Continuing to grow and gain experience, GRATA International has well consolidated its positions in the Kazakhstan legal services market.

The research conducted by Asialaw Profiles is an important source of information for clients who are looking for legal advice.

For several years, the firm's lawyers have been widely recognised for leading roles in major transactions at the national level.

Shaimerden Chikanayev, Yerzhan Yessimkhanov and Bakhyt Tukulov have achieved Leading Lawyer status in Asialaw’s Leading Lawyers list published online.

Banking & Finance

Grata Law Firm is recognised by its peers and clients for its capabilities in banking and finance. Shaimerden Chikanayev is advising Bank of China on a $7.5 billion syndicated secured loan to Asia Gas Pipeline to finance a gas pipeline project in Kazakhstan. The transaction is one of the leading cases under an intergovernmental agreement between Kazakhstan and China.

Capital Markets

Grata Law Firm is experienced in advising on the Kazakh and international capital markets. Shaimerden Chikanayev has served major clients including JP Morgan Securities, VTB Capital, Citigroup Global Markets, Credit Suisse, UBS Investment Bank and HSBC. Chikanayev was involved in the public offering of one of the largest cellular service providers in Kazakhstan.

Construction & Real Estate

Grata Law Firm’s construction and real estate practice is one of the leading players in Kazakhstan. “It is one of the top three firms in the area,” says a rival partner. Yerzhan Yessimkhanov heads the firm’s construction and infrastructure team. Yessimkhanov is advising Mercury Holding on its acquisition of several business centres and shopping malls in Astana, the capital, and other Kazakh cities.

Corporate/M&A

Bolat Miyatov heads the corporate practice at Grata Law Firm and has solid experience in complex, high-value and cross-border M&A work. The firm’s corporate practice team advised an international bank on its proposed acquisition of a Kazakhstan commercial bank. It also has vast experience in obtaining permits from the Kazakhstan antitrust authorities for various acquisitions and conducting due diligence.

Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Strengthened by former judges with extensive dispute resolution experience, Grata Law Firm is a well-established name in litigation circles and has one of the strongest practice teams in Kazakhstan. Bakhyt Tukulov is representing a Russian oil and gas company in a dispute about transportation and storage fees against a transport company. He is also advising a leading engineering and construction company on a $50 million debt recovery matter. In another case, Tukulov advised a Chinese company on cross-border debt recovery in Kazakhstan.

Energy & Natural Resources

Grata Law Firm is one of market leaders in the mining and natural resources sector. The firm covers all stages of a project from exploration and development to transportation and sale. Yerzhan Yessimkhanov heads the construction and infrastructure development practice, and has extensive experience in the energy sector. Yessimkhanov has advised international consortia and domestic construction companies on power plant projects.

IT, Telco & Media

Grata Law Firm moves up in the rankings for its excellent service in IT, telecommunications and media. Yerzhan Yessimkhanov heads the telecommunications and transport group. The team is experienced in licensing and permits, competition and regulatory advice, M&A and dispute resolution issues in the IT, telecommunication and media sectors. Yessimkhanov is advising Huawei on its telecommunications projects in Kazakhstan. He is also advising China Telecom, on the local construction process, governmental approvals and telecommunications standards.