How have sanctions affected western companies operating in Russia? Is it true as the Russian Government has claimed that sanctions have helped Russian industry? Is the so-called Pivot to the East just hype or are deals really happening? What does the future hold for global companies seeking to do business in Russia?

Laura M. Brank, the head of Decherts Russia and Former Soviet Union Practice, is uniquely well placed to speak about current opportunities, risks and issues related to doing business in Russia. Ms. Brank has been acting for leading Russian and multinational clients on matters throughout Russia and the Former Soviet Union since 1995 when she first moved to Russia, supervising major local and cross-border MampA, joint ventures, and syndicated, corporate, private equity and project finance transactions, and providing general and corporate/commercial advice to her clients on a wide range of matters. Fluent in Russian, Ms. Brank was recognized by the Russia Journal Almanac as one of the top 75 foreign executives in Russia. The Lawyers Hot 100 survey (2010) described her as one of the best-known ... and best-connected lawyers in the [Russian] market. She is ranked as a top lawyer in Russia by leading legal publications in the areas of corporate and banking and also serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S.-Russia Business Council. She holds a JD and a MSFS from Georgetown University and a BA in Eastern European Studies from the University of Maryland.