Lawyers exit Russian law firm’s London office following ‘shocking developments’ in Ukraine

James Dingley and Baiju Vasani quit Ivanyan & Partners as City law firms come under greater scrutiny over links to Russia

The founding partners of the London office of a Russian law firm yesterday decided to close the outpost following the “shocking developments” in Ukraine.

James Dingley, who joined Ivanyan & Partners from Clifford Chance in 2020, wrote on LinkedIn: “Following the shocking developments in Ukraine last week, we have, together with our Russian colleagues, decided to close the London office of Ivanyan and Partners.”

Dingley said he is no longer working on client matters, and will be leaving the firm “once all office-related administration has been properly concluded”.

Ivanyan and Partners has more than 90 lawyers in Moscow and St Petersburg. The London office was the firm’s first international office and specialised in complex international disputes.

Baiju Vasani, who was managing partner of the London office and global head of arbitration, wrote: “I have today tendered my resignation with Ivanyan & Partners and am no longer working for its clients.”

Both lawyers wished for a peaceful end to the ongoing crisis and said they will announce their next move in due course.

Legal Cheek has approached Ivanyan & Partners for comment.

Norton Rose Fulbright, meanwhile, told its lawyers and staff not to comment publicly on the sanctions imposed on Russia.

“Our sanctions team is advising clients across the world and, given the rapidly evolving situation, it is important that this advice is provided directly, through the appropriate channels,” a spokesperson for the firm said. “We therefore recently issued an internal notice relating specifically to external commentary on sanctions.”

The global firm has since clarified its position, issuing the following statement this morning: “We are shocked by the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine. Across our global firm, we are donating to humanitarian appeals to support the people of Ukraine and we hope for a swift and peaceful resolution.”

“As with many other law firms, it is standard practice for us to issue internal notices on any developing legal and regulatory issues covered by our practice, such as changes to sanctions,” the statement continued. “We’re clear that this does not in any way prevent members of the firm from voicing any views that they may hold on the wider Ukraine invasion and we fully support them doing so.”

The role of City law firms, some of who represent the interests of Russian individuals and businesses, has come under heightened scrutiny following the sanctions imposed on Russia in recent days.

Media reports over the weekend claimed the Foreign Secretary Liz Truss received legal threats from London law firms trying to dissuade her from imposing sanctions on their clients.

Responding to concerns about how law firms advise clients about sanctions, Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “It’s the job of solicitors to represent their clients, whoever they may be, so that the courts act fairly. This is how the public can be confident they live in a country that respects the rule of law — unlike Putin’s tyrannical regime.”

“Solicitors are highly regulated and are not allowed to bring spurious objections to processes — if they challenge the government’s actions, it’s because they think the government is at risk of breaking its own rules,” she continued. “If parliament wishes to change those rules, they have the power to do so democratically.”

Boyce added: “The Law Society and our profession stand ready to support the government to build a watertight sanctions regime against Russia.”

The Solicitors Regulation Authority, meanwhile, reminded firms of the importance of sanctions guidance. “Firms should check the financial sanctions lists before offering services or undertaking transactions for clients,” the regulator said. “If an individual is on the sanctions list and subject to an asset freeze, firms may not deal with those funds or make resources available to that person.”

Last week Baker McKenzie, CMS and Dentons closed their offices in Kyiv following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.