Partner
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Sebastian Lawson has one of the more unusual briefs within Freshfields. He is based in Moscow and deals exclusively with central and eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, a total of more than 30 territories.
Although many of the legal skills and disciplines that he and his corporate colleagues in the rest of Europe possess can apply to most transactions, through Sebastian the firm can offer a much more nuanced approach to business.
Sebastian knows the area extremely well in terms of both legal and cultural issues, and it is his familiarity with the latter that helps with clients and their deals. These often run into multi-billions of dollars in value.
His negotiating style is deliberately open. That stance puts clients at ease with the process, regardless of where they operate and the specific jurisdiction which applies to them. By doing so, he wins their trust and a true partnership between client and adviser develops.
His experience includes advising clients on the aspects of a wide range of major cross-border corporate transactions and some of CEE/CIS leading equity offerings and privatisations.
Sebastian has shared this experience both in person at seminars and through a number of publications.
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“Sebastian Lawson is an expert in CEE and CIS-wide transactions with a focus on corporate transactions, equity offerings and privatisation.”
Chambers and Partners 2014
“Sebastian Lawson handles big ticket deals.”
Chambers & Partners 2011
“Now based in Moscow, English-qualified Sebastian Lawson is a highly recognised expert in the CIS and CEE regions.”
Chambers Global 2015
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Recent deals/Highlights
PPF Arena 2 B.V., a subsidiary of PPF Group N.V., on its acquisition of a controlling stake in, Telefónica Czech Republic, a.s., the largest Czech telecoms group from Telefónica S.A., for a total cash consideration of approximately EUR 2.467bn and KCell, the largest mobile operator in Kazakhstan by market share on their inaugural stock market listing on the London Stock Exchange.
The IPO of the Ukrainian egg producer Avangardco on the London Stock Exchange.
Representing CVC on the $4.4bn acquisition of ABI’s brewing operations in CEE.
Advising Rosneft on its proposed joint venture with BP.
Languages
English, French, Romanian, Russian