Private Clients
The attorneys and experts at Vertical have many years of experience representing Forbes-listed high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, top managers, athletes, and prominent figures of the arts and culture.
By consolidating the expertise from various practice areas, the Firm offers a wide range of services that address all the issues that our clients may encounter throughout their lives.
Areas of Expertise
Marriage and Family Relations
Drafting, executing, and terminating prenuptial agreements; developing agreements related to child custody, support, and alimony payments. Settling disputes related to marriage and family relations.
Project experience
- Represented a leading Russian soccer player in a family dispute involving the rights of a minor child. We secured court decisions in the best interests of the child, establishing that the primary residence would be with the father. The case garnered significant public attention.
- Represented a renowned international athlete in a property division dispute worth over RUB 2 billion and in proceedings regarding child support for minor children. We coordinated the international proceedings. We successfully defended the client against all claims made by the former spouse in Russian courts.
- Represented a prominent TV personality in the divorce proceedings, the division of property, and the bankruptcy case of their ex-spouse. We secured the client's rightful share of the proceeds from the sale of joint property.
- Represented one of the foremost Russian actors in the settlement of property disputes related to his divorce. We secured an advantageous pre-trial settlement and negotiated highly beneficial terms for the client.
- Drafted and negotiated a prenuptial agreement for a high-ranking CEO and his spouse, concerning the division of property in Russia, England, France, and other foreign countries.
Estate planning and estate administration. Representing clients in inheritance cases, including those involving complicated issues such as corporate conflicts, bankruptcy proceedings, and foreign elements.
Project experience
- Assisted in the transfer of inherited property abroad. Oversaw the liquidation of an insolvent company in Cyprus, distributing the assets to the client. We facilitated the return of funds to Russia from a US broker after the sale of the testator's financial assets.
- Managed estate planning for a high-net-worth client holding assets all over the world, including significant investments in cryptocurrency. We created and implemented a strategy allowing for the smooth transfer of assets, meeting the client's expectations.
- Represented the widow and minor children of the founder of a major cosmetics company in their inheritance disputes. We prevented the increase in the shares of other heirs and ensured the estate preservation.
- Developed an asset ownership algorithm and an estate planning structure for the owner of a major Russian holding company. We implemented a special structure to ensure family succession and protect family interests.
- Oversaw a property dispute related to the division of assets worth over RUB 500 million. We secured a positive outcome for our client in numerous court proceedings initiated by other parties, achieving the best possible division of assets.
- Handled the re-registration of an estate worth over RUB 300 million in six different jurisdictions. We handled the process of verifying inheritance rights in foreign jurisdictions. We successfully defended the estate against third-party claims.
Due diligence regarding private assets and liabilities. Structuring and supporting real estate transactions, investment, and all stages of construction projects. Providing insurance consulting. Overseeing compliance control in banking institutions. Resolving disputes and representing clients before government authorities.
Project experience
- Provide comprehensive support to high-net-worth clients throughout the banking compliance process, including opening accounts, conducting major international transactions, and purchasing real estate abroad.
- Legal Check-up is a unique program that helps our clients identify and manage risk areas in their private assets and personal affairs for the timely detection and mitigation of risks.
- Provided comprehensive legal support for all stages of construction of a residential complex located in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods of Saint Petersburg, with total investments exceeding RUB 4 billion. The project involved cooperating with internationally renowned designers and contractors.
- Represented an investor in a project to renovate and modernize a building near Isaakiyevskaya Square. We successfully argued the validity of the design and permit documentation in court.
- Managed a portfolio of real estate transactions tallying over RUB 1 billion in Saint Petersburg and Moscow. Most of these transactions involved historical buildings designated as cultural heritage sites. We obtained the approval from the cultural heritage protection authorities.
- Represented a client in a high-profile legal case regarding disputed commercial real estate transactions, where the client's representative had acted fraudulently to unlawfully obtain property. We successfully repealed the property transfer transactions and recovered the client's assets.
Handling tax calculation and payment issues, consulting, and identifying tax risks. Planning, optimizing, and structuring tax-efficient transactions. Representing and defending clients in disputes with tax authorities.
Project experience
- Have a decade of experience providing legal support to a Forbes-listed client, assisting them with their personal tax returns and the structuring and reporting of their Russian and foreign assets.
- Have contested the actions of the tax authorities through administrative procedures in relation to additional tax assessments and penalties. Our prepared position allowed the higher tax authority to recognize the legitimacy and accuracy of the entrepreneur's tax calculations and completely overturn the decision to impose additional taxes and penalties.
- Developed a comprehensive tax planning strategy for a major architectural project in Russia and abroad, covering a range of taxes, including income tax, VAT, personal income tax, and insurance contributions. We ensure the minimization of double taxation risks.
- Advise non-residents on compliance with Russian tax and currency laws, keeping their tax benefits in Russia, dealing with dividend taxation, avoiding double taxation, and more.
- Developed a tax structure for a world-renowned conductor with dual citizenship who receives income from sources in over 10 different countries.
Providing migration consulting. Conducting due diligence, analyzing, and drafting contracts and agreements related to clients' foreign assets. Business creation and relocation. Providing advice on sectoral and territorial sanctions. Supporting the activities of controlled foreign companies. Representing clients in courts abroad.
Project experience
- Provided comprehensive legal support to a high-net-worth client, including matters of marriage and family relations, estate planning, immigration assistance, real estate management, and personal asset structuring, with consideration for the ever-changing regulatory environment and in compliance with tax and foreign exchange laws.
- Arranged for the client to be removed from the Interpol database. We ensured the client's rights being protected at every stage of the process.
- Provided support for the client's foreign companies on matters related to foreign asset operations and tax regulations.
- Represented our clients in court proceedings in the UAE regarding breaches of a residential property construction contract by a developer. We ensured the recovery of funds, penalties, and interest amounting to RUB 1 billion.
- Advised a client on opening a branch in the EU. We created and implemented a strategy that met the requirements of labor, tax, and currency laws, enabling the client to conduct business across multiple jurisdictions.
- Advised a client on the purchase of real estate in Spain with a value totaling over RUB 500 million.
- Successfully completed the process of renouncing citizenship for the client and their numerous family members.
- Represented the owner of an oil company in the conversion of a debt to a state-owned bank and stock listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The case involved legal proceedings in Russia, Cyprus, and England.
Conducting due diligence, including examining and ensuring the protectability of intellectual property assets. Supporting transactions related to the creation, use, and disposal of intellectual property rights. Protecting copyright and related rights.
Project experience
- Represented a major restaurant chain owner before the Intellectual Property Rights Court to terminate trademark rights as a defense strategy against the rights holder’s claim. We reached a settlement with the compensation reduced by dozens of times.
- Developed a strategy for a creative team to negotiate with representatives of a major video hosting platform about producing and releasing a multi-episode show. We ensured the protectability of the production briefs.
- Represented a prominent screenwriter, producer, and director before collective rights management organizations. We implemented an optimal strategy for managing intellectual property.
- Advise theaters and independent film studios on protectability of their complex intellectual property.
- Provide comprehensive legal support for a well-known Russian writer, including protecting intellectual property rights; negotiating contracts for screen adaptations of literary works and theatre productions; legal assistance for film industry awards; coordinating advertising campaigns.
Drafting and reviewing internal regulations and agreements from a legal perspective. Resolving labor conflicts. Providing legal support for the process of hiring and dismissal of employees.
Project experience
- Represented a top executive of Russia’s largest DIY retailer in an employment dispute. We secured full satisfaction of the client’s claims and obtained unprecedented severance compensation.
- Conducted due diligence regarding labor organization and personnel management at an IT holding company. We drafted employment contracts for senior and middle management, NDAs, and consent forms for personal data processing.
- Represented a company owner in a dispute with employees over restructuring and layoff procedures. The developed strategy allowed the Firm's client to legally dismiss a union leader, avoid legal proceedings and the associated costs, and rectify all HR documentation.
- Represented a client in a case involving an employee challenging their dismissal. We secured a complete dismissal of claims for reinstatement and compensation for forced absence.
- Provided comprehensive support to a major educational platform in terms of employee relations, unauthorized use of trade secrets, and protecting intellectual property rights to products created by staff.
Providing legal assistance in art-related matters. Structuring transactions with artworks. Supporting the establishment, ownership, and inheritance of private collections.
Project experience
- Represented the heirs of one of the largest private art collections in Russia. We created a management structure that allowed them to retain their collection, ensure its continuity and enable regular exhibitions in a private museum.
- Represented a client in acquiring a collection of Russian and Soviet porcelain of over 1,000 pieces.
- Represented a private client in the matters of artwork authentication, cooperating with leading Russian experts, laboratories, and art appraisers.
- Represented a client in drafting and executing purchase agreements for works by contemporary artists.
- Represented a client in a joint project with Channel One to produce a multi-episode film.
Providing legal support in interactions with non-profit organizations.
Project experience
- Oversaw private charitable investments of over RUB 1 billion for the renovation, restoration, and ongoing operation of the Stanislavsky Electrotheatre in Moscow. We provide full-service support for the theatre's productions and cultural projects both in Russia and abroad.
- Provided legal support to the MusicAeterna Foundation during its establishment. We oversee contractual activities, including internationally, donations from sponsors, and internal organizational changes. We coordinated the Foundation's relocation to Saint Petersburg, assisting with the orchestra and choir’s creative residency at Radio House.
- Provided legal support in debt restructuring and settlement for a well-known charity. The developed transaction structure and management procedures helped to attract investors, ensuring the project's continued operation with a balance between the founder's and investors' interests.
Conducting situation analysis and carrying out the necessary expert examinations. Recovering reputational damages. Representing clients in court and participating in enforcement proceedings.
Project experience
- Represented a prominent Russian actor and producer in a dispute on the protection of honor, dignity, and business reputation. The court found that the information disseminated about the client was false and ordered the defendant to pull the publications and issue a retraction notice.
- Represented a HNWI client in media matters, including issues related to the protection of honor and dignity on the Internet and the unlawful processing of personal data. We secured a pre-trial settlement for the conflict and the removal of all defamatory articles.
- Appealed to a chief prosecutor of a Russian region to protect the honor, dignity, and business reputation of a prominent financier on the Internet. Roskomnadzor went on to block certain websites in Russia that were spreading defamatory content, following instructions from the prosecutor's office.
