This distinguished gathering attracted leading legal practitioners from prominent domestic and international law firms, alongside in-house counsel and department heads representing major corporations.

The event commenced with a convivial welcome reception held at a charming restaurant boasting breathtaking mountain vistas. Attendees not only savored the picturesque setting but also engaged in stimulating intellectual discourse, participating in a music-themed quiz and enjoying anecdotal narratives shared by Maxim Izvekov, in-house counsel and esteemed member of the Pravo-300 expert council.

The formal program commenced on February 7th with a welcome address delivered by Yuri Pustovit, forum co-founder and managing partner of Advocates Bureau Yug, who also moderated the inaugural session, "Discussion: Trend or Hype." This session served as a platform to critically assess the enduring relevance of topics frequently addressed in legal forums nationwide.

Alan Gandelman, managing partner of the Brazilian law firm Sefer Investimentos, ignited a compelling discussion regarding potential business expansion within the BRICS economic alliance, focusing on the complex issue of financial system unification among member nations. Mr. Gandelman noted that while the concept of financial integration has been under consideration for six years, tangible progress remains elusive. He posited that the primary impediment is not technical feasibility, but rather a lack of political will, despite ongoing efforts. Mr. Gandelman suggested that even if a full-scale Eurozone-style financial system integration proves unattainable, BRICS nations could establish a unified digital currency and a shared commodity exchange. He further asserted that the impetus for such mechanisms will only intensify in the near future, driven by both internal BRICS interests and external geopolitical factors.

Marina Ilyicheva, head of the corporate department at INVITRO Holding Company, illuminated the audience on the resurgence of interest in management option programs and their intricate structuring.

Furthermore, the forum addressed critical issues such as the impact of sanctions on legal practice, evolving bankruptcy legislation, the potential utilization of cross-border bankruptcy as a vehicle for venture investment, and the nuances of corporate transaction taxation.

Following a brief interlude for refreshments, the second session, a PECHA KUCHA presentation titled "Main Trends in Judicial Practice," commenced under the moderation of Roman Zaitsev, partner at Nextons. Mr. Zaitsev highlighted the Supreme Court of the Russian Federations novel approach to pre-trial case preparation. Yuri Umrikhin of "Nikolaev and Partners" expounded on the Supreme Court s innovations in challenging large transactions.

Valeria Evseenko, First Deputy Director for Legal Affairs and Intellectual Property Management at the Moscow Metro, addressed attendees at the Winter Legal Week forum, elucidating emerging trends in labor dispute resolution. A key development, Ms. Evseenko emphasized, is the increasingly rigorous evidentiary burden placed upon employers, who are now frequently required to furnish substantiation for negative factual assertions.

Sergey Radchenko, a partner at the Advocates Bureau Yug, provided a comprehensive analysis of the Constitutional Court s recent pronouncements concerning the reclamation of land within specially protected natural areas. The Court s late January decision, stemming from consolidated appeals filed by individuals whose vacation properties in Sochi National Park were subject to state seizure, affirmed the constitutionality of land nationalization in such zones. The Court s rationale rested on the inherent characteristic of these lands, deemed essential for federal ownership and precluded from private tenure. However, the ruling does not preclude individuals from seeking compensation for land acquired through legitimate means. Mr. Radchenko cautioned that this precedent could have far-reaching implications for landowners in other federal resort areas, citing Anapa and Gelendzhik as potential examples.

The aforementioned session also encompassed discussions on the anti-suit injunction within the framework of the Lugovoy Law, the legal nature of representations and warranties, and post-conviction procedures, demonstrating the breadth of legal discourse at the forum.

The “Circles in Legal Fields” session featured three parallel tracks. “Prospects for Business Development in the International Arena,” moderated by Igor Sotnikov, a partner at ELWI, served as a platform for participants to exchange insights on investment-friendly jurisdictions, identify challenges in foreign economic activity, analyze opportunities arising from the redistribution of assets from departing companies, and, more broadly, explore avenues for the advancement of Russian business interests.

A second parallel session, “Personal Data in 2025,” delved into the intricacies of effective privacy risk management, the inherent risks associated with cloud service utilization and their mitigation, and proactive strategies for preventing personal data breaches.

The third parallel session focused on the complexities of taxation within the context of international transactions, digital assets and cryptocurrency transactions, and recent legislative innovations in this dynamic legal domain.

Following the formal program, attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception, complete with karaoke entertainment.

The forum culminated in a day of athletic competition in the mountains, featuring slalom ski, and snowboard races. Legal professionals traded their legal briefs for athletic gear, showcasing their sporting prowess to the enthusiastic cheers of colleagues gathered on the terrace of the “Berloga” cafe, where a DJ, traditional plov, and mulled wine enhanced the convivial atmosphere.

The Winter Legal Week forum continues to serve as a valuable platform for both professional enrichment and networking, as evidenced by the influx of new participants.