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. Recent team changes include the addition in 2023 of associates Kristina Mychka, focusing on dispute resolution and tax law, and Dianna Ten, specialising in labour and employment, migration law and healthcare. However, the firm saw the departure of partner Ardak Idayatova and associate Farukh Iminov from its dispute resolution practice in early 2024.
Client feedback
"They know the Kazakhstan market very well; they are very detailed and concrete." – Corporate and M&A
Tair Kulteleev
"Very detailed and structured. Very professional and super communicative."
Work highlights
Advised a syndicate of lenders, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Islamic Development Bank and Eurasian Development Bank, on Kazakhstan's first concession project of special significance. The project involves the construction and operation of the Big Almaty Ring Road, a major toll road infrastructure development. This landmark transaction marks a significant milestone in Kazakhstan's infrastructure and public-private partnership landscape, setting a precedent for future large-scale concession projects in the country.
Key clients
Alkor Kazakhstan, Ore Mining Technologies, TotalEnergies Marketing Kazakhstan
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
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
"They effectively protected our position in front of the customer, and most points were ultimately accepted by the customer." – Oil & gas
"Grata International provides Kazakh local law advice very well." – Oil & gas
Work highlights
Advised Siemens on various aspects of Kazakhstan law related to the global spin-out of Innomotics, a new company focusing on motors and drives. The firm's work included assisting with the incorporation of a new subsidiary in Kazakhstan, advising on corporate governance matters, and facilitating the transfer of assets.
Advised Food Empire Holdings, a global leading food company, on its acquisition of Tea House in Kazakhstan. The firm's comprehensive services included structuring the transaction, conducting legal due diligence on the target company, preparing transaction documents, obtaining merger clearance from relevant authorities, and handling the registration of the share transfer.
Key clients
Barrick Gold Corporation, Knauf, Qlik
Following the separation from the wider KPMG network, KPMG Kazakhstan has formed KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia, uniting firms across the region. 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. The firm’s practice enjoys steady growth, recently promoting Bakdaulet Imanbayev and Satzhan Mukatayev to senior positions to reinforce the team.
Work highlights
Advised Locotranskz on the acquisition of shares in Kamkor Vagon and Kamkor Lokomotiv, two of the largest locomotive repair and car repair enterprises in Kazakhstan.
Advised COFCO International Netherlands on the sale of shares of its Kazakhstan-registered companies.
Advised Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Joint Stock Company on its privatisation of assets.
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.
Work highlights
Advised Jamilco (Albert Trading), a leading Russian distributor of clothing, footwear and accessories brands, on their expansion into the Kazakhstan market. This included providing comprehensive legal and tax services, advising on corporate structuring, supporting foreign currency transactions, assisting with contract registrations at the National Bank of Kazakhstan, and advising on transfer pricing, currency regulations and anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism compliance. The work facilitated direct deliveries from global brands to Kazakhstan, expanding Jamilco's sales channels and market presence in the country.
Key clients
Arca Holdings JSC, Medical Systems and Technologies, Ssenypang
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
Represented Perfetti Van Melle, a major global confectionery company, in an ongoing intellectual property (IP) dispute in Kazakhstan. The case involves defending against claims of trademark infringement brought by another confectionery company regarding a renowned product sold worldwide. The firm successfully argued the case through the appeals court, allowing the client to continue selling the product in Kazakhstan without restrictions. This is considered one of the most significant IP disputes in Kazakhstan in 2023.
Key clients
Baiserke Agro, Belogorskoye, RG Brands Kazakhstan
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. In July 2023, M&A partner Gaukhar Kudaibergenova departed the firm to join E&Y Kazakhstan.
Client feedback
“Signum Law Firm is very familiar with the legal and political landscape of the Kazakhstan’s oil and gas sector.” – Oil & gas
“It is a quite responsive, result- and solution-oriented law firm that successfully fulfils clients' requests and needs on the date and in the manner requested.” – Labour and employment
Anel Alzhanova
"She is a good and quite responsive lawyer who takes on a lot of responsibility for her level of seniority."
Abylkhair Nakipov
"Quick to respond and flexible."
Work highlights
Advised a major German Fortune 500 listed oil & gas company on potential legal implications in Kazakhstan arising from a €1.08 billion claim filed by a Russian state-owned energy corporation in Russian courts. The case involved complex cross-border issues related to international sanctions against Russian companies.
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
