Orion Partners is strengthening its position in the Russian legal services market: new Counsels have been appointed in each of the firm’s key practices.

The firm is pleased to announce the following appointments effective 1 February 2023:

Maria Borodina has been appointed Counsel of the Corporate practice. Maria is a lawyer qualified under Russian and U.S. law, and a member of the New York State Bar Association. She specializes in M&A transactions, joint ventures and general corporate matters. During more than 20 years of practice, Maria has represented clients in various sectors of the economy, supporting both domestic and cross-border projects (including the acquisition and disposal of assets abroad). She also has significant experience in project financing transactions. Prior to joining Orion Partners, Maria was a partner at Balayan Group and previously worked at the Moscow office of Freshfields, Bruckhaus & Deringer LLP.

Maxim Kraynov has been appointed Counsel of the Finance practice. Maxim is a lawyer qualified under Russian and English law (Solicitor in England and Wales) with 15 years of experience advising Russian and international banks, mining, energy, infrastructure and chemical companies on project financing, debt restructuring, syndicated lending and bankruptcy. Prior to joining Orion Partners, Maxim worked as a senior associate in the project financing practice of the Moscow office of Linklaters.

Alexander Khretinin has been appointed Counsel of the Dispute Resolution and International Arbitration practice. Alexander is a lawyer qualified under Russian laws and an expert in the sphere of dispute resolution. He represents clients in Russian and foreign courts and international arbitrations and has extensive experience in corporate disputes, international debt recovery and bankruptcy. Prior to joining Orion Partners, Alexander held the position of a Senior Associate in the Moscow office of Linklaters and before that worked as a senior associate at Herbert Smith Freehills.

Changes in the team will affect not only Counsels: Associates Polina Klipova (Corporate) and Dmitry Mazurov (Finance) will be promoted to Senior Associates

Grigory Gadzhiev, Partner of the Corporate practice of Orion Partners, commented on the changes in the team: “2022 required tremendous efforts from each of us, but at the same time brought many successful projects and outlined an ambitious vector for the development of our team under a new brand. Summing up the results of the previous year, the Partners of the firm decided to pay bonuses to all employees and to move lawyers to the next qualification level (with a corresponding increase in salaries) in order to appreciate the contribution of each team member to the development of the firm and its business processes. The appointment of Counsels in each of the key practices is a logical step in the growth of our first-class team. Maria, Alexander and Maxim are recognized professionals in their areas of expertise who have been involved in complex and high-profile transactions, projects and disputes. I am sure that together we will continue to strengthen the position of Orion Partners in the Russian market and guarantee the highest quality services to our clients.”