Baker & McKenzie announces new promotions

Moscow/Baku, 10 August 2010 - Baker & McKenzie announces new promotions in Azerbaijan and Russia. In Baku Gunduz Karimov has been promoted to partner and Natik Namedov to counsel, and in Moscow Sergei Sitnikov has been promoted to counsel.

Commenting on the promotions, Carol Patterson, Managing Partner of the CIS offices, said: "These promotions reflect our commitment to delivering world-class services to our clients across the CIS region. Over the years, Gunduz, Natik and Sergei have demonstrated outstanding expertise in their respective practices. In their new roles they will be supporting our growth in the key areas of business."

Natik Mamedov has considerable experience in real estate, corporate and commercial transactions, M&A, regulatory compliance and licensing matters. Chambers Global and IFLR 1000 list him among the leading lawyers in his area of practice. Prior to joining Baker & McKenzie, Natik worked at several law firms in Philadelphia, Washington, New York and Moscow. He also taught at the School of International Relations of Baku State University and worked as a managing counsel at the Central Bank of Azerbaijan.

Gunduz Karimov's practice focuses on commercial disputes, intellectual property, international disputes and tax litigation. He also advises Azerbaijani and international clients on the antitrust, competition and regulatory matters. Gunduz is a recommended litigator by PLC Which Lawyer? and Chambers Global. Prior to joining Baker & McKenzie in 2002, he worked for the Baku delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Since 2000, Mr. Karimov has taught private international law and international intellectual property at the School of Law of Baku State University.

Sergei Sitnikov has extensive experience in climate change and energy efficiency, corporate law and M&A. Since 2004, Sergei has worked with regulators, as well as local and foreign stakeholders, on setting the stage for Kyoto Protocol projects in the region. One of the first lawyers in Russia to specialize in this burgeoning area, he is now advising clients on developing contractual structures related to the Kyoto Protocol, voluntary emission reductions (VERs), as well as on the new energy efficiency regime in Russia.