Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is on the verge of completing a tie-up with partners from one of Russia's leading firms in a move which would represent the UK firm's first foray into the country.

BLP confirmed that the firm is in advanced discussions with Andrey Goltsblat of Pepeliaev, Goltsblat & Partners to take a number of partners from the Russian firm as part of the new launch, with an announcement of the full details imminent.

A spokesperson for BLP told Legal Week: "We want to create a unique capability in the region combining our strengths in English and Russian law. We remain committed to the preferred firms approach. This strategy is complementary to that."

Goltsblat is one of the top corporate lawyers in Russia and has acted on a number of high-profile mandates this year.

He assisted Slaughter and May in advising Boots on its £1.9bn sale of Boots Healthcare International to Reckitt Benckiser, and acted alongside French M&A leader Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier in the £1.7bn acquisition of a 21% stake in Alstom by construction conglomerate Bouygues.

BLP has a number of strategic alliances with European firms including a non-exclusive 'best friends' relationship with Beiten Burkhardt in Germany – which has offices in Moscow and St Petersburg. The firm secured the relationship in early 2005.


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