Grata International is ranked ‘Outstanding’ in general business law. The firm has been especially active in the natural resources sector in the past year, particularly in mining, and oil and gas. Partner Yerzhan Yessimkhanov has extensive experience in the areas of construction, infrastructure, real estate and telecommunications.
Client feedback
Galiya Mukhanbet
"Mukhanbet demonstrates good coordination, is easy to communicate with, and shows professional skill."
Work highlights
Advised Yuanzhou Mining on its $20 million acquisition of a gold ore deposit in Kazakhstan, serving as local counsel. The firm conducted comprehensive due diligence, led negotiations and secured regulatory approvals while navigating complex requirements for Chinese investment in the mining sector. The transaction established important precedents for foreign investment in Kazakhstan's strategic industries, particularly regarding regulatory compliance and governmental clearance for Chinese investors in the subsoil sector.
Key clients
OJSC KazStroyService (KSS), Petro China, Yildirim Holding, Zhenhua Oil
Aequitas remains a top-tier choice for local counsel, specialising in banking and finance, labour and employment, M&A, natural resources and environmental law. The firm has been expanding in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, gaining recognition for specialist areas such as insurance, media and customs, while also venturing into bitcoin and cryptocurrency. Managing partner Olga Chentsova is a key contact. The firm welcomed Bernar Alikhan as an associate in October 2024, strengthening its corporate law and dispute resolution practices. In December 2024, associate Zhandaulet Sholanov departed the firm, where he had focused on banking and finance, energy, natural resources and competition matters.
Client feedback
"They are very commercial, have hands-on transactional experience, provide great client service and are generally very pleasant to deal with. The quality of advice is consistent and of very high standard – timely, accurate and commercial." – Corporate and M&A
Kirill Greshnikov
"Kirill Greshnikov is really pleasant to deal with. He perfectly understands clients and their needs, offers excellent client service, and has established smooth internal team interactions that eliminate the need for constant updates. His invaluable transactional experience makes him a trustworthy adviser."
Tair Kulteleev
"Kulteleev is an intelligent and experienced lawyer who is very pleasant to deal with."
Work highlights
Advised SAP Kazakhstan on comprehensive labour relations matters as local counsel, including analysis of leased labour procedures and external personnel engagement structures. The firm provided strategic guidance on employee termination processes, staff reduction procedures and conflict resolution, while supporting the establishment of employee representation mechanisms and bonus payment obligations. The detailed analysis culminated in a comprehensive memorandum addressing complex labour compliance requirements in Kazakhstan.
Key clients
Aristo Pharma, AVATR Technology (Chongqing) Co, Saipem, SCM Group
Artyushenko & Partners is a boutique law firm focusing on real estate and construction. The firm specialises in the construction, development and litigation segments of real estate. Partner Andrey Artyushenko heads the firm’s construction practice and is renowned for his experience in FIDIC and EPC construction contracts in Kazakhstan and ex-Soviet Union countries.
Work highlights
Successfully represented Olimp Security in both district and appeal courts. The client provided security services for a construction site in the Almaty region and faced significant debt from the site owner.
Represented a local service supplier in the preparation of a pre-trial claim and participation in a mediation process to settle a dispute with an Arab company.
Bolotov & Partners is the leading IP specialist firm in the market. It provides services covering registrations of trademark, patent and copyright in Kazakhstan and other central Asian countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The firm assists in the protection and enforcement of trademark rights, preparation of assignment and licence agreements, matters related to copyright, utility models, and patent and domain name-related issues. Managing partner Yuri Bolotov is a registered patent and trademark attorney of Kazakhstan, with more than 20 years of experience.
Work highlights
Advising Lego Juris on combating counterfeit toy construction sets in Kazakhstan. The firm has been investigating infringers, coordinating raid actions, and arranging for the destruction of seized counterfeit goods. The ongoing case has identified 31 infringers producing and selling counterfeit toys with marks confusingly similar to Lego's trademarks. The firm's efforts have resulted in the seizure and ecological destruction of over 2,500 specimens of counterfeit construction toys, addressing potential health risks to children from harmful ingredients in low-quality products.
Key clients
Toyota Motor Corporation
KPMG Law Kazakhstan's corporate and M&A practice, led by partner Alexey Abramov, comprises 17 lawyers who offer versatile expertise. The team has advised on asset and share deals, complex restructurings and extensive due diligence reviews. Abramov heads KPMG Law in Caucasus and Central Asia. He has more than 20 years of legal consulting experience in real estate, corporate litigation projects, bankruptcy and restructuring.
Work highlights
Advised National Mining Company Tau-Ken Samruk, a subsidiary of Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund, on the privatisation and sale of its 100% stake in Joint Venture Alaigyr, a polymetallic ore extraction company. The firm is providing comprehensive legal support throughout the two-stage tender process, including drafting sale recommendations, assisting with tender procedures and negotiating transaction documents. The successful privatisation will enable facility expansion and strengthen market competition in Kazakhstan's mining sector.
Key clients
Freedom Telecom, Invivo, Toyota Financial Services Kazakhstan Microfinance Organization
MG Partners is a full-service law firm in Kazakhstan with offices in Almaty, Astana and Karaganda. The firm offers services in corporate, commercial, dispute resolution, intellectual property, real estate, land law, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and tax law. With 70% of its clients being non-residents, MG Partners provides multilingual services in English, German and French. The firm has been working on cases involving fintech, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies, reflecting Kazakhstan's position as the third-largest global cryptocurrency mining hub. Senior partner Inna Ionova (Revazova) is a key contact. The firm saw two senior departures in the past year. Ex-partner Meruet Zhunubaeva left in January 2025 to establish her own practice, while former senior lawyer Alexandra Nechaeva joined Sayat Zholshy & Partners in August 2024. Both lawyers had focused on general commercial matters across various sectors.
Client feedback
"We highly value MG Partners for their professionalism, full commitment and the trust-based cooperation we have developed over time. All team members perform their duties excellently, prioritize the client's interests and make every effort to resolve any issues we bring to them. Even when we present non-standard or complex requests, they go the extra mile to find a solution – and we truly appreciate that." – Labour and employment
Ayazhanym Alzhan
"Ayazhanym Alzhan was the first lawyer we worked with when we initially approached MG Partners for company registration. It was a pleasure to work with her – she was diligent, highly professional and showed genuine interest in our case. She quickly earned our trust and never let us down in delivering her part of the work. A truly reliable and competent specialist."
Zhazira Karamuldayeva
"She demonstrates all the key qualities expected of a competent legal professional."
Work highlights
Advised New Nuclear Watch Institute, a UK-based nuclear energy policy think-tank, on establishing its first Central Asian presence through a branch office in Kazakhstan. The firm provided comprehensive legal support including regulatory analysis, documentation and state registration procedures. This landmark entry represents one of the first international nuclear energy policy organisations to establish a formal branch structure in Kazakhstan.
Key clients
New Nuclear Watch Institute, Palu Familia Group, Zeta Holding
Redbrick Law Firm is well known for resolving complex commercial, tax and corporate disputes. The litigation practice covers a wide range of dispute areas while the corporate practice advises on mergers and acquisitions, complex corporate structures, restructurings and governance in cooperation with the litigation team to resolve corporate disputes. The firm's corporate lawyers are popular for M&A transactions involving private companies and the creation of corporate structures, restructurings and governance issues. Key partners include Rauan Dairbekov, Nurzhan Dairbekov and Ainura Dairbekova.
Client feedback
“Quick in response, reliable, professional.” – Energy
“The employees are professionals in their field. I know that our company is legally protected, and we are fully responsible to society and employees.” – Labour and employment
Rauan Dairbekov
“Responsible, professional and knowledgeable.”
Nurzhan Dairbekov
"I like Nurzhan's professionalism and competence. Corporate law is especially his forte. His customer service and super-competitive pricing are outstanding."
Work highlights
Successfully represented the Kazakhstan branch of Salini Costruttori in defending a tax dispute.
Advised Inclusive Development Foundation’s corporate fund on legal matters related to the online event Central Asia Nobel Fest Live. This was the first online event featuring world scientists and Nobel laureates discussing important scientific issues for audiences in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Key clients
Alinur Konsalting, Borey Energo.
With offices in Almaty and Astana, Sayat Zholshy & Partners has been serving its clients for more than two decades. The firm has partnered with the International Finance Corporation over the past three years on developing a corporate governance programme for Kazakhstan. Senior partner Arman Berdalin leads the firm’s Astana office and he is experienced in corporate governance and M&A.
Work highlights
Advised Samruk-Kazyna JSC, Kazakhstan's sovereign wealth fund, in the $370 million IPO of Air Astana through a pioneering triple listing on the London Stock Exchange, Astana International Exchange and Kazakhstan Stock Exchange. The April 2024 transaction, Kazakhstan's first international IPO since 2007, involved comprehensive Kazakhstan law advisory services across regulatory compliance, corporate governance and shareholder arrangements, establishing a significant benchmark for Central Asian companies seeking access to international capital markets.
Signum Law Firm provides legal services in the areas of construction, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, employment, IP and regulatory compliance. Last year the firm was engaged in a number of corporate, finance and regulatory projects that affected industry sectors and helped shape law enforcement practice. Managing partner Sofiya Zhylkaidarova has a record of advising oil & gas and mining companies for more than 20 years on strategic acquisitions and various subsoil use issues.
Work highlights
Advised an investment company on corporate information disclosure requirements for its cross-border business operations involving entities registered in the Astana International Financial Centre, Cyprus and companies undergoing redomiciliation to the UAE. The matter involved analysing disclosure obligations and associated legal risks for shareholders across multiple jurisdictions. This advisory work reflects the growing complexity of corporate structures navigating international financial regulations.
Established in 2020, Tukulov & Kassilgov is a Kazakhstan law firm specialising in dispute resolution. Drawing on rich and unique experience of its partners Bakhyt Tukulov, Ravil Kassilgov, and Nataliya Shapovalova, the firm takes on complex cases.
Work highlights
Represented G-Taxi in the infringement case relating to automated taxi ordering system against a Russian multinational.
Representing major telecoms operator KazTransCom in a shareholder dispute in Kazakhstan.
Key clients
Huawei, Oppo, Samsung, Sulpak
Unicase provides legal services in the areas of corporate and M&A, finance and securities, dispute resolution, environment, labour and tax law. It recently expanded into the neighbouring Uzbekistan market with a new office in Tashkent that focuses on the full economic spectrum, from working on PPP projects to growing its renewables client base. Managing partner Saniya Perzadayeva is an expert in project finance and construction. Partners Artem Timoshenko, Zhanar Abdullayeva and Rausahana Chaltabayeva round out the leadership team.
Work highlights
Providing corporate services to TKJV operating in the North Caspian region. Supporting the company to participate in local tenders and ensure the company is compliant with local laws and regulations.
Advised ValvTechnologies on the establishment of a valve manufacturing plant in Kazakhstan’s Atyrau region. The firm also provides day-to-day legal service to the client.
Advising China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) on all legal issues arising in the client’s construction activity in Kazakhstan.
Key clients
British Embassy, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, EBRD, GlaxoSmithKline, Sailing Leasing, Schmidt Kranz GHH Kazakhstan
Zan Hub specialises in business and investment matters in Kazakhstan. The firm has experience in foreign investment projects, state development programmes and strategic initiatives that impact the country's economy. The firm's work encompasses joint venture establishment in key industries, infrastructure project financing, and capital markets preparation. A key figure at Zan Hub is Akylbek Kussainov, a highly regarded partner specialising in corporate and M&A, antitrust, compliance, real estate, and digital economy. With over 10 years’ experience, Kussainov has been involved in large-scale transactions and is active in legislative and professional activities, including contributions to the scientific and practical commentary on the Business Code of Kazakhstan. Semion Issyk joined the firm as partner in January 2025 from White & Case in Kazakhstan. He specialises in general business law with a focus on capital markets, M&A, and banking and finance matters.
Work highlights
Advising Stantsiya Ekibastuzskaya GRES-2 JSC, a major Kazakhstani power station operator, on the construction of Unit 3 with 660MW capacity, including equipment supply agreement and EPC contract negotiations. The work involves drafting key agreements, advising on financing documentation and managing bank negotiations. This strategic infrastructure project will help address Kazakhstan's energy deficit and strengthen national energy security.
Key clients
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, JP Morgan Securities
