IFLR1000 Interviews Akin Gump Moscow Partner in Charge Natalia Baratiants on Gender Equality, Diversity

Akin Gump Moscow partner in charge Natalia Baratiants was interviewed by IFLR1000 as part of its IFLR1000 Women Leaders 2020, a recognition of the leading female transactional lawyers in the world. Baratiants was selected for the Women Leaders 2020 - Europe, Middle East and Africa list as one of only four women practitioners for Russia (learn more here) and one of only four honorees in Europe selected for an interview.

The interview focused on Baratiants’ legal career and being a woman in an extremely competitive field: cross-border acquisitions and securities transactions in Russia and internationally.

She noted that, although the majority of the people in the field are men, it “has almost always been the case that my advice has been listened to, appreciated and followed. It really doesn’t worry me or add any pressure—from my own, personal perspective—if there are more men than women in that environment.”

Discussing the legal marketplace today compared to when she started from the standpoint of gender equality, she said, “Gender equality in the legal environment has changed so much both globally and domestically (in Russia) over the last 15-20 years. Now the opportunities available to men and women, whether setting out, established or being considered for partner, are broadly even, while historically this was not the case.”

Asked one policy related to gender equality she would introduce, she noted, “I would ensure that leadership committees and management boards have multiple female members to allow for a breadth of mindset in strategic decision making.”

Baratiants also spoke about Akin Gump’s programs supporting lawyers as they build and expand networks and about the firm’s diverse leadership. To read the full interview, click here.