Mikhail joined Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners in 2005 and in 2010 he became Head of M&A Practice at the Firm's Moscow office.

He has extensive experience in providing support for major transactions and investment projects, advising both Russian and international clients on deal structuring, performing legal due diligence, obtaining required regulatory clearances, participating in privatisation and advising corporate governance matters.

His track record includes advice on complex transactions in the Russian M&A market, including the Danone and Unimilk asset merger in the CIS which was recognised as M&A Deal of the Year in Europe. His recent projects include support of the privatization of a 10% state-owned shareholding in VTB Bank by way of private placement with a total value of USD 3.27bn.

Mikhail has advised on a number of investment projects in the oil-and-gas, metal, high-technology (as part of the Skolkovo initiative) industries. He also advised an international oil company on corporate governance issues and a US hedge fund on the acquisition of Russian real estate assets and setting up a JV.

Mikhail has particular specialization in the fuel, energy and mining sectors. In particular, he advised on the acquisition and sale of some coal assets, acquisition of one of the largest Russian oil companies and the acquisition by the Russian Federation and a state-owned company of a share in a pipeline consortium.

He has provided legal support in bankruptcy proceedings, including financial rehabilitation and restructuring of companies. In particular, he represented the Russian Federation in the bankruptcy proceedings and financial rehabilitation Archangelsk Trawler Fleet, advised UC RUSAL on its USD 17bn debt restructuring and advised a major industrial group on financial and corporate restructuring.

Before joining the Firm, Mikhail worked as head of legal departments at a number of organizations, including the St. Petersburg Customs Service, for which he was awarded a certificate of merit "For significant personal contribution to the defense of economic interests of the Russian Federation" by the Chief of the State Customs Committee. From 2004 through 2005 he worked in the Russian President's Administration.

Mikhail is a member of the St. Petersburg Bar Association and is recommended as one of the leading experts on Russian law by such international ratings as Best Lawyers and Legal 500.

He graduated with honours from the Law School of St. Petersburg State University in 2000.