Global law firm Baker & McKenzie has taken a lead role on a cross-border merger worth $2.25bn (£1.14bn).

The firm advised West Siberian Resources as it merged with Alliance Oil to form a combined oil company operating across Russia and Kazakhstan.

The mandate is a coup for the firm's corporate team, which worked opposite Clifford Chance (CC) on the deal, which took three months to complete.

Bakers fielded a multi-jurisdictional team from offices across Europe with lawyers in London, Moscow and Stockholm all involved.

London M&A partners Hugh Stewart (pictured left) and Michael Caro took the lead roles on the transaction, which was governed by English law.

The firm's Swedish team was headed by partners Bo Lindqvist and Cecilia Bjelle, while Alexey Frolov took the lead role on the transaction in Moscow.

Bakers advised alongside Anthony Smith of Conyers Dill & Pearman in Bermuda.

CC took the lead for Alliance Oil, with Moscow managing partner Michael Cuthbert leading the team, assisted by London corporate partner Kathy Honeywood.

Stewart told Legal Week: "In recent years there has been a steady stream of Russiancompanies listing on Western markets.

"This transaction was unusual in that the Alliance shareholders agreed a reverse takeover of West Siberian Resources listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm.

"As a result of the transaction the Russian shareholders in Alliance acquired a controlling 60% shareholding in West Siberian Resources."

West Siberian produces oil, develops oil fields and carries out exploration work, operating in three of Russia's most oil-rich regions – Tomsk, Timano-Pechora and Volga-Urals.