The fact that a law is a delicate thing, isn`t impugnable， especially if understand modern businees` abilities. If the case linkes with protecting the interests of the company, it`s very important to use mind and to set priorities, because the choice of a legal adviser only comparable to the choice of doctor. The CEO of "National Law Company "Mitra" told about a competence and not only ...
CEO National Law Company “Mitra” Yury Mirzoev undertook an interview on the magazine “Pro KMV” (№1 February2015) and told about a history of the company
Yury, I would like to start out interview from the history of the company. What`s about an indea of creating the company?
In 2012 we created National Law Company “Mitra” with partners, who worked in the energy branch. The idea of creating professional legal company was for a long time, but we needed a lot of time for realization. We elaborated details of our business, ways of achievement goals, management, conditions of partnership before realization of the project.
At the heart of it is the natural desire of the individual to develop professionally, deepening his knowledge and gaining the necessary experience. And if it's short and honest - professional confidence and ambition. When you work as a lawyer in a large company, you must integrate into a certain corporate model. Your work activity is of a functional nature. Often this leads to professional degradation - it is difficult to improve yourself if the company has a large margin of safety.
Does such courage link with a clear mission?
Yes, it was very important for us to form a new understanding of legal services for society and business. I believe that any commercial activity in the country should, to one degree or another, bear a social burden. "Mitra" is a nationally-oriented company. Our mission is to carry out activities corresponding to the idea of building a legal culture in the country. That`s why the main territory of the company's activities, was chosen complex region - the South of Russia.
Could you tell about events and plans for «general welfare”, not for business?
National Law Company “Mitra” is actively investing in science and education. In 2014 in Pyatigorsk we organized a scientific and practical round table. As experts at the event, the head of the apparatus - the administrator of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation and the editor-in-chief of the magazine "Arbitration Practice" Andrey Egorov, as well as the head of the Private Law Division of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Roman Bevzenko. The significance of this event for the region was noted by the judges of arbitration courts who took part in the round table. For the first time in our region, yes, perhaps. And in Russia, there was an urgent topic of changes in civil law. A similar event, only devoted to tax law, was held in January this year in Krasnodar. As experts, the judge of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation in retirement and the consultant of the Research Center for Private Law under the President of the Russian Federation Viktor Batsiev, the associate professor of the Civil Law Chair of the St. Petersburg State University and a member of the NCC at the Arbitration Court of the North Caucasus Federal District Sergei Ovsyannikov.
I think that such initiatives are needed right now in order to ensure the unity of the legal understanding of tax authorities, taxpayers and courts in the current economic situation and strengthening of tax administration.
ABOUT Business
Our small and medium business doesn`t want to pay lawyers, taking into account, that it`s usefulness and “needful people” can solve all problems. Meanwhile, in recent times “corruptive hopes” lead to bankruptcy.
What`s about success of your company?
I think it is too early to talk about success, but certain positive results have been achieved. For example, "Mitra" two years in a row falls into the rating of leaders among law firms in Russia (according to the legal portal "Pravo.ru"). But we must make a reservation that this is only a reflection of a certain status of the company, some of its indicators. We did not make any effort to do this, except that we submitted information about our reports to the compilers of this rating.
Evaluation of the results of the company's work by our customers is more important! However, the importance of participation in such ratings is difficult to overestimate, because only a company with an impeccable reputation can afford it. Doubtful firms that deal with "dark" cases, hardly want too much publicity. Therefore, for a client, a rating is a certain guarantee of the quality of the services and reliability of the company. This year we will apply for a place not only in the ranking of "Pravo.ru", but also in the international rating of legal firms Legal 500. I am sure that we have good chances to occupy an accessible position in it!
How can you describe the state of legal consulting in Russia today?
Imagine a football field the size of the territory of our country. In this field some players run erratically, sometimes even coaches, and sometimes basketball players who have nothing to do with football, along with foreign teams and local leaders of the championship. The game is concentrated in separate areas, but there is no single structure and system on the scale of the whole state. All this is a consequence of the yet unformed market of legal services and a reflection of the imbalance in the economic development of the regions. In this case, the lack of consistent state management only adds fuel to the fire.
Many well-known foreign companies primarily accompany foreign business and investments in Russia. But there are also domestic companies, most often with an administrative resource, which can`t cope with foreigners. There is still a whole bar association, very heterogeneous and unbalanced in composition, but striving for a lawyer monopoly in the courts.
For example, ask any medium-sized businessman in our region whether he is using legal services. And better ask him to name legal companies with good reputation and high qualifications. The majority will say that there are no qualified lawyers in the North Caucasus region, corruption everywhere, nobody can be trusted, etc. People tend to think soberly when it's too late. In modern Russia, especially in the current geopolitical and economic situation, the price of such a mistake will be very high.
Does “Mitra” specialize only in the tax disputes?
Of course not. Having created the company, we really started with tax consulting. In my opinion, the "tax" practice of "Mitra" is by far the strongest in the region. At the same time, we have significantly strengthened many areas. In such areas as civil, antimonopoly, land law, energy, real estate, no doubt, we are among the best. Our partners are recognized specialists in these fields.
What kind of things you will never take?
I will never hope for a client, promising "golden mountains", and I will not take on a "case", obviously losing. Absolute taboos for us are "dark" cases. "Mitra" appreciates its reputation and respects ethical norms in relations with all parties. Our goal, like any serious business, is not the immediate extraction of maximum profit, but the capitalization of the company, which is formed, first of all, from intangible assets. And the main asset is reputation.
What case did you keep in mind?
- As for me, there are no "running" cases. In each of them, there is necessarily an interesting legal incident, or the fate of business, or a rich emotional background. But most of all I like the "case", where all the listed elements are present at once. For example, the case of challenging arrears based on the results of a field tax audit of about 1.5 billion rubles. After the successful resolution of the dispute, the amount of the arrears together with the interest was only 3,600 rubles of the transport tax.
In your opinion, how will the economic crisis affect the development of the legal industry in Russia?
Unfortunately, I can`t agree with my colleagues who say that the economic crisis will not affect the jurisprudence. And the same situation in the economy for lawyers is a boon. This is not true.
Despite the fact that some legal practices are growing in the crisis (for example, restructuring and bankruptcy, disputes with state bodies), their incomes will not be able to compensate for losses from a significant decrease in activity in real estate, finance, securities and corporate transactions.
In the conditions of the growing economic crisis in Russia, consolidation of law firms is possible (small firms will have a harder time surviving the crisis than a large one), slower growth in the salaries of lawyers (a decrease in absolute terms is unlikely), an increase in the state's attractiveness as a client for law firms.
What is your attitude to the creation in Russia of a specialized tax court?
Of course, I agree! Tax relations are very specific and massive. Foreign experience shows that the activities of such courts are justified. In many countries, lawyers, practicing in the field of tax law, have higher fees than others. A tax lawyer is a very narrow specialization. However, he is obliged to understand many branches of law regulating labor and civil-law relations, he must know the basics of economics and accounting. The same can be said about tax judges.
What qualities do you value in people?
You can endlessly list different traits of the character, proving their importance, and lead discussions about what is more important. In my opinion, the most valuable thing is not qualities as a certain constant set of characteristics, but abilities and actions. It is necessary to be able to evaluate the concrete actions of a person and his motives and only on the basis of this create their opinion of him.
What does the profession of lawyer give to you?
Personally, I have the opportunity to develop simultaneously both materially and spiritually, without dividing life into two parts. In the material - it is good to earn, and in the spiritual - the opportunity to change the world for the better. In addition, victory in difficult and not very matters brings the highest moral satisfaction.
In your opinion, in which branches do you apply your knowledge and experience? Maybe in the civil service?
I think my knowledge and skills would be useful for solving tax disputes. I see the situation both on the part of the tax authority and the representative of the taxpayer. Therefore, I am sure that I can find a balance between public and private interests and unbiasedly resolve the tax dispute in strict accordance with the letter of the Law.
Yury, what event in 2014 was the most important for you?
The birth of the second daughter of Arina, which eclipsed everything else.
Yury, when you have free time, how do you relax?
I do not have as much free time as I'd like, but I always try to spend it with my family - my wife Alisa and the daughters Daria and Arina. I also like to travel, I like to read, I go in for sports.
Your own recipe for success?
To be successful, you need to engage in an interesting business, cooperate with people you trust, and at the same time give all the best. And, of course, be able to set certain goals and achieve them.
ABOUT BUSINESS
"For me, the main thing is that at the end of even the most difficult and eventful day there was a sense of satisfaction with the work done."
