Clifford Chance has finalized his next plans for his Moscow office, with an independent Russian business, relocations across Europe and a small number of layoffs.
Following the announcement that Clifford Chance was closing its Moscow base in March, the company confirmed that it was in the final stages of winding down its business and finalized plans for the company’s existing team in Moscow.
The office’s current managing partner, Vika Bortkevicha, will lead a spin-off into an independent Russian firm called Bortkevicha & Partners, with Bortkevicha assuming the role of managing partner.
This newly created firm will be operational from May 1, 2022 and subject to receipt of client agreements, Clifford Chance plans to transfer his Russian work to the firm.
Clifford Chance’s existing office in Moscow will cease effective May 31.
Moscow partner Torsten Syrbe is to relocate to Düsseldorf with a team of colleagues to continue working with Clifford Chance in the antitrust and pharmaceutical practice.
The company is also considering relocating a “small number” of its other Russian colleagues to Clifford Chance’s other offices across Europe in the coming weeks.
A small number of redundancies will also take place for those for whom the above options are not available. The company said it will work closely with these individuals to provide them with all the support they need.
He added in his statement on Friday: “As we consider future options with our colleagues in Moscow, our priority has been to focus on the safety and well-being of our colleagues during this difficult time and to ensure that that the closure of our services is consistent with our legal and professional responsibilities to our customers and our principles and values of responsible business.
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