Lidings announces the launch of a new Regulatory Practice. The practice will be headed by the firm's Counsel Julia Kuzmenko.
The creation of the new practice continues the development of Lidings' industry expertise and responds to the growing demand from businesses for comprehensive support amid increasingly complex government regulation and new mandatory requirements.
The new practice will combine the firm's expertise in regulatory support for businesses and product market launch, licensing and registration, advertising and promotion, development of commercial and distribution models, regulatory compliance, interaction with government authorities, as well as support for transactions and investment projects in regulated industries.
The practice team will focus particularly on projects in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, medical device manufacturing, biotechnology, FMCG and consumer goods, as well as regulatory issues related to new technologies and digital products.
The launch of the practice will allow Lidings to consolidate the firm's existing expertise in regulated industries within a single practice area and support clients throughout the entire business lifecycle — from defining product requirements and market launch to establishing distribution systems, promotion, engagement with regulators, and adapting to legislative changes.
Julia Kuzmenko, Counsel and Head of Regulatory Practice at Lidings:
"Today, regulatory issues are increasingly less likely to exist in isolation. Bringing a new product to market simultaneously involves requirements for its registration and circulation, advertising, distribution, interaction with counterparties and government bodies. Therefore, the task of the new practice is to view regulation not as a set of separate restrictions, but as part of the client's business model. We aim to help companies not only comply with existing requirements but also find workable solutions in an ever-changing regulatory environment."
Julia specialises in commercial and contract law, structuring and handling M&A transactions, application of antitrust legislation and competition protection. A significant part of her practice is advising Russian and foreign companies in the pharmaceutical industry and medical device manufacturers on advertising and product promotion, commercial relationships and compliance with regulatory and antitrust requirements.
Julia is a member of the Association of Antitrust Experts and the Expert Council for the Protection against Unfair Competition under the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia. Her expertise in pharmaceuticals and healthcare has been recognised by the Pravo‑300 ranking.
Boris Malakhov, Managing Partner at Lidings:
"The creation of a separate regulatory practice is a logical step in Lidings' development. For many years we have been working with companies in industries where government regulation directly affects the business model: pharmaceuticals and healthcare, FMCG, IT. Over that time, we have built up significant expertise within the firm, which we are now bringing together into a standalone practice area.
Julia combines deep understanding of regulation with a very practical approach to business challenges. That is why it is important to us that the new practice will be built not around abstract legal advice, but around the specific tasks of our clients and how regulatory requirements impact their operations”