Goltsblat has a strategy of expanding to Asian markets, particularly Japan, Singapore, Korea and China, and in line with that has appointed Sergey Milanov as head of its Asia practice in Moscow. He is currently the only foreign lawyer authorised in Japan to advise on Russian law and He joins from K&L Gates, where he split his time between Tokyo and Moscow. He was previously with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in Tokyo and White & Case in Moscow, New York and Tokyo.

Together with Mr Milanov, Georgy Daneliya will join Goltsblat as a senior associate from K&L Gates. His practice focuses on M&A, joint ventures, real estate, general corporate transactions and litigation in Russia, with particular focus on the Russian Far East region. Before joining K&L Gates, Mr Daneliya worked at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in Tokyo and White & Case in Moscow, with he and Mr Milanov working together to provide legal services on Russian law to clients in Japan for seven years.

Building Asia-Pacific links

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Moscow has been keen to reinvigorate its links with Asia-Pacific, particularly Southeast Asia, following the drop in oil prices and effects of western sanctions. However, interest flows the other way too, with many BLP clients looking to invest in Russia and particularly its Far East region.