In a feature interview with Banks.am, MB Legal’s founder Mesrop Manukyan and partners Grigor Grigoryan and Anahit Sargsyan spoke about the firm’s new stage of development – the changing demands of the market, the growth of the partner team, and the goals ahead. Founded in 2020, MB Legal has moved along a path of rapid, visible growth to become one of the largest and most multidisciplinary law firms in Armenia.
One of Armenia’s largest law firms
Today MB Legal provides complete, comprehensive legal services across a wide range of sectors and businesses. Since our previous interview, the firm has grown significantly (in headcount, revenue, geographic reach, and the volume of services delivered) without any compromise on quality. As Mesrop Manukyan explains, that quality rests on three pillars: hiring only highly qualified, driven people (with high standards even for interns); deep, thorough client work that ensures a high-quality end result; and continuous development of both the firm and its lawyers individually.
A fast-growing criminal law practice
One marker of the firm’s growth is its entry into criminal law – an area it did not cover in earlier years. The practice is led by Artashes Hovhannisyan, who spent around six years at Armenia’s National Security Service before building a distinctive advocacy practice. Under his leadership, MB Legal’s criminal law branch is developing rapidly, alongside the firm’s core strengths in corporate, IT, and securities markets.
Growing interest in Armenia
Beyond these, the firm is active in fast-growing new areas: the regulation of the gaming sector and the cryptocurrency market, where client demand today is incomparably greater than three years ago. More broadly, Armenia is becoming increasingly attractive to major investors (in data center construction, energy, and other sectors), and these “big players” need a reliable local representative. As Manukyan puts it, the firm stands at the crossroads of these changes.
“Companies now come to Armenia as a conscious choice – not fleeing some crisis.” Partner Anahit Sargsyan notes that migration to Armenia has matured: clients are more demanding and want to study the country’s legislation and market thoroughly before investing.
Sharing the leadership
Growth made it necessary to restructure management and expand the partnership. Anahit Sargsyan grew professionally within the firm itself, joining in 2021 as a lawyer while still a student; her partner status reflects that professionalism. Grigor Grigoryan joined from Ernst & Young, bringing serious international management experience, and focuses on corporate and business law. The firm’s high standing is also reflected in the strong rankings awarded to MB Legal and its partners by the prestigious Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.
Expanding the geography
MB Legal’s ambition is to become the undisputed leading law firm in Armenia while expanding its geographic reach. The first step is already in place: the firm’s Georgia office has been operating for several months, serving substantial clients in the financial and banking sector. As Manukyan notes, it is usually foreign firms that come to Armenia – here, an Armenian firm is the one expanding abroad and becoming a trusted partner internationally.
Read the full interview on Banks.am
