Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has edged aside Allen & Overy (A&O) to advise on Severstal’s initial public offering (IPO), worth about $15bn (£8bn).

Freshfields is advising the Russian steel group, fielding teams out of both its London and Moscow offices. The mandate marks a coup for Fresh-fields as A&O bagged a role advising Severstal, Russia’s largest steel group, on its proposed €46bn (£31.5bn) merger with Luxembourg steelmaker Arcelor in May.