KIAP, Attorneys at Law, announces key appointments within the Firm: effective August 1, 2026, Senior Associates Roman Suslov and Ekaterina Spakhova, as well as Dmitry Kalinichenko, Head of projects in White Collar Crime ptactice, were promoted to the position of Counsel.
All three of them — Roman, Ekaterina and Dmitry — have been working in the KIAP team for more than 10 years (Roman and Ekaterina – for 13 years, Dmitry — for 14 years). The appointment of experienced lawyers who have gone through many years of development within the firm as Counsels is aimed at systematically strengthening the Firm's expertise and reflects the highest level of professional competence of our colleagues, their contribution to the development of the Firm's key practices and their ability to successfully implement complex projects on a national and international scale.
Andrey Korelskiy, Managing Partner of KIAP, Attorneys at Law:
"The development of our own team has always been a priority for us at KIAP. Roman, Ekaterina, and Dmitry have been with us for many years now — we have seen them grow up, become professional, and step by step become recognized experts in the legal market. We are sincerely proud of our team and are glad that our colleagues will continue to develop with us in their new status. We are confident that their experience and approach will help the Firm move forward and strengthen us both in current projects and in future tasks".
Roman Suslov specializes in structuring M&A transactions, corporate consulting at all stages of company development, and also accompanies projects of Private Clients’ practice. He has project experience in the banking and financial sectors, in particular in supporting asset securitization and leveraged capital transactions. In addition, Roman's expertise includes consulting in the framework of monitoring economic concentration, on foreign investments in certain sectors of the economy, regarding temporary restrictive measures (counter-sanctions), as well as obtaining the consent of legal authorities of the transaction in these areas.
Among Roman's most significant public projects in Russian and English law are: Sale of controlling stake in 1C entertainment TENCENT group; sale of the share in Banki.ru group to a strategic investor; accompanying the sale of 25% share to eCredit; development of plans for the integration of Russian businesses of the two logistics groups, and more.
Roman holds a Ph.D. in Law. Recommended by leading Russian and international legal ratings: Pravo-300 (Corporate Law/Mergers and Acquisitions (Mid Market Advisory) – in 2026; TMT (Telecommunications, Media and Technology) – in 2025), Kommersant Publishing House (Rising Stars in the Financial and banking sector category – in 2023), as well as Best Lawyers 2022 and Legal 500 EMEA 2021.
Ekaterina Spakhova has worked her way up from an intern to an experienced lawyer in 13 years, managing projects at the Corporate Law/Mergers and Acquisitions practice and the Private Clients practice. Over the years, Ekaterina has gained significant experience in supporting M&A transactions, resolving corporate disputes, and developing private equity, including creating personal funds for HNWI and UHNWI clients. In addition, she regularly advises clients on approving transactions with regulators (FAS Russia, the Government Commission of the Russian Federation), and also supports projects on asset ownership and management restructuring in both Russian and foreign jurisdictions.
Ekaterina's key public projects include: supporting the Zvezda shipbuilding complex in joint venture deals with Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (HSHI) and Samsung Heavy Industries; advising the beneficiary of a major retail chain selling products for everyday life, beauty, and home use on structuring asset ownership, including through holding structures in friendly jurisdictions; support of the founder of eCredit in the transaction for the sale of the business to the Yandex group, and more.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of London. Recommended by leading Russian and international legal ratings: Pravo-300 (Corporate Law/Mergers and Acquisitions (Mid Market Advisory) – in 2026; TMT (Telecommunications, Media and Technology) – in 2025), Best Lawyers 2021 and Legal 500 EMEA 2019.
Anton Samokhvalov, Partner, Head of Corporate/M&A Practice at KIAP:
"I believe that Roman and Ekaterina have gone through an impressive professional journey within the practice and have proven their ability to solve the most complex and non-standard tasks of our clients. Their in-depth legal expertise and the ability to immerse themselves in clients' business tasks significantly strengthen the position of our practice. The appointment of Roman and Ekaterina as Counsels is a logical recognition of their high authority in the professional community and their significant personal contribution to the success of the Firm's legal projects".
Dmitry Kalinichenko has more than 14 years of experience and has deep legal expertise in the fields of criminal law, protection of business reputation, complex disputes in courts of general jurisdiction, and compliance.
Dmitry's career track is a clear example of how consistent growth within a single team turns an entry-level specialist into a strong and sought—after expert. Having started his career as a junior lawyer in 2012, he proved to be a talented trial associate, participating in civil dispute hearings of various categories. In 2016, Dmitry received the status of an attorney at law and from that moment on he actively joined projects of White Collar Crime practice, gradually shifting his professional interest from civil cases to criminal ones, primarily in the field of economic, "white collar" crimes. In 2019, Dmitry finished his dissertation and received a Ph.D. in law.
Today, Dmitry Kalinichenko is an experienced attorney at law who advises and defends clients of KIAP in criminal cases of various complexities, including cases against property, life and health, as well as in the field of economic and official crimes. He repeatedly sought the termination of criminal cases, including on rehabilitative grounds, and the return of cases to the prosecutor. He has a unique experience in representing clients in cases of protecting business reputation, having won dozens of disputes. In addition, Dmitry provides support for disputes in courts of general jurisdiction in cases arising from contractual and tort legal relations, and disputes over unjustified enrichment. He also advises Russian and international clients on labor and anti-corruption compliance.
Dmitry is recommended by leading Russian and international legal ratings: Pravo-300 (Criminal law) and Kommersant Publishing House (Criminal law: white-collar crime - 1 band) in 2023; Best Lawyers 2022 (Criminal law, Dispute resolution); and Legal 500 EMEA 2021 (Rising Stars in White-Collar Crime).
Konstantin Astafiev, Attorney at law, partner of "White Collar Crime” and "Forensic. Legal Inquiries" practices and one of the co-founders of KIAP:
"For years, Dmitry has been my right hand in every project. He has navigated various challenging situations alongside me and has repeatedly proven himself to be a true professional — someone I can always rely on. It is a great success that such dedicated and responsible colleagues work with us in the team. I am glad that Dmitry's contribution has now been awarded the status of Counsel — it is absolutely deserved. I wish him to continue his professional career, steadfastly defending and upholding justice further".
More information about the competencies and achievements of Roman, Ekaterina and Dmitry can be found in the "Team" section on our website.