Vladislav Zabrodin is the Founder and Managing Partner of CLS and one of Russia’s leading legal practitioners.

His professional career in Russian and international companies in the 1990s provided him with extensive insight into business operations, corporate governance systems, and management principles — both in private Russian enterprises and major multinational corporations. At the early stage of his career, he served as General Director of the Russian subsidiary of a large Finnish publicly listed company, sat on boards of foreign companies operating in Russia, and worked at an international law firm.

Vladislav later pursued legal studies in the United States, graduating from Northwestern University School of Law (Chicago). Upon returning to Russia, he continued his professional career in major international corporations and leading law firms.

In 1999, Vladislav founded CLS, which became one of the first Russian law firms fully aligned with international standards in terms of expertise, scope and quality of services, as well as professional ethics and client-oriented approach. The firm’s core principles include professionalism, dynamism, pragmatism and a positive mindset.

During its first decade, CLS focused exclusively on advising foreign investors in Russia. Transactions, corporate matters and real estate formed the foundation of the firm’s practice. Over time, Russian clients committed to international standards of doing business became a significant part of the firm’s portfolio.

For more than 15 years, Vladislav has been actively engaged in the public-private partnership (PPP) sector. Under his leadership, the firm has participated in over 160 infrastructure projects across Russia — from Kaliningrad to Sakhalin — including landmark PPP projects such as the Pulkovo Airport reconstruction and the Western High-Speed Diameter project in St. Petersburg.

Vladislav’s extensive international network has enabled CLS to support Russian businesses entering global markets. One of the firm’s fastest-growing areas of practice is advising on cross-border expansion, international investment projects, and international compliance matters.

Vladislav is recognized by leading international rating agencies, such as The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, Best Lawyers as well as by Russian national rating agencies Pravo-300, Kommersant, Rossiyskaya Gazeta in Corporate and Commercial Law, M&A, Wealth Management, Currency regulation, Arbitration and Real Estate.

He serves as Vice Chair of one of the committees of the International Bar Association (IBA), Vice President of the Russian Council of Shopping Centers (RCSC), and co-founder of the JuRuss Association of Russian-Speaking Lawyers Abroad, representing Russia and the United Kingdom.

With more than 30 years of experience in business law, Vladislav acts not only as a legal advisor, but also as a strategic partner to his clients.

Education

• Saint Petersburg State University, Faculty of Law (1991), graduated with honors
• Postgraduate studies in International Law, Saint Petersburg State University
• Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago, USA — LL.M. (1995)
• University of Turku, Finland — International Trade Law Program (1992)

Languages

• English
• Russian