Mikhail Sokolov

Mikhail Sokolov is a corporate lawyer specialising in a broad range of corporate and M&A transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, cooperation arrangements, strategic alliances, private equity transactions, and debt and equity financing. He also provides advice on various matters related to commercial agreements. Further, Mikhail has extensive experience representing clients in corporate and commercial disputes, including international arbitration and negotiations.

Mikhail’s clients include both domestic and international investors, corporations, family-owned businesses, and individuals, often involved in complex cross-border transactions or acting across multiple jurisdictions. His clients span a variety of sectors, including IT and Technology, Banking and Finance, Manufacturing and Distribution, Construction and Development, as well as Energy and Natural Resources.

As a dual-qualified lawyer (in both England and Wales, and the Russian Federation), and a native Russian speaker, Mikhail has a particular focus on CIS/former USSR countries. He is well-versed in advising clients on legal matters related to this region. Mikhail is also a regular speaker at law forums in Central Asia and frequently travels to the region. Additionally, Mikhail has extensive experience in China-related matters and has visited the country on multiple occasions.

Before joining IMD Solicitors LLP in April 2017, Mikhail gained substantial experience in the areas outlined above, holding senior roles both in-house at large companies and at prominent international law firms. Since joining IMD Solicitors LLP, he has further excelled his expertise.

Mikhail is highly regarded for his proactivity, strategic thinking, deep understanding of his clients’ businesses, combined with his technical knowledge, expertise and thoroughness when working on the matters.

Notable Experience:

• Advised a UK client on the limited liability partnership agreement between partners operating a professional school of rhythmic gymnastics in the UK.
• Advised an investor in an international HealthTech company on the sale of his stake and exit strategy, including extensive negotiations on the share sale agreement and other transactional documents (deal value: approximately $9 million).

• Advised and drafted various facility agreements and guarantees, including having regularly advised banks on validity and construction of guarantees and on-demand bonds as well as the underlying facility agreements concerning substantial corporate loans;

• Advised an overseas client (lender) on the draft loan facility agreement and guarantee agreement for a large construction project in Kazakhstan.
• Acted as an expert in ICC arbitral proceedings, providing an expert opinion on Russian and English laws concerning company liquidation, winding-up, and insolvency.
• Acted as an advisory law expert in overseas court proceedings, providing a law advice on the issues, related to security trusts, reflective loss (impacting company shareholders), and various corporate and contractual matters.
• Provided advice to a UK company on joint venture arrangements with a US IT developer.
• Advised an overseas client on joint venture arrangements (restaurant business) with a UK counterpart.

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