UAE
Rostislav Strigalev
he/himLegal DirectorAbout
Navigating the complexities of global sanctions, Rostislav Strigalev advises multinational corporations, financial institutions, and production companies leading their sectors on compliance, risk management, and cross-border regulatory strategy. With extensive experience in international sanctions, he assists clients in anticipating and responding to evolving sanctions regimes across all key jurisdictions imposing, administering, and enforcing trade and other regulatory controls.
His practice covers a broad range of sectors – including financial services, energy, and technology – where he provides practical, business-oriented guidance on compliance challenges. Rostislav Strigalev is recognised for his knowledge in sanctions screening, due diligence, internal controls, and regulatory engagement, supporting clients from startups to large enterprises. Whether advising on complex transactions, conducting risk assessments, or developing compliance frameworks, Rostislav Strigalev works to help organisations operate effectively and with integrity in today’s dynamic international environment.
EXPERIENCE
- A prominent banking group with extensive operations in sanctioned jurisdictions needed to manage assets and business activities in a way that minimised sanctions risk, ensured compliance across multiple asset classes, and maintained operational flexibility in a rapidly changing regulatory environment. We provided strategic advice on structuring risk-averse asset management, clarified the applicability of sanctions prohibitions to various categories of assets and business lines, and prepared comprehensive sanctions status memoranda and legal opinions to help the client navigate overlapping and evolving sanctions regimes. This enabled proactive management of assets in high-risk markets, reduced the risk of inadvertent sanctions breaches and costly enforcement actions, and enhanced the bank’s ability to demonstrate robust compliance to regulators and stakeholders.
- A leading niche investment fund sought guidance on managing investments, extracting proceeds, and divesting in markets with significant sanctions exposure, whilst maintaining strong relationships with limited partners and co-investors in sanctioned jurisdictions. We advised on structuring investments and proceeds extraction to ensure full sanctions compliance, supported divestments and engagement with partners, and provided tailored risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and transaction guidance through detailed memoranda and advisory notes. As a result, the fund was able to protect investment returns, facilitate compliant exits from high-risk markets, attract and retain global investors, and support business growth whilst minimising legal risk.
- A major Eastern investment fund faced challenges investing in high-risk jurisdictions, managing exposure to sanctions, and addressing governance issues with sanctioned co-investors. We conducted in-depth sanctions exposure assessments of portfolio companies, developed compliant strategies for receiving investment returns, and advised on governance structures to mitigate risks associated with sanctioned parties. This secured compliant investment flows, protected stakeholder value, strengthened governance and risk oversight, enhanced the fund’s reputation among global partners, and enabled continued participation in lucrative but challenging markets.
- A sector-leading marine business planning a joint venture in a high-risk jurisdiction required robust sanctions compliance due diligence, including the screening of thousands of suppliers and clients. We led a comprehensive screening exercise of over 2,000 counterparties, analysed more than 30 supply relationships with high-risk jurisdictions, conducted an in-depth review of the internal compliance programme, and developed a detailed rectification and mitigation plan. These efforts protected the joint venture from sanctions-related disruptions and reputational harm, streamlined supplier and client onboarding, supported business continuity, and enhanced internal controls and compliance culture.
- Two global oil and gas leaders forming a joint venture in a jurisdiction with complex sanctions exposure required a comprehensive compliance policy to manage operational and regulatory risk. We developed and negotiated a multi-layered sanctions compliance policy and procedure, tailored to the joint venture’s operational realities and regulatory environment, establishing a compliance framework that has since been adopted as a model within the industry. This provided a clear operational roadmap for compliance in a high-risk market, minimised legal and financial exposure for both partners, and supported the joint venture’s long-term business objectives and market access.
- A leading global packaging company with supply chains and production in multiple high-risk jurisdictions needed day-to-day support for sanctions compliance and operational risk management. We advised on the design and implementation of robust internal controls, conducted tailored risk assessments, and provided guidance on transaction monitoring and counterparty due diligence, enabling the company to respond swiftly to evolving sanctions regimes and regulatory requirements. This reduced compliance risk and operational disruption across global supply chains, enhanced the company’s ability to enter new markets and maintain existing operations, and fostered a culture of compliance and risk awareness throughout the organisation.
- A joint venture between major oil and gas companies required a comprehensive internal compliance programme and ongoing operational support to manage high-risk suppliers and clients. We developed and implemented a customised compliance programme, delivered targeted staff training, and performed ongoing assessments of business activities in high-risk territories, ensuring continuous improvement and regulatory alignment. This strengthened the joint venture’s ability to identify and manage sanctions risks, improved operational efficiency, reduced the likelihood of regulatory breaches, and supported the joint venture’s reputation as a responsible and compliant market leader.
Languages
- English
- Russian
Education
St Petersburg State University, Law Faculty, Bachelor, with Honors, 2007
- St Petersburg State University, Law Faculty, Master, with Honors, 2009