Azizov & Partners

The firm: Azizov & Partners was formed in December 2002. In 2017, Azizov & Partners opened an office in Kazakhstan, Ms Botagoz Omarova heads the office in Nur-Sultan.

Its practice extends to advising on petrochemical, energy and mining, banking and finance, M&A and intellectual property. The firm has strong transactional, corporate, litigation and regulatory specialists with sector-specific expertise in advising all types of sector clients with understanding of the local mentality of doing business. The experience of the team includes acting for the Government authorities, private sector companies, international and local investors.

Areas of practice: The firm is experienced in representing overseas and local corporate clients and advising in complex transactions and high-value project financing, as well as in serving small-size new entrants in all the principal areas of commercial law that are in demand in Kazakhstan including:

• Banking and finance: The firm helps clients access and invest new sources of capital, develop and use financial products, structure financing transactions, comply with regulations, respond to investigations and resolve disputes.
• Project finance: Azizov & Partners structuring the PPP scheme, determining most effective implementation schemes, negotiations with state authorities; legal due diligence; drafting and harmonization of agreements including PPP contracts and concession agreements.
• Mergers, acquisitions and takeovers: Azizov & Partners advise clients and international law firms on complex Kazakhstan and cross-border deals. The firm provides full range of services from due diligence and vendor assistance to full M&A legal support.
• Petrochemical, energy and mining: The firm’s comprehensive gas, oil and mining industry specific expertise includes advising on project development, investment agreements, product enhancement contracts, product sharing agreements, project management contracts and project finance; oil and gas transactions, drilling, sales and marketing agreements, licensing, certification, environmental and sanitary compliance, registration of property, taxation and other regulatory issues.
• Corporate and commercial vehicles: The firm advises clients on corporate governance and corporate law matters including incorporation, issuance and transfer of shares, regulatory compliance, information disclosure, internal corporate procedures, re-organizations and liquidations.
• Commercial contracts: The firm provides legal advice on Kazakhstan law to clients in structuring and documenting relationships with business partners, suppliers or customers, to advise on business law, including insurance.
• Employment: The firm advises on contracts, workplace relations, including salaries and bonus plans, leaves, discrimination, medical examination, benefits and corporate governance issues, and redundancy.
• Disputes and litigation: Representing in courts; protection against illegal takeover; pretrial dispute settlement; representation in arbitration proceedings; legal support during enforcement proceedings; enforcement of court acts and arbitral awards; injunctive relief measures in foreign arbitrage proceedings; legal due diligence including internal investigations.
• Intellectual property: Lawyers of Azizov & Partners identify, protect and help commercialize IP in the most highly developed markets. The practice includes pre-trial protection of intellectual property rights, registration of intellectual property rights,the representation of clients in civil and administrative courts of various levels, including the Supreme Court.