- preparing the necessary documentation, collecting evidence, and initiating criminal proceedings against the client's former top manager in connection with fraudulent actions committed against the client
- preparing and filing a complaint with the police on the client's behalf regarding trademark fraud, followed by ongoing legal representation
- advising the client during police investigative actions, including searches and questioning of Russian top management (a criminal case was initiated following a customs audit for non-payment of customs duties)
- consulting and providing assistance in conducting an internal investigation into allegations of bribery and embezzlement in Russia, including the interviewing of employees
- providing comprehensive representation for a client's employee in connection with a criminal case initiated against the employee for alleged illegal currency operations: participation in interrogations/interviews, challenging actions and decisions (including through the courts), case strategy development, etc.
- providing representation during inspections by the Prosecutor's Office and Roskomnadzor to ensure compliance with personal data legislation
- providing representation for a deputy general director / general director during questioning by the Economic Crimes Department / Investigative Committee in connection with an audit of counterparties, as well as preparing clients for questioning
- advising a Russian investor on civil and criminal law matters regarding his partner's fraudulent actions within a joint venture involving USD 200m using companies in Cyprus, the British Virgin Islands, and Latvia
- representing the interests of top management of a Taiwanese IT company in a criminal case involving fraud in procurement for the Russian Ministry of Defense
- conducting a confidential internal investigation at a client's plant following reports of manipulation in internal and external reporting related to production safety
- representing the client's interests in a criminal case related to the death of workers at a production site due to an explosion of chemical reagents
- defending the management of a major Russian manufacturing company in a criminal case for alleged large-scale fraud involving RUB 45m, initiated by the Magadan Region Directorate of the FSB, which resulted in the court delivering a full acquittal
- advising a client during investigative actions by law enforcement in connection with suspicion of fraud
- advising a group of private individuals on suspected money laundering of EUR 100m transferred out of Russia
- representing the company's management in rehabilitation proceedings, as a result of which over RUB 10m in property damages and RUB 1m in compensation for moral harm were recovered from the Russian Ministry of Finance for illegal criminal prosecution
- representing the interests of a global climate control equipment supplier in matters concerning misconduct by local management, including conducting an internal investigation and liaising with law enforcement authorities
- defending the management of a major confectionery producer in a criminal case for alleged large-scale fraud involving RUB 1.3bn, initiated by the Main Investigations Directorate of the Russian MVD for St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast
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First Responders
Open as PDFBIRCH LEGAL is a leading law firm with a team of professionals possessing abundant multidisciplinary experience. Our accumulated expertise allows us to provide highly-qualified, urgent assistance with a wide range of legal issues, ensuring reliable protection and comprehensive support for our clients in critical situations where time is of the essence.
Our First Responders service delivers prompt legal assistance during searches, unannounced inspections by state authorities, field tax audits and other situations demanding urgent action. We guarantee a rapid response and dependable support, helping our clients navigate difficult situations with confidence.
During a state inspection
The inspection report is the key piece of evidence for any subsequent administrative liability proceedings.
Consequently, the presence of an experienced representative during a state inspection allows for minimizing financial losses resulting from administrative penalties and avoiding the adoption of restrictive measures that could adversely impact the company’s operations.
During a search or seizure
Officers have arrived at your or your employees' office or home to conduct a search or seizure. They are exerting psychological pressure, prohibiting communication between those present, breaking open locks, seizing equipment and personal belongings, and threatening to take people to the station for further investigative actions.
We provide 24/7 support for such situations, both via online consultations and through direct on-site representation.
We are prepared to respond to your call immediately and ensure the presence of experienced lawyers. Their involvement will curb any potential abuse of power by law enforcement authorities and minimize negative consequences.
During questioning
One of the most common ways businesses interact with law enforcement is through the questioning of their employees. Such questioning is invariably stressful, characterized by a lack of clear understanding of the risks and of how consequential the phrasing of answers can be, both for the individual being questioned and for the business as a whole. In some instances, questioning can lead to formal charges and arrest.
BIRCH LEGAL’s lawyers are ready 24/7 to respond to a message about the detention of your company’s employees and to provide their defense during questioning, safeguarding the interests of both the individuals involved and the company.
Requests from law enforcement agencies
Scrutiny from law enforcement often begins with a request for documents, information, or other inquiries. Such situations typically raise critical questions: Is it advisable to respond at all? Are we obligated to provide the requested materials? What are the legal consequences of refusal? Is the agency acting within its legal authority or overstepping it? And, most importantly, how could any response be used against the company?
We include in our support:
- an evaluation of the request in terms of its motivation, legality, and substantiation
- a qualified response
- assistance with clarifying the reasons behind the request and the development of a strategy for interacting with law enforcement
- advice on how to proceed in the event of an inspection and in other similar situations
- an analysis of the transactions that have drawn law enforcement’s interest for signs of unlawful activity
During dispute resolution / negotiations
Business disputes are often accompanied by emotional tension, which frequently leads to errors or obstructs the path to a mutually acceptable resolution. The involvement of an external representative experienced in conflict resolution allows for a reset of the situation, providing an objective external perspective, thereby helping to avoid mistakes and achieve greater effectiveness in reaching agreements or to prepare efficiently for the next stage of the conflict.
We offer representation of the company's management's interests in resolving conflicts with employees, between internal partners, and with counterparties.
Critical legal support for other matters
Our strength lies in a powerful team with deep expertise in most issues businesses face in Russia. When taking on your case, we can deploy any member of the BIRCH LEGAL team, including specialists in corporate, tax, sanctions, dispute resolution, and intellectual property law, as well as experts in construction and real estate, employment and migration law, and other niche practice areas within our firm.
We are prepared to respond swiftly to a wide range of situations and assess them from multiple perspectives.
Criminal due diligence
As part of this service, we are prepared to analyze your business, its individual divisions, or specific transactions for potential criminal law exposure.
We help to:
- reduce the likelihood of searches, interrogations, and detentions
- preserve your business reputation and, consequently, your base of loyal customers and partners
- provide peace of mind and confidence in your personal security
Conducting criminal due diligence can also be beneficial prior to concluding a transaction, especially when the counterparty is a foreign entity and payments will be made to foreign bank accounts – a matter of particular scrutiny for law enforcement authorities at present.
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