Kazakhstan

Chadbourne has a wealth of experience in Kazakhstan, where we represent a wide range of foreign and domestic investors. Our expertise is renowned in the oil and gas, mining, banking and finance sectors, as well as in dispute resolution matters. We advise clients on complex and precedent-setting transactions, and also on the day-to-day operations of our clients. We combine a strong local presence in the region with the depth of experience necessary to provide meaningful, practical business advice, taking into account each client’s unique circumstances and budget.

Oil & Gas and Mining

Chadbourne lawyers have many years of experience, some dating back to early 1990 privatizations, advising local and international clients on a variety of energy related matters, including exploration, production, transportation, oil field services and other aspects of oil and gas projects. We have also handled a number of complex mining transactions. Our clients include some of the world’s major oil & gas and mining companies, as well as leading local natural resources players. We regularly draft and amend subsoil contracts and PSAs, and execute high-value mergers and acquisitions in Kazakhstan’s fluid market for interests in preexisting and new oil & gas and mining deals.

Banking, Finance & Capital Markets

Chadbourne lawyers have advised foreign banks on establishing their presence in Kazakhstan, including obtaining Kazakh general banking licenses. We also advise foreign and domestic banks on their operations in the country, including developing a wide range of standard bank agreements and standards and procedures for custody and settlement operations and other capital market activities. We have handled a number of high-profile capital markets transactions, including Eurobond offerings, as well as IPOs for Kazakhstan’s leading commercial and financial entities.

We have substantial experience working on various types of financings, including secured financings and project and limited recourse financings governed by English, U.S., Kazakh or other domestic laws in the CIS. On the lender side, our experience includes representation of major private financial institutions and multilateral institutions; we also represent leading local banks. We have acted on behalf of lenders with respect to the enforcement of credit arrangements. As a result, have gained significant insight into the enforceability of financing documents in these countries.

Chadbourne’s project finance group has worked for more than 20 years on regulatory matters, transactions, litigation, restructurings, and construction financings and refinancings. We have expertise in the development and financing of energy and other infrastructure projects.

Dispute Resolution

The litigation team in Kazakhstan has proven its ability to handle both complicated cross-jurisdictional disputes in close collaboration with other Chadbourne's offices and Kazakhstan-specific issues. Our litigators typically work in many localities of Kazakhstan on various levels, from district courts to the Supreme Court, and have built a strong track record in winning cases, earning the gratitude of clients and the respect of judges. Litigators in the Almaty office form an integral team that offers clients a combination of superb knowledge of procedural and substantive law and extensive experience in dispute resolution.

Corporate, Regulatory, Compliance and other Legal Advice

Chadbourne has extensive experience advising on corporate transactions in various industrial sectors in Kazakhstan. We are accustomed to identifying key legal issues that may impact the business or operations of a company and offering innovative cost-effective solutions. We have substantial experience working with the relevant governmental authorities on corporate transactions. We also have extensive in-house tax expertise. In addition, we regularly work together with financial and tax advisors to construct tax effective structures for transactions.

Representative Experience