Russia · Cross-border practice · info@vetrovpartners.com
Recognised by Pravo-300 · Best Lawyers · Kommersant
Issue No. XVII · 2026
Boutique law firm · Established 2009 · Russia

Vitaliy Vetrov

Managing Partner
Overview
§ i

Vitaliy Vetrov founded Vetrov & Partners and has led its disputes and litigation practice since the firm's inception. Born in Novosibirsk, he read law at the Siberian University of Consumer Cooperation (SibUPK), graduating in 2003, and has practised as a Russian-qualified lawyer since 2001. He acts principally for foreign creditors, international companies, and overseas shareholders in proceedings before Russian commercial courts, and for international law firms requiring Russian procedural support in cross-border arbitration matters. The German Consulate General in Russia has included Vetrov & Partners among its list of trusted legal advisers — a recognition relevant to foreign clients and overseas law firms seeking Russian counsel.

His practice encompasses the full contentious lifecycle: recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards under the New York Convention, interim relief applications before the Russian arbitrazh courts, parallel proceedings support for international litigation teams, shareholders' disputes in Russian-incorporated entities, and the defence of foreign executives and shareholders under Russian criminal law. He appears at all levels of the Russian arbitrazh court system, including cassation review before the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.

Recognised by Pravo-300 — Russia's principal legal directory — for eight consecutive years, and listed in Best Lawyers Russia in dispute resolution. Quoted in Kommersant on Russian litigation practice.

Notable Matters
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Business crime defence — foreign CFO.
Advised foreign CFO of a Russian operating company at the investigation stage following a tax evasion allegation. Managed investigative steps and submissions to the Investigative Committee. Proceedings closed at pre-charge stage.
ICC award recognition — European trading company.
Managed recognition proceedings following an ICC award against a Russian counterparty. Simultaneous interim freezing order obtained before service. Recognition granted within five months; enforcement completed in the following quarter.
Parallel proceedings — LCIA arbitration support.
Acted as Russian counsel in a matter where the client's lead team was a City of London litigation practice. Managed Russian procedural track, witness evidence collection, and interim relief application. The witness statements obtained in Russia were admitted into the LCIA proceedings without objection.
Lost-profit defence — commercial proceedings (2024).
Defeated claimant's lost-profit claim of approximately $77K. The claim, brought under Article 15 of the Civil Code following the termination of a commercial relationship, was dismissed in full on causation at first instance. Decision upheld on appeal.
Recognition
§ IiI
Pravo-300 — Dispute Resolution, 8 consecutive years
Best Lawyers Russia — Litigation, multiple years
Kommersant Legal Rating — featured
Education & Qualifications
§ IV
Russian-qualified advocate (advokat). Admitted to the Novosibirsk Bar.
Higher legal education — Siberian University of Consumer Co-operatives (SibUPK), Faculty of Law, 1998–2003.
Languages
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Russian (native) · English (working)
Contact
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Initial 30-minute meeting — complimentary.
For sensitive matters: discuss your matter in confidence at info@vetrovpartners.com