Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki > Istanbul, Turkey > Firm Profile

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki > The Legal 500 Rankings

Turkey > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

The full-spectrum banking, finance and capital markets group at Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki is recognised for its strength in unsecured interbank loan facilities (syndicated and bilateral), where it draws on complementary expertise in foreign exchange rules, tax and dispute resolution. Among its other key attributes, the wider firm’s association with the Dentons international network is also a significant draw, particularly for multinational clients. Barlas Balcioğlu co-heads the group and maintains a broad banking and finance practice with a focus on project finance transactions, where he primarily acts for lenders. The department is additionally co-led by Günhan Yalçın and Burcu Boso, both of whom bring to bear over 20 years of experience in representing lenders and borrowers on an array of banking and finance matters. Counsel Ceyda Aydın and senior associate Ceren Akkur Bayram provide specialist support.

Turkey > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Bolstered by the firm’s 2023 October acquisition of Bozoglu-Izgi Attorney Partnership, the competition team at Dentons-affiliated firm Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki remains a key leader in this area, bringing strength to advising financial institutions and domestic and multinational businesses on high-value, cross border matters. The firm’s robust client base spans such industries as tech, gaming, manufacturing, oil and gas, beverages and food. The practice is headed by managing partner Galip Selçuk brings experience to M&A, corporate governance, franchising and distribution and private equity. Other key figures include compliance and transactional expert Selim Keki; Doğan Eymirlioğlu, a specialist in shareholders’ agreements, insurance policies and management contracts; and Okan Arıcan, who provides expertise in tech industry matters.

Turkey > Compliance Tier 1

Hailed by clients as a team of ‘real experts‘, Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki is known for its breadth and wealth of experience across a range of highly regulated industries, including online retail, food and beverage, and chemicals. Selim Keki  and Şahin Ardıyok  lead the team alongside Bora İkiler. Keki has exceptional expertise in compliance matters involving global and internal investigations, the establishment of internal policies, and medical ethics standards, while Ardıyok is well-known for his knowledge of Turkish Competition Authority investigations and compliance programmes. İkiler regularly assists clients with AML investigations, providing compliance counseling across an array of regulated sectors, and Armanç Canbeyli primarily advises clients on audits and inspections, representing them before regulators. Having merged with Bozoglu-Izgi Attorney Partnership in October 2023, the practice welcomed Elvan Sevi Bozoğlu , who acts for healthcare and life sciences clients with compliance and policy related issues.

Turkey > Energy Tier 1

The multidisciplinary team at Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki is well equipped to advise on a range of matters within the energy sector, including contract arrangements, project finance, regulatory disputes, investment consultancy, and risk management. As head of the practice, Barlas Balcioğlu has extensive experience in energy performance contracts, energy legislation, and licensing. Şahin Ardıyok leads the competition, public policy, and regulation team, and is recommended for his handling of matters relating to public-private partnerships (PPP) and energy regulations. Ceren Su is also noted for her expertise in project financing and M&As within the energy sector.

Turkey > Media and entertainment Tier 1

In addition to its strong presence in Istanbul, Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki houses a team in Ankara that is well versed in appearing before a number of regulatory bodies, for example the Radio and Television Supreme Council and the Information Communications and Technology Authority. Kağan Dora brings experience in advising clients in the media and entertainment industry on a range of matters, including data protection compliance and licensing. Dora co-heads the practice with Mahmut Karyağdı, who focuses on contentious work, Bora Ikiler and Şahin Ardıyok.

Turkey > Transport Tier 1

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki has an excellent track record in handling a broad range of work within the maritime sector. The team's client base includes lenders and underwriters, and the group's workload includes claims for damaged cargo, collisions, insurance matters and salvage issues. Gülistan Baltacı Hatay is well versed in handling finance-related work in the shipping space, and co-heads the practice with Semih Sander, who assists ship owners, P&I clubs, and charterers.

Turkey > Competition Tier 2

Bolstered by the firm’s 2023 October acquisition of Bozoglu-Izgi Attorney Partnership, the competition team at Dentons-affiliated firm Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki brings strength to advise major financial institutions, domestic and multinational businesses across broad span of sectors, ranging from tech, media, energy, food, cosmetics and telecoms to beverages, electronics, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce and luxury goods. The practice is headed by Şahin Ardıyok, a former Turkish Competition Authority case handler, and Bora İkiler, who both provide expertise on investigations, regulatory authority filings and merger control notifications. Other key figures include counsel Barış Yüksel, who has advised the Information Communications and Technologies Authority; senior associate Armanç Canbeyli; and associate Gediz Çınar.

Turkey > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki houses a broad dispute resolution practice, which is distinguished by its standalone offerings across a wide range of fields, including corporate and commercial, maritime, tax and administrative law cases. Özge Akman Özmenlikan is the key contact for corporate and commercial litigation, where she is a popular choice to represent Turkish and multinational clients. Doğan Eymirlioğlu spearheads the arbitration unit and has particular experience in proceedings under ICC, UNCITRAL and ISTAC rules. Maritime litigators Gülistan Baltacı Hatay and Semih Sander are also noted.

Turkey > Employment Tier 2

Galip M. Selçuk heads the employment department at Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki, which is instructed by companies operating across a range of sectors, including hotels and leisure, technology, manufacturing and retail. The workload is equally diverse, ranging from drafting and negotiating executive-level employees’ employment agreements, severance agreements and incentive plans, to discrimination and harassment litigation. Selim Keki and Doğan Eymirlioğlu stand out for their M&A expertise, making them well placed to advise clients on the employment aspects of M&A. Gözde Manav Kılıçbeyli is a key contact for employment advice relating to domestic and cross-border transactions.

Turkey > Intellectual property Tier 2

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki frequently handles IP matters for companies within the technology sector, such as online infringements, advertising issues, software licensing, and managing trade mark portfolios. The IP and technology team is co-led by Kağan Dora and Mahmut Karyağdı. Ertuğrul Akıncı is another key member of the team who is praised for his ‘extensive knowledge and experience in software licensing and service agreements’.

Turkey > IT and telecoms Tier 2

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki is well placed to assist technology and telecoms entities with data protection compliance and intellectual property matters, to name a couple of areas of instruction. The practice is led by the quartet of Kağan Dora, Şahin Ardıyok, Mahmut Karyağdı, and Bora Ikiler. Dora specialises in TMT-related work, with a solid track record in advising on e-commerce, payment services, software development and licensing matters. Neslihan Kasap brings experience in handling cybersecurity, fintech, and telecommunication law issues. Hazal Durak left the firm in July 2023.

Turkey > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki has a marked focus on advising major domestic and multinational corporations on leasing-related matters, with Coca-Cola, Christian Dior and Eren Holding among its representative clients. The group also demonstrates strong recent showings in real estate disputes and land acquisitions and disposals. Department head Barlas Balcioğlu is held up by sources for his ‘sharp business acumen and a commercial approach’, while counsel Ali Can Gören is valued for his ‘exceptional project management skills’; both have broad experience in real estate transactions.

Turkey > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

The multidisciplinary practice at Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki leans on lawyers from across its banking, corporate and litigation teams – among others – to provide comprehensive coverage of restructuring and insolvency matters. With strong recent experience in acting for both debtors and creditors, the group is also well versed in cross-border proceedings, where it can draw on the wider network of affiliate firm Dentons. Key names include banking and finance co-heads Barlas Balcioğlu and Günhan Yalçın, as well as litigator Semih Sander and corporate specialist Doğan Eymirlioğlu.

Turkey > Insurance Tier 3

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki assists clients with managing risk within the insurance sector and provides advice on various matters such as professional liability, reinsurance, D&O policies, and insurance regulations, among others. The team, which is led by Doğan Eymirlioğlu, is skilled at handling M&A within the insurance sector, including assisting insurance brokerage companies with complex, cross-border transactions.

Turkey > Project finance/projects Tier 3

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki‘s projects practice leverages the wider firm’s top-tier banking and finance offering to specialise in representing lenders in project finance matters – though it also acts for borrowers. A trio of lawyers jointly steer the practice: Barlas Balcioğlu, who anchors the real estate, energy, and banking and finance teams; Günhan Yalçın, who specialises in debt finance; and Burcu Boso, who handles project finance, acquisition finance and ship finance, among other areas. Counsel Ceyda Aydın and senior associate Ceren Akkur Bayram provide support.