Ms Sera Somay > Paksoy > Istanbul, Turkey > Lawyer Profile

The team at Paksoy is distinguished by its ‘exceptionally strong eye for detail’, according to sources. Equally adept at handling sophisticated finance transactions and complex regulatory work, the full-service practice also impresses with its longstanding relationships with cross-border lenders –  including foreign banks – as well as major corporate borrowers. Sera Somay heads the banking and finance group and specialises in financings, fund-related investments and restructurings. The department additionally fields a dominant capital markets offering, which is steered by go-to specialist Ömer Çollak; he recently advised Ebebek on its headline-grabbing IPO on the Borsa Istanbul. Corporate finance specialist Ökkeş Şahan, recently promoted to partner, is also to note, while Beril Paksoy and ‘up-and-coming talent’ Merve Kurdak are highly regarded senior associates.

Lawyers at Paksoy strike the right note with their ‘excellent industry knowledge’. The team is well-equipped to handle energy and natural resources work, while it also advises on infrastructure-related matters, including airports, roads and healthcare projects. Sera Somay brings to bear extensive expertise in banking and finance, projects, and energy and natural resources – she notably heads all three practices. Counsel Zekican Samlı, who specialises in energy, infrastructure, PPPs and construction, provides support.

Over the past year Paksoy’s practice showed particular activity in the hospitality and real estate investment spheres. The team also advises on M&A-related real estate issues, leasing transactions, construction and contentious work. Key contact Elvan Aziz spearheads both the real estate and corporate departments and brings significant transactional expertise to the table. The group also draws on banking and finance specialist Sera Somay and newly promoted counsel Zekican Samlı, who specialises in energy and natural resources.

Paksoy houses a thriving restructuring group that acts for debtors, creditors, sponsors and other stakeholders across a wide range of loan restructurings and insolvency proceedings. Increasingly, the full-service practice is also engaged to advise on non-performing loan (NPL) portfolios and distressed M&A transactions. Banking and finance head Sera Somay co-leads the team together with corporate and M&A head Elvan Aziz and capital markets specialist Ömer Çollak. The team also draws on a sizeable pool of counsels, including litigator Doğuhan Uygun and finance and projects-focused Zekican Samlı.

Paksoy frequently handles matters relating to project financing and development, construction and supply contracts, and drafting power purchase agreements. The team, which is led by the ‘outstanding‘ Sera Somay, is also experienced at representing high-profile lenders on the restructuring process of energy projects in Turkey. Zekican Samlı regularly advises investors and consultants on a variety of regulatory matters concerning licensing, PPPs, and investments.

Paksoy has a solid track record in advising on e-commerce and competition law matters, among other areas, and is also recognised for assisting with M&A transactions for clients in the software and technology sectors. Stéphanie Beghe Sönmez and Sera Somay co-head the practice; Sönmez brings expertise in data protection and cybersecurity issues, and Somay handles regulatory work pertaining to the fintech sector. Merve Kurdak and Zeynep Toma are names to note.