Irina Dmitrieva
Biography
Overview
Irina has been advising on Russian and international tax matters since 1995, primarily focusing on greenfield investments, M&A, private equity, corporate restructuring and reorganizations, real estate and structured finance transactions.
Irina has developed a reputation as one of the best tax advisers in Russia based on her profound understanding of Russian legal realities, unparalleled experience in international tax structuring and the active participation in Russian tax legislation development.
Irina is recognized as one of the top tax practitioners in Russia by Chambers Europe, World Tax, European Legal Experts and Who's Who Legal. Chambers Europe 2018 describes Irina as "a market-leading tax law expert", "sharp and systematic in her approach". "Everyone knows her as one of the top advisers in Russia", clients say. According to Chambers Europe 2017, Irina Dmitrieva is a well-established tax lawyer with "very good knowledge of both international and Russian tax law and usually delivers advice from a practical standpoint". Legal 500 2016 characterises Irina as "a solid professional, able to interpret multiple layers of regulation and guide the client's business smoothly through the process".
Irina regularly advises on structuring and implementation of employee stock offerings. Among her recent clients are Lebedyansky, a Russian juice producer, Lafarge S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Schneider Electric SA (French listed companies).
Irina is one of the featured lecturers of the Moscow office University Lecture Program. Irina has been teaching practical courses at the Moscow State University of International Relations (MGIMO) and the Higher School of Economics.
Experience
Irina’s recent experience includes advising on tax structuring and providing general tax advice on the following transactions:
Representation of Nordic telecoms operator Telia Company on the US$1 billion sale of its approximately 19 percent holding in MegaFon, a leading federal mobile telecoms operator in Russia, to Gazprombank, the third largest bank in Russia.
Representation of ESN Group, a Russian investment banking and management consulting company, on the acquisition of RBC, one of the leading media holdings in Russia.
Representation of MegaFon, a leading Russian telecommunications operator, in the US$740 million acquisition of a controlling stake in Mail.ru, one of the largest Internet companies in Russia.
Representation of VTB Bank on amendments to a RUB 21 billion and US$220 million loan provided to a major Russian real estate group in connection with operation of its two shopping centers in Moscow.
Representation of Nord Stream AG in connection with tax aspects of the structure of financing via €630 million bonds offering by an Irish company.
Representation of Marubeni with Russian tax matters related to their performance of a procurement and supply contract with OAO Vostochny Port.
Representation of VSK Insurance House, one of the leading Russian insurance companies, and its shareholders in the integration of VSK with the insurance business of B&N Group, one of the largest privately-owned banking groups in Russia. The transaction included a sale of approximately 45 percent shares in VSK to B&N Group and an acquisition of 100% stake in B&N Insurance by VSK.
Representation of OBI group, one of the leaders in the DIY retail industry, in acquisition of a 49% stake in Do-It-Yourself Limited Liability Company (Russia). In addition to the M&A aspects, the work involved advising the client on complex tax, finance and regulatory issues.
Representation of Rosneftegaz in connection with the €10.2 billion privatization of a 19.5% stake in Rosneft. This was the largest M&A transaction in Russia in 2016.
Representation of a major Turkish bank Garanti Bank in relation to the sale of the entire issued share capital of Russian subsidiary Garanti Bank Moscow to Public Joint-Stock Company "Sovcombank".
IFA European Region Conference, Warsaw, "The future of tax collection in the sharing economy: who, what, where and how?" May 2019.
Russian Tax Week organized by ROS-IFA. Moderated the session "Taxation of Digital Trade (Direct and Indirect taxation)", April 2019.
16th Forum on Tax and Energy Complex – 2019 organized by LawTEC, "Actual taxation issues (BEPS, CRS, CFC, Beneficial Owner)", November 2018.
Corporate tax planning. Actual tax disputes – 2018 organized by CFO-Russia, "Actual right to income in Russian and international practice", November 2018.
Russian International Taxation Week organized by ROS-IFA. session: "BEPS practice around the globe", April 2018.
Cyprus IT Forum, "CFC and CRS: 2018 legislation, legal practice", April 2018.
III HR Conference of Mercer Marsh Benefits, "Long-term incentive programs in Russia. Legal and tax aspects", October 2017.
4th Annual International Taxation in CEE Conference, organized by GCM Parker, "Best Practices in International Tax Planning for Russia", October 2013.
A Global Analysis of Tax Treaty Disputes. – Chapter on Tax Treaty Disputes in Russia. – Cambridge University Press. – August 2017.
Co-author: Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers in Russia. - Wolters Kluwer. – 2014 and 2017.
The Transfer Pricing Law Review. – Russian Chapter, Edition 1. - August 2017.
On tax aspects of localization of personal data processing. DCJournal. - August 2015.
Co-author: Tax planning in Russia. - Bloomberg BNA. - October 2013.
Tax Management. Business Operations in Russia. - Bloomberg BNA. – 2013.
Chambers Europe 2019 – Band 1
Best Lawyers – for Tax Law
International Tax Review – Tax Controversy Leader 2018
