MOSCOW and LONDON, February 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Winston & Strawn LLP announced today that its Moscow and London offices have been significantly strengthened with the addition of internationally prominent corporate finance attorney Andrei Yakovlev.  The firm's newest partner will share his time between the two cities.  Qualified to practice in the United States, as well as in Russia and the United Kingdom, Yakovlev's practice will focus on international debt and equity capital markets, M&A and sovereign finance matters, with a particular emphasis on the emerging markets of Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa.  He joins the firm from Norton Rose LLP.

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Yakovlev has practiced law with major U.S. and U.K. firms in London, Moscow and New York for more than 17 years.  He has advised a diverse clientele of global and local financial institutions, corporates and governments in connection with international offerings of shares, GDRs, conventional and Islamic bonds, and cross-border private and public M&A transactions.  Yakovlev's industry coverage includes energy, metals and mining, telecommunications and financial services sectors.  Yakovlev has also advised governments, central banks and hedge funds in connection with sovereign and sub-sovereign debt offerings, Paris Club and London Club debt restructurings, sovereign debt succession issues, and IMF, bilateral and bank lending to sovereigns.  In addition to his experience in corporate and sovereign finance matters Yakovlev has acted as counsel and arbitrator in numerous international arbitrations in the areas of corporate and sovereign finance and foreign investment.

"Andrei brings truly exceptional experience that will enable Winston to service the increased corporate finance activity we're seeing in the emerging markets which are strategically important for Winston's further growth," said firm managing partner Tom Fitzgerald.

"I'm excited to join Winston's preeminent global corporate team," Yakovlev said. "Winston is well known for its highly talented transactional lawyers, international platform, and demonstrated excellence on behalf of clients when the stakes are at their highest.  My experience and established connections with many global players in the emerging markets will be important in further building the firm's corporate finance practice in the emerging markets."

Yakovlev graduated in law from Moscow State Institute of International Relations, holds LL.M. from University of London and LL.M. and S.J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law.  In addition to his legal practice, he is a Visiting Professor of International Economic Law at Queen Mary, University of London.

Winston & Strawn LLP is an international commercial law firm with 15 offices in North America, Asia, and Europe. More information about the firm is available at http://www.winston.com.

SOURCE Winston & Strawn LLP