Dentons has expanded its office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan - combining with Uzbek outfit Avent Advokat. The merger will see founder and managing partner Eldor Mannopov and a team of nine lawyers join the firm. The move comes shortly after Dentons’ entry into Georgia and will bolster the firm’s offering in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Central Asia. Aigoul Kenjebayeva, Central Asia Regional Managing Partner, commented: ‘Dentons’ Tashkent office has been operating successfully in the Uzbekistan market for almost 20 years, largely thanks to the professionalism of counsel Mouborak Kambarova. By joining forces with Avent Advokat, this office will become one of the top legal practices and the undisputed leader in Uzbekistan. This will allow us to support our clients’ growing needs across the region better.’

Reforms - impetus to foreign investment

‘The recently elected Uzbek leaders have implemented a wide and ambitious programme to eradicate corruption and create a more favourable environment for businesses and investors. These reforms are giving impetus to foreign investment, and a number of our multinational clients are now seeking quality legal advice in that emerging market,’ said Tomasz Dabrowski, Chief Executive Officer of Dentons Europe.

'Excited to join world's largest law firm'

Eldor Mannopov has been appointed Uzbekistan managing partner with a focus on international trade, arbitration, M&A, tax, litigation and compliance with particular expertise in construction matters.  He is also well known for his experience working with Chinese and other Asian clients. Mr Mannopov commented: ‘We are excited to join the world’s largest law firm. We look forward to collaborating actively with our colleagues from across Central Asia and around the globe with world-class client service and value.’

The firm in the region

The Tashkent office provides full service business law advice in energy, banking and finance, corporate, M&A, infrastructure and PPP, technology and construction. The team serves clients in English, Russian, Uzbek and Turkish. Dentons said that it is the only global law firm to offer full coverage services in Central Asia and the neighboring countries, particularly in Uzbekistan, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and via associated firms in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.