Alan Kartashkin is a partner in the London office of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, head of the Eastern European practice, and former managing partner of the firm’s Moscow office. His practice focuses on sanctions, securities and M&A.
For over a decade, he has advised leading U.S., EU, UK, Japanese, Chinese and Russian corporations and financial institutions as well as boards of directors and special committees of independent directors on the application of and compliance with the sanctions imposed by the U.S., UK and EU.
Mr. Kartashkin also advises boards of directors and special committees of independent directors of public companies on corporate governance issues.
Mr. Kartashkin has represented major clients in public equity and debt offerings in the international capital markets, including premium listings on the London Stock Exchange, as well as in a diverse range of financing transactions.
Mr. Kartashkin has been consistently recommended by Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, Best Lawyers, Expert Guides, IFLR1000, and Benchmark Litigation for his work in a variety of areas, including M&A, capital markets, private equity, sanctions, corporate governance, banking & finance, energy & natural resources, TMT, emerging markets and aviation.
These guides have described him as “a true legal and business leader in his ability to coordinate and move forward large projects,” highlighting him as “super-smart,” “a natural deal-maker” and “the best person to navigate a client through sensitive issues.” He is praised as “a go-to name”, a “great communicator and smart lawyer,” and as having a “deep understanding of Russia’s business environment and of the clients’ requirements.” The guides have also quoted clients saying “he always proposes very elegant solutions to difficult issues,” and that he “has real attention to detail but still doesn't lose the big picture on a deal, so clients can be sure nothing is lost on the way.”
Mr. Kartashkin’s publications include “United Kingdom’s Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation – New Trade Sanctions Enforcement Powers,” Global Trade Law Journal (January, 2025); “Sanctions on Russia: Challenges and Potential Solutions,” 20 Minds (November, 2024); “European Union Trade Sanctions on Russia,” Global Trade Law Journal (January – February 2024); “UK Introduces Magnitsky-Style Human Rights Sanctions Regime,” Compliance & Enforcement (July, 2020); “Debevoise & Plimpton Discusses U.S. Guidance On New Russian Sanctions,” The CLS Blue Sky Blog (November, 2017); and “M&A In Russia: Opportunities And Risks In The Current Environment,” India Unleashed (June, 2017).
Mr. Kartashkin joined the firm’s New York office in 1996 and moved to the Moscow office in 2001. Mr. Kartashkin received his J.D. from Cornell Law School in 1996, and a law degree with honours from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1993. He is a member of the New York State Bar is qualified to practice Russian law.