Igor Ostapets

Partner

Biography

“He was able to explain things in a very practical language,” a client says, adding that “this practical approach was very important in making our decisions.”
Chambers Global 2020

Overview

Igor has practiced in Russia & FSU countries for more than 25 years, and has developed a particularly deep knowledge of the local markets and business climate. Igor advises clients on complex corporate, regulatory and compliance matters (including in the IT and financial sectors).

His expertise includes advising on market-leading cross-border and domestic M&A transactions with a particular emphasis on the oil and gas, power, and metals and mining industries with total deal value in access of US$ 50 bln as well as on structuring and implementation of some of the largest and complex privatization projects in the region.

For many years, Igor has been regularly recognized by leading international legal publications as pre-eminent practitioner and leading expert in such areas as M&A and energy and natural resources. His other notable practice areas include white-collar, competition law and complex multi-jurisdictional disputes.

Bars and Courts
Qualified to practice law in the Russian Federation
Education
LLM
University of Michigan Law School
Law Degree
Belarus State University Law Faculty
Languages
English
Russian

Experience

Investment into Russia's renewable energy sector, 2020
Representation of Management Company Wind Generation (owned jointly by Fortum and Rosnano) in connection with the sale of Russian wind farms with a total capacity of over 350 MW. The transaction marks an important investment in Russia’s renewable energy sector.

Canon Medical Group, 2020
Representation of Canon Medical Systems Corp., a Japanese medical equipment company, on its agreement with leading Russian healthcare provider R-Pharm Holding to establish a diagnostic imaging equipment joint venture that covers nine members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including Russia.

Sale of Tele2, 2020
Representation of VTB Bank in connection with the US$2 billion sale of the 55% stake in Tele2 Russia to Rostelecom, the Russian telecom giant, and further acquisition of up to 30% shares of Rostelecom.

Vozrozhdenie Bank, 2018
Representation of one of the leading banks in Russia in connection with the acquisition of a major stake in Vozrozhdenie Bank.

Rosneftegaz, 2017
Advising Rosneftegaz in connection with the sale of a 19.5% stake in Rosneft Oil Company.

Rosneft, 2014
Representation of Rosneft, the leading oil company in Russia and one of the world's largest publicly traded petroleum companies, in connection with the restructuring of its arrangements with Sibur for the processing of associated gas at the Yugragaspererabotka gas processing facilities.

AAR Consortium, 2013
Representation of AAR Consortium formed by three of Russia's leading investment, financial, and industrial groups – Alfa Group, Access Industries, and Renova on the US$28 billion sale of its 50 percent stake in TNK-BP, a leading Russian oil company and one of the world's top ten privately-owned oil companies in the world, to Rosneft, an oil and gas exploration and production company listed in Russia.

Hess Corporation, 2013
Representation of Hess Corporation on the US$2.05 billion sale of its Russian subsidiary Samara-Nafta to LUKOIL.

Access Industries, 2013
Representation of Access Industries on its acquisition of interest in Russian power generating companies TGK-6 and TGK-7.

Publications

Article on enforcement of shareholders' (JV) agreements under Russian law, Mergers and Acquisitions, February 2006

Awards and Recognition

Eminent Practitioner: Energy & Natural Resources - Russia, Chambers, 2020

Eminent Practitioner: Corporate/M&A - Russia, Chambers, 2020

Practice head Igor Ostapets lends his considerable market insight and experience to international and Russian oil and gas corporates involved in high-value Russia-bound M&A transactions. A client describes him as "a natural leader." Chambers, 2020