- Representation of a client in obtaining a favorable ruling of the Constitutional Court of Russia on highly controversial matter of use of own properties by religious organizations that are not zoned for religious activities for holding worship services and other religious activities.
- Advising a large international religious organization on numerous acquisitions, dispositions, development and construction projects in Russia, on zoning rules and regulations, and on its relations with governmental agencies.
- Representing professional poker player on various aspects of privately held matches in the US and EU.
- Advising NHL teams on Russian labor law aspects related to signing of players.
Dmitry Kunitsa
Partner
Real Estate, Eastern Europe and the Baltics, Entertainment, Sports and Media
New York
+1-516-423-3822
Dmitry Kunitsa has almost 30 years of experience advising clients on doing business in Russia and other countries of Eastern Europe. Mr. Kunitsa’s practice is focused on assisting foreign legal entities and individuals with their investments in this region and helping Russian companies and nationals to do business in other countries, including in Europe, the United States, the Middle East and in South East Asia. Mr. Kunitsa has a broad network across Russia to call on to provide local counsel, to the extent it is needed.
On inbound investments, Mr. Kunitsa specializes in real estate, mergers & acquisitions, corporate, civil law matters and compliance. His flagship projects include the acquisition and reconstruction of landmark properties in Moscow and St. Petersburg, greenfield and brownfield development of industrial facilities in Russian regions, servicing the coverage of Olympic Games and Soccer World Cup, acquisitions and dispositions of large retail chains, and pioneer franchise arrangements. On the outbound front, Mr. Kunitsa focuses on assisting his private clients with structuring their investments in assets and ongoing businesses and forming joint ventures and partnerships, particularly in relation to real estate, gaming and entertainment, blockchain and cryptocurrency-based projects. Notably, Mr. Kunitsa has successfully argued cases decided by Constitutional Court of Russia and Supreme Court of Russia and advised a number of NHL teams on signing contracts with Russian hockey players.
RUSSIA & OTHER EASTERN EUROPEAN INBOUND REPRESENTATIONS
Real Estate, Development and Construction
- Advising a Russian development company on a wide range of matters related to the development of a $1.5 billion sports, entertainment, and commercial complex in the City of Moscow.
- Representation of a Japanese heavy machinery manufacturer in negotiations with the government of one of the Russian regions over an investment agreement concerning the development of a manufacturing facility, acquisition of project land plot, negotiations of the general contractor agreement, and documents on financing of the project by international banking institution.
- Advising one of the world’s largest manufacturers of electric home appliances on several greenfield and brownfield development projects in Russia.
- Advising a client on a $35 million value sale of its income-generating property in downtown Moscow.
- Representation of a Europe-based private investment group in the acquisition of an equity stake in a joint venture for the development of mixed-use commercial property in the City of Sochi, the host of 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
- Advising a major US corporation on a wide range of matters related to the acquisition of development rights for construction of an industrial plant and relevant construction permits.
- Representation of several Europe-based investment funds on Russian real estate matters in connection with the refinancing of prior acquisitions in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
- Advising an international project development and investment corporation in connection with the proposed financing of the construction of a mixed-use commercial property in the City of Sochi, including negotiations and discussions with the developer and the Sochi city government on legal aspects of the project.
- Representation of a transnational corporation on complex Russian real estate matters including operation of seaport territories and so-called “newly built territories” in connection with the proposed construction of new cargo terminal.
- Advising a major U.S. corporation on the acquisition of development rights, compliance with land use and zoning requirements, construction permits and licenses, and negotiations of the land lease agreement for the purposes of construction of its own manufacturing facility in a Russian province.
- Representation of a large privately held U.S. company in selecting a site for the development and construction of its production facility in Russia, including review of several special economic zones (federal and regional), including due diligence of sites; counseling on acquisition techniques, negotiations with local, regional, and federal authorities on land allocation and reclassification; provision of utilities to the site; and preparation of documentation.
- Representation of major international companies doing business in Russia in negotiations over commercial leases of prime office properties.
- Representation of a UK-based company in the proposed development of a racing track capable of hosting Formula 1 Grand Prix events and a large sports and entertainment complex in Moscow.
- Representation of a major U.S. condominium development company in the structuring and formation of a joint venture with a Russian partner for the purposes of development, financing, construction, and management of commercial property in Moscow.
- Advising a U.S. private equity fund in a complex cross-border acquisition of a building located in Moscow and rights to underlying land for the purposes of further development and commercial use.
- Representation of a UK-based investment and development company in negotiations regarding acquisition of a Russian legal entity possessing rights to the land in one of the Russian provinces and rights to develop and build a hotel.
- Advising a U.S. private equity fund in a complex cross-border acquisition of a building located in Moscow and rights to underlying land for the purposes of further development and commercial use.
- Representation of a UK-based investment and development company in negotiations regarding acquisition of a Russian legal entity possessing rights to the land in one of the Russian provinces and rights to develop and build a hotel.
- Representation of a Russia-based developer in connection with agreements with a UK-based real estate investment fund concerning the investment in, and the joint development of, a 100,000-square-meter warehouse complex in the Moscow region.
- Advising a major Russian airline in negotiations with regional authorities for the proposed construction of a new airport terminal in Siberia.
- Advising a major Russia-based bank in its investment of more than $100 million in the construction of its headquarters in one of the landmark development projects in Moscow through an agreement on share participation in construction.
- Advising a leading Russian commercial bank in the complex financing of the sale of real property mortgaged to the bank.
Corporate and Transactional
- Representation of a major US-based media and entertainment company in connection with coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi and 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
- Advising a global fast-food company on various aspects of establishment and implementation of its pioneer regional franchising program in Russia.
- Advising a major Israeli not-for-profit organization on establishment of its Russian subsidiary and compliance with applicable regulations governing relevant activities.
- Advising a US-based corporation on the establishment of its wholly-owned subsidiaries in Russia and Kazakhstan and various aspects of launching its operations there.
- Advising one of the largest shipping companies in the world on various aspects of operations of its Russian joint venture, including cartel investigation of its activities by Russian Antitrust Agency.
- Advising a U.S.-based hospitality management company in negotiating and drafting its management contracts with hotel owners in various Russian cities.
- Advising a Russian development company in negotiations with a major international fast-food company related to the development of a chain of restaurants in one of the largest Russian cities.
- Representation of private clients in the sale of chain of privately held medical clinics in Russia to major EU-based healthcare company.
- Representation of a major Russian investment bank in connection with the innovative acquisition of a controlling interest in a large Russian industrial holding company.
- Representation of Russia’s largest grocery retailer in series of acquisitions of regional chains.
OTHER NOTABLE REPRESENTATIONS
PUBLICATIONS
- Author, Review of Some Aspects of the Russian Legislation on Fiduciary Management of Property and Personal Funds through the Prism of the Law on Trusts in the United States and Canada, Kutafin Law Review, Volume 9, Issue 3 (2022)
- Co-Author, Challenging the Land Use and Development Rules: Legal Grounds and Court Practice, 1/30/2018
- Author, Russian Court Terminates Lease Agreement Using “Adhesion” Doctrine, 2/19/2015
- Author, Amendments to Russian Urban Development Code: Clarifications on Tort Liability, 5/1/2013
- Author, Amendments to Russian Civil Code Related to Immovable Property, 1/31/2013
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
- Best Lawyers in Russia, Best Lawyers (BL Rankings LLC), 2020
- Europe’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Chambers & Partners, 2017
- Which Lawyers?, PLC (Ford Sinclair Limited), 2009
- Europe, Middle East & Africa, The Legal 500 (Legalease Ltd), 2017
News, Events, & Insights
- Live Webinar: Ukraine/Russia Crisis – Roundtable on Sanctions Update
Events March 30, 2022
- Rimon’s Dmitry Kunitsa named in Best Lawyers in Russia 2020
News April 7, 2020
- Legal Insider calls Rimon’s opening of office in Moscow, Russia as one of the highlights of 2019
News January 14, 2020
- Rimon Law Welcomes Real Estate and M&A Attorney Dmitry Kunitsa and Opens Office in Moscow, Russia
News July 22, 2019
