About Us

Oxana is one of the most prominent, internationally recognized M&A lawyers in the market. Oxana has accomplished more than 100 announced and completed M&A deals with a total transaction value exceeding 50bn USD. She acquired over 25 years of multi-jurisdictional experience at international law firms and received virtually every award one can obtain practicing in the legal field. The Best Lawyers Rankings 2021/22 named Oxana as Moscow, Russia's Lawyer of the Year in M&A.

Oxana graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University with honors. She completed post-graduate degrees and courses at the University of Regensburg (Ph.D.), Harvard Business School, Columbia Law School and Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

What inspires Oxana:

Oxana is a proud Moscow-born Armenian. She supports and chairs the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra. Oxana is a healthy lifestyle advocate. She is an amateur triathlete and completed three major marathons (PB: 3:34:08). She is a happy wife and proud mother of two sons.

Born in 2021. Works 24/7 365 days a year. Expert in machine learning and AI-assisted legal text analysis. Can tokenize thousands of pages of text per hour. Fluent in 16 languages. Super-fast and fantastically efficient!

What inspires Xanna:

Xanna is a real foodie. To grow, she only consumes carefully structured data, but in extremely large amounts.

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Dmitry Simbirtsev is a highly skilled professional in IP, IT, and data protection, who leads our IP, Digital & Data Practice.

Dmitry's practice focuses on innovative and challenging projects for clients ranging from truly recognized trendsetters and industry leaders to emerging promising startups doing their business in information technology, cybersecurity, FinTech, media, digital platforms, communications, FMCG, e-commerce and other industries.

Having supported some pioneering projects for internationally and nationally active clients in 20+ countries of the CIS, Middle East and Africa regions, Dmitry uniquely combines the knowledge of international requirements in the IP/TMT sector, the understanding of the way business is done in Russia and the ability to speak the same language as business and technology teams. Being business-oriented and thinking strategically, he is always ready to become a sparring partner to a client and support the one throughout the entire lifecycle of the project.

Dmitry earned IT/IP Law degree in the Higher School of Economics, one of the top universities in Russia. He is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/E).

Prior to joining BALAYAN | GROUP Dmitry worked at a highly ranked Russian law firm and top-tier international law firm.

What inspires Dmitry:

Dmitry is interested in technology and especially its practical application. Likes playing chess and videogames. Being a dog-lover, he owns a corgi and supports an animal shelter.

Elizaveta Petrova is a Marketing and Business Development manager at BALAYAN GROUP. Elizaveta has more than 12 years of experience in B2B-marketing and dozens of successfully implemented projects for local and global brands.

Prior to her current role at BALAYAN GROUP, she served as a CMO at one of the largest outsourcing companies in Russia with focus on supervising PR, event- digital-and email-marketing. In prior positions worked for Russian and international marketing agencies.

Elizaveta has a bachelor’s degree from Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Faculty of Journalism, and MBA from the Plekhanov’s Business School Integral Faculty. She follows the lifelong learning principles, constantly improving her soft and hard skills and upgrading her qualification in SMM and Product-management. It helps her to achieve business goals effectively by using the most up-to-date approaches and to follow industry trends.

What inspires Elizaveta:

Elizaveta is a passionate book reader and interested in ballet. She also considers that a regular workout helps to restart after a busy day.

Serafima Pankratova is a Russian-qualified counsel in the corporate/commercial practice with extensive expertise in commercial, regulatory and employment matters.

Her experience includes a few high-profile contracts such as tolling, distribution, supply, services, education, media and other in various industries.

Serafima covers a full range of employment work starting with recruitment up to termination and post-termination issues.

Serafima advises on an ongoing basis on Russian regulatory matters including antitrust restrictions, licensing authorization, sanctions and compliance requirements.

Serafima has been recognised by Legal 500 as a Rising Star for her professionalism in TMT and a noted lawyer in Employment. Pravo.ru-300 rating recognised the counsel in the Corporate/M&A (high market) category. Serafima is also recommended by The Best Lawyers in Russia.

Serafima graduated with honours from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University) of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prior to joining BALAYAN GROUP, Serafima worked at top-tier international and local law firms.

What inspires Serafima?

Serafima loves the beauty and tranquility of nature! Long walks or cycling in the park, along the river, across fields and in the woods clears the mind, brings peace, and fosters inspiration.

Irina Avetisyan is a highly qualified specialist in the field of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), venture capital (VC), and joint ventures (JV).

She has over 10 years of legal practice, of which more than 8 years she majors in cross-border M&A projects (share deal/asset deal), VC, JV, corporate matters, and business restructuring in various industries: IT (AdTech, SaaS, Edtech, GameDev, FinTech, BNPL, etc.), media, banking sector, industry, real estate, and retail.

Representing predominantly investment funds (VC, PE), large holding companies, startups, global technology companies, and business owners on both the client side and counterparty side of clients, Irina is well acquainted with the specifics of their work and products. This enables her to conduct effective negotiations, providing clients with maximum legal protection while considering their business goals.

Irina has extensive experience in managing projects in various jurisdictions, including Russia, Cyprus, UAE, England, the Netherlands, the USA, Kazakhstan, and others.

Irina graduated from a bachelor's and master's program (International Private and Civil Law) at one of the leading Russian universities - MGIMO University of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Before joining BALAYAN GROUP, she worked in Russian law firms, a large holding company managing numerous assets including several banks, real estate properties in Russia and abroad, majority stakes in technology companies and industrial facilities. She also worked in the Moscow office of a global petrochemical company.

What inspires Irina?

Irina is passionate about tennis, triathlon, and skiing. Outdoor activities help her recharge after busy workdays. Irina has completed a marathon and several half-marathons.