KARINA ILYUSSIZOVA
Profile
Karina Ilyussizova is a founding partner of IMN. She advises domestic and international clients on corporate and finance transactions, with particular experience in acquisitions – acting for both buyers and sellers – and in project financing on both the lender and borrower sides. Karina has been involved in a range of high-impact social and infrastructure projects. Her primary focus and experience are in developing and deploying renewable energy (solar, wind and hydro) business in Kazakhstan and the whole Central Asia region.
Leveraging her background as an in-house counsel, Karina has a deep understanding of internal legal processes and the practical operation of in-house legal teams.
Prior to founding IMN, Karina was a senior associate at an AmLaw100 firm and previously served as an in-house counsel at a private equity fund.
Karina is a registered AIFC Legal Advisor and a member of Kazakhstan Bar Association.
Selected Experience*
Energy
- • Advised an international finance institution in connection of loan to finance development, construction and operation of solar photovoltaic plant in Kazakhstan.
- • Advised a leading Chinese company specializing in photovoltaic inverters and energy storage systems in connection with acquisition and sale of several wind power plants in Kazakhstan, including subsequent regulatory advice.
- • Advised a large Kazakhstan investment and construction holding in connection with acquisition of two solar power plants in Kazakhstan.
- • Advised a European company in connection with potential acquisition of a Kazakhstan company for participation in renewable energy auction (wind power plant).
- • Advised an international finance institution in connection with a financing for the modernization of a hydro power plant.
Finance
- • Advised an international finance institution in connection with restructuring of loans to Kazakhstan mining companies.
- • Advised international finance institutions in connection with loans to modernize Kazakhstan power plant.
- • Advised a large European supplier of agricultural machinery, in relation to amendment of senior facility agreement and provision of security for financing of the group companies.
- • Advised a leading agricultural supply chain company in respect of financing and acquisition of projects in Kazakhstan.
- • Advised a large international bank in connection with financing of a national gas company.
AIFC
- • Advised one of the largest Kazakhstan real estate developers in connection with subscription of two investors for the shares of the AIFC fund (exempt fund in the form of a closed-ended investment company).
- • Advised Kazakhstan investors on establishment of the AIFC fund (exempt fund in the form of a limited partnership).
- • Advised a Kazakhstan restaurant chain in connection with restructuring of their group to the AIFC and attraction of an equity investment from a Kazakhstan bank by way of subscription to the shares in the AIFC companies.
*Including experience prior to establishing IMN Law Firm
Areas of Expertise
- • Renewable energy
- • Finance
- • Corporate, including on AIFC regulations
Education
- • LL.B., 2002 (with honors) – Adilet Higher Law School, Kazakhstan
Admissions
- • Kazakhstan, including AIFC
Career History
- • 2025 – present: IMN Law Firm
- • 2023 – 2025: Private Practice
- • 2018 – 2023: Morgan Lewis
- • 2011 – 2018: CITIC Kazyna
- • 2004 – 2011: PwC
Languages
- • English
- • Russian