany , Italy , the Netherlands and the UK .

Disputes partner Dominic Pellew said:
"Outside investors operating in Russia recognise that while they might prefer not to get involved in Russia litigation, they often have no choice. With Yevgeny on board we can now service their needs in this respect. Having a strong domestic litigation capacity is also a necessary part of having a strong international arbitration practice, which is the focus of our work in Moscow ."

Notes for editors
"The Shrinking World"
This report, launched by Lovells in March, revealed that in terms of managing multinational disputes, the US (29%), China and Russia (both 16%) are the top three markets in which in-house lawyers are the most concerned about becoming involved in a major dispute. On a geographical breakdown, in-house counsel in the Netherlands (28%), Italy (19%) and France (17%) have greater concerns about the Russia market than those in the UK (6%) and Germany (8%). For a copy of the report, please contact Lovells' press office.

Lovells' international dispute resolution practice
Lovells has an outstanding international dispute resolution practice covering all forms of dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. The practice is represented in all major jurisdictions and includes over 100 partners and some 300 qualified legal staff globally.

For further information and/or visuals, please contact:
Dominic Pellew, Partner, Moscow +7 (495) 933 3000
dominic.pellew@lovells.com
Stephen Rowe, Press Office, London +44 (20) 7296 2780
stephen.rowe@lovells.com

About Lovells
With over 3,000 people operating from 26 offices in Asia , Europe and the United States , Lovells is one of the world's leading international law firms. We advise many of the world's largest corporations, financial institutions and governmental organisations. We regularly act on complex, multi jurisdictional transactions as well as some of the most high profile commercial disputes.
Lovells (the "firm") is an international legal practice comprising Lovells LLP and its affiliated businesses. Lovells LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC323639. Registered office and principal place of business: Atlantic House, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2FG.
The word "partner" is used to refer to a member of Lovells LLP, or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications, and to a partner, member, employee or consultant in any of its affiliated businesses who has equivalent standing.

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