Юридическая фирма VERBA LEGAL

Selected Experience

Ratings and Awards

News and publications

Alexander Kuznetsov

Partner

Corporate Law and M&A Capital markets

Phone

+7 (495) 374-74-03

aleksandr.kuznetsov@verba.legal

Contacts

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Languages

Russian, English

Alexander has over 13 years of experience in capital markets, corporate law and M&A, and banking and finance. He advises Russian and international clients, including leading corporations and financial institutions. Alexander is a member of the Primary Equity Market Committee of the Moscow Exchange and actively participates in developing industry standards.

Selected Experience

Capital Markets (ECM)

alexander advised:

a major technology company in connection with the listing of shares on the Moscow Exchange, registering a prospectus and issuing different classes of shares;

YuGK, one of Russia's largest gold producers, in initial and secondary public offerings (IPO and SPO);

Ozon Pharmaceuticals, a leading Russian pharmaceutical company holding top positions in sales volume among domestic manufacturers and #1 in registered product portfolio, in IPO and SPO;

MTS-Bank in a secondary public offering (SPO) exceeding RUB 4 billion;

Russia's largest home goods retail chain in preparation for obtaining public company status and listing shares in Russia in place of depositary receipts listed on the London Stock Exchange, including preparing a Russian securities prospectus and coordinating with the exchange and regulator;

United Medical Group, a leading provider of premium medical services in Russia (European Medical Center brand), in the first IPO of a foreign company in Russian stock market history, with listing exclusively on the Moscow Exchange (market capitalization at the start of trading: approximately $1.125 billion);

Mercury Retail Holding PLC, Russia's largest ultra-convenience store operator and one of the country's largest grocery retailers, in a potential IPO on the Moscow Exchange (expected market capitalization between $12 and $13 billion; the transaction was postponed due to market conditions);

one of the largest federal developers on admission of depositary receipts for shares in a foreign holding company to public circulation in Russia and their listing on the Moscow Exchange;

one of Russia's largest development companies (top 10 by housing construction volume) in preparing for a potential IPO;

a leading group of companies in Atlantic salmon and trout production in Russia on Russian law matters related to a public offering of shares;

a major Russian holding company operating in investment, development, commercial property management and retail, in preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) in the Russian market;

APRI, the largest developer in Chelyabinsk Region, in an IPO on the Moscow Exchange;

Lambumiz, a leading manufacturer of cardboard non-aseptic packaging for milk and dairy products with a 35% market share, in an IPO on the Moscow Exchange;

Obuv Rossii, one of Russia's largest fashion industry companies, in an IPO on the Moscow Exchange;

a group of shareholders of a major technology company on shareholders' agreement matters in connection with an upcoming initial public offering (IPO);

the largest independent IT infrastructure provider offering cloud infrastructure services and data center services in preparing for a potential IPO;

a joint venture of Russia's largest telecommunications company and a leading bank, a leader in data center services, in a project to prepare for an initial public offering (IPO) in the Russian market;

one of the underwriting banks on Russian law matters in the IPO of a leading Russian company in software, IT consulting and outsourcing;

Russia's largest manufacturer and supplier of IT equipment specializing in development and production of server solutions in a share offering;

one of Russia's leading computer hardware and IT solutions manufacturers on a potential public offering of shares;

an international gold mining company on listing shares on the London Stock Exchange;

an international non-ferrous metals mining company with a London Stock Exchange listing on listing shares on the Moscow Exchange;

one of the largest players in the online accommodation booking and rental services market on preparing for an IPO;

a Russian entertainment industry company on a possible IPO;

a major Russian microfinance organization in connection with a planned public offering of shares;

a fintech company specializing in lending to small and medium-sized businesses, in an IPO.

Capital Markets (DCM)

alexander advised:

one of Russia's largest financial groups in over 20 issues of structured bonds placed by specialized financial companies;

one of Russia's largest banks in establishing a capital-protected domestic bond program with guaranteed coupon yield and additional income dependent on derivative instrument performance based on stocks, indices, commodities, currency pairs and interest rates;

Russia's largest mortgage banks in two off-balance sheet securitization projects for mortgage loan portfolios;

a state development institution in a mortgage loan refinancing project;

a microfinance organization within a Russian consumer lending bank group in a project to securitize loan receivables using a specialized financial company;

one of Russia's largest banks in a project to securitize credit default swap obligations using a specialized financial company;

an agro-industrial group, one of Russia's leaders in soy and rapeseed processing, in a holding company bond issuance;

one of the leading state operators and one of Russia's largest banks in a project to finance construction of a waste processing facility through bond purchases;

one of Russia's largest private banks in a bond issuance project by a special purpose company;

Alfa-Bank, one of Russia's largest private banks, in a subordinated bond issuance;

the parent company of one of Russia's largest fishing industry holdings in a bond issuance placed on the Russian market;

one of Russia's largest oilseed processors in a bond issuance;

a subsidiary of the Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund in the debut placement of SKKN Finance exchange bonds on the Russian market;

the National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of the Republic of Uzbekistan in a bond issuance in Russia;

the Republic of Kazakhstan in government bond placement on the Russian market;

the Republic of Belarus in government bond issuance in Russia, and three Belarusian issuers in bond issuance projects;

a major state company in a bond issuance program;

issuers from various economic sectors, including a major developer, microfinance organization, IT company, one of Russia's leading retail market players, and a company specializing in oil refining and petroleum products supply, in debut bond issuances.

Bank Financing

alexander advised:

one of Russia's largest financial groups in a transaction to provide financing to a company engaged in electric vehicle production, covering all aspects of the project;

one of Russia's largest IT companies on entering into a credit agreement with one of Russia's leading banks;

a major state financial institution in a transaction to provide RUB 5 billion in financing to a uranium holding within a major state corporation for construction of a new mining facility in a Russian region;

a foreign investment fund in comprehensive legal support on verification of a type C account at a Russian bank and obtaining access to funds deposited in this account;

Russia's largest financial institutions in structuring and implementing syndicated financing to support infrastructure projects in Russian regions;

one of the world's leading mineral fertilizer producers in a transaction to raise financing for acquiring shares in one of the largest ammonia producers;

one of Russia's largest financial groups on providing financing to a group of companies to open a restaurant chain in Russia;

clients in two transactions to provide financing to a specialized mortgage agent for purchasing mortgages and subsequent mortgage bond issuance;

one of Russia's largest financial groups in preparing documentation (loan agreements, pledges, guarantees, options, share buyback agreements) for private and venture investment transactions;

a Russian agricultural company in a transaction to raise financing secured by future harvest;

a client in a project to structure a financing transaction for acquiring shares in a leading Russian aviation equipment developer and manufacturer.

Corporate Restructurings and M&A

alexander advised:

one of Russia's largest energy companies in an asset consolidation project incorporating 17 district heating companies in 11 Russian cities into the parent structure to prepare for implementing a large-scale investment program;

one of Russia's largest energy companies in restructuring one of Russia's largest independent energy sales companies;

a major coal holding in a transaction to sell 100% of shares in Sibenergougol, a coal company located in southern Kuzbass;

YuGK, one of Russia's largest gold mining enterprises, in a transaction to sell 22% of company shares to AAA Capital Management, part of Gazprombank group;

a major institutional investor in a project to restructure its stake in EM Rus, a Russian electric vehicle manufacturing company;

a major financial group in a corporate reorganization involving creation of a new legal entity to restructure blocked assets, including supporting registration of share issuance and placement report, and bond issuance registration for further group corporate transformation;

a Russian development institution in a reorganization procedure aimed at restructuring its investment portfolio;

one of Russia's largest financial groups in a project to consolidate control over one of the leading port terminal complexes;

one of Russia's largest developers in a project to consolidate control over a developer holding significant assets;

the majority shareholder of a major metallurgical company in consolidating corporate control;

a Russian sovereign fund and a major UAE investment company in creating a joint venture to invest in a venture project in the United Kingdom;

participants in a project to create a merged company in microelectronics;

Russia's largest internet companies in restructuring a joint venture and relocating it to Russian jurisdiction;

a client in a project to restructure ownership of two companies managing railway assets;

Russia's largest vertically integrated grain holding in a series of transactions to attract investors, including preparing and negotiating all transaction documentation;

the seller in a series of transactions to sell shares in one of Russia's largest radar technology enterprises;

a major Russian commodity exchange in a transaction to acquire shares of a settlement and depositary company from one of Russia's leading banks;

the Moscow Exchange in a transaction to acquire INGURU electronic platform specializing in insurance and banking product selection;

the buyer in a transaction to acquire shares in a leading Russian aviation equipment manufacturer;

a group of sellers in a transaction to sell a fintech business (including a non-bank credit organization and IT company) to create the Unified Center for Accounting of Bookmaker and Totalizator Rate Transfers (ECUPS);

the largest marine terminal operator in Nakhodka port in a transaction to acquire a company providing technological solutions for cargo handling in maritime transport;

an investor in a venture transaction involving a company engaged in electric vehicle production;

the buyer in a transaction to acquire a Russian bank with subsequent integration into the ecosystem of one of Russia's largest telecommunications operators.

achievements

Ratings and Awards

Alexander is recommended by international and Russian rankings, including Legal 500, Best Lawyers, Pravo-300, Kommersant, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

Legal 500: Banking and Finance; Capital Markets

Best Lawyers: Capital Markets

Pravo-300: Corporate Law/Mergers and Acquisitions (high market); Capital Markets; Financial/Banking Law; Digital Economy, TMT (Telecommunications, Media and Technology), Environmental Law

Kommersant: Corporate Law; Capital Markets; TMT (telecommunications, media, technology); Financial and Banking Law

Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions; Private Capital and Investments