KIAP, Attorneys At Law, announces new key appointments.
On 1 March 2025, Julia Paushkina was elected as a Partner of Commercial and Employment Practices, and Stepan Sultanov became a Partner of the International Commercial Arbitration Practice.
"We are very pleased to welcome Julia and Stepan as KIAP Partners. Both are experts in their areas with strong expertise, a proactive approach and vast experience behind them. But what we are especially proud of is, of course, that it was a long and winding road in the company both for Julia and Stepan, who have grown in it. This year, KIAP celebrates its 15th anniversary and this best demonstrates our commitment to the consistent and sustainable development of the company and the team as its key asset, understanding the importance of long-term investments in young talents who then become full-fledged partners on par with the founders," notes Andrey Korelskiy, KIAP's Managing Partner.
Julia Paushkina has been working with KIAP since its foundation in 2010 and became a lawyer in 2012. Her core specialization is advising KIAP clients on the matters of doing business in Russia and abroad, including contractual links and internal policies. She provides a full range of legal services regarding employment law, including facilitation in resolution of individual and collective employment disputes. Julia also provides advice on antitrust and corporate law, TMT and compliance issues.
For many years, the Commercial and Employment Practices led by Julia have been included in leading legal ratings, including Kommersant, Pravo-300, and The Legal 500 EMEA (until 2022). Julia is personally recommended by the Russian ratings, including Kommersant and Pravo-300 in 2024, and the international ratings The Legal 500 EMEA and Best Lawyers (until 2022).
"My professional journey started many years ago at a young but ambitious KIAP Law Firm, which has helped me to grow and develop as a lawyer. Thank you very much for the opportunity to continue this development in a new capacity," says Julia.
Stepan Sultanov specializes in resolving complex disputes with a foreign element. He represents clients in national courts and international arbitration under auspices of HKIAC, LCIA, ICC, VIAC, SCC, ICAC, RAC, and other arbitral institutions. Stepan has vast experience in resolution of disputes in construction, commodities (oil and petrochemical products), distribution, and IT sectors caused by force-majeure and hardship. He has years of experience in resolution of disputes arising out of contracts for the international sale of goods and independent/bank guarantees. Stepan focuses on the exclusive jurisdiction of Russian courts and their powers to impose anti-suit injunctions under the so-called Lugovoy Law (Articles 248.1 and 248.2 of the Russian Arbitrazh (Commercial) Procedure Code).
Stepan joined KIAP in 2019. He had won a most reputable scholarship in the world, completed an LL.M. in International Commercial Arbitration at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Caruso School of Law, Pepperdine (Malibu, California, USA) last year, and passed the New York State Bar Exam. Stepan is personally recommended by the international and Russian ratings. He is a member of the Board of the Arbitration Association (RAA) and the ICC Russia Arbitration Commission.
"I am extremely grateful for the confidence voted by the Firm's Partners. There is a big milestone ahead for KIAP, and I am happy to achieve it together," Stepan comments on his appointment.
Together with Julia and Stepan, KIAP has eight Partners and more than 30 lawyers.