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Criminal Law Practice Area

7 years

Of criminal defense in white collar and corruption-related matters

The practice area’s team consists of specialists with many years of professional experience, who have earned the esteem of their colleagues and appreciation of our clients. Teamwork, a high level of competence, expert assessment, accountability and a focus on results, combine to make it possible to swiftly prepare and implement the most effective line of legal defense of the rights and interests of our clients, taking into account all of the nuances of each issue in each case.

The core specialization of the ART DE LEX attorneys practicing in this area is a deep understanding of the legal relationships involved in economic offenses, as well as those arising from fiduciary failures, acts of corruption, and related crimes.

Selecting and advocating the best legal positions and arguments can be geared towards the defense of individuals or the protection of corporate interests, but in every case our representation reflects the status of the client, either as the accused or the victim in the case.

To mount a successful defense, our attorneys use their extensive knowledge of intersectoral relations and their significant research and expertise in the fields of law, economics, bankruptcy and appraisal work, as well as in banking, tax, and customs regulation.

Practice presentation

Professional achievements of the practice area

Defense of the top manager of a leading Russian staffing holding in criminal cases and audits stemming from alleged banking crimes and tax evasion. As a result of our successful defense, no offenses were found in our client’s actions that would lead to criminal prosecution.

Successful case  

Defense of a regional leader of one of Russia’s constituent entities, charged with taking an especially large bribe.

Successful case  

Defense of the ex-head of one of Russia’s leading aerospace enterprises, charged with abuse of office under Article 201(2) of the Russian Federal Criminal Code.

Successful case  

Services

Defending the rights and representing the interests of individuals and legal entities as the victims in criminal cases; initiating criminal prosecution; and providing consultation and procedural support
  • Consulting on matters of criminal law and the evaluation of case prospects.
  • Legal support at all stages of criminal proceedings.
  • Assistance in conciliation and participation in negotiations, when permissible.
  • Performance of advocatory investigations.
  • Organization of the performance and support of expert analyses.
  • Facilitation of damage recovery, including the location and return of embezzled assets in Russia and abroad.
  • Representation of the interests of victims in interactions with the courts, law-enforcement agencies, and oversight bodies.
Criminal defense of individuals
  • Defense of business owners, managers, and employees in criminal cases involving charges of the commission of economic crimes and acts of corruption.
  • Defense of corporate officers, government officials, and others in criminal cases involving charges of the commission of abuses of office, acts of corruption, and related crimes.
  • Representation of the client’s interests during preliminary inquiries and investigative measures.
  • Defense of suspects and the indicted in criminal cases during the preliminary inquiry and at all prosecutorial stages.
  • Defense of rights attached to assets seized or confiscated in the course of a preliminary inquiry.

Defending the top manager of a leading Russian staffing holding in criminal cases and audits stemming from alleged banking crimes and tax evasion. As a result of our successful defense, no offenses were found in our client’s actions that would lead to criminal prosecution.

Representing the interests of a federal ministerial chief during an audit conducted by the Russian Federal General Prosecutor’s Office to ensure compliance with applicable anti-corruption legislation. The audit was prompted by an inquiry requested by a deputy of the Russian State Duma. The prosecutor’s office ultimately was unable to establish a violation of the requirements of the applicable anti-corruption legislation in the actions of our client.

Defending the interests of the owner, managers, and employees of a leading regional pharmaceutical company during a criminal investigation of charges of the restriction of competition and the unlawful extraction of income in excess of RUB 50 mln, in violation of Article 178 of the Russian Federal Criminal Code.

Representing the interests of the owner, managers, and employees of one of Russia’s largest IT companies in the course of investigative measures and a pre-investigation probe conducted in relation to a high-profile cartel case involving the suspected unlawful extraction of income in excess of RUB 650 mln.

Defending the general director and founders of one of the leading diversified companies in the healthcare field in a criminal case opened by investigative authorities responding to signs of a cartel agreement at tenders for the supply of medical products, subject to prosecution under Article 178(2) of the Russian Federal Criminal Code. The total amount of imputed criminal proceeds was in excess of RUB 50 mln.

Defending the head of a large jewelry holding against charges of the commission of several instances of fraud in an especially large amount.

Defending the ex-head of one of Russia’s leading aerospace enterprises, who was charged with an abuse of office under Article 201(2) of the Russian Federal Criminal Code.

Defending a regional leader of one of Russia’s constituent entities, who was charged with taking a bribe in an especially large amount.

Consulting on legislation about money laundering, bribetaking, and corruption, as well as on compliance with compulsory procedures in these fields

Representing the interests of a federal ministerial chief during an audit conducted by the Russian Federal General Prosecutor’s Office to ensure compliance with applicable anti-corruption legislation. The audit was prompted by an inquiry requested by a deputy of the Russian State Duma. The prosecutor’s office ultimately was unable to establish a violation of the requirements of the applicable anti-corruption legislation in the actions of our client.

Support in the event of a sudden law enforcement visit to the company’s office; defense of the client’s rights during an inspection of company premises and during the questioning of company management and employees

Advising a major pharmaceutical company on issues related to the performance of certain investigative measures during preliminary inquiries conducted by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and Russian Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs about allegations of the conclusion of cartel agreements worth hundreds of millions of rubles.

Support in the internal investigation of offenses committed by employees against a company’s interests, with the aim of holding the guilty parties criminally responsible and ensuring restitution for related damages

Mounting a defense in a criminal case brought by stakeholders in two unfinished apartment buildings in a major regional center, alleging the causing of damages without embezzlement, under Article 165 of the Russian Federal Criminal Code.

Providing support in a criminal case involving charges of banking offences under Article 172 of the Russian Federal Criminal Code, including the defense of an executive of an organized group.

Preventive analysis and audit of individual transactions and the company’s overall business operations in order to identify criminal risks and the likelihood of the criminal prosecution of company controllers; formulation and implementation of recommendations on minimizing and eliminating these risks

An audit of the foreign economic activity of the large household equipment and electronics distributor resulted in the mitigation of criminal risks.

An exemption of any possible criminal risks as a result of the audit of the highly complex transaction.

Representation of the client in an internal corporate conflict within a large industrial enterprise. As part of it, practice’s experts managed to prevent an unlawful takeover, block numerous attempts to assume control on corporate bodies and impeded funneling and withdrawal of assets.

Organization and coordination of the defense of our client’s rights and representing our client’s interests throughout Russia and in foreign jurisdictions

Complex support and protection of the Russian national during the extradition process overseas due to the charges brought against him in Russia.

Representation of a Russian national, the former executive of a foreign corporation against unlawful charges of abuses overseas.

Team’s experts shielded the foreign company in a serious fraud case. The client suffered enormous losses due to the actions of persons involved in a fraud scheme. The fraud mechanism was complex and had several phony companies across multiple regions of Russia involved.

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