(September 15, 2008) – ALFA International, the global legal network, is pleased to announce that it has voted to admit EPAM as the exclusive ALFA International member firm for Russia.

EPAM (EPA&P) is a leading national law firm representing multinational companies doing business in Russia and Russian companies in their Russian and international affairs. The firm also frequently serves as a Russian counsel to leading international law firms.

With significant practices in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as a satellite office in London, EPAM boasts well over 100 lawyers. The firm’s expertise and resources are diverse, including busy practice groups in local and international commercial litigation and arbitration; corporate services, including incorporation, mergers and acquisitions, antitrust, liquidation, etc.; due diligence investigations of Russian targets/partners/suppliers; international business transactions, dispute resolution and public policy/government relations. EPA&P is recognized as one of the leading law firms in Russia by global legal publications and international law associations.

ALFA International Contact Partner for the firm is Ilya Nikiforov who is a managing partner resident in St. Petersburg, the city where EPA&P has its origins.

According to Richard Hetke, ALFA International’s CEO, “As Russia continues to expand and integrate into global economy; businesses from every region of the world are participating in this growth. With this increased interest comes business and legal issues that are critical to our members and to our global clients. The EPAM Law Office provides all of our members an important resource/member firm to answer the many requests for legal assistance across Russia.”

Ilya Nikiforov, ALFA International Contact Partner, testifies, “It is an exciting time here, with investment and M&A activity not showing a sign of downturn in spite of the subprime mortgage crisis that cast turmoil within overseas markets. In 2008 Russia is well beyond the perceived “Wild West” business style; industry leaders consolidate to become visible players of the global economy. Both economic operators and consumers are confident as political stability is achieved and transparent rules are universally enforced.

We are looking forward to collaborate with our fellow ALFA International member firms from around the world as their clients look at the potential of the Russian markets and other independent ex-USSR nations. We welcome the opportunity to provide legal services to businesses from all regions and, even more so, the opportunity to extend our international outreach; particularly as these are our Russian clients as they conduct global business is ultimate beneficiaries of this development.”

About ALFA International

ALFA International, the global legal network, (www.alfainternational.com) is an organization of independent law firms. ALFA’s membership is comprised of 132 international law firms (85 U.S. based firms, 47 non U.S. based firms) employing over 8,500 lawyers and 10,000 other legal professionals. Member firms are located in nearly every U.S. state as well as in Canada, Mexico, across Europe, Latin America, South America, and the Pacific Rim. ALFA International’s basic objective, accomplished through its member firms and their activities, is to improve the quality and efficiency of legal services and to provide those services to clients within a reasonable and value oriented cost formula across jurisdictions around the world.