CLS in the course of its activity follows the principles of corporate and social responsibility established in international practice as an essential basis for successful development of business and interaction with the professional community, society and government. The priority areas which are of particular attention include professional pro bono assistance when implementing important social initiatives, charity projects and providing support in the development of corporate and social responsibility on the market of legal services. Furthermore, the formation and improvement of the corporate culture based also on the principle of diversity play an important role in implementing the programs of corporate and social responsibility.

Pro bono

Starting from the company’s foundation in 1999, CLS has been implementing a proactive pro bono policy, providing employees an opportunity to fulfil themselves in the best way possible not only in the professional sphere, but also in social initiatives. For us, social responsibility and civil service are real company values and are a part of work for each employee.

In 2014, the specialists of CLS spent over 2,000 hours on pro bono projects, which is equivalent of over € 500,000 in monetary terms. The following significant projects should be noted:

• Collaboration with the Center for Community Procedures “Business Against Corruption,” including participation in improving the criminal legislation as regards crimes related to business and preparation of memoranda based on queries from entrepreneurs regarding the legality of them being held liable for criminal offences; support of liberalization of criminal procedure laws; provision of qualified assistance on criminal cases in the regions.
• Continuing work with the major global charity organization SOS Children’s Village International (cooperation since 2008). We provide legal assistance to the organization on all issues arising in the course of activity, including labor issues, as well as assistance in preparing recommendations for a draft law on developing the institute of guardianship in Russia.
• Starting from 2013, our company is a legal advisor, partner and sponsor of a unique eco-social project the “Arctic expedition – global tour around the North Pole on sled dogs.” In 2014, we worked on the next stage of the expedition, planned for 2016. This included work on sponsorship issues, ensuring safety for participants, including the expedition’s dogs, ensuring collaboration on issues of navigation and weather forecasts, communication with the state authorities of Greenland regarding access to the territory, as well as ensuring delivery of food to the event location, etc.

As a result of long-term productive pro bono activity, the associates of CLS gained and continue gaining priceless experience, professional development, including in work on non-standard and unique projects, opportunities for broad professional and individual self-fulfillment. The free-of-charge expert assistance by CLS became a notable contribution to the success of many social projects. Effective cooperation with Business Against Corruption was noted in the form of appreciation for Irina Onikienko, Partner at CLS, and Anna Silinskaya (Leksashova), Senior Associate, for professional support and assistance. In 2014, Irina Onikienko also received an expert diploma for active pro bono work in protecting entrepreneurs’ rights. CLS received letters of thanks for successful collaboration with SOS Children’s Village International.

Charity Committee

The charity policy at CLS is based on the principle of providing targeted assistance to people facing hardship. First, it covers children left without parental care and children suffering from severe diseases that require funds for treatment beyond their family’s capability.

The Charity Committee at CLS is comprised of its employees.

We cooperate with charity organizations and child care facilities in various regions of Russia. It is very important for us to provide actual assistance to vulnerable people in difficult situations, to help them improve their life or even save it.

We are open to joint charitable projects and to helping those in need. We are committed to the following forms of cooperation:

1. Targeted financial assistance. The Charity Committee considers applications for assistance at the end of the year.
2. Volunteering. We will be glad to consider proposals for joint projects during the year.
3. Pro bono. See details in the Pro Bono section above.
4. Cooperation with charity foundations. We are ready to make small donations to charity foundations during the year and are looking forward to joining and supporting their projects, i.e. to helping distribute information, organizing a team of volunteers from CLS, holding an event, etc.

Please contact us by email at Charity_Committee@cls.ru.

2022 Charity Committee Chair: Ksenya Dimbrovskaya, Senior Financial Specialist at CLS.

2022 Charity Committee Members: Polina Volegova, Associate of the Public-Private Partnership and Project Finance practice; Galina Lukina, Chief Accountant; Yana Chepovetskaya, HR Manager; Ksenia Dimbrovskaya, Senior Financial Specialist; Maria Timofeeva, Associate of the Corporate Practice; Ekaterina Smolovaya, Principal Associate of the Tax practice; Ksenia Soloschenko, Senior Associate of the General Business Law Practice; Anna Khokhlova, Senior Associate of the Antitrust practice.