The legal landscape in Russia has undergone a significant transformation since 2022. The market, once dominated by global international firms (Magic Circle, White Shoe firms), is now primarily led by highly successful, full-service homegrown Russian firms. These domestic powerhouses, largely headquartered in Moscow and St. Petersburg, have absorbed top talent and client mandates, maintaining a high level of sophistication, especially in complex commercial and litigation matters.
This list focuses on the firms consistently ranked as the leaders in the Russian legal market for their revenue, size, and dominance in key commercial practices such as M&A, Banking & Finance, Dispute Resolution, and Tax.
Top 10 Commercial Law Firms in Russia
| Rank (Approx.) | Firm Name | Headquarters | Key Specialties/Focus |
| 1 | EPAM Law (formerly Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners) | Moscow | Leading full-service firm. Dominant in Dispute Resolution, Bankruptcy, Corporate/M&A, and regulatory practices. |
| 2 | Pepeliaev Group | Moscow | Market leader in Tax Advisory and Tax Litigation, as well as full-service Corporate and Anti-Monopoly Law. |
| 3 | Alrud Law Firm | Moscow | Highly regarded for high-end Corporate/M&A, Private Equity, and competition/anti-monopoly law. |
| 4 | BGP Litigation | Moscow | Elite focus on Dispute Resolution, White-Collar Crime, and Litigation in high-stakes commercial disputes. |
| 5 | Level Legal Services | Moscow | Formed by former partners of a major international firm; strong in M&A, Bankruptcy, and Dispute Resolution. |
| 6 | Ivanyan and Partners | Moscow | Highly respected for complex Litigation, Corporate Law, and advising state corporations and private clients. |
| 7 | Lidings | Moscow | Strong international client focus, known for Corporate, Investment, and commercial litigation. |
| 8 | Gorodissky & Partners | Moscow | The country’s premier specialist firm in Intellectual Property (IP), covering patents, trademarks, and litigation. |
| 9 | YUST Law Firm | Moscow | Established firm known for its expertise in Dispute Resolution, Corporate Law, and Real Estate. |
| 10 | Monastyrsky, Zyuba, Stepanov & Partners | Moscow | Specialist firm with an exceptional reputation for high-value Dispute Resolution and Litigation. |
🏛️ Key Changes and Market Dynamics
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The Domestic Shift: The most significant trend since 2022 is the exit of nearly all major international law firms (e.g., Clifford Chance, White & Case, Baker McKenzie). The legal work they once dominated has been absorbed by domestic Russian firms.
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The Rise of Spin-Offs: New firms like Level Legal Services have been formed by partners and entire teams that split off from exiting international firms (e.g., Hogan Lovells), bringing global best practices to the Russian legal market.
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Focus on Litigation and Restructuring: The current climate heavily emphasizes Dispute Resolution, Bankruptcy, and Corporate Restructuring, particularly related to the complex exit and transfer of assets from foreign companies. Firms like EPAM Law and BGP Litigation are market leaders in this contentious work.
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Regulatory Complexity: All transactions, especially those involving foreign entities or assets, now face intense scrutiny under Russian “counter-sanctions” regulations, making expertise in Tax and Anti-Monopoly/Regulatory law, led by firms like Pepeliaev Group, more critical than ever.
The legal market in Russia has become highly competitive and inward-focused, with these top domestic firms now handling the most significant and challenging commercial mandates across the country.