Outside General Counsel for Companies Operating in Russia
A company in Moscow does not always need a full-time lawyer. Outside general counsel provides ongoing legal support for a fixed monthly fee starting from RUB 60,000, compared with an in-house salary that typically starts from RUB 150,000 plus taxes. Contracts are drafted by the same advocate who represents clients in court, so every clause is written with a possible dispute in mind.
What the Monthly Subscription Includes
- drafting and negotiating contracts, in Russian and English where needed;
- checking counterparties before signing;
- legal audits of transactions and internal processes;
- personal data policies under Law No. 152-FZ and HR documentation;
- claim letters and pre-trial settlement of disputes;
- consultations with agreed response times.
Contracts and Counterparty Checks
Before a large deal, the counterparty is checked in the state register of legal entities, court databases, the bankruptcy register and enforcement records. Contract terms are then set around the real risks: payment security, penalties, liability limits and termination grounds.
For bilingual contracts, the text states which language prevails in case of discrepancy. Dispute resolution clauses need special attention: the choice between a Russian arbitrazh court and foreign arbitration affects whether a future award can actually be enforced against assets in Russia.
Support During Inspections
Tax, labor, consumer protection and fire safety authorities regularly inspect businesses. Counsel prepares documents in advance, attends the inspection and reviews the report. Objections to the report are filed within the term stated in it.
Staff should know in advance who speaks with inspectors and which documents are handed over only on a written request. Copies of everything provided are kept with a list signed by the inspector. This makes later appeals against fines or orders far easier.
Resolving Disputes Before Court
A well-argued claim letter settles many conflicts without litigation. When a case does go to court, the counsel already knows the contract and the correspondence, so no time is lost on onboarding. Evidence is also collected along the way: signed acts, delivery notes and correspondence are stored in a form the court will accept.
Issues Specific to Foreign-Owned Companies
Foreign shareholders face currency control rules, restrictions on profit repatriation and sanction-related clauses in contracts. Corporate formalities in Russia are strict: entries in the state register, notarized forms, apostilles and certified translations. Counsel also acts as a Russian-speaking contact for banks and authorities. Changes of directors, addresses or share capital are prepared so that the register entry is made without refusals and repeated filings.
Choosing a Format
| Format | Suitable for | How the fee works |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | Regular contracts and questions | Fixed fee, set scope |
| Per-project work | A single deal or audit | Fixed price per task |
| Litigation mandate | A dispute in court | Agreed per instance |
How to Begin
Send two or three sentences about the company: its activity, ownership structure and the typical legal questions it faces. You will receive a proposed coverage plan with the scope of work and the monthly fee.
The main channel of communication with the advocate is email: lawyer@lawyer-moscow.com.