Paksoy > Istanbul, Turkey > Firm Profile

Paksoy > The Legal 500 Rankings

Turkey > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

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.

Turkey > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

The powerhouse corporate, commercial and M&A practice at Paksoy remains a market leader, leveraging the bench strength and experience of its team to advise insurers and domestic and multinational businesses involved in high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions. The firm’s robust client roster spans sectors ranging from automotive, mining, manufacturing, packaging and aerospace to chemicals, logistics and healthcare. The firm is led by practice area authority Elvan Aziz, who brings expertise to M&A, corporate governance, restructurings and strategic agreements; M. Togan Turan, a specialist in M&A and competition law matters; Stéphanie Beghe Sonmez, an expert in M&A, joint ventures and private equity investments. Other key figures include Nihan Bacanak, who draws on experience in the retail, healthcare and logistics spaces; and Nazlı Bezirci, who assists major insurers.

Turkey > Dispute resolution Tier 1

From its Istanbul base, Paksoy’s dispute resolution team stands out for its ‘international mindset and great experience’. Indeed, the firm’s single-site model is no barrier to its ability to secure cross-border mandates, with its experience in high-stakes international arbitration cases particularly impressive. Alongside its arbitration prowess, the team handles a broad scope of litigation, including commercial, competition, administrative law and white-collar crime cases, among others. At the helm is go-to litigator Serdar Paksoy, who ‘ranks among the leading top-tier arbitration practitioners’. Next-generation partner Simel Sarıalioğlu is also highly regarded for her experience in both judicial and arbitral proceedings. The group additionally benefits from a strong second line of junior lawyers, including newly promoted counsels Doğuhan Uygun and Onur Çeliker.

Turkey > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

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.

Turkey > Competition Tier 2

The ‘effective, patient, commercial, technically impeccable‘ the team at Paksoy advises a roster of major multinational clients on matters ranging from merger control, internal compliance checks and antitrust investigations to dawn raids and competition litigation. The group’s client base spans the automotive, tech, chemicals, media and entertainment, investment, logistics and pharmaceuticals sectors. The team is led by M. Togan Turan, who brings expertise to merger control filings and the negotiation of extensive remedy plans with the Competition Authority. Other key figures include counsel Gülçin Dere, who draws on a background as a chief competition expert at the TCA, and Büşra Aktüre, who was promoted to senior associate in January 2023.

Turkey > Employment Tier 2

Elvan Aziz runs the employment practice at Paksoy, which adopts a multidisciplinary approach and works closely with the firm’s M&A, corporate and commercial, tax, litigation and compliance departments. The group is engaged in a range of labour matters including the drafting of employment contracts, the preparation of warning and defence letters, bonus schemes, personnel handbooks and other matters. Aziz herself is particularly active in advising clients on C-level hirings and terminations.

Turkey > Energy Tier 2

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.

Turkey > IT and telecoms Tier 2

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.

Turkey > Project finance/projects Tier 2

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.

Turkey > Real estate and construction Tier 2

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.

Turkey > Compliance