Anna Berlina has over 19 years of experience providing legal support on a wide range of employment law matters, including litigation, inspections by the State Labour Inspectorate and the Prosecutor’s Office, workforce optimisation, contentious dismissals, dealings with trade unions, and the development of internal regulations, bonus schemes, and other HR-related policies.
Selected Experience
Anna advised:
a Swiss chocolate and confectionery manufacturer over a seven-year period on a wide range of employment matters, including employee guarantees, compensation and benefits, incentive schemes, recruitment and dismissals, supported by a deep understanding of the client’s business model;
a major client on an expedited comparative analysis of regulatory requirements relating to enhanced compensation for oil and gas sector employees and workers in adverse climate regions across five foreign jurisdictions;
a client on workforce optimisation and restructuring procedures, including effective engagement with newly established trade unions and the prevention of litigation through detailed analysis of union structures and development of negotiation strategies;
a major client on resolving disputes involving employees subject to enhanced legal protection during corporate reorganisation, including negotiation of compensation and benefits frameworks;
a company undergoing a merger by absorption, including harmonisation of compensation and benefits, preservation of employee protections, prevention of discrimination risks, and management of trade union relations;
a client in arbitration court proceedings against the Russian Social Insurance Fund concerning the reclassification of civil law arrangements as employment relationships, creating important precedent implications for business;
a company in investigating and addressing employee asset misappropriation in regional operations, including organising internal investigations, dismissing responsible individuals, and coordinating employment and criminal law strategies to manage crisis situations;
a subsidiary of a petrochemical group in the full dismissal process of an employee for reputational misconduct, with successful defence in both court instances;
large-scale HR audit projects involving review and alignment of personnel documentation and internal employment procedures in preparation for labour inspections, followed by implementation of tailored compliance recommendations;
a Chinese video surveillance manufacturer entering the Russian market, including incorporation of a local entity and structuring employment relationships with Russian and foreign (Chinese) personnel in compliance with migration regulations;
a major Chinese climate control and consumer electronics manufacturer in establishing a Russian subsidiary, including development of HR documentation and adaptation of compensation systems for senior Russian management in line with the client’s corporate frameworks.
achievements
Ratings and Awards
Anna is recommended by leading international and Russian legal rankings, including Legal 500, Best Lawyers, Chambers Europe, Pravo-300, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta.