Noted for its expertise within the banking sector of Kazakhstan, Kinstellar LLP regularly acts as counsel on both the buyer and seller side of M&A transactions for major domestic and international banks. The team is experienced in working on cross-border transactions, including those involving documents governed by English law, with one standout matter involving advising the establishment of a digital bank, which included an in-depth analysis of Kazakhstan’s regulatory framework for digital banking. Joel Benjamin co-leads the practice and has been involved in a broad spectrum of transactions, from trade finance to  M&A deals. Adlet Yerkinbayev also co-leads the team and focuses on large-scale M&A projects for clients in the banking sector. Kuanysh Shekerbekov and Kuanysh Kanlybayev are other key names from the firm.

Fielding a specialised team in deal structuring and negotiations, as well as in corporate and commercial law, AEQUITAS covers a wide range of work for financial institutions such as World Bank and HSBC. The firm actively cooperates with Magic Circle law firms on cross-border projects, with practice head Yelena Manayenko active in advising clients on all aspects of M&A transactions, as well as leading on the drafting and coordination of commercial contracts. Yekaterina Khamidullina was recently promoted to partner, while Yerbol Almen and Dias Zakirov recently joined the firm.

Baker & McKenzie - CIS, Limited is focused on cross-border transactions, often dealing with high-profile international clients in all aspects of transactions, ranging from pre-transaction planning, to due diligence, M&A and corporate restructurings. The firm benefits from its close collaboration with its wider network of worldwide offices to be able to assist clients with issues affecting the corporate and commercial practice area that intersect with Kazakh law. Managing partner Azamat Kuatbekov co-leads the team alongside Igor Kolupayev, with Kuatbekov active in joint ventures and assisting high-profile clients on the transactional aspects of corporate matters, while Kolupayev assists multinational companies in acquisitions and has participated in drafting the corporate laws of Kazakhstan.

Dentons is routinely engaged in advising a range of clients from private clients to state-owned companies on a variety of cross-border transactions, including acquisition finance, joint ventures, and acting on both buy and sell sides in acquisitions. The team, led by Gani Ashimkhan and Abai Shaikenov, covers a wide range of industry sectors, with expertise in advising clients in shipping, mining and financial services. Olga Uriupinskaia advises Kazakh clients on M&A and other cross-border transactions and Bakdaulet Imanbayev recently joined the firm from Centil Law and covers various issues in corporate and commercial law.

GRATA International is well regarded for its coverage of complex cross-border M&A projects, including landmark acquisitions involving banks and multinational professional services firms. The team has also been active in the creation of joint ventures, with corporate and M&A department head Igor Lukin taking an active role in the creation of a joint venture with leading commodity trading companies in Germany. Lukin is also active in high-value transactions and acquisitions, especially in the energy and resources sector.

Boasting a large team experienced in corporate matters and business transactions, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP represents a broad range of clients including corporates, investment banks and equity funds in cross-border M&A and divestitures in various industry sectors such as energy, transportation and agriculture. The practice works alongside transactional lawyers based across the globe, including in London and Singapore, to provide a full service for global and Kazakhstan-based clients. Managing partner Aset Shyngyssov leads the corporate and business transactions team and has led on numerous M&As for clients in the industrials and food and beverage economic sectors. Bakhytzhan Kadyrov and Asem Bakenova are also key individuals from the firm, both of whom play an active role in M&A deals.

White & Case Kazakhstan LLP is active in advising clients on high-value deals, with the team working closely with other in-house departments including the global antitrust practice, economic sanctions team and dispute resolution practice to provide a full service to clients, as well as cover all aspects of major transactions in Kazakhstan. Experienced in M&A in all key industries such as mining and metals, practice head Maxim Telemtayev specialises in cross-border M&A and corporate governance, having advised a major oil and gas company on its restructuring and acquisition of an energy refining company. Chingiz Kraibekov and Ibragim Kouky are other key names from the firm.

Centil Law comprises of experienced corporate and transactional lawyers who are active in advising clients in high-profile transactions across a broad range of economic sectors including telecoms, automobile, FMCG, renewables and oil and gas. Ravshan Adilov supervises M&A, private equity and joint venture deals, including advising clients on cross-border transactions, while Alexandr Tyo focuses on corporate projects, cross-border investments and corporate restructuring projects, as well as issues relating to public-private partnerships. Bagzhan Zhamalova routinely advises clients in the agricultural, automotive, financial and chemical sectors on corporate, commercial and regulatory matters. All three of the mentioned lawyers head the practice and have also recently closed M&A deals under the jurisdiction of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC).

Reed Smith LLP handles a wide variety of corporate services and benefits from its cross-office collaboration to provide clients with a full service in their Kazakh based matters. The team, led by Askar Zhansagimov in Astana, continues to advise on domestic and cross-border transactions, as well as corporate projects. David Boutcher and Daryl Cue assist the team from London, and Azhar Kuzutbayeva and Sultan Seidalin are also names to watch.

Regatta Consult LLP provides a variety of corporate and commercial services for domestic and international clients, ranging from the acquisition of existing businesses, to the purchase of assets and liquidation and sale of legal entities. Founding and managing partner Kanat Mazhenov is skilled in advising shareholders, as well as negotiating corporate deals, while Yessimzhan Yegemberdiyev is experienced in providing consultations regarding complicated corporate structures of LLPs and branches of international companies in Kazakhstan. Yegemberdiyev also combines his expertise in immigration and corporate law to advise the firm’s US clients.

SIGNUM Law Firm advises a range of international and domestic companies as well as investors, buyers and sellers on commercial transactions. The firm specialises in handling matters for clients across different industry sectors, and has been at the forefront of assisting with the launch of a major wastewater treatment infrastructure project in Kazakhstan, as well as advising on a number of transactions involving the renewable energy sector. Senior partner Liza Zhumakhmetova heads the corporate and M&A department and has a broad practice that covers advising international and local lenders, investors, buyers and sellers. Sofiya Zhylkaidarova, Ulan Stybayev and Doszhan Kassymbekov are other key names.

Unicase Law Firm is recognised for its experience in domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions, as well as regulatory issues related to doing business in Kazakhstan. Founding partner Saniya Perzadayeva advises on matters related to corporate and commercial issues that intersect with the renewable energy sector, where she has handled a number of project development cases. Managing partner Artem Timoshenko‘s expertise lies in safeguarding clients from corporate raiding, as well as advising on corporate restrictions for international clients. Nurlan Kubenov and Sanzhar Amangeldy cover cross-border transactions, while Ayana Unerbayeva advises corporate clients on a range of different matters, including domestic and international corporate finance, as well as public takeovers and joint ventures.

With offices in Astana, Almaty and Atyrau, Ernst & Young Kazakhstan LLP’s corporate and M&A team provides a full service to clients covering all areas that affect a business operating in Kazakhstan. Dinara Tanasheva, Gauhar Kudaibergenova and Nargiz Suleimenova co-lead the practice, each of whom share experience in a variety of corporate services, including advising on cross-border transactions, M&A and joint ventures.

Haller Lomax handles the full spectrum of corporate transactions, including high-value M&A for clients in the energy, natural resources, and banking and finance sectors. Team members provide a variety of support services on matters from restructurings to commercial contracts, investments and funds work, as well as matters that raise corporate and financial issues in light of the changes in economic and political reforms. Vilen Adjivefayev heads the practice and advises a variety of domestic and international companies, including those in the oil and gas sector.

Recognised for providing a multi-disciplinary service, including tax, deal advisory and management consulting, KPMG Tax&Advisory LLC delivers a broad range of expertise to international and domestic clients, including M&A, setting up a business within Kazakhstan and commercial matters. Alexey Abramov leads the firm’s legal practices within the Caucasus and Central Asia region, and Azamat Gumarov joined the firm in 2023 and is noted for his specialisation in advising international clients in the structuring, negotiating and closing of a transaction. Yekaterina Kuzmina is another key name from the firm owing to her expertise in M&A projects.

Salus Legal covers a broad range of corporate services, from M&A to due diligence, management and transactions structuring, with the team advising different types of legal entities including LLPs. Managing partner Kurmangazy Talzhanov co-leads the practice alongside Svetlana Shtopol, with Talzhanov providing support for domestic and international M&A projects, and Shtopol covering a full range of corporate services including due diligence and corporate dispute resolution. Almas Bektassov and Elmira Abdrakhmanova are other key names from the firm.

Sayat Zholshy & Partners covers a broad range of corporate work, from legal due diligence, to M&A, joint ventures, corporate structures and incorporating and registering companies. The team has been active in handling corporate queries involving sanction restrictions, and practice head Arman Berdalin has been at the forefront of an IFC project aimed at improving corporate governance in Kazakhstan.

Synergy Partners Law Firm LLC has been involved in helping new businesses set up and operate in Kazakhstan, as well as advising a mix of domestic and foreign companies, from non-profits to corporate groups. Nurzhan Stamkulov co-leads the firm with Ali Dautalinov. Stamkulov helps structure M&A transactions and incorporates his tax expertise into corporate matters.

Aided by close cooperation with the firm's global network, Deloitte TCF, LLP provides a full service within corporate law, from advisory services in restructuring and M&A to handling day-to-day corporate issues related to doing business in Kazakhstan. The firm handles matters from clients in key industry sectors, including energy and natural resources, as well as financial services. Olessya Kirilovskaya leads the practice.

Providing services to clients across Kazakhstan in Astana, Karaganda and Almaty, MG Partners advises both domestic and international clients on issues related to business start-ups in Kazakhstan, as well as corporate consulting. The firm is registered with the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), which incorporates principles and rules based on the case law of England and Wales, as well as the world’s leading financial centres. Inna Ionova is the managing and senior partner of the Astana office, while senior partner Darya Markina leads the Karaganda office.

Boutique firm Vakhidov & Partners has an active presence in advising and representing foreign investors across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries. The practice provides legal advice to clients in a range of industry sectors, from pharmaceutical to e-commerce, telecoms and manufacturing. Zafar Vakhidov leads the practice and specialises in providing corporate and commercial legal advice for clients in the pharmaceutical and FMCG industries, and plays an active role in providing support in M&A projects.