Baker McKenzie and DLA Piper have joined the plethora of firms announcing their exit from the Russian market.
Baker McKenzie announced that, after 33 years of operating in the country, its current Moscow and Saint Petersburg offices will become an independent law firm. “We have made this difficult decision following ongoing consultation with our multinational clients, whose urgent on-the-ground legal needs we are serving, as well as careful consideration of the wellbeing of our many people in the wider region,” a firm press statement read, thanking its “many partners, associates, business professionals, and others who have worked so hard to build this business. Many have been part of the Baker McKenzie team for decades.”
“In light of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and the resulting humanitarian crisis, and our consequent decision not to act for clients connected to the Russian state, we have concluded that maintaining a presence in Russia is not aligned with our values and therefore no longer viable,” a DLA Piper spokesperson said, with the firm announcing it is closing its 17-year-old offices in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, informing that the intention is to transfer the Russian business to its team there. The press statement added: “We are acutely aware of the impact this will have on our colleagues and friends in Russia, many of whom have been with the firm for a significant portion of their careers. We will continue to prioritize their safety and support them through this very difficult time and would like to thank them for the many contributions they have made to our firm,” while concluding: “We stand with the people of Ukraine and all those affected by this tragedy.”
With Baker and DLA, the total number of firms announcing or confirming their exit from the Russian market is now 24. The previously announced exits are:
- Allen & Overy (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 11, 2022)
- Baker Botts (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 14, 2022)
- Borenius (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 7, 2022)
- Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 14, 2022)
- Clifford Chance (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 11, 2022)
- CMS (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 15)
- Debevoise & Plimpton (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 15)
- Dechert (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 15)
- Dentons (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 15)
- Eversheds Sutherland (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 10, 2022)
- Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 10, 2022)
- Gowling WLG (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 10, 2022)
- Herbert Smith Freehills (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 11, 2022)
- Hogan Lovells (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 14, 2022)
- Latham & Watkins (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 10, 2022)
- Linklaters (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 7, 2022)
- Mannheimer Swartling (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 10, 2022)
- Norton Rose Fulbright (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 8, 2022)
- Morgan Lewis (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 10, 2022)
- Squire Patton Boggs (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 11, 2022)
- White & Case (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 14, 2022)
- Winston & Strawn (reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 11, 2022)
