Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has announced that Andrey Shpak has been recruited to lead the Goltsblat BLP tax team in Moscow.The announcement of AndreyРІР‚в„ўs appointment coincides with the first anniversary of the launch of Goltsblat BLP, the first international Russian law firm. The new firm was created when renowned corporate lawyer Andrey Goltsblat and some of his colleagues left Pepeliaev, Goltsblat & Partners (PGP) to join BLP. Since leaving PGP, the Goltsblat BLP team has retained 90% of its former client base, and gained numerous new international mandates.

Andrey, a former PwC director and a specialist in advising both Russian and foreign companies on tax related issues, will lead the development of tax services at Goltsblat BLP to respond to increasing demand from clients. Following significant growth, the team now includes seven highly-qualified tax lawyers who provide tax consulting services to large-scale, complex projects across the firm.

Andrey, who joins Goltsblat BLP as a partner, started his career at PwC in 1995 and has worked across a number of sectors including FMCG, manufacturing, automotive, telecommunications and media. As a director in PwCРІР‚в„ўs M&A Tax Practice, he worked with Russian and foreign corporates on a variety of matters. For example, he recently advised on the acquisition of a leading pharmaceuticals distributor by a major private equity fund and on the acquisition of US assets by a leading Russian steel producer.

Within the UK, the BLP tax team has also grown considerably and is now the largest in the London legal market, following a number of major hires, including industry leader Michael Wistow in 2007 and more recently private client expert Murray North from Clifford Chance. The combined Goltsblat BLP / Berwin Leighton Paisner team now includes over 60 British and Russian tax lawyers based in Moscow and London. It offers the full range of tax services associated with financing, M&A transactions, real estate and funds operations and structuring. The team also has proven experience in representing clientsРІР‚в„ў interests before the various tax authorities.

Andrey Goltsblat, Managing Partner of Goltsblat BLP, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Andrey, who is one of the strongest tax lawyers in Russia, to our team. We are building the practice in response to a growing demand for tax services from our clients and in line with our aim to provide comprehensive legal support in all areas of law, both in Russia and globally.”

Andrey Shpak said: “I am delighted to be part of the dynamic Goltsblat BLP team and pleased to have an opportunity to work with such highly-qualified specialists in Moscow, London and other jurisdictions that are key to Russian clients. In addition to the global capabilities of the firm, I am excited about working across the other key specialisms such as real estate and corporate to provide our clients with tailored, commercially-focused advice.”

OРІР‚в„ўMelveny & Myers LLP has named partner Brad Okun, a recognized authority in the tax field, as head of the FirmРІР‚в„ўs Tax Practice, succeeding Robert Rizzi. Okun was formerly head of OРІР‚в„ўMelvenyРІР‚в„ўs New York office.

OРІР‚в„ўMelveny is one of the few international law firms with US, UK, and Chinese tax capabilities and Okun will be tasked with further expanding the FirmРІР‚в„ўs footprint in the global marketplace. OkunРІР‚в„ўs practice focuses on providing tax analysis and advice in connection with corporate transactions, as well as counseling on the operation of complex tax laws. He has extensive experience in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporation restructuring, corporate finance, limited liability companies and partnerships, and cross-border investing. Among other client matters, he has worked on engagements for Apollo Management, CCMP Capital, HarrahРІР‚в„ўs Entertainment, and IAC/InterActiveCorp.

“Brad’s talent and leadership in the tax sector will help us build on the already substantial momentum that we have developed in the US and abroad,” said Arthur B. Culvahouse, Jr., Chair of O’Melveny & Myers. “His vast experience handling the myriad challenges companies face while operating under disparate and complex tax laws and advising on other high-level strategic matters will be of great benefit in growing our relationships with existing clients and attracting new assignments.”