RUSLAN YOLCHUYEV
Baku,AZ
Summary
Senior legal professional with progression into head-of-legal roles, guiding contract strategy, compliance, and risk control across operational units. Partners with executives and board members on governance, regulatory alignment, and PSA interpretation, supporting business decisions through clear legal advice and contract oversight.
Overview
1
1
Certification
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Legal Department
Balakhani Operating Company, LTD
Baku
07.2022 - Current
- Lead and oversee the legal department, providing strategic counsel, corporate governance, and risk assessment across all operational business units.
- Advised senior management and board members on complex legal matters, ensuring compliance with national legislation and international oil & gas standards.
- Lead and oversee the legal department, providing legal counsel and strategic direction.
- Functioned as the primary legal expert on the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), driving compliance, contract interpretation, and operational alignment with PSA provisions.
- Oversaw corporate governance processes, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and conducting legal risk assessments.
- Advise senior management on legal matters to ensure compliance with national and international regulations.
- Provided legal support on application of Production Sharing Agreement related to the company's activities.
Legal Manager
SOCAR Petrofac, LLC
Baku
01.2022 - 07.2022
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated contracts and agreements to align with organizational objectives.
- Provided legal support for large-scale projects, ensuring regulatory compliance and effective dispute resolution.
- Directed legal operations to optimize contract management and mitigate risks.
Head of Legal Support, Human Resources, and Documentation Department
State Agency for Use of Mineral Resources
Baku
08.2020 - 12.2021
- Led compliance initiatives, effectively resolving internal and external legal issues to mitigate risks.
- Managed contracts and agreements, delivering legal opinions that supported regulatory compliance.
- Oversaw legal, HR, and documentation matters, ensuring alignment with agency objectives.
Senior Legal Counsel
SOCAR Legal Department
Baku
09.2011 - 08.2020
- Drafted and negotiated commercial contracts for oil and gas operations
- Drafted and reviewed contracts and corporate policies to ensure compliance and align with business objectives.
- Represented the company in legal proceedings and negotiations to protect interests and mitigate risks.
- Advised SOCAR Legal Department on corporate governance and regulatory compliance matters
- Reviewed legal risks across procurement, trade, and joint venture agreements
Lawyer, Legal Affairs and General Administration Contract Management Unit
Azercell Telecom, LLC
Baku
08.2009 - 09.2011
- Managed corporate contracts to ensure compliance with Azerbaijani law and company policies, mitigating legal risks.
- Facilitated negotiation and drafting of agreements with clients and vendors, enhancing contractual clarity and alignment.
- Advised telecom teams on regulatory compliance and internal legal matters
- Drafted and reviewed commercial contracts, agreements, and amendments
- Negotiated terms with vendors, partners, and service providers
Lawyer
SOCAR KPS, LLC
Baku
01.2009 - 08.2009
- Advised SOCAR KPS management on corporate legal matters and compliance requirements.
- Drafted and reviewed contracts, agreements, and legal notices for business operations.
- Advised on HR matters, employment disputes, and corporate legal requirements to support compliance and mitigate risks.
- Managed internal and external legal correspondence to ensure timely resolution of legal issues and effective communication.
- Interpreted regulations affecting SOCAR KPS projects, permits, and internal policies.
Legal Advocacy Center Assistant to Program Director & Senior Staff Attorney
American Bar Association (ABA) CEEI, Baku Office
Baku
05.2006 - 01.2009
- Facilitated training on legal reforms, rights protection, and litigation to empower participants with essential knowledge.
- Supported legal advocacy initiatives by coordinating efforts across various programs in the legal sector.
- Managed schedules for center activities, appointments, and meeting room bookings for staff and guests.
- Oversaw communication through letters and emails, phone calls, and email communication with professionalism and discretion.
- Supported ABA CEEI Baku Office visitors with front desk assistance and guidance.
Credit Expert
Baku Electronics Joint Venture Company
Baku
12.2005 - 05.2006
- Delivered expertise in credit assessments and financial legal matters to support informed decision-making.
- Coordinated with partner banks on credit approval and contract preparation.
- Facilitated preparation and review of financial contracts and documentation to ensure compliance and accuracy.
- Reviewed consumer credit applications for Baku Electronics retail purchases.
- Verified customer documents and identity for installment sales processing.
Assistant Director
DHT Metal Azerbaijan-Turkey Joint Venture Company
Baku
04.2004 - 11.2005
- Coordinated management of legal, financial, and operational aspects of joint venture to ensure compliance and efficiency.
- Drafted legal documentation to facilitate cross-border business operations and mitigate risks.
- Coordinated daily operations across DHT Metal Azerbaijan-Turkey joint venture departments.
- Supported production planning, scheduling, and workflow alignment for metal manufacturing activities.
- Monitored compliance with company procedures, safety rules, and quality standards.
Education
Master's Degree - Law
The National Aviation Academy, Law Faculty
Baku, Azerbaijan01-2004
Skills
- Legal Expertise:
- Contract Law & Drafting
- Corporate Governance & Compliance
- Regulatory Affairs & Risk Management
- Litigation, Arbitration & Mediation
- Legal Due Diligence & Corporate Investigations
- Risk Mitigation & Legal Strategy Development
- Contract Negotiation & Vendor Relations
- Contract management
- Legal Team Management
- Legal Project Management & Team Leadership
- Cross-functional Team Collaboration
- Legal Technology Integration
- Legal Management Software & Document Management Systems
- Corporate & Legal Databases
- Communication & Client Relations:
- Legal writing
- Stakeholder management
- Dispute resolution
- Languages:
- Azerbaijani (Native)
- English (Intermediate)
- Russian (Intermediate)
- Software Proficiency: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Contract management
Personal Information
- Title: Member of the Azerbaijan Bar Association
- Date of Birth: 1981-05-06
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: Azerbaijani
Certification
Business Hermes Academy | Baku, Azerbaijan – November 2023, Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification | PMI Academy, Baku, Azerbaijan – January 2023 – March 2023, School of Project Management | Baku Higher Oil School & Duke University, Baku, Azerbaijan – April 2021 – September 2021, Arbitration and Mediation Seminar | International Law Institute, Washington DC, USA – May 2013, Internal Control Course | PricewaterhouseCoopers, Baku, Azerbaijan – February 2013, Investment Securities and Corporate Transactions | Continuing Legal Education Program, Baku, Azerbaijan – November 2010, Trial Advocacy Skills Training | ABACELI, Baku, Azerbaijan – September 2010, Service Level Agreements Training | IIR Middle East, Baku, Azerbaijan – May 2009, The Logic Course for Lawyers | ABACELI, Baku, Azerbaijan – May 2009, Arbitration and Mediation (Italian Perspective) | Arbitration and Mediation Centre of Azerbaijan & Venice Chamber of Arbitration, Baku, Azerbaijan – April 2009, Patent and Trademark Course | ABACELI, Baku, Azerbaijan – May 2007
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS:
Winner of the South Caucasus Strategic Litigation Project Netherlands Helsinki Committee & INTERRIGHTS, Baku, Azerbaijan – June 2008
INTERNSHIPS:
- Legal Department Intern
- AZAL Air Lines State Concern | Baku, Azerbaijan
- May 2004
- Legal Intern
- Antalya Metropolitan Municipality | Antalya, Turkey
- April 2007 – May 2007
Timeline
Head of Legal Department
Balakhani Operating Company, LTD
07.2022 - Current
Legal Manager
SOCAR Petrofac, LLC
01.2022 - 07.2022
Head of Legal Support, Human Resources, and Documentation Department
State Agency for Use of Mineral Resources
08.2020 - 12.2021
Senior Legal Counsel
SOCAR Legal Department
09.2011 - 08.2020
Lawyer, Legal Affairs and General Administration Contract Management Unit
Azercell Telecom, LLC
08.2009 - 09.2011
Lawyer
SOCAR KPS, LLC
01.2009 - 08.2009
Legal Advocacy Center Assistant to Program Director & Senior Staff Attorney
American Bar Association (ABA) CEEI, Baku Office
05.2006 - 01.2009
Credit Expert
Baku Electronics Joint Venture Company
12.2005 - 05.2006
Assistant Director
DHT Metal Azerbaijan-Turkey Joint Venture Company
04.2004 - 11.2005
Master's Degree - Law
The National Aviation Academy, Law Faculty