Representing a significant number of Russian clients abroad, particularly in unfriendly jurisdictions, has become substantially more complex since 2022. Specifically:

• Many local advisors of tier-1, often part of global consultancy networks or international law firms, have chosen not to work with Russian clients. This necessitated a reevaluation of established networks and the development of new collaborations.

• Not all new local counsel possessed prior experience with Russian clients, requiring a period of adjustment to meet their requirements and standards.

• Payment logistics have become more challenging, especially for sanctioned clients, even where the legislation of the relevant countries permits the provision of legal services.

These factors have significantly increased the value and demand for our support in assisting clients with their engagements with local counsel. This is supported by research conducted by the Pravo.ru analytical portal, which identified the foreign countries where Russian legal firms are providing services to their clients. The highest demand is currently in the UAE, China, and Kazakhstan, with corporate law, intellectual property, tax law, and dispute resolution being the most in-demand practice areas – comments Alyona, adding that KKMP was recognized in 17 jurisdictions.