Anton has extensive experience in real estate, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and legal regulation of foreign economic activities. His expertise covers a broad range of legal services, including advising foreign investors on the acquisition of land plots, real estate assets, production facilities and operating businesses; legal support for the design, construction and operation of commercial real estate; drafting and negotiating commercial agreements; advising on various aspects of doing business in Russia; and resolving day-to-day legal matters arising in the course of clients’ operations. Anton has substantial experience in structuring and supporting business acquisitions and disposals, investment projects, and conducting legal due diligence of companies, real estate and other investment assets.

Among Anton’s clients and business partners are companies from Finland and other Nordic countries, major international law firms without a permanent presence in Russia, as well as Russian companies (including state-owned enterprises) and private investors implementing investment projects abroad.

In addition to his legal practice, Anton is engaged in academic and teaching activities and is the author of a number of publications on Russian and international law. He holds a PhD in Law.

Education

• Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), Faculty of International Law (Specialist Degree), 1994;
• Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), Postgraduate Studies, specialization in International Law and European Law, 1997.

Languages

• English
• Russian
• Japanese

Selected Experience

• Legal support of a major Norwegian hotel group in the acquisition of an unfinished construction project located in close proximity to Sheremetyevo International Airport for the development of a hotel and business center. The project included legal due diligence, preparation of transaction documentation, participation in negotiations and full support through closing.
• Support of the acquisition of 36 retail stores, primarily located in Moscow and St. Petersburg, from companies operating under a major international sports brand.
• Representation of a major Finnish investor in several acquisitions of business centers, shopping malls and logistics facilities in Moscow, the Moscow Region and St. Petersburg. Legal support on leasing and operation matters. Upon completion of the investment cycle – support of exit transactions and divestment of Russian assets.
• Support of several transactions involving the sale of Russian assets of an international agribusiness group headquartered in Finland. The assets included livestock farms, meat processing plants and logistics facilities.
• Structuring and support of transactions involving the sale of non-core Russian assets and interests in joint ventures owned by a Finnish energy group, whose subsidiaries are leading producers and suppliers of heat and electricity in the Urals and Western Siberia.
• Comprehensive legal support of a Finnish private food producer in structuring and implementing an investment project in Russia. The project included financing agreements, establishment of a corporate structure in Russia, acquisition of agricultural land in Southern Russia, construction of a grain elevator, design and construction of a food production plant in the Moscow Region with required infrastructure (including railway tracks), equipment supply, representation in pre-trial and court disputes with contractors, employment matters, and drafting of standard agreements necessary for the client’s operations.
• Legal support of the expansion of the Russian business of a leading international hotel chain, including legal due diligence of existing and planned hotels, participation in negotiations with owners (developers), drafting and negotiation of lease, management and franchise agreements, as well as related trademark and intellectual property license agreements, technical support agreements and reservation and other international service agreements. The transactions related to hotels under various brands owned by the client located in Moscow, the Moscow Region, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Kemerovo, Krasnodar, Ufa, Voronezh and Rostov-on-Don.
• Advising on Russian law aspects in the structuring, negotiation and implementation of a landmark project in the historic center of Moscow involving the design, construction and operation of a luxury hotel and branded residences under a renowned Italian premium brand and managed by a leading international hotel chain.