The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Turkey > Employment

Gün + Partners combines day-to-day Turkish employment advice with strong capabilities regarding redundancies and executive dismissals, employment litigation including reinstatement proceedings, internal investigations and regulatory compliance, and employee data privacy protection. The firm has been active in supporting clients with COVID-related restructurings and cost-cutting measures, including associated legal challenges. The team is now led by corporate partner Pelin Baysal and senior associate Beril Yayla Sapan following the departure of Rıza Gümbüşoğlu, with senior associate Asena Aytuğ Keser also a key member of the practice. All senior lawyers advise a range of prominent international clients.

Led by the experienced and well-regarded employment adviser Banu Mert, Goksu Safi Isik Attorney Partnership advises on employment and labour law issues for a combination of major corporates, international consultancy firms and developers, with a standout matter being its involvement in the Istanbul Airport project, handling work concerning 36,000 employees. The firm also handles litigation and collective bargaining support, as well as work permit issues for foreign employees.

Hergüner Bilgen Özeke acts for a range of major corporate clients, including multinational brands such as Bloomberg, Mars and Reuters, on a variety of large-scale and complex employment issues. The firm regularly handles cross-border disputes, employee transfer proceedings, termination-related litigation, and collective bargaining negotiations, as well as providing advice on day-to-day employment law issues. The team is led by Ayşe Hergüner Bilgen, a specialist litigator who regularly acts in employment proceedings, alongside corporate adviser Ufuk Yalçın, who handles retainer work as well as contentious proceedings, including C-suite terminations.

Led by İpek Ünlü Tık, Moroglu Arseven provides continuous advice to an array of major national and international businesses on sensitive employee and labour issues, employment aspects of M&A, internal HR issues, and outsourcing arrangements. The firm also provides support in litigation and arbitration. Seyfi Moroğlu advises on contracts, employee transfers, and disputes, E. Benan Arseven  advises retainer corporate clients on diverse employment matters, while Burcu Tuzcu Ersin handles matters relating to corporate structuring, immigration, whistleblowing, and contractual negotiations.

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki advises a range of multinational clients on day-to-day employment considerations, including contracts, internal policies, and disciplinary matters, alongside complex issues such as executive compensation, restructurings, and mass terminations. The firm has a strong litigation offering which includes newly promoted partner Özge Akman Özmenlikan. Galip M. Selcuk leads the team, and is a specialist in employment agreements, executive contracts, and cross-border employment considerations, particularly relating to transactions. Corporate partners Dr Selim Keki and Doğan Eymirlioğlu are also noted for their employment work, particularly relating to business restructurings and transactions, alongside issues such as severance agreements and incentives.

Ersoy Bilgehan Lawyers & Consultants advises a range of domestic and international corporates on a continuous basis, handling day-to-day employment considerations such as contracts, tax and health and safety, alongside more complex and contentious issues such as dismissals, business restructurings, and litigation relating to terminations and workplace injury. Alongside its traditional strength in the shipping and insurance industries, the firm also acts for technology, telecoms, management consulting, and transport industry clients. The team is led by Ergün Ersoy, who has significant disputes experience and handles a wide variety of employment matters.

Kolcuoglu Demirkan Koçakli has a dedicated employment offering, with practice co-head and counsel Maral Minasyan working exclusively on high-level employment issues for employers, employees, and trade unions, covering both advisory and litigation work. The team advises major international corporates on Turkish employment issues, including executive and mass terminations, day-to-day employment advice, complex stock option negotiations, and litigation. Other practice leaders are Okan Demirkan, a specialist litigator handling a wide range of disputes, and Serhan Kocaklı, who advises on executive compensation and contractual matters.

Moral & Partners has a broad employment offering, encompassing M&A and post-transactional employment concerns, representation in litigation, and continuous advice to corporates on Turkish labour laws, contracts, and terminations. The firm has a number of corporate retainer clients it assists with day-to-day employment matters, including major international businesses, and Turkish conglomerate Borusan. The team is led by Efe Kınıkoglu, who specialises in mass employment matters and white-collar proceedings, particularly in the heavy industrials sector, alongside managing associate Özgür Güner, a specialist employment advisor and litigator.

The 'experienced' and 'high calibre' team at Paksoy advises international clients on day-to-day employment matters, Turkish labour law issues, and represents in litigation relating to issues such as termination, criminal background checks, and compensation. The practice works closely with the firm's corporate, tax, and litigation teams on complex issues such as collective redundancies and work accidents, as well as working on regulatory compliance issues. The team is led by the 'talented' and 'standout'. Elvan Aziz, an advisor to major corporates on a range of employment issues, supported by senior associate Gülce Saydam Pehlivan.

Pelister Atayilmaz Enkur Law Office advises well-known international clients such as Ralph Lauren on a range of Turkish legal issues, including contracts, outsourcing agreements, restructurings, and termination proceedings. With a client base consisting mainly of foreign-domiciled companies active in Turkey, the firm is also active in work permit applications and residency issues for international employees. The team is led by corporate and employment specialist Emre Atayılmaz.

Çakmak Attorney Partnership supports corporate clients with a range of employment issues, including advising on employment strategy, and on employee terminations as a result of COVID-19 restructuring. Additionally, the firm represents employers in employment disputes, and is also involved on behalf of labour unions in large-scale proceedings. The practice is overseen by Zeynep Çakmak and Mesut Çakmak, while senior associate Gülşen Engin focuses exclusively on employment matters.

Öncel, Aydin & Uygun Attorney Partnership advises clients, including domestic corporates and major multinationals, on day-to-day Turkish employment considerations, large-scale restructurings and termination proceedings, and represents in litigation, including representing GlaxoSmithKline before the employment courts. The team is led by Buğra Aydın, an 'attentive' adviser on employment and trade union-related issues, and the vastly experienced Erman Öncel.

Bener Law Office provides continuous advice to a number of major international companies, including Mastercard and Marks & Spencer, on employment issues relating to their Turkish operations. Matters include employment contracts, termination proceedings, benefits, and internal policies. The practice is led by Erim Bener and Batuhan Şahmay.

With a consistent pipeline of referrals from its international network, BTS & Partners advises a number of international businesses on their Turkish employment issues, often on a continuous basis. Matters include contracts, termination proceedings, outsourcing, benefits, and internal policy reviews. The firm is also active in supporting domestic and international tech clients. The team is lead by corporate employment specialist Selin Beceni, alongside IT and IP-focused senior associate Zeynep Ünlü.

Güner Law Office provides continuous advice to its corporate clients on a wide range of employment and labour law issues, including benefits and compensation agreements, internal guidelines, termination proceedings, settlement agreements, and changes in contracts or working conditions. The team also represents clients in challenges to employee terminations, and in mediation proceedings. The team is overseen by  Ece Güner Toprak and employment specialist Burçak Kurt Biçer.

Boutique firm Gunbay Kural Abbasoglu Law Firm advises a number of corporate entities, insurance companies, and international organisations on their employment issues within Turkey, including post-M&A considerations. redundancies, and transfers of registration. The team also acts in contentious matters, including a number of sexual harrassment cases. The team is led by specialist employment practitioners Ahu Pamukkale Gunbay, Duygu Abbasoğlu, and Basar Kural.

ADMD/Mavioglu & Alkan Law Office advises corporate clients on Turkish employment issues, including  contracts, bonuses and remuneration, termination of employment, and employee personal data matters. The 'reliable, fast, and cost-efficient' team also handles litigation and arbitration relating to employment disputes and labour union issues. The litigation-focused Dilara Tamtürk and Gökçe Şanlıerli head up the practice.

CETINKAYA has attracted a number of notable clients since its recent formation, already advising a number of major international brands and businesses on Turkish employment issues. The team provides continuous advice on issues such as contracts and internal policies, as well as representing in termination proceedings and other contentious matters, including a recent focus on COVID-19 measures. Altug Ozgun  heads up the practice.

Egemenoglu Law Firm supports domestic clients in a range of employment matters, including continuous advice on issues such as contracts, terminations, and employee benefits. The firm also represents clients in litigation, and has strong capabilities in negotiating collective bargaining agreements with trade unions. The team is led by litigator Dilek Gürsan alongside senior associate and labour law specialist Fazilet Karabacaklar.

TUNCA ATTORNEY PARTNERSHIP handles a mix of contentious and non-contentious employment work, supporting clients ranging from corporates to government entities, notably the Turkish Ministry of National Education. Matters include employee contracts and recruitment, termination agreements and litigation, and cross-border issues such as employee transfers. The team is led by Sidar Tunca and  Sefa Demirci.

Yavuz, & Uyanik & Akalin has a full-service employment offering, encompassing day-to-day advice on labour law, regulations, and operations, alongside representation in litigation, and advice on complex issues such as restructurings. The client base has a strong focus on insurance companies and their employees, with the firm acting for both employers and workers in disputes. The team is led by Murat Uyanık and Çağlar Korkmaz, who both handle advisory work and litigation.

The 'hands-on' and 'pragmatic' team at YBK Law Firm in Cooperation with CMS advises domestic and international corporates on standard employment issues such as contracts and employee compensation, as well as employment elements of transactions, collective redundancies and corporate restructurings, and risk management, such as mediating to avoid litigation. The team is led by Döne Yalcin.