An established firm in the projects sphere in Turkey, Bezen & Partners has deep regulatory and transactional expertise, which is put to use when advising investors, developers and lenders on a wide range of power and infrastructure projects, as well as when assisting with licensing and regulatory matters. Headed by Yeşim Bezen, Banu Bölükemini, Aykut Bakırcı and Murat Soylu, the practice also advises on the development and financing of wind, solar, hydropower and waste-to-energy plant projects, as well as handling rail, road and health infrastructure deals. Recent work highlights include advising a subsidiary of Rusatom on the $22bn Akkuyu nuclear power plant project.

CIFTCI Attorney Partnership in association with Clifford Chance is described by clients as one of the ‘leading law firms in project finance in Turkey’, and is well known for its activity in this field, mainly in the infrastructure, energy and healthcare sectors. The practice is led by Sait Eryilmaz, a ‘real problem solver’ with a particular expertise in PPP and green and sustainable finance, and has a good track record of handling large-scale transportation project financings, project development and PPP projects. Senior associate Gökçe Uzun is another key asset of the practice.

Goksu Safi Isik Attorney Partnership is renowned for its active role in large public infrastructure projects in sectors including energy, construction, defence and aviation. With Fatma Gozde Kardes, who ‘stands out for project finance’ and is recommended for her ‘perfect negotiation and organisation skills’, and Ali Sefa Turkmen at the helm, the team is currently advising IGA on the refinancing of 75% of the new Istanbul Airport project.

Well-known firm Hergüner Bilgen Üçer Attorney Partnership has an impressive track record of advising major contractors, sponsors, financiers and governmental bodies on infrastructure projects. The practice, which has particularly extensive experience in projects under the PPP model, as well as energy and port infrastructure projects, comprises a strong group of practitioners, including Ümit Hergüner, skilled litigator Nazım O. Kurt, PPP expert Senem Denktaş, Piraye Kuranel Başol, Serkan Gül and Deniz Tuncel, who especialises in energy. Domestic and international names, such as South Stream Transport, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Finance Corporation, the European Investment Bank and Yapı Kredi, are included in the department's roster of clients.

A ‘dedicated, responsive and hardworking’ group of experts makes up the practice at Çakmak Attorney Partnership, which has a well-deserved reputation, particularly in the energy sector, for handling development, financing and refinancing mandates in a wide range of areas, including in relation to renewable and thermal power plants and healthcare, railroad and motorway projects. In particular, the department remains an optimal choice for hospital PPP projects. The department is captained by Mesut Çakmak, Zeynep Çakmak and Mustafa Durakoğlu. Ayşe Eda Biçer Özen, who was promoted to partner in 2021, brings additional expertise in energy and infrastructure projects to the team.

ASC Law Office has established a strong presence within the projects area and has a good track record of advising on investment deals for large infrastructure and construction projects, assisting both domestic and foreign investors. Okan Beygo, who has valuable expertise in derivatives, project finance and restructuring, as well as in the energy sector, co-heads the practice together with Ela Sarı and Levent Yetkil, who brings additional expertise in the oil and gas sector to the team. The practice is currently advising two subsidiaries of Bendis Holding on the financing of the Tarsus underground natural gas storage facility in south-central Turkey.

With wide-ranging expertise in the energy, real estate, hospitality and leisure, construction and infrastructure sectors, Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki's practice advises multinational and domestic banks on project and acquisition finance and bilateral and syndicated lending. Barlas Balcıoğlu, who is highly skilled in acquisition finance, heads the department, closely supported by the ‘very professional and competent’ Günhan Yalçın and senior associate Ceyda Aydın. The team was further strengthened by the addition of Burcu Boso, who joined from YBK Law Firm in Cooperation with CMS in January 2021.

Esin Attorney Partnership, a Member Firm of Baker McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein advises local and multinational companies with a special focus on the development of projects in the energy, mining and infrastructure (EMI) sectors. Headed by senior associate Nigar Gökmen, the practice covers matters related to project operations, governmental regulations, M&A and financing involving Turkish cross-border and domestic EMI projects. In particular, the team has a good track record of assisting investors with PPP projects. Banking expert Muhsin Keskin and transactional specialist Duygu Turgut bring additional experience to the practice.

GKC Partners (in professional association with White & Case) has ‘tremendous knowledge of banking and finance regulation’ and garners praise from clients for offering ‘sound, diligent, well-structured and business-oriented solutions’. The team advises both foreign and domestic clients on project finance, particularly in the energy, infrastructure and transportation sectors. Seasoned finance expert Güniz Gökçe and Ateş Turnaoğlu, who has a wealth of experience in the project finance space, especially in the energy and infrastructure sectors, co-head the department.

KILINÇ LAW & CONSULTING fields a ‘highly proficient team’ with a ‘strong track record in M&A and project finance transactions’, which is a preferred choice for a number of domestic entities, including venture capital investment funds and energy companies, and foreign investors. The practice packs a particular punch in the energy sector, and is co-headed by Levent Lezgin Kılınç, a former in-house counsel at Socar who has ‘great problem-solving skills’, and Seray Özsoy, who is highly experienced in financing work.

Kolcuoglu Demirkan Koçakli is recommended for its skill in handling all aspects of infrastructure projects, including contracts, deal structuring, and regulatory and administrative law matters, and has solid knowledge and experience in PPP projects, mainly related to infrastructure, construction and energy. The practice is co-headed by Umut Kolcuoğlu and Okan Demirkan, and is also know for its financing work, advising lenders and borrowers regarding project finance, Islamic finance transactions, bilateral financings of acquisitions, as well as real estate and greenfield projects.

Paksoy houses a ‘well-trained and experienced team with a very good sector knowledge’. The team is led by ‘outstanding partner’ Sera Somay, whose practice encompasses a wide range of financing transactions. The team, which also includes senior associate Beril Paksoy, is well known for advising lenders, sponsors, institutional investors, contractors and operators in the power, oil and gas, infrastructure and healthcare sectors. It also has a good track record of advising on PPPs, assisting clients in relation to major public assets and infrastructure projects.

Renowned for being ‘very experienced in the energy sector in Turkey’, Boden Law advises international and domestic clients on project development and finance transactions, mainly in the areas of power, oil and gas, ports, metals and mining, and general infrastructure. The practice is headed by Değer Boden, who has significant expertise in energy, infrastructure and arbitration matters. İnanç Akalın is another name to note.

Begum Durukan Ozaydin, renowned as an expert in banking and finance, projects and energy, and corporate and M&A matters, heads the practice at DURUKAN+PARTNERS, which regularly advises clients from a variety of sectors on project development, project finance, operational issues, public procurement and regulatory matters. Recent work highlights include advising the developer on the refinancing of the Emaar Square project.

Erdem & Erdem Law Office has a solid track record of advising local and global clients, acting as sponsors, developers, lenders, equity investors and multilateral agencies, on private power and infrastructure projects, including airport and port operations and power generation plants, under build-operate-transfer models. Headed by Ercüment Erdem and Özgür Kocabaşoğlu, the practice is particularly strong in the energy, transportation and healthcare sectors, and is developing notable capabilities in Islamic financing.

Çağdaş Evrim Ergün and Burcu Baltacıoğlu co-head Ergün Avukatlik Bürosu‘s projects department, which has garnered a solid reputation for handling PPPs, energy and infrastructure projects, project finance, and privatisation and international arbitration matters in this space. The practice regularly advises both sponsors and lenders on the development and financing of projects in the energy, transportation and health sectors.

Güner Law Office advises domestic and international banks and institutional lenders regarding the financing of the construction, development and operation of energy, mining and infrastructure projects in and outside Turkey. Transactional and finance specialist Ömer Erdoğan heads the practice, which is also adept at handling the international financing of greenfield and brownfield projects.

The ‘exceptional’ Omer Kesikli, who is highlighted for his strength in energy and construction projects, heads the practice at Kesikli Law Firm, which is also skilled in handling contentious matters arising out of the associated project contracts. The team covers everything from the development through to the construction and operation of power plant projects and energy facilities, and is praised for its ‘unique approach, negotiation skills and out-of-the-box thinking’.

Pekin & Pekin handles the full gamut of projects work in the energy, natural resources and infrastructure sectors. The team's expertise spans project finance, project development (including advising on commercial contracts and regulatory and compliance issues), M&A in the sector, privatisation matters and related disputes. Renowned finance specialist Ahmed Pekin steers the team alongside Eda Beltan, who is frequently sought out for cross-border banking and finance transactions.

Kerem Arıç, who has a strong track record of advising on seaport projects, power plant construction, and mining-related transactions, steers the department at Yazici Attorney Partnership, which is particularly well known for its expertise in the energy sector and ability to handle energy-related infrastructure and construction projects. Ayşe Yazıcı Adanır brings additional expertise in project financing and development mandates to the team.