Akin Gump Boosts Real Estate Practice in Moscow With Partner Hire

(Moscow, Russian Federation) – Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is pleased to announce today that Vlad Sourkov has joined the firm as a partner and head of the firm’s Russian real estate practice. He joins the firm from CMS Russia where he was head of the firm’s real estate practice in Russia. Other members of his team are expected to join Akin Gump in Moscow in the coming weeks.

Mr. Sourkov represents sellers and purchasers across a range of commercial real estate assets and works with his clients to negotiate joint venture agreements for the development and operation of commercial real estate. He also represents international mortgage banks and borrowers in construction financing and refinancing transactions. He regularly advises landlords and tenants on long-term office, warehouse and retail lease transactions.

Mr. Sourkov’s Russian Real Estate work has recently included advising Siemens on one of the most significant real estate acquisitions in Russia and a leading European bank on a major secured syndicated financing into Russia.

Mr. Sourkov is ranked as a leading lawyer in independent legal guide Chambers Global 2011 for real estate work in Russia, where he is described as someone who “looks for solutions and always remains reasonable.” He is also recommended for real estate in Russia for The Legal 500: Europe, Middle East & Africa 2011, which quoted a client as follows: “When it comes to judging difficult Russian real estate law issues, we go to Vlad Sourkov.” For the last four years, Vlad has been consistently ranked in the prestigious “CRE 100” rating of the most influential people in the commercial real estate market in Russia.

Richard Wilkie, managing partner of Akin Gump’s Moscow office, commented, “Part of our core strategy for Moscow has been to expand and enhance our real estate capabilities.  With the arrival of Vlad we can start to fulfil that brief extremely well. His practice is well-respected by Russian and international companies alike that are looking to invest in Russian real estate. His experience is a strong fit with our office, and we are delighted Vlad is joining Akin Gump.”

Mr. Sourkov added, “Working with the established, growing team at Akin Gump in Moscow, especially the corporate, finance and tax teams, to take the real estate practice to the next level will be a rewarding challenge. I look forward to working with the firm’s Russian and global clients to help achieve their real estate goals.”

Mr. Sourkov graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) with an honors degree in law. He is a native Russian speaker and is fluent in English and French. He is also a member of Urban Land Institute (ULI) London.

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Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, a leading international law firm, numbers more than 850 lawyers in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The firm’s Moscow office opened in 1994 and is home to a team of Russian, U.S. and English-qualified lawyers who advise on investment funds; international and Russian capital markets transactions; mergers and acquisitions; joint ventures; bank, vendor and other financings; real estate development and transactions; international arbitration and litigation in Russia or involving Russian companies; large-scale project development; corporate governance; and complex public law and policy matters in Russia and the United States.

This high-profile appointment in Moscow follows the hire of Varun Gupta from Allen & Overy, as head of the capital markets practice in Moscow in May 2011; corporate partner Suren Gortsunyan who joined the firm from Hogan Lovells in August 2010; and tax partner Ilya Rybalkin who joined the firm from Hogan & Hartson in May 2010.