Team

Alexej Schmidt

Managing partner

Alexej Schmidt has extensive experience in the field of industrial and civil engineering, accounting, financial planning and tax optimization. Mr. Schmidt was at the head of „BFK JSC“ for several years. He was awarded the title “Breakthrough of the Year 2004” for his achievements.

Core competencies: Finance Accounting and Taxation
Languages: German, Russian, English
Education:

• University of Passau, Business Administration and Economics
• Altai State University, Business Administration

Andrej Schmidt

Managing partner and head of marketing and distribution department

Andrej Schmidt has a wealth of experience in the field of international communication, as well as in the field of trade market. For many years he has worked in such spheres as tourism, construction and power engineering. Mr. Schmidt has in-depth knowledge in ad and sale.

Core competencies: Human resources, marketing and distribution
Languages: German, Russian, English
Education:

• University of Passau, Business Administration and Economics
• Altai State University, Business Administration

Dr. Olga Kylina, LL.M.

Senior consultant, head of legal services department

Dr. Kylina possesses extensive knowledge in the field of private international law and commercial law. She gained decent practical experience in the legal department of the Krasnoyarsk dealing with judicial matters and courtproceedings. Founder and Managing Director of temperi legal services

Core competencies: Legal services in russian law and in international commercial law
Languages: German, Russian, English
Education:

• Doctoral degree at the University of Passau
• University of Passau, LL.M. (summa cum laude)
• Krasnoyarsk State University, Jurisprudence, graduated with honors

Marina Weger

Senior Consultant

She worked for two years at Bayern Handwerk International GmbH in the department of export and foreign trade consulting. She wrote some guidelines about product certification and export of goods and services to Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and the Ukraine with the focus on VISAquestions, international employee assignment, taxation and other legal issues. She possesses also knowledge in the field of import and export declarations, supplier’s declarations and preferential customs duty. Marina is responsible for interpretation and translation.

Core competencies: Russian, German, English, French, Czech
Languages: German, Russian, English
Education:

• Business economist, University Hagen
• University Regensburg, Master of Arts
• Belarussian State University, Diploma

Valeria Nikolaeva

Senior Consultant

Master of Arts in International Relations. Valeria graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations with the Bachelor’s degree (BA) in International Relations and Diplomacy. Afterwards, she focused her academic research on the European Union Studies at Leiden University in the Netherlands, where she was awarded a Master’s degree (MA) in International Relations. Valeria has got a C2 Proficiency level in English, confirmed by an IELTS certificate.

Languages: English, Russian, Dutch
Education:

• Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO-University), School of International Relations, Bachelor of Arts
• Leiden University (Netherlands), Faculty of Humanities, Master of Arts

Anna Khan

Senior Consultant

Anna obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees in English linguistics from St. Petersburg State University and a master's degree in Cultural Studies from the University of Freiburg. During her studies, she worked as a teacher's assistant and mentor for international students, alleviating language exchange and culture acclimation.

Anna furthered her intercultural competence during her internship at the German-American Institute in Freiburg (Carl-Schurz-Haus Freiburg) where she acquired awareness of, and interest in, the issues of global mobility. In Schmidt & Schmidt, Anna is part of the legalization team, working on English-, German-, Russian-, Portuguese-speaking projects and supporting clients in these languages.

Languages: English, German, Russian, Portuguese
Education:

• St. Petersburg State University, English Linguistics, B.A. and M.A.
• The University of Freiburg, British and North American Cultural Studies, M.A.

Assemgul Tokanova

Partner

With experience in the international consulting company, obtains necessary skills to successfully manage projects in both quasi-public and private sectors. The acquired knowledge ensures successful implementation of the set tasks and achievement of the project goals.
Languages: Kazakh, Russian, English

Education:

• Master in Public Administration; Graduate School of Public Policy Nazarbayev University
• Bachelor of Education; Foreign language: two foreign languages; Kokshetau State University named after Sh. Ualikhanov

Semyon Chernyakov

Consultant

Semion successfully graduated from the Faculty of History and Political Science at Novosibirsk State University. While studying he spent a year on an internship at Universite Savoie Mont-Blanc (Chambery, France), that allowed him to master the French language. Also he speaks English. He is currently receiving a master’s degree at Higher School of Economics.

Languages: Russian, French, English
Education:

• Novosibirsk State University, the Faculty of History and Political Science
• Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, the Faculty of Lettres, Langues et Sciences Humaines
• National Research University – Higher School of Economics, the Faculty of Humanities, department of political science

Abzagu Berzeniya

Consultant

Abzagu graduated from the Abkhaz State University in Sukhum. He continued to study International relations at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Possess a master's degree. During his studies, he learnt English and gained a vast knowledge in the field of solving urgent international problems. He explored the problem of using lies in politics and formation of the countries of the former USSR.

Languages: Russian, Abkhaz, English

Education:

• Abkhaz State University, International Relations
• Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Master of International Relations

Artem Mazyarov

Associate

Artem successfully graduated from the Faculty of Law of Tomsk State University (LL.B).

After graduation, Artem worked as a lawyer at AG Sibur. During his professional career, Artem was part of the legal team that assisted in the construction of a petrochemical plant in Tobolsk and was involved in contract work with major contractors and licensors such as Linde, Ineos, Thyssenkrupp and TECHNIP.

Currently, Artem is studying law at the University of Passau (LL.M).

Languages: Russian, German, English

Studies:

• Tomsk State University, Law (B. Sc.)
• University of Passau, German Law LL.M

Bilgesu Öncü

Associate

Graduated from Uludağ University Faculty of Law in 2018, Bilgesu Öncü earned her master's degree in IT Law from Saarland University in 2022. She gained expertise in private, commercial, and IT law during her education. She participated in various law student associations and Elsa throughout her education life. She is fluent in Turkish, German, and English.

Ekaterina Shahanova

Associate

Ekaterina completed her Bachelor's degree in linguistics at the Moscow City Teachers' Training University in year 2014, Institute of Foreign Languages. During her studies, she mastered her German and English and has C1 level in both. She also learned Dutch, passed an international exam and obtained a CNaVT certificate (Certificate Dutch as a Foreign Language), confirming language proficiency at B2 level. Ekaterina has made a good experience working with both individuals and legal clients.

Languages: German, English, Dutch
Education: Moscow City Teachers' Training University, Institute of Foreign Languages, Linguistics

Anastasiia Pichkurova

Associate

Anastasia graduated with honors from the Law Faculty of Baikal State University. The main focus of Anastasia's studies was international and German law. In 2019 Anastasia took part in a one-year German law programme at the University of Passau. After her BA she worked as a lawyer in the largest bank in Russia.

Anastasia successfully completed her Master's degree in International Law at Andrássy University in Budapest. Anastasia has extensive knowledge of international trade law, intercultural communication and project management skills acquired during her internship at the United Nations.

Languages: German, English, Russian
Education:

• Andrássy University, Budapest, Faculty of International and European Law, L.L.M.
• Baikal State University, Institute of Law, Bachelor's Degree
• University of Passau, Faculty of Law, Exchange Program

Maria Schurm

Accountant

Nikita Chebykin

Working student

Nikita successfully graduated from the Faculty of Law at Moscow State University. He also completed a French course of the Faculty of Philology at MSU. He has several scientific papers on topics related to issues and problems of the contract system in Russia.

Languages: English, Russian, French

Education: Moscow State University, the Faculty of Law

Eloise Meng

Working student

Eloise graduated from Guilin University of Electronic Technology with the bachelor degree in Business English. She studys currently International Culture and Business (Master of Art) at the University of Passau in Germany with a focus on intercultural communication.

Languages: Chinese, English, German
Education:

• Business English, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Bachelor of Arts
• International Culture and Business, University of Passau, Master of Arts