About us

Our goal is the growth and development of our clients’ businesses.

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A comprehensive approach to addressing clients’ challenges, in-depth knowledge of legislation, a thorough understanding of Russian business practices, and industry-specific expertise enable us to deliver services that meet the highest international quality standards and achieve the desired results.

Our lawyers are market leaders in such areas as corporate law, real estate and construction, project finance and public-private partnerships, antitrust law, pre-trial and court dispute resolution, labor law, and intellectual property. We have unique experience working and interacting with state authorities and local governments in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and various regions of Russia. We are actively engaged in initiatives aimed at the development and improvement of Russian legislation. Our lawyers have participated in drafting the Civil Code, the Concession Law, transport legislation, and legislation on public-private partnerships.

We have many years of experience working with the largest international and Russian companies across industries such as real estate and construction, retail, food industry, mechanical engineering, high-tech equipment and services, transport and transport infrastructure, building materials manufacturing, pulp and paper industry, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, among others.

We provide legal services throughout Russia and support our clients’ operations in the CIS countries through our partners in those jurisdictions. Cooperation with leading international law firms enables us to implement complex cross-border projects for our clients.

Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 recommend us as legal advisors for companies doing business in Russia, highlighting our high level of expertise in areas such as corporate law / mergers and acquisitions, antitrust law, public-private partnerships, and dispute resolution.

Our core values are effectiveness, commitment to high ethical standards, a proactive stance, and a positive approach. Our clients value us for our ability to identify and implement the most effective solutions.



History


1999

Founding of CLS

CLS was fouded by Vladislav Zabrodin in St.Petersburg
Among the first clients of CLS are large Russian businesses and foreign companies operating in Russia.

2004

CLS office opened in Moscow.

CLS opens its first office in Moscow, with partner Dmitry Churin, head of corporate practice, joining the firm.
CLS becomes one of the leading consultants working with foreign businesses in Russia.

2006

CLS welcomes new experts

The company's partnership continues to expand, with partners Elena Stepanova and Pavel Karpunin joining the firm.
Elena Stepanova and Pavel Karpunin are current market leaders in the fields of real estate and PPP.

2011

CLS Shortlisted by Chambers

CLS was ranked among the top 3 law firms in Russia for 2011 according to the Chambers rating.
"The firm has improved its ranking thanks to very positive market feedback. Their projects are large-scale, geographically diverse, and all lawyers work as one team." — Chambers Europe

2016

A CLS representative office was opened in Helsinki. A law firm was registered.

CLS is a member of the IBA and the InterLaw Association.
CLS becomes one of the market leaders advising foreign companies on their Russian projects and Russian businesses on their projects abroad.

2024

Going Global

CLS is increasing the number of large-scale projects both in Russia and in regions such as China, India, Africa, and Latin America.
The geography of projects is expanding, and the partner network is growing to 90+ jurisdictions.


Directories & Rankings


16 leading positions in the "Best Legal Practices and Industries" section, 9 lawyers ranked individually.

2026

CLS was recognized in 16 categories of the largest national legal ranking.

Высокая оценка экспертов за успешные судебные кейсы и стратегию защиты интересов клиентов.

Основные достижения:

  • Победы в арбитражных судах
  • Сложные финансовые споры
  • Корпоративные конфликты

2025

CLS leads in the areas of PPP, Commercial Law (Band 2), Real Estate, Corporate Law/M&A. Four lawyers were individually recognized.

«Одна из лучших компаний (в России) с точки зрения качества и стоимости услуг.»

«CLS обладает глубоким практическим знанием бизнеса своих клиентов и применяет подход, ориентированный на поиск решения»

Chambers Europe

2021

Annual study “Rating of Lawyers and Their Companies.” 10 CLS lawyers took high positions in the ranking in 2025.

10 юристов CLS заняли высокие позиции в рейтинге, в том числе:

  • Елена Степанова – недвижимость и ЖКХ
  • Екатерина Смоловая – налоги
  • Анна Персиянцева – ГЧП
  • Елизавета Двойнишникова – корпоративное право; слияния и поглощения
  • Виктор Калужский – интеллектуальная собственность
  • Вадим Ковалев – международные проекты; цифровые активы
  • Ирина Кочерова – слияния и поглощения

2025

CLS was recognized in the nomination “Comprehensive Support of Bankruptcy Proceedings.” Two CLS lawyers were recognized in the individual ranking of top bankruptcy lawyers.

Опыт сопровождения трансграничных сделок и работы с иностранными инвесторами делает компанию лидером в международных проектах.

Ключевые направления:

  • Трансграничные сделки
  • Консультирование иностранных инвесторов
  • Работа с международным правом

2025

CLS was recognized in 8 categories of the ranking, including Corporateand M&A, Dispute Resolution, Tax, Real Estate and Private Client.

Компания сопровождает инвестиционные и девелоперские проекты, обеспечивая защиту интересов инвесторов.

  • Коммерческая недвижимость
  • Сложные сделки с инвесторами
  • Юридическое сопровождение строительства

2025

CLS law firm was recognized in five categories, including tax, asset structuring, and litigation.

Аналитики отметили комплексный подход к сопровождению компаний различных отраслей. Команда оказывает:

  1. Регистрацию и структурирование бизнеса
  2. Сопровождение сделок
  3. Защиту интересов в судах

2025

CLS was recognized as a leader in three categories: PPP, Corporate Law and Transactions, and International Projects.

Компания вошла в число лидеров рейтинга за выдающийся опыт сопровождения корпоративных сделок и структурирования бизнеса.

  • Слияния и поглощения
  • Регистрация и структурирование бизнеса
  • Комплексное сопровождение международных компаний
«Команда демонстрирует непревзойденный профессионализм в работе с корпоративными клиентами» — Экспертное жюри

2025

CLS was recognized in 8 categories of the ranking, including Corporateand M&A, Dispute Resolution, Tax, Real Estate and Private Client.

Фирма признана экспертами за профессиональный подход к налоговому планированию и защите клиентов.

Особенности работы:

  • Сопровождение налоговых проверок
  • Стратегии минимизации налоговых рисков
  • Консультирование по сложным налоговым вопросам
«Реальные результаты для клиентов и глубокий аналитический подход» — Экспертное мнение

2022

CLS was recognized in the 2nd group of the international ranking of leading law firms in financial and corporate law services.

2021



Business connections

The reputation of CLS is confirmed by its membership in leading Russian and international professional associations:


SBI Bank

Russian Council of Shopping Centers

Association of Antitrust Experts

Association of the Real Estate Market

Ural Chamber of Commerce and Industry

German-Russian Chamber of Commerce

The Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Enterpreneurs

Inter-Pacific Bar Association

Business Counsil for Cooperation with India

Association of Russian-speaking lawyers JuRuss