Russian Law Firm Signs Patton Boggs to Lobby on Investment Issues

Patton Boggs this week disclosed to Congress that it is lobbying for a Russian law firm.

The U.S. law firm is advocating for Moscow-based Ivanyan & Partners on "[i]ssues related to investment in the United States," according to a lobbying registration report. Patton partners Nicholas Allard, Joseph Brand and Kristin Wells, as well as firm of counsel Laurence Harris, are handling the account.

Wells directed a request for comment to Brand, who couldn’t immediately be reached.

Ivanyan & Partners hasn’t had lobbyists in Washington before, according to congressional records that date to 1999. The law firm’s Web site says its attorneys and advisers focus on public policy and legal work for corporations. Managing Partner Khristofor Ivanyan notes in his firm biography that he has received “token[s] of gratitude” from Russian presidents Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev, as well as Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, for protecting the interests of the country.

Allard, chairman of Patton’s lobbying, political and election law practice, and the other lobbyists on the account say in their firm biographies that they have worked with international companies. But Brand is the only one of them who mentions in his biography that he has experience with Russia.