Eric Michailov
Biography
Overview
Eric is a partner in the Firm's Corporate/ Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) practice. He is also the regional M&A practice head for Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The first English-qualified lawyer to be offered membership to the Guild of Russian Advocates, Eric has been closely involved in many of the most ground-breaking and high profile M&A deals in Russia and CIS. He has been working in the Russian market for more than 20 years.
Eric's deal experience in a wide range of sectors, from on-line businesses and telecommunications to real estate, retail and banking, enable him to offer authoritative and experienced advice to large corporates, private equity funds and Fortune 500 multi-nationals on their operations in Russia and across the globe.
Experience
VTB Bank
Representation of VTB Bank in connection with the US$2 billion sale of the 55% stake in Tele2 Russia to Rostelecom, the Russian telecom giant, and further acquisition of up to 30% shares of Rostelecom.
Naspers
Representation of Naspers, a global internet and entertainment group and one of the world’s largest technology investors, on its US$1.16 billion acquisition of an additional 29.1 percent shareholding in Avito, the leading Russian online classifieds site.
Yandex
Representation of Yandex, one of Europe's largest internet companies and the leading search provider in Russia, on its acquisition of rights to an approximately four hectare plot of land situated at Kosygina Street in Moscow for the construction of its new headquarters.
VTB Bank
Representation of VTB Bank, one of the leading banks in Russia, in connection with the acquisition of a major stake in Vozrozhdenie Bank.
Telia Company
Representation of Nordic telecoms operator Telia Company on the US$1 billion sale of its approximately 19 percent holding in MegaFon, a leading federal mobile telecoms operator in Russia, to Gazprombank, the third largest bank in Russia.
Capital Partners
Representation of Capital Partners, a leading international real estate developer, in its $1.2 billion sale of Metropolis, one of the largest shopping centers in Moscow, to Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund. This is the largest real estate transaction in Russia to date and was named "Deal of the Year" at the Commercial Real Estate Awards 2014.
Telia Sonera
Representation of TeliaSonera in the $8.5 billion shareholder restructuring of MegaFon, one of Russia's largest mobile phone operators, and the simultaneous $1.45 billion sale of a part of TeliaSonera's stake in MegaFon to Russian investor Alisher Usmanov.
VTB Capital
Representation of VTB Capital in the US$3.55 billion acquisition of Tele2 Russia from Tele2 AB, and the subsequent sale of its stake to a number of secondary investors.
Qatar Holding
Representation of Qatar Holding, the strategic investment arm of the Qatar Investment Authority, in its $500 million equity investment in VTB Bank, Russia's second-largest bank.
Meridian Capital
Representation of private equity fund Meridian Capital in the US$1.1 billion sale of Galleria Shopping Centre in St. Petersburg to Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund. The transaction was named "Investment Deal of the Year" at the Commercial Real Estate Awards 2012.
Meridian Capital/ Unimilk
Representation of Meridian Capital and Unimilk in a $ 1.2 billion joint venture between Unimilk and the Russian arm of foods giant Danone. This deal was named "European M&A Deal of the Year" at IFLR's 2011 European Awards.
Sberbank
Representation of Sberbank in its $6 billion bid to purchase, with Magna International, a 55% interest in Opel from General Motors.
Chambers 2021, Russia – Eminent Practitioner – Corporate/M&A, Real Estate, Private Equity
The Legal 500 2021, Russia - Hall of Fame – Corporate/M&A
The Legal 500 2021, Russia – Leading Individual – TMT
