Ride the Lightning

Why Isn’t Baker McKenzie Closing its Offices in Russia and Pulling Out of Russia?

March 23, 2022

The Coalition for Ukraine has been tracking businesses pulling out of Russia. Most law firms have closed their offices in Russia and/or are departing the Russian market.

But according to the tracking updates, information dated March 15 shows that, of all the law firms listed, only Baker McKenzie has said that operations in Moscow and St. Petersburg (130 lawyers) will be made an independent law firm.

I looked for other resources and found that, on February 28, Baker McKenzie, which posted over $3 billion in revenue in 2021, said it was reviewing its Russian-related operations and clients to comply with sanctions. That, of course, does not encompass closing offices/pulling out of the Russian market.

It did close its offices in the Ukraine.

On March 17, the Coalition for Ukraine website contained the following message:

“A global coalition of businesses has united in support of the people of Ukraine and against Putin’s brutal invasion. As of March 21, this tracking list recognizes 503 companies that have announced actions to either withdraw entirely or materially curtail their operations within Russia. These companies want to be on the right side of history in the eyes of their customers, employees, and shareholders. Their actions matter and will make a difference. The Kremlin cannot win this economic war, and the oligarchs of Russia are now starting to openly speak up against Putin.

Also, 67 companies continue to do business in Russia. With a little extra encouragement, maybe these companies can find a way to take action too? They are highlighted in red in the tracking table below.”

Here’s the tracking table for the law category: https://www.coalitionforukraine.com/law.

If you look at the entry for Baker McKenzie, you will find any updated information after this blog post has gone up. If there are no updates, there’s a helpful link to allow you ask the firm why it is continuing to do business in Russia. It says:

“@bakermckenzie: Why are you continuing to do business in Russia? Join the 503 companies that have already taken a stand against Putin’s war: https://www.coalitionforukraine.com  #CompaniesWithUkraine”

It also contains a graphic with the text “Corporations Abandon Putin. See Who’s Leaving and Who’s Staying in Russia.”

I hope Baker McKenzie changes its mind. Currently, it stands alone in its decision to stay.

Sharon D. Nelson, Esq., President, Sensei Enterprises, Inc.
3975 University Drive, Suite 225, Fairfax, VA 22030
Email:   Phone: 703-359-0700
Digital Forensics/Cybersecurity/Information Technology
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