FIRE, Disputes & Investigations: Central Asia

Michael is a specialist in the defence of corporate and financial crime and regulatory investigations and prosecutions. He has represented senior executives and other professionals in many high-profile domestic and international investigations and prosecutions conducted by the SFO, FCA, NCA and other prosecution/regulatory agencies.

Michael is a specialist in the defence of corporate and financial crime and regulatory investigations and prosecutions. He has represented senior executives and other professionals in many high-profile domestic and international investigations and prosecutions conducted by the SFO, FCA, NCA and other prosecution/regulatory agencies.

Adept at navigating the overlap between jurisdictions, Michael regularly advises in international cases that involve overseas prosecutors/regulators and has managed and coordinated responses in each jurisdiction on numerous occasions.

Michael regularly advises and represents senior financial services personnel facing FCA/PRA and other regulator investigations and disciplinary action. He also advises and represents high-net-worth individuals facing revenue investigations and potential prosecutions.

Michael has also been extensively involved in advising clients facing financial and trade sanctions both domestically and globally with experience of sanctions regimes in a range of countries, including Russia, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea and Syria. His most recent experience includes representing high-net-worth individuals that are the subject of sanctions imposed by OFAC, OFSI and the Minister for External Relations and Financial Services (Jersey), including challenging the ‘designated’ status of a number of high-profile Russian Oligarchs, and advising various Russian companies in a range of industry sectors on potential exposures arising from the evolving EU, US and UK sanctions regime

In addition, he advises both companies and professional firms on their anti-money laundering compliance. Michael is a Solicitor-Advocate (Higher Courts Criminal and Civil Proceedings).

Claiborne (Clay) W. Porter is a co-founder of Arktouros PLLC.  Clay’s practice focuses on white collar criminal and regulatory matters, internal investigations, and compliance counseling. Clay’s extensive experience includes representing clients in complex international and domestic criminal and regulatory cases and investigations involving U.S. economic sanctions, fraud, international money laundering and corruption, the Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering laws and regulations (BSA/AML), the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and cryptocurrency.  Previously, Clay was the Chief Legal Officer of a web3 company focused on decentralized risk management.  Clay was also a partner in a leading international law firm’s financial crimes defense and compliance practice, managing sophisticated white collar matters.

Clay’s extensive government experience includes various leadership and supervisory roles in the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the US Department of Justice’s Criminal Division (MLARS), including Acting Principal Deputy Chief of MLARS and Chief of the Bank Integrity Unit. At MLARS, he managed a wide variety of complex domestic and international investigations, including investigations of financial services companies and individuals for potential violations of U.S. economic sanctions and money laundering and BSA/AML laws. Clay coordinated those efforts with various domestic (state and federal) and foreign law enforcement and regulators, including U.S. Attorneys Offices across the country, the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the Federal Reserve Board, Office of the Comptroller of Currency, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, US Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade Commission, New York State Department of Financial Services, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, National Crime Agency, and Crown Prosecution Service.

Ben Wells is a Solicitor Advocate whose practice is centred on dispute resolution. He regularly represents clients in: (i) arbitral proceedings conducted under the auspices of leading arbitration institutions; and (ii) litigation in the English courts. He also sits as an arbitrator where all his cases have a cross-border element.

Issues that he resolves relate to commercial contracts, trading, investments, banking, joint ventures, company and shareholder disputes, cross-border insolvency, international civil fraud and enforcement.

Ben has a particular focus on sanctions, asset-tracing, contentious trusts and matrimonial disputes.

Ben is an executive committee member of the British-Kazakh Law Association, holds rights of audience at the Astana International Finance Centre and is listed as an international arbitrator.

Ben writes articles which are published internationally as well as having featured in articles for the Law Society of England and Wales. Ben is a frequent speaker at conferences.

Ardavan Amir-Aslani is one of the principal partners of the law firm Cohen Amir-Aslani, one of the leading internationally oriented practices in Paris. He is the head of the international law and government relations department of the firm.

Ardavan Amir-Aslani is one of the recognized actors of International Public law in France. As such, he represents a number of sovereign States and organizations across the globe. In such capacity, he has acted as counsel to a number of countries in drafting their internal law in relation to Foreign Investments, securities law, privatizations, Islamic finance, etc... On a regular basis, he represents countries in the negotiation and drafting of government contracts and before international jurisdictions and arbitration tribunals.

He has developed an expertise in the implementation and management of multijurisdictional litigations at an international scale, notably in relation to the recovery of misappropriated or embezzled assets, recovery of jumbo liabilities for banks and institutions, and litigation arising from anti-bribery statutes (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act de 1977 (FCPA) (15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1, et seq.) and « Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions » of the OECD dated November 21, 1997).

He has also extended his expertise to comprehensive asset protection strategies enabling the prevention and/or significant reduction of risks by insulating business and personal assets from third party claims. His asset protection plans, employing elaborate multi-jurisdiction legal strategies, implemented prior or subsequent to the initiation of lawsuits or claims have deterred on numerous occasions and this, across the globe, potential claimants and have prevented the seizure of assets. He is also considered to be one of the preeminent experts on national and international sanctions deployed by sovereign States and international organizations and has advised dozens of individuals and entities in this regard. Ardavan Amir-Aslani has represented governmental authorities, international organizations and multilateral agencies in relation to sanctions on several multibillion-dollar global matters. He has also represented private individuals and entities in a large number of sanctions related international disputes.

He is also the author of numerous articles on business law in general and international law in particular. He is regularly invited to speak at conferences on international public law. He has co-directed and participated in the writing of a series of books examining the recovery of international accounts receivables (« Debt Recovery in Europe » in Helbing Lichtenhahn Verlag).

He is a respected analyst of the geo-strategy of the Arab world and of comparative theology. He is regularly auditioned by French and foreign think tanks and by French and foreign chiefs of staff on geostrategic issues pertaining to the Middle East and central Asia. He is also one of the few French lawyers authorized to stand before the international criminal court.

Ardavan Amir-Aslani is a Colonel in the French army (reserve RC) Gendarmerie as well as an honorary Hussar in the First Regiment of Parachutist Hussars.

John Eric Podgore is head of ADG Legal’s Transactional Practice and is based in Dubai. He has more than twenty years of experience in both in-house and private practice roles, with over a decade practicing in the MENA Region – having worked at such law firms as White & Case, Akin Gump, Dechert and Addleshaw Goddard. John advises on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, with a particular focus on the Middle East, the former Soviet Union / Central Asia, and Africa.

Of note, since mid-2022 John has assisted unsanctioned / apolitical companies with direct / indirect connections to Russia adapt to changing geopolitics and pursue transactions in the UAE and the broader MENA Region.  John has a wealth of experience dealing with the intersection of business and geopolitics, and he has frequently advised on such matters as sanctions, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and hurdles facing foreign investment in the US (including in respect of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US and Foreign Ownership, Control or Interest analyses).

John is also experienced in navigating issues of political risk associated with projects in frontier and emerging markets, including leveraging the capabilities of international financial institutions and export credit agencies. He filed the first-ever successful ‘lender’ claim under a major lender’s political risk insurance policy with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (f/k/a the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation), in relation to a frontier market power plant.

John frequently advises on complex cross-border transactions in a number of sectors, and he frequently bridges linguistic and cultural barriers to negotiate effective joint ventures and enduring commercial arrangements.

Prior to joining ADG Legal, John has practiced as general counsel of an energy / venture capital company in Dubai and as partner in leading US and UK law firms. In addition to native fluency in English, John speaks Arabic, French, Russian and Turkish.

Alessandro (Alex) Volcic is a managing director in the Forensic Investigations and Intelligence practice, based in Milan. In addition, he also serves as head of Kroll’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia team. Alex leverages more than 17 years of experience conducting complex and often multi-jurisdictional assignments in Eastern Europe and the CIS, with a focus on Ukraine, Russia, the Balkans and Kazakhstan. Having joined the firm initially in London, Alex ran Kroll’s Moscow office for 10 years. Alex assists corporates, law firms, private equity houses, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals to identify, understand and manage the risks involved in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance transactions and new market entry, including political risks. He also supports clients’ management of disputes, internal fraud and corruption investigations and asset recoveries.

https://www.kroll.com/en/our-team/alessandro-volcic

For over 28 years, Maxim has represented clients in Russian state courts of all levels, including the Russian Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court, and in international arbitration centres such as the SCC, the ICC, the ICAC and the LCIA. He has extensive experience giving evidence in foreign courts and arbitral proceedings as a Russian law expert.

Maxim’s specialization covers commercial, corporate, energy, financial, construction, international trading disputes, jurisdictional and civil fraud disputes.

He is a member of the ICC Russia Arbitration Committee, Russian Arbitration Association, Korea International Mediation Centre, listed arbitrator of VIAC (Austria), SIAC (Singapore), JCAA (Japan), HKIAC (Hong Kong), ICAC (Russia), Arbitration Centre at the RSPP (Russia), and Russian Arbitration Centre. Independent legal ratings agencies The GAR 100, The Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, Best Lawyers, Who’s Who Legal, Pravo.ru-300, Kommersant all recommend Maxim.

Brad Henry is a partner in the firm’s White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Group and International Litigation and Arbitration Group, based in the New York office. His practice focuses on representing entities and individuals in criminal and regulatory litigation and government investigations, and internal investigations involving securities fraud, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and export violations, bank secrecy and anti-money laundering, public corruption, U.S. economic sanctions violations, corporate financial fraud, and theft of trade secrets. Brad has defended clients across industries, including banking and financial services, textiles, construction, mining, nuclear, tobacco, and manufacturing. He also represents clients in complex litigation and international arbitration matters.

Brad represents clients in matters involving the Department of Justice (National Security Division, Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division), Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Office of Foreign Assets Control, and other federal, state, and local agencies. He has successfully conducted federal criminal jury trials dealing with crimes ranging from economic espionage to public corruption. Brad has also successfully obtained declinations, non-prosecution agreements, deferred prosecution agreements, and outright dismissals in investigations and prosecutions by US Attorney’s Offices round the country. Most recently, Brad convinced the Department of Justice to dismiss allegations of wire fraud and witness tampering for the former president of one of America’s largest gas and diesel distributors after having taken over from prior counsel, overturning the conviction and a 13.5 year sentence. 

Internationally, Brad has arbitrated cases before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). His experience ranges from disputes between sovereign nations to bilateral investment treaties related to construction, manufacturing, real estate development, ports, and oil and gas.

Brad is a frequent legal commentator and speaker, providing his view on a range of white-collar and compliance topics, as well as U.S. economic sanctions, AML/TF, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and cross-border investigations. He also serves as co-chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Turkey Business Council Ad Hoc Legal Working Group.

Prateek Bagaria is a specialist practitioner in international disputes.

He brings forth over a decade of experience in complex commercial cross-border disputes with strong focus on international arbitration, complex litigation, white-collar crime litigation, global enforcement and recovery.

He also represents athletes & sports federations in matters of anti doping and other disputes. Legal 500 describes him as "responsive and dynamic" and "a very driven individual and a good lawyer who handles clients well".

He is licensed to plead before the courts in India and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). A prominent speaker across leading forums and a sought after advisor & thought leader in matters across the globe, his robust legal knowledge coupled with a unique approach to problem solving continues to be recognized widely.

Ruzin is an associate in the litigation and arbitration team.

Ruzin is a dual-qualified associate (Turkey and England & Wales) and having previously practised in Paris and Istanbul, she has particular expertise in international arbitration, commercial litigation and both private and public international law.

In her international arbitration practice, Ruzin represents individuals, companies, States and State-owned entities in international disputes conducted under LCIA, ICC, DIAC, SCC, UNCITRAL and ICSID rules across a variety of sectors, including construction, energy, infrastructure, technology, pharmaceuticals and textiles. Ruzin also advises States on public international law matters such as the application of treaties, dispute resolution issues relating to international trade and investment, human rights and sovereign immunity.

In her commercial litigation practice, Ruzin advises both individuals and companies before the English High Court in complex shareholder disputes, disputes involving family businesses, debt collection and insolvency issues and litigation ancillary to arbitration proceedings including international enforcement of awards. Ruzin has appeared before the Turkish courts as an advocate in a range of commercial disputes and enforcement actions.

Ufuk Yalçın is a Partner of Hergüner Bilgen Üçer’s Commercial and Dispute Resolution Section and is a leader in firm's Corporate Support and Employment and Labour practice groups, where he plays a key role in assisting corporations in their day-to-day legal needs. He is renowned for his in-depth understanding of the various sectors in which clients operate and his ability to tailor customized solutions to fit each sector. Through his excellent representation in a significant number of high-profile cases, he has developed an outstanding reputation as a specialist in complex contentious matters including antitrust related proceedings.

Mr. Yalçın represents foreign companies entering the Turkish market and foreign and local companies for day-to-day operational needs, including corporate governance, contract management, anti-bribery and anticorruption, franchising and distribution as well as complex litigation matters. He represents some of the foreign companies doing business in Türkiye in the medical devices, life sciences, manufacturing, automotive sectors.

In his first few years at the Bar, Shantanu Majumdar practised in most areas known to the law, once even cross-examining a police officer in the Court of Appeal.

For the past 20 years he has specialised in commercial and commercial Chancery litigation and arbitration and professional negligence. He thinks very hard about his cases for, as a famous Roman once said: “Grasp the subject matter and the words will follow”. Shantanu undertakes litigation, arbitration and advisory work in the following fields, much of it of an international nature involving foreign parties and/or foreign law and/or foreign proceedings.