The devastation in the Ukraine rendered by Russian forces is one thing, but Moscow is being abandoned with growing force as big law firms continue to desert the Russian legal landscape.
Six leading international law firms have announced plans to pull out of Russia today, including global giants Latham & Watkins and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, while Akin Gump is suspending its operations.
Freshfields is one of the largest firms working in the Russian capital with around 90 lawyers.
‘This is not a decision we have taken lightly,’ Freshfields said in a statement. ‘We have been present in Moscow for 30 years and we are very conscious of the impact this news will have on our valued colleagues in Russia. However, in light of the Russian government’s actions in Ukraine, and the clear stance we have taken on Russia-related work, we believe that this is the right course of action.’
