Arlan Yerzhanov, Partner, GRATA Law Firm Representative in the United States, New York Office

(347) 424-1522
ayerzhanov@gratanet.com

Education

Arlan is a qualified Kazakh Lawyer who joined GRATA in May 2007 as a Senior Lawyer and became a Partner in June 2008. He is now GRATA’s Representative in the US.

Arlan obtained an LLM. degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1998.  He graduated from the Kazakh State University in 1996 with a diploma in International Law with a distinction (GPA 5.00 out of 5.00).

Experience

Arlan has more than 13 years of in-house and law firm experience. He has advised international and local companies on a broad spectrum of matters, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance, restructurings and employment issues.

He advised a major Australian Uranium Mining Company on the acquisition of a leading Kazakh nuclear company. He has provided full legal support to a seller of shares in Kazakhstan’s tele- andradio communications company.

Before joining GRATA Arlan worked as Head of Legal Department at a Kazakh oil & gas construction company and worked at a law firm.  Acting as an in-house lawyer, Arlan participated in a successful negotiation of a $300 million Engineering Procurement & Construction (EPC) oil pipeline contract in China and a $500 million gas pipeline construction contract in Russia.

Arlan advised on the following deals:

M&A/Transactional Matters

• advised the world’s largest brewery on its acquisition of a Kazakh brewery;
• advised a major Australian Uranium Mining Company on the acquisition of a leading Kazakh nuclear company, including advice on state approvals;
• represented and provided full legal support to seller on the sale of a 20% stake in a Kazakh television andradio company; including drafting SPA and negotiating,
• advised and provided full legal support, including drafting SPA and negotiating, to a purchaser on its acquisitions of several Kazakh media companies;
• advised a concessionaire (a large Turkish development company) in respect of execution of a concession agreement on the construction of Aktau International Airport in Western Kazakhstan, including shares trust management agreement;
• advised a large Korean mining corporation in its acquisition of several Kazakh mining companies, including conducting due diligence, drafting documentation, preparing legal memos and formal legal opinions;
• advised a large Russian mining company on its acquisition of a Kazakh coal producing company;
• provided legal support for large Turkish development company on a “turn-key” contract based on FIDIC form;
• advised a recognised leader in semi-conductor transportation and packaging systems on its acquisition of a Kazakh company;
• drafted a share purchase agreement on a purchase deal of a company which owns vodka production plants and distribution network in Kazakhstan;
• advised a Russian oil producing company on procedure for sale of shares in an oil company directly or indirectly involved in subsoil use in Kazakhstan and on related state approvals;
• advised Korean and Japanese telecommunication companies in their proposed joint acquisition of 100% shares in a Kazakh telecommunication company and related state approvals;
• provided due diligence for major companies which specialise in providing telecommunication services, transportation, pharmaceutical products, and a company engaged in sale and distribution of furniture and household appliances on a large scale.

Joint ventures

• advised a major European defense corporation on establishing a joint venture and other structuring elements;
• advised a Kazakh servicing construction company on establishing a joint venture engaged in offshore construction services;
• represented a large Korean industrial company in establishment of a JV in Kazakhstan related to limestone mining and cement production.

Employment

• conducted employment due diligence for a Kazakh subsidiary of Nokia Siemens Networks and advised on various employment law issues;
• advised a global technology company on employment agreements and termination agreement issues;
• advised Austrian Airlines’ Kazakh branch office on employment agreements and provided employment law consultations;
• advised Lufthansa’s Kazakh branch office on employment agreements and provided employment law consultations;
• advised on standardised employment contracts for the management of Raiffeisen International local subsidiary in Kazakhstan;
• advised an US oil servicing company on rotation, payroll and training issues;
• checked an employment agreement of a German-Italian pharmaceutical company for compliance with Kazakh legislation and advised on employment termination issues.

Arlan speaks fluent English and Russian.