Gün + Partners > Istanbul, Turkey > Firm Profile
Gün + Partners Offices
KORE SEHITLERI CAD 17
ZINCIRLIKUYU
34394 ISTANBUL
Turkey
Gün + Partners > The Legal 500 Rankings
Turkey > Compliance Tier 1
Gün + Partners fields a business crimes and anti-corruption practice which is a reliable choice for assistance with investigations in a variety of regulated sectors. The client base primarily features multinationals with operations in Turkey who instruct the team when regulatory bodies start investigations, but also on day-to-day compliance and registration with the relevant authority. Four lawyers jointly coordinate the department: Beril Yayla Sapan, who became a partner in October 2021, has employment law expertise and regularly advises on white collar crime, compliance, and legal audits; Barıs Kalaycı is an experienced business crime and anti-corruption expert; Özge Atılgan Karakulak leverages her IP litigation expertise and extensive knowledge of life science sectors in advises on regulatory matters for clients in that sector; and 2021 partner appointment Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş focuses on data protection matters. Former practice co-head Filiz Toprak Esin departed to set up her own firm in May 2022.Practice head(s):
Barış Kalaycı; Özge Atılgan Karakulak; Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş; Beril Yayla Sapan
Other key lawyers:
Asena Aytuğ Keser; Dicle Doğan
Turkey > Intellectual property Tier 1
Gün + Partners provides services in all areas of IP with specialised sub-practice groups such as anti-counterfeiting and IP prosecution. The trademarks, designs and copyrights practice continuously advise and represent companies in brand protection matters, copyrights and domain names. The team is also well-versed in patent litigation with clients in the pharma industry. Co-head Uğur Aktekin
specialises in advising on trademarks, while Barış Kalaycı focuses on enforcement. The other co-heads are Mehmet Gün who is experienced in IP matters and Özge Atılgan Karakulak who advises a number of multinational life science companies.Practice head(s):
Mehmet Gün; Uğur Aktekin; Barış Kalaycı; Özge Atılgan Karakulak
Other key lawyers:
Zeynep Seda Alhas
Testimonials
‘Very responsive, quick and reliable advice, market leader, strong in litigation and brand management.’
‘Gun Law firm has extensive experience in IP and dispute resolution with a very talented and competent team. The young lawyers are very motivated, have all good communication skills and strong legal background. They were able to analyze very complicated IP issues and gave us the right direction on resolution and/or settlement of IP disputes.’
‘Through a clear and direct communication with our firm, they were able to build a very strong relationship with our legal department. We were very satisfied with the work done by them and their excellent team.’
‘I appreciate their openness and willingness to be creative.’
‘They work together well as a team. They are well-informed, responsive, creative and cost-effective.’
‘They know the law and are very responsive to our inquiries and often come up with creative but practical solutions to difficult problems.’
‘Gun provides top-notch advice and clear communication.’
‘Zeynep Seda Alhas is a great partner. She works well to ensure that we are informed appropriately and steps in as needed. We appreciate that she staffs her team appropriately.’
Work highlights
- Represented 3M in a court action against use of look-alike respirators.
Turkey > Media and entertainment Tier 1
The team at Gün + Partners covers the entire spectrum of issues including television, music, sport, cinema, advertising and film. The team is well-versed in talent agreements and sponsorship matters, while also representing clients for both litigation and non-litigation matters. Additionally, the firm provides legal assistance regarding promotions, sweepstakes and product placement. Co-head Hande Hançar provides advisory and litigation support to clients on all aspects of advertising and media laws. Other co-head Uğur Aktekin covers media, advertising, consumer, internet and technology licensing.Practice head(s):
Hande Hançar; Uğur Aktekin
Testimonials
‘They’re true experts in advertising and IP. My go-to firm in Turkey.’
‘Hande Hancer and Uğur Aktekin are terrific. They know their stuff! Very responsive.’
‘Great expertise on advertising and marketing issues combined with pragmatic real-life risk analysis.’
‘Hande Hancer is hands-on, fun to work with and combines thorough knowledge of the subject with pragmatic real-life risk analysis.’
‘Gün Partners is very impressive. Their advice is business friendly, strategic, and legally sound. They are very responsive.’
‘Hande is super sharp and incredibly responsive. Our go-to attorney in Turkey.’
Work highlights
- Advised clients from various industries as well as advertising clients on advertisement clearance, including compliance with Advertising Rules and Advertising Board guidelines.
- Advised entertainment companies with respect to collective bargaining agreements with local CMO’s.
- Advised on execution of sweepstakes and contests from official rules to prize fulfilment.
Turkey > Insurance Tier 2
Gün + Partners provides the full scope of services within the insurance industry, including insurance litigation, insurance regulation, insurance contracts and M&A advisory. Aysel Korkmaz Yatkın co-heads the practice and advises on the localisation of insurance policy wordings, professional liability policies in addition to conducting reinsurance claims. Görkem Bilgin , the team's other co-lead, assists local and international insurance companies from a regulatory aspect.Practice head(s):
Aysel Korkmaz Yatkın; Görkem Bilgin
Testimonials
‘Attentive and collaborative.’
Work highlights
- Represented a global technology company in a recourse action initiated by the insurance company due to the losses of the insured caused by the explosion of the client’s device.
Turkey > IT and telecoms Tier 2
The TMT practice at Gün + Partners covers the full spectrum of matters relating to e-commerce, technology, social platforms, music, cinema, advertising, media and entertainment. The team is well-versed in all disciplines from industry regulations and compliance to data protection, privacy and transaction services. Practice head Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş regularly advises telecoms companies on regulatory issues and the transfer of personal data. Senior associate Yalçın Umut Talay provides additional support.Practice head(s):
Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They were highly organized and responded promptly. They also had extensive knowledge of and wide experience in data protection laws. They also provide services for a very reasonable fee.’
‘We worked with Begüm Yavuzdogan Okumus on data protection matters. She was responsive, fluent in English, and had extensive knowledge of and wide expertise in data protection laws.’
‘Absolutely knowledgeable and professional team, quite precise and clear with their legal opinions, while considerate of the needs of their clients.’
‘Outstanding knowledge, responsiveness and very professionally structured.’
Key clients
Orange
Zynga
Turkey > Dispute resolution Tier 3
A range of major domestic companies and multinationals operating in Turkey look to Gün + Partners for representation in disputes, from commercial and corporate litigation to alternative dispute resolution and arbitral award enforcement. 2021 partner appointment Beril Yayla Sapan and civil litigation expert Aysel Korkmaz Yatkın lead the team alongside senior figure Mehmet Gün who oversees the most high-profile work. Managing associate Asena Aytuğ Keser is also a key figure and comes with strong praise from clients.Practice head(s):
Mehmet Gün; Aysel Korkmaz Yatkın; Beril Yayla Sapan
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Asena Aytuğ Keser is the main contact, and the person in charge of the case. She has always been very helpful. Although the cases are not moving as fast as we would like them to, Asena Aytug has done her best to expedite the process where possible.’
‘Asena Aytuğ is very responsive, and whenever we ask for updates she gives us full details so that we do not have many questions left.’
Work highlights
- Representing a rail technology company in a dispute with its sub-contractor before Istanbul Arbitration Centre.
- Representing a social media company in a set of administrative proceedings against the tax office where the first instance court have recently accepted the cases in favour of the client.
- Representing a Turkish textile company as lead counsel in a dispute with a Swiss seller, being subject to Swiss law and jurisdiction of Swiss courts.
Turkey > Employment Tier 3
Gün + Partners assists clients in all aspects of employment law, such as restructurings and reorganisations, contracts, terminations, collective bargaining, non-compete organisations and liability for workplace accidents. The firm is also well-versed in employee data protection issues, disciplinary actions and litigation cases. Practice head Beril Yayla Sapan advises on employee related data protection, business immigration and restrictive covenants.Practice head(s):
Beril Yayla Sapan
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘I believe that the team provides prompt, accurate and reliable advice in all aspects of employment law. The team has extensive experience in the area by which they can provide their advice by considering market practice. The team is client oriented which means they are considering client perspective and needs while providing advice. The solutions which they offer are ready to use. It generally does not require further in-house work.’
‘My first point of contact is Beril Yayla Sapan in employment practice. Having the partner of the relevant practice as the first point of contact enables me to reach accurate, reliable, and practical information quickly.’
‘Beril Yayla Sapan is very accessible. She is able to provide guidance even on the phone for urgent matters without complicating the matter. She understands client perspective and needs and customise her opinion by considering such perspective and needs. Nearly in all matters which I consulted to her; she supports her recommendation with previous experience.’
‘Business and solution oriented. Always present and happy to help.’
Turkey > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4
Both Görkem Bilgin and Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumus were raised to the partnership at Gün + Partners in October 2021 and now co-lead the firm’s corporate and M&A group, following the departure of Filiz Toprak Esin. The firm’s strengths lie in some of the country’s most heavily regulated sectors, including pharmaceuticals, life sciences and automotives. Senior associate Yalçın Umut Talay supports on the full range of instructions.
Practice head(s):
Görkem Bilgin; Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Ashland
Renault
Turkey > Competition Tier 4
The life sciences sector is the standout strength of Gün + Partners‘ competition practice, where Özge Atılgan Karakulak and 2021 partner promotion Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumus co-lead matters. The department assists its clients with industry investigations and merger control filings, as well as a host of issues at the intersection of regulatory and competition law.Practice head(s):
Özge Atılgan Karakulak; Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş
Key clients
Align Technology
Novo Nordisk
BMS
Beckman
Gün + Partners > Firm Profile
The firm: Gün + Partners was founded in 1986 and is one of the largest law firms in Turkey with 13 partners and over 70 lawyers. The firm is based in Istanbul and provides transactional, advisory and dispute management services to local and international companies throughout Turkey and assists clients worldwide through its established network of correspondents and contacts. The firm’s core areas of expertise are corporate and commercial, dispute management and intellectual property. It represents clients in numerous industry sectors with a particular focus on life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, energy, construction and real estate, logistics, technology, media and telecoms, automotive, FMCG, chemicals and the defence industries.
Areas of practice
Intellectual property: The firm’s expertise covers patents, utility models, trademarks, copyrights and designs. Recognised as the leading IP practice in Turkey the firm provides a full range of legal services including civil, criminal and administrative litigation, arbitration and mediation, advisory, transactional, registration, opposition, maintenance, enforcement, anti-counterfeiting and investigation. The firm advocates on Turkish IP law compatibility with international treaties and standards, individually and through local and international associations.
Dispute management: The firm is renowned for the strength and depth of its dispute management capabilities. It handles a wide variety of disputes from IP litigation and complex cross-border cases including major commercial litigation, insurance, reinsurance and construction disputes, real estate projects, corporate crime, customs and tax, agency and distribution and labour and employment disputes. The firm is also active in ADR advising clients on adhoc and institutional arbitrations including ICC and LCIA. The experienced dispute management team leads the anti-bribery practice of the firm.
Insurance and reinsurance: The firm provides insurance and reinsurance-related litigation, regulation, and M&A services to its local and foreign clients. The practice mainly provides legal assistance to London-based reinsurers on complex insurance cases mostly arising from all risk construction policy, professional indemnity insurance, D&O, bankers blanket bond, CIT and general liability insurance policies. It assists many global and local insurance and reinsurance companies regarding the new products in the Turkish market, advises them in localisation of the insurance and reinsurance policies and advises the same on regulatory matters during company establishment phase as well as for their routine operations and compliance matters.
Business crimes and anti-corruption: The practice advises on the extraterritorial effects of the foreign anti-corruption legislation, particularly of FCPA and UKBA as well as Turkish anti-corruption and ethical rules and regulations and their compatibility with foreign equivalents.
Corporate and M&A: The practice handles high-profile acquisitions and joint ventures, incorporation and restructuring of businesses, all aspects of inward and outbound investment, franchise and distribution agreements, licensing, sales, agency and all related commercial contracts. The team has particular strength in advising clients from regulated sectors in corporate and M&A work, particularly in life sciences, TMT, energy and insurance.
Life sciences: The firm provides dedicated consultancy and litigation services for the life sciences industry. Combining the firm’s transactional, regulatory and IP experience with in-depth and current sector knowledge, the practice advises on every aspect of the business cycle of a life science product. In addition to corporate clients, the practice advises the most prominent industry associations active in the Turkish medical device, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals industries.
TMT: The firm advises on regulatory, transactional and dispute management matters in TMT business sectors involving all aspects of Turkish telecommunication and internet law, private broadcasting legislation, electronic communication services and infrastructure, wireless equipment rules and regulations and the structuring of telecommunication projects.
Data protection and privacy: The practice concentrates on personal data protection law issues such as compliance, data protection advise, data subject rights and claims, international transfers, data localisation, sector specific rules and regulations, data beach notifications, and judicial remedies; also transactions regarding data, i.e. license agreements, acquisitions, data use and data ownership matters.
Employment: The firm provides legal services related to all aspects of employment law, advisory and litigation services on restructurings and reorganisation, employment contracts, mutual termination contracts, collective bargaining, loyalty, discrimination, mobbing, confidentiality and non-compete obligations and enforcement, job security and termination issues, employee-related IP rights and employee inventions, liability for workplace accidents, severance payment and termination compensation claims, recourse claims by social security institutions and business immigration.
International reach: We actively contribute to the promotion of business opportunities, inward and outward direct investments and to initiatives of private and government organisations for the development of Turkey’s international economic relationships with its major trading partners.
France desk: FrenchDesk@gun.av.tr
Germany desk: GermanDesk@gun.av.tr
Japan desk: JapanDesk@gun.av.tr
Russia and CIS desk: RussiaCISDesk@gun.av.tr
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intellectual Property, Dispute Management, Corporate and M&A, Life Sciences, Competition, Finance | Mehmet Gün | mehmet.gun@gun.av.tr | + 90 (212) 354 00 12 |
| Intellectual Property, Anti-Counterfeiting, Business Crimes and Anti-Corruption, Trademarks and Designs, Copyrights | Barış Kalaycı | baris.kalayci@gun.av.tr | + 90 (212) 354 00 40 |
| Intellectual Property, Trademarks and Designs, Copyrights, IP Prosecution, Technology, Media and Telecom, Life Sciences | Hande Hançar | hande.hancer@gun.av.tr | + 90 (212) 354 00 73 |
| Life Sciences, Intellectual Property, Patents and Utility Models, Competition | Özge Atılgan Karakulak | ozge.atilgan@gun.av.tr | + 90 (212) 354 00 24 |
| Intellectual Property, Patents and Utility Models, Life Sciences | Selin Sinem Erciyas | selin.yalincakli@gun.av.tr | + 90 (212) 354 00 24 |
| Intellectual Property, Trademarks and Designs, Copyrights, IP Prosecution, Technology, Media and Telecom | Uğur Aktekin | ugur.aktekin@gun.av.tr | + 90 (212) 354 00 22 |
| Intellectual Property, Trademarks and Designs, Anti-Counterfeiting, IP Prosecution, Copyrights | Zeynep Seda Alhas | zeynep.alhas@gun.av.tr | + 90 (212) 354 00 40 |
| Corporate and M&A, Energy and Natural Resources, Insurance and Reinsurance, Construction and Real Estate | Görkem Bilgin | gorkem.bilgin@gun.av.tr | + 90 (212) 354 00 12 |
| Intellectual Property, Patent and Utility Models, Insurance and Reinsurance | Aysel Korkmaz Yatkın | aysel.korkmaz@gun.av.tr | + 90 (212) 354 00 22 |
| Intellectual Property, Trademarks and Designs, Copyrights, IP Prosecution | Mutlu Yıldırım Köse | mutlu.kose@gun.av.tr | + 90 (212) 354 00 22 |
| Intellectual Property, Trademarks and Designs, Copyrights | Güldeniz Doğan Alkan | guldeniz.dogan@gun.av.tr | + 90 (212) 354 00 24 |
| Employment, Dispute Management, Business Crimes and Anti-Corruption | Beril Yayla Sapan | beril.yayla@gun.av.tr | + 90 (212) 354 00 05 |
| Data Protection and Privacy, Corporate and M&A, Life Sciences, Competition, Technology, Media and Telecom | Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş | begum.yavuzdogan@gun.av.tr | + 90 (212) 354 00 24 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Mr Uğur Aktekin | Partner Uğur Aktekin joined the firm in 1999 and has been a… | View Profile |
 | Ms Özge Atılgan Karakulak | Partner Özge Atılgan Karakulak has been with the firm since 2005 and… | View Profile |
 | Mr Görkem Bilgin | Partner Görkem Bilgin has been with the firm since 2012 and became… | View Profile |
 | Ms Dicle Doğan | Managing Associate Dicle Doğan is a managing associate in Gun + Partners… | View Profile |
 | Ms Güldeniz Doğan Alkan | Partner Güldeniz Doğan Alkan joined the firm in 2006 and has been… | View Profile |
 | Mrs Selin Sinem Erciyas | Partner Selin Sinem Erciyas joined the firm in 2006 and became a… | View Profile |
 | Mr Mehmet Gün | Partner Mehmet Gün, the founder of the Firm, is truly a self-made… | View Profile |
 | Ms Hande Hançar | Partner Hande Hançar joined the firm in 2005 and has been a… | View Profile |
 | Mr Barış Kalaycı | Partner Barış Kalaycı joined the firm in 1997 and has been a… | View Profile |
 | Ms Asena Aytuğ Keser | Managing Associate Asena Aytuğ Keser has been with the firm since 2011 and… | View Profile |
 | Mrs Aysel Korkmaz Yatkın | Partner Aysel Korkmaz Yatkın joined the firm in 2008 and became a… | View Profile |
 | Ms Zeynep Seda Alhas | Partner Zeynep Seda Alhas joined the firm in 2006 and became a… | View Profile |
 | Mrs Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş | Partner Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş has been with the firm since 2007 and… | View Profile |
 | Ms Beril Yayla Sapan | Partner Beril Yayla Sapan joined the firm in 2008 and became a… | View Profile |
 | Mr Talat Yörük | Senior Associate Talat is a senior associate in Gün + Partners and he has… | View Profile |
 | Ms Mutlu Yıldırım Köse | Partner Mutlu Yıldırım Köse has been with the firm since 2006 and… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 70Languages
English French GermanMemberships
IBA (International Bar Association) LegaLink BioLegis IAPP ITechLaw GALA (Global Advertising Lawyers Association) INTA - International Trademark Association ECTA (European Communities Trade Mark Association) Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group (PTMG) International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI) AIPPI (The International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property) Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) APRAM (Association des Praticiens des Marques et Modèles) German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (GRUR) MARQUES BCCT- Compliance
- Intellectual property
- Media and entertainment
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Insurance
- IT and telecoms