Law firm
Mudzhiri & partners
global vision - local insight
About us
Mudzhiri & Partners Law Firm was founded in 2008 by Russian lawyers Shota Mudzhiri and Vitaly Lyashenko. The firm specialized in representing Russian and multinational businesses in complex litigation and arbitration.
The reputation of partners, acquired over more than 20 years of their professional activity, is based on deep knowledge of Russian law in its development since the mid-90s of the last century, the ability to adapt the instruments of international business to Russian legal realities, maximum openness and honesty in relations with clients and a flexible fee policy.
Our experience includes working with clients such as the governments of Kaluga, Kaliningrad, and Rostov regions, Lukoil, ExxonMobil, NCSP, Sakhalin Energy, Ford, EBRD, Itera, Cisco, PepsiCo, Akron, Boston Consulting, Marriott, Russian Railways, METRO Group, Toyota Motor, Immofinanz, Dalryba, KanAm Grund, Novartis, Bibikol Rus, SAS Institute, Wyeth, Aker Marine Contractors, BHP Billiton, Weatherford, Hilton, Nikolsky Rows, Benetton, Raytheon, Geostrim Vostok, Telenor, Worley Parsons, VALEO, Trans-Mission (Citymobil), Nvidia, Johnson & Johnson, etc.
We work in Russian, English and Arabic – the languages which our partners are fluent in.
Our experience includes working with clients such as the governments of Kaluga, Kaliningrad, and Rostov regions, Lukoil, ExxonMobil, NCSP, Sakhalin Energy, Ford, EBRD, Itera, Cisco, PepsiCo, Akron, Boston Consulting, Marriott, Russian Railways, METRO Group, Toyota Motor, Immofinanz, Dalryba, KanAm Grund, Novartis, Bibikol Rus, SAS Institute, Wyeth, Aker Marine Contractors, BHP Billiton, Weatherford, Hilton, Nikolsky Rows, Benetton, Raytheon, Geostrim Vostok, Telenor, Worley Parsons, VALEO, Trans-Mission (Citymobil), Nvidia, Johnson & Johnson, etc.
We work in Russian, English and Arabic – the languages which our partners are fluent in.
Team
There are currently four partners associated with the firm who have legal experience in Russian and international law firms, as well as in the legal departments of large Russian and international companies and credit institutions.
Shota Mudzhiri
Managing partner
Shota Mudzhiri is a graduate of the School of Law of the Kuban State University (2002). His legal education is supplemented by an economist degree in the field of finance and credit (Russian Academy of Economics named after G.V. Plekhanov, 2006) and a tax and financial consultant degree (Higher School of Economics, 2014). Certified as a "Consultant on taxes and fees" by the Commission on Tax Consulting of the Chamber of Tax Consultants.
Prior to establishing Mudzhiri & Partners Law Firm, Mr. Mudzhiri has been practicing law since 2003 in the legal departments of Russian enterprises and banks. In 2008 he founded a law firm Mudzhiri & Partners.
His areas of specialization are dispute resolution, construction, and real estate. He speaks Russian and English.
Prior to establishing Mudzhiri & Partners Law Firm, Mr. Mudzhiri has been practicing law since 2003 in the legal departments of Russian enterprises and banks. In 2008 he founded a law firm Mudzhiri & Partners.
His areas of specialization are dispute resolution, construction, and real estate. He speaks Russian and English.
Rinat Zakirov-Ziev
Partner
RinatZakirov-Ziev is a graduate of the Federal Security Service Academy of the Russian Federation (1994). In addition to his law degree, he holds an MBA from California State University, Hayward, 1995.
He practices law since 1995. Prior to joining Mudzhiri & Partners Law Firm, Mr. Zakirov — Ziev worked for Rosneft subsidiary in Qatar, practiced law at Orrick, and Baker & McKenzie, and other international law firms.
His areas of specialization are mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, construction, and international sanctions. He speaks Russian, English and Arabic.
He practices law since 1995. Prior to joining Mudzhiri & Partners Law Firm, Mr. Zakirov — Ziev worked for Rosneft subsidiary in Qatar, practiced law at Orrick, and Baker & McKenzie, and other international law firms.
His areas of specialization are mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, construction, and international sanctions. He speaks Russian, English and Arabic.
Rinat Zakirov-Ziev
Partner
Rinat Zakirov-Ziev is a graduate of the Federal Security Service Academy of the Russian Federation (1994). In addition to his law degree, he holds an MBA from California State University, Hayward, 1995.
He practices law since 1995. Prior to joining Mudzhiri & Partners Law Firm, Mr. Zakirov - Ziev worked for Rosneft representative office in Quatar, practiced law at Orrick, and Baker & McKenzie, and other international law firms.
His areas of specialization are mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, construction, and international sanctions. He speaks Russian, English and Arabic.
He practices law since 1995. Prior to joining Mudzhiri & Partners Law Firm, Mr. Zakirov - Ziev worked for Rosneft representative office in Quatar, practiced law at Orrick, and Baker & McKenzie, and other international law firms.
His areas of specialization are mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, construction, and international sanctions. He speaks Russian, English and Arabic.
Alexander Chabanenko
Partner
Alexander Chabanenko graduated from the School of Law of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (1997).
He practices law since 1997. Prior to joining Mudzhiri & Partners Law Firm, Mr. Chabanenko worked for Canon subsidiary in Russia, practiced law at Baker & McKenzie and other international law firms and companies.
His areas of specialization are construction, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures. He speaks Russian and English.
He practices law since 1997. Prior to joining Mudzhiri & Partners Law Firm, Mr. Chabanenko worked for Canon subsidiary in Russia, practiced law at Baker & McKenzie and other international law firms and companies.
His areas of specialization are construction, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures. He speaks Russian and English.
Expertise
The firm serves Russian and international clients in the following areas of practice.
Mergers and Acquisitions, Joint Ventures
Representing clients in transactions for the acquisition and sale of businesses, as well as the creation of joint ventures, is one of the key areas of our practice. The firm's partners involved in this practice have acquired relevant experience in international law firms and follow international standards in structuring and documenting corporate transactions.
We provide full service transactional support to both buyers and sellers - from structuring, participation in negotiations, preparation of transactional documentation, due diligence research of target assets to closing of the transaction, price adjustment and corporate integration of acquired assets into the buyer's group. The following is a summary of representative transactions in acquisitions, divestments and joint ventures.
We provide full service transactional support to both buyers and sellers - from structuring, participation in negotiations, preparation of transactional documentation, due diligence research of target assets to closing of the transaction, price adjustment and corporate integration of acquired assets into the buyer's group. The following is a summary of representative transactions in acquisitions, divestments and joint ventures.
Representing buyers in acquisitionof 50% stake in two upstream assets in the north of the European part of Russia and the subsequent creation of a joint venture with a Russian independent oil company to manage these assets.
Legal support of the acquisition of a major seaport in Eastern Europe in the interests of a Russian client.
Representing the interests of buyers of a Japanese construction equipment distribution business in the North-Western Federal District.
Coordination of the Russian part of a multi-jurisdictional acquisition of a separate line of business from an international manufacturer of automotive components.
Representing sellers in a transaction involving the sale of a group of upstream companies in Eastern Siberia.
Legal support of the acquisition of a major seaport in Eastern Europe in the interests of a Russian client.
Representing the interests of buyers of a Japanese construction equipment distribution business in the North-Western Federal District.
Coordination of the Russian part of a multi-jurisdictional acquisition of a separate line of business from an international manufacturer of automotive components.
Representing sellers in a transaction involving the sale of a group of upstream companies in Eastern Siberia.
Real Estate
Another key area of our practice is legal support of real estate transactions. This area builds upon deep knowledge of the firm's partners in the field of national and local law and regulations of real estate, as well as of judicial and administrative practice of its application.
The experience of our partners in this area, gained over the years of practice both in law firms and in-house, allows us to give legally considered and practically applicable advice to clients when preparing and completing real estate transactions, identify potential risks in the use of various properties and find ways to mitigate those risks.
We support purchase, sale and lease transactions with commercial, industrial, office and residential real estate. The following is a summary of representative real estate transactions.
The experience of our partners in this area, gained over the years of practice both in law firms and in-house, allows us to give legally considered and practically applicable advice to clients when preparing and completing real estate transactions, identify potential risks in the use of various properties and find ways to mitigate those risks.
We support purchase, sale and lease transactions with commercial, industrial, office and residential real estate. The following is a summary of representative real estate transactions.
Advising a Russian company on various land use issues in connection with the construction of a gas pipeline in the Kaliningrad region.
Representing the interests of a major foreign manufacturer of mining equipment in a transaction to acquire a land plot for the construction of an equipment maintenance center in the Russian Federation.
Legal assistance to a European investment fund in the acquisition and subsequent divestiture of a development project in the Volga region.
Legal support of an industrial park developer in leasing out areas of the park and selling land plots in the park.
Representing the interests of a logistics park developer in Tatarstan in connection with the lease of the park's areas, as well as in connection with the exit from the project.
Representing the interests of a major foreign manufacturer of mining equipment in a transaction to acquire a land plot for the construction of an equipment maintenance center in the Russian Federation.
Legal assistance to a European investment fund in the acquisition and subsequent divestiture of a development project in the Volga region.
Legal support of an industrial park developer in leasing out areas of the park and selling land plots in the park.
Representing the interests of a logistics park developer in Tatarstan in connection with the lease of the park's areas, as well as in connection with the exit from the project.
Construction
Seeking the firm's assistance in construction projects gives clients access to the partners expertise, the diversity and maturity of which are the key to minimizing the legal risks of such projects.
We represent both customers and contractors at all stages of projects, from front end engineering and design to commissioning of the completed facility.
The range of supported projects includes industrial, civil and residential construction in various sectors - from oil production to the integrated development of territories. The following is a summary of representative construction projects we supported.
We represent both customers and contractors at all stages of projects, from front end engineering and design to commissioning of the completed facility.
The range of supported projects includes industrial, civil and residential construction in various sectors - from oil production to the integrated development of territories. The following is a summary of representative construction projects we supported.
Representing interests of a group of investors in connection with the construction of an industrial enterprise in the Central Federal District, including project structuring and development of documentation based on a FIDIC Silver Book.
Legal assistance to a Russian oil company in connection with the development of an offshore oil and gas field, including negotiations on the development of project documentation, pipeline construction, and marine operations.
Advising on various aspects of the construction of one of the world's largest liquefied gas plants.
Legal support of the construction of several shopping complexes and related infrastructure facilities (roads, communications, etc.).
Advising a leading Russian industrial company on the acquisition and subsequent reconstruction of production facilities in Finland.
Legal assistance to a Russian oil company in connection with the development of an offshore oil and gas field, including negotiations on the development of project documentation, pipeline construction, and marine operations.
Advising on various aspects of the construction of one of the world's largest liquefied gas plants.
Legal support of the construction of several shopping complexes and related infrastructure facilities (roads, communications, etc.).
Advising a leading Russian industrial company on the acquisition and subsequent reconstruction of production facilities in Finland.
Dispute Resolution
The firm regularly handles pre-trial, judicial and arbitration disputes of clients in Russian courts and arbitration institutions.
Being historically the main practice area for the firm, dispute resolution practice is constantly evolving, taking into account changes in applicable legislation, the positions of higher courts, and the best practices for supporting disputes.
The firm's partners act both on the side of the plaintiffs, and on the side of the defendants and third parties at all stages of the dispute - from pre-trial settlement to enforcement proceedings. The following is a summary of representative cases.
Being historically the main practice area for the firm, dispute resolution practice is constantly evolving, taking into account changes in applicable legislation, the positions of higher courts, and the best practices for supporting disputes.
The firm's partners act both on the side of the plaintiffs, and on the side of the defendants and third parties at all stages of the dispute - from pre-trial settlement to enforcement proceedings. The following is a summary of representative cases.
Recovery of debt and penalties for the construction and development of ten producing wells in the interests of the contractor.
Representing the interests of the project owner in the recovery of the cost of poorly rendered workover services sought by the contractor.
Defending the contractor from losses and penalties claimed by the customer for compensation, in connection with the allegedly inferior quality of drilling work.
Representing the interests of the principal in a dispute with the tax authorities regarding the recovery of VAT from the principal on well construction works performed by the principal outside the territory of the Russian Federation, including works on geological and technological research, geological and geophysical survey of wells, vertical seismic profiling.
Successful challenge of decisions of state bodies on the recovery of damage caused to a water body, on the imposition of an administrative penalty for violations of the rules for the protection of atmospheric air, violations of the rules for water use.
Coordination of several lawsuits on foreclosure of a mortgaged sea vessel, including representing the interests of the mortgagee in bankruptcy proceedings of the mortgager.
Representing the interests of the project owner in the recovery of the cost of poorly rendered workover services sought by the contractor.
Defending the contractor from losses and penalties claimed by the customer for compensation, in connection with the allegedly inferior quality of drilling work.
Representing the interests of the principal in a dispute with the tax authorities regarding the recovery of VAT from the principal on well construction works performed by the principal outside the territory of the Russian Federation, including works on geological and technological research, geological and geophysical survey of wells, vertical seismic profiling.
Successful challenge of decisions of state bodies on the recovery of damage caused to a water body, on the imposition of an administrative penalty for violations of the rules for the protection of atmospheric air, violations of the rules for water use.
Coordination of several lawsuits on foreclosure of a mortgaged sea vessel, including representing the interests of the mortgagee in bankruptcy proceedings of the mortgager.
International sanctions
This direction of our practice, which has recently become extremely topical, is firmly based on the ability of partners to use the texts of documents establishing sanctions regimes and explaining the procedure for their application in the original language, constant monitoring of sanctions regimes and practical experience in sanctions compliance acquired in legal departments of major companies.
We advise both on sanctions and restrictive measures imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, as well as on special economic measures imposed by the Russian Federation. The following is a summary of representative projects in this practice area.
We advise both on sanctions and restrictive measures imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, as well as on special economic measures imposed by the Russian Federation. The following is a summary of representative projects in this practice area.
Analysis of the content of special economic measures applicable to corporate actions in relation to a foreign subsidiary of a Russian group.
Advising on the legality of the participation of citizens of the Russian Federation in the management bodies of a foreign legal entity, in respect of which special economic measures have been introduced.
Creation and maintenance of a sanctions compliance system in a foreign subsidiary of a Russian state corporation.
Legal assistance in restructuring of a Russian entity's obligations towards a foreign legal entity subject to special economic measures of the Russian Federation Government.
Advising a client on the sanctions aspects of the IPO of a multinational group of companies and the participation of a US citizen in the management of a Russian legal entity of the group.
Advising on the legality of the participation of citizens of the Russian Federation in the management bodies of a foreign legal entity, in respect of which special economic measures have been introduced.
Creation and maintenance of a sanctions compliance system in a foreign subsidiary of a Russian state corporation.
Legal assistance in restructuring of a Russian entity's obligations towards a foreign legal entity subject to special economic measures of the Russian Federation Government.
Advising a client on the sanctions aspects of the IPO of a multinational group of companies and the participation of a US citizen in the management of a Russian legal entity of the group.
Taxation
We assist Russian and international clients with complex issues of tax planning, tax implications of corporate and commercial transactions, interaction with tax authorities, and resolution of tax disputes.
Our capabilities in this area of practice are based on our team of partners with education in finance, accounting and auditing, as well as a qualified tax consultant with experience in tax consulting, both in private practice and in the legal departments of large companies. Below is a brief description of representative matters in the field of taxation.
Our capabilities in this area of practice are based on our team of partners with education in finance, accounting and auditing, as well as a qualified tax consultant with experience in tax consulting, both in private practice and in the legal departments of large companies. Below is a brief description of representative matters in the field of taxation.
Invalidation of the decision of the tax authority, by which the taxpayer was unreasonably charged additional VAT for works and services directly related to real estate located on the territory of a foreign state.
Determining the actual tax liabilities of an industrial group of companies and obtaining an installment plan for paying taxes.
Court-ordered cancellation of the decision of the tax authority, by which the taxpayer was unreasonably charged additional VAT for information processing services purchased by the taxpayer for use outside of the Russian Federation.
Successful contestation of the decision of the tax authority, by which the taxpayer was unreasonably denied acceptance for VAT deduction for work on the preservation of a cultural heritage object.
Invalidation of the decision of the tax authority, by which the taxpayer was unreasonably charged additional VAT for works and services that the taxpayer purchased through its foreign branch for sale outside of the Russian Federation.
Determining the actual tax liabilities of an industrial group of companies and obtaining an installment plan for paying taxes.
Court-ordered cancellation of the decision of the tax authority, by which the taxpayer was unreasonably charged additional VAT for information processing services purchased by the taxpayer for use outside of the Russian Federation.
Successful contestation of the decision of the tax authority, by which the taxpayer was unreasonably denied acceptance for VAT deduction for work on the preservation of a cultural heritage object.
Invalidation of the decision of the tax authority, by which the taxpayer was unreasonably charged additional VAT for works and services that the taxpayer purchased through its foreign branch for sale outside of the Russian Federation.
Environmental law
Our environmental legal practice helps clients in the mining, energy, industrial development, and production sectors. We represent our clients' interests while interacting with environmental supervision authorities and mediating conflicts in the field of ecology. We also offer advice on complex issues related to water use, atmospheric air protection, and environmental reporting. Our team of partners' experience providing legal services to major corporations enables us to provide legally sound and commercially useful advice. The projects listed below are brief summaries of notable environmental law undertakings.
Assistance to an engineering and design contractor of the Russian State Corporation Rosatom on issues of environmental and other liability for defects in design and manufacturing of equipment for an atomic powerplant.
Representation of the interests of an industrial enterprise in a court dispute on compensation for damage caused to a water body. In the trial, it was possible to prove the absence of harm caused to the water body, as a result, the state agency was turned down for reimbursement for the damages.
Successful challenge of bringing an industrial enterprise and its officials to administrative responsibility for violations of water use rules, atmospheric air protection, and environmental reporting.
Advising the operator of the production sharing agreement on compliance with Russian and international standards for the protection of marine biodiversity.
Representation of the interests of an industrial enterprise in a court dispute on compensation for damage caused to a water body. In the trial, it was possible to prove the absence of harm caused to the water body, as a result, the state agency was turned down for reimbursement for the damages.
Successful challenge of bringing an industrial enterprise and its officials to administrative responsibility for violations of water use rules, atmospheric air protection, and environmental reporting.
Advising the operator of the production sharing agreement on compliance with Russian and international standards for the protection of marine biodiversity.
Maritime and transport law
We assist our clients in navigating the choppy waters of both Russian and international maritime law as well as in the smooth passage through Russian transport law’s obstacles.
We provide contractual support to shipping, forwarding, and stevedoring companies for their ongoing operations; counsel other industries' businesses on transportation projects; represent marine insurers and financial institutions in relation to financing marine projects; offer guidance on seaport regulations; structure marine operations in relation to the extraction of hydrocarbons on the continental shelf; counsel on projects pertaining to the extraction of biological resources from the sea; and support clients and contractors in shipbuilding projects.
Our partners, who have considerable experience in the maritime and stevedoring practices of international law firms, are ready to help clients in the most complex and non-standard situations regulated by maritime and transport law. The efforts in each of these legal areas are briefly described below.
We provide contractual support to shipping, forwarding, and stevedoring companies for their ongoing operations; counsel other industries' businesses on transportation projects; represent marine insurers and financial institutions in relation to financing marine projects; offer guidance on seaport regulations; structure marine operations in relation to the extraction of hydrocarbons on the continental shelf; counsel on projects pertaining to the extraction of biological resources from the sea; and support clients and contractors in shipbuilding projects.
Our partners, who have considerable experience in the maritime and stevedoring practices of international law firms, are ready to help clients in the most complex and non-standard situations regulated by maritime and transport law. The efforts in each of these legal areas are briefly described below.
Legal assistance to a Scandinavian engineering firm working on a project to build, tow, and install gravity bases for offshore platforms.
Legal assistance to one of the major shipping firms in the USA in the structuring and execution of maritime operations for the operator of the Sakhalin offshore project.
Representing an international oil and gas company’s interests in the planning and execution of a project to establish a port in the Russian Federation open to foreign flag vessels.
Advice to the mutual insurance club (P&I Club) on the legal ramifications of a rescue operation in the Russian Federation’s territorial waters.
Legal assistance for the resolution of an insured event involving the flooding of a floating dock on the grounds of one of the Russian Federation’s seaports.
Advising on warehouse operations in one of the ports of Finland.
Legal assistance to one of the major shipping firms in the USA in the structuring and execution of maritime operations for the operator of the Sakhalin offshore project.
Representing an international oil and gas company’s interests in the planning and execution of a project to establish a port in the Russian Federation open to foreign flag vessels.
Advice to the mutual insurance club (P&I Club) on the legal ramifications of a rescue operation in the Russian Federation’s territorial waters.
Legal assistance for the resolution of an insured event involving the flooding of a floating dock on the grounds of one of the Russian Federation’s seaports.
Advising on warehouse operations in one of the ports of Finland.
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