Sujayat Ismayilova

Senior Legal Associate

Sujayat Ismayilova is a highly skilled Senior Legal Associate with extensive experience advising clients across a broad spectrum of legal areas. Her practice spans civil and corporate law, with a strong focus on regulatory compliance, licensing, and transactional matters. Sujayat has developed particular expertise in the registration, restructuring, and liquidation of legal entities, franchising arrangements, and complex commercial contracting.

She has a proven track record in leading and managing mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and cross-border corporate transactions. Sujayat frequently advises clients in highly regulated sectors such as pharmaceuticals, construction, and alternative energy, including matters involving licensing, permit acquisition, and sector-specific compliance.

In addition, Sujayat provides strategic legal support in migration law, including obtaining work and residence permits, and regularly assists clients in navigating government procedures and administrative requirements. Her work also includes the preparation of legal due diligence reports, regulatory risk assessments, and advisory services on corporate governance matters.

Prior to joining VLM, Sujayat served as an assistant judge at a court in St. Petersburg and practiced law at ICgroup.AZ, the official franchisee of 1C in Azerbaijan. These roles have equipped her with a deep understanding of judicial processes and the commercial legal landscape in both domestic and cross-border contexts.

Core Practice Areas

Commercial and Corporate Law
Licensing and Regulatory Compliance
Alternative Energy Law
Mergers and Acquisitions
Entity Restructuring
Migration Law
Intellectual Property

Languages

English
Russian
Turkish
Azerbaijani

Education

Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University - Bachelor of Laws

Key Accomplishments

Contributed to the preparation of an in-depth due diligence report on alternative energy development for an international organization in the Pacific Region, focusing on legal frameworks, investment risks, and private sector participation.
Drafted a Code of Corporate Governance based on OECD guidelines and legal instruments for a one State-Owned Enterprise in the Pacific region's energy sector to strengthen the energy sector's institutional and regulatory capacity.
Provided full legal support for an environmental infrastructure initiative in Azerbaijan, including negotiation of project agreements, regulatory alignment, and risk mitigation related to data use, liability, and contract enforcement.
Advised on the licensing and implementation of a 100MW solar PV power plant in Azerbaijan, offering end-to-end legal support on regulatory compliance, permitting, and local operations for a USD 100 million investment.
Provided full legal counsel on the market entry of an international pharmaceutical manufacturer in Azerbaijan, including entity establishment, licensing, commercial agreements, and sector-specific compliance for a USD 1 million investment.
Advised and assisted a well-known foreign drilling company in establishing a robust corporate structure and sound business conduct, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Contributed to the preparation of a comprehensive DD report for an international fast-food chain, focusing on labor law issues and providing legal insights and recommendations.
Facilitated the acquisition of work permits and temporary residence permits for employees of a construction company with foreign investment specializing in system facilities in Azerbaijan, ensuring compliance with immigration laws and regulations.
Provided comprehensive legal support for a prominent bridge construction project in Azerbaijan, including the analysis and drafting of contracts related to equipment supply, lease of premises and equipment for employees, and engineering services.