Vasani: I pray that peace will prevail
The solicitor founders of the London office of a leading Russian law firm yesterday revealed that they have decided to shutter the operation and move on in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
James Dingley, who joined Ivanyan & Partners from Clifford Chance in 2020, wrote on LinkedIn: “Following the shocking developments in Ukraine last week, we have, together with our Russian colleagues, decided to close the London office of Ivanyan and Partners.”
He said he was no longer working on client matters and would leave the firm “once all office-related administration has been properly concluded”.
Ivanyan describes itself as a top-10 Russian law firm with more than 90 lawyers in Moscow and St Petersburg. LinkedIn indicates at least four other lawyers working in the London office.
The London office’s website, which has now been taken down, said it was a “conflict-free boutique law firm specialising in complex international disputes”.
It went on: “Our Russian roots, English law capabilities, and diverse international team afford us a unique global reach and a perspective that gives rise to innovative and effective legal solutions.”
Mr Dingley thanked his colleagues in the UK and Russia “for their support and commitment to establishing the London office over the past eighteen months, as well as their unfailing professionalism”.
He added: “More immediately, I hope for a swift and peaceful conclusion to the current situation. #notowar.”
Baiju Vasani, who was managing partner of the London office and global head of arbitration, wrote: “I have today tendered my resignation with Ivanyan & Partners Law Firm and am no longer working for its clients.
“I thank the truly exceptional lawyers of the firm for their friendship and collegiality over these last two and a half years. It has been a real honour and I cannot speak highly enough of their deep professionalism and legal excellence.”
A former partner at Jones Day in London, the solicitor concluded: “Like all of us who care about justice, including the overwhelming majority of Russian citizens, I pray that peace will prevail.
“To my many friends in Ukraine, I stand with each of you. I will be reaching out to you individually to see what I can do to help.”