The Lawyer: "Three years on and Goltsblat BLP (GBLP) is a key name in the Russian legal market." >

For international law firms, ­setting up a practice abroad usually requires jumping through any number of regulatory hoops. In Russia it is a question of choosing the right business model and getting going - at the moment. >

It is now two decades since the fall of the Soviet Union and the start of a free economy in Russia. Those 20 years have seen enormous changes for the jurisdiction, including the development of a vibrant, international legal market. >

For international law firms, ­setting up a practice abroad usually requires jumping through any number of regulatory hoops. In Russia it is a question of choosing the right business model and getting going - at the moment. >

A year on from the creation of Goltsblat BLP, James Swift asks whether other international and local firms can overcome cultural barriers, or if this is destined to be the tie-up nonpareil. >

I moved to Moscow for a number of reasons - I wanted a new challenge after over 10 years of working and living in London and the work opportunities, adventure, culture, history and quite frankly the mystique of Russia fitted perfectly with what I was looking for. >