Balcıoğlu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki > Istanbul, Turkey > Firm Profile

Balcıoğlu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki > The Legal 500 Rankings

Turkey > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

A ‘deep knowledge in finance matters‘ underscores the banking, finance and capital markets department at Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki, which benefits from an association with the Dentons international network. Its client base of domestic and multinational entities come from an array of sectors including energy, real estate, hospitality, construction and infrastructure. Project financing is also a strong area for the firm, and it offers one of the few dedicated capital markets teams in the domestic law market, adept at advising on both equity and debt matters therein. Three lawyers spearhead the department: Barlas Balcioğlu counts a host of multinational and domestic banks among his client list; Günhan Yalçın stands out for his 15 years of experience in domestic and cross-border debt finance transactions; and Burcu Boso‘s practice has a particular focus on Turkish foreign exchange regulations, structuring of funding methods, bank regulatory matters and PPPs. Ceyda Aydın was promoted to counsel in April 2022 and regularly assists international and Turkish banks, other financial institutions and corporate borrowers with a variety of bilateral and syndicated financing transactions. Senior associate Ceren Akkur Bayram supports the practice heads on the gamut of matters. Müfit Arapoğlu departed to join Gen Temizer Ozer in December 2021.

Turkey > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

The extensive and experienced corporate law practice at Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki is a strong choice for international companies with operations in Turkey, or those investing into the country. It is a regular fixture in some of the market’s largest deals, whether it’s traditional M&A, joint ventures or exits from Turkey. Galip Selçuk oversees the department and is an experienced figure across business law, drawing together related practice areas of the full-service firm. Selim Keki has extensive experience in transactions in all of Turkey’s key industries, and Doğan Eymirlioğlu is a key contact when in comes to contracts work, including asset purchase agreements, shareholders agreements, insurance policies, franchising and management contracts and advising foreign and local investors. Okan Arıcan joined from BTS & Partners in April 2022 and is a client favourite, noted as‘a brilliant lawyer' who is 'always available and ready to support‘.

Turkey > Competition Tier 1

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki fields a large team that is admired for ‘communicating complex competition law issues in a simple, clear and practical way‘. The firm has a strong recent history in the market, acting in some of its most notable investigations, including assisting Yemek Sepeti Elektronik İletişim Tanıtım Pazarlama with a precedent-setting Turkish Competition Authority labour market investigation. The team also frequently advises on merger control filings and competition law aspects of M&A. Şahin Ardıyok and Bora Ikiler share leadership duties, while Barış Yüksel joined as of counsel from ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law in October 2021, bolstering the practice in the energy and telecommunications sectors in particular.

Turkey > Compliance Tier 1

Full-service firm Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki has an established client list of multinationals which look to the regulatory and compliance team for assistance navigating the legal framework of their respective industries. The practice covers all aspects of a compliance mandate, from white-collar irregularities to regulatory compliance and sector-specific issues. The department is well integrated into the rest of the firm, as part of its ‘one-stop shop’ offering to clients. As head of the firm’s competition, public policy and regulation team, Şahin Ardıyok is the primary contact and has extensive experience in a range of investigations. Co-heading the team is Bora Ikiler, who has represented clients in corruption and bribery issues, as well as in AML investigations, competition law and data protection. Transactional-focused senior partner Selim Keki also plays a role in overseeing the department. Senior associate Armanç Canbeyli is one of the stand-out junior lawyers in the market.

Turkey > Energy Tier 1

The energy team at Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki leverages its experience in several areas, including petroleum markets, LNG business, smart grids, electricity and renewables. A core area for the practice is the regulatory aspect with a multidisciplined approach when assisting clients such as competition advice, contract arrangements, risk management and compliance. The team is co-led by Barlas Balcıoğlu  who regularly advising multinational companies in real estate finance, leasing and syndicated lending. The other co-heads are Şahin Ardıyok who specialises in competition, public policy and regulation, and Selim Keki  who acts for strategic investors, listed companies and private equity houses.

Turkey > IT and telecoms Tier 1

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki provides legal solutions for a wide range of clients across the IT ecosystem from emerging growth companies and investors to multinational corporations. The practice is well-versed in work relating to e-commerce, licensing, advertisement, content production and geographic data systems. From a fintech standpoint the firm advises on cybersecurity, cryptocurrencies, blockchain and smart contracts. Regulatory expert Şahin Ardıyok is experienced in competition law and co-heads the team with Kağan Dora, who combines his IT workload with a more general practice, and Bora Ikiler, who focuses on data protection compliance.

Turkey > Media and entertainment Tier 1

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki provides legal solutions to a wide range of clients across the IT ecosystem, from emerging growth companies to investors and multinational corporations. The team is involved in the development of public policies and the creation of sector-specific regulations. Key clients for the firm include Ericsson, Uber, eBay and Facebook. The practice is co-led with Kağan Dora focusing on IT-related work, while Şahin Ardıyok is well-versed in public policy and competition matters. Other co-head Bora Ikiler focuses on data protection compliance and privacy.

Turkey > Transport Tier 1

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki provides legal expertise to maritime businesses, such as ship owners, traders, operators, financiers and cargo underwriters. The firm has expertise in disputes involving claims for lost, damaged or delayed cargo and collisions, personal injury, contract disputes and pollution claims. The firm team frequently works with lenders such as Deutsche Bank, Denizbank and Dekabank. Gülistan Baltacı Hatay has notable experience in asset finance and securitisation matters, and co-heads the practice with Semih Sander whose core work involves shipping and admiralty work.

Turkey > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki fields 'an experienced legal team' that is a strong choice for high-profile litigation, be it civil, commercial or administrative cases before trial or appellate courts. The practice also acts for local and foreign investors in arbitration and mediation processes arising from complex transactions. Özge Akman Özmenlikan and Doğan Eymirlioğlu share leadership duties for the department: Özmenlikan has a client base of leading Turkish and multinational firms in the retail, franchising and distribution, energy and infrastructure sectors; and Eymirlioğlu is well-known in the corporate litigation and arbitration markets. The firm draws on its multi-practice experts to cover the spectrum of disputes, including finance-focused Gülistan Baltacı and shipping law expert Semih Sander.

Turkey > Employment Tier 2

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki covers the entire spectrum of employment law matters, including benefits-related litigation, corporate investigations, executive compensation, counselling projects and closure of business termination. The team is experienced in drafting executive level employment agreements, severance agreements and incentive plans. Galip M. Selçuk leads the practice and frequently advises companies in the retail, manufacturing, e-commerce, food and beverage sectors. Selim Keki has expertise in restructuring projects, internal business recalibrations, debt restructurings and M&A employment matters.

Turkey > Insurance Tier 2

The insurance practice at Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki provides legal advice on accident and health insurance, product development, insurance-related insolvencies, professional liability, reinsurance and risk management. The firm also provides mediation, arbitration and litigation services in matters relating to coverage claims, class action lawsuits and bankruptcies. Doğan Eymirlioğlu  leads the team and has particular expertise in financial lines products and D&O insurance, while also assisting companies in reshaping policy contents.

Turkey > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Barlas Balcioğlu and Ali Can Gören are admired for their ‘incredible performance‘ as the key contacts in Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki‘s real estate and construction practice group. Balcıoğlu leads the team with a ‘unique business-minded approach‘ and is particularly strong on the financing side, with 20 years of experience acting for international and Turkish banks. Gören supports at counsel level and impresses clients with his ‘extensive knowledge and experience in real estate‘.

Turkey > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki draws together its expert lawyers across banking and finance, litigation, tax and corporate law, to assist its clients with the gamut of restructuring, insolvency and bankruptcy issues. It is well-versed in cross-border restructurings and is able to act in contentious matters, either litigation or arbitration. In a sizeable team, Günhan Yalçın stands out for his debt expertise in multi-jurisdictional debt financing transactions and Doğan Eymirlioğlu acts in high-profile domestic and cross-border transactions. Barlas Balcioğlu is an experienced name in finance and real estate.

Turkey > Intellectual property Tier 3

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki provides legal strategy and assistance in areas such as IP contracts, licensing, strategic structuring, trademarks, patents and domain names. The team also has sector-focused litigation expertise and handles proceedings regarding IP, media and entertainment. Kağan Dora  advises on protection of personal data and co-heads the practice with Mahmut Karyağdı, a lawyer who represents Turkish and multinational companies.

Turkey > Project finance/projects Tier 3

The broad financing expertise and market recognition of Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki lends itself to a strong practice in project finance, where the firm acts for numerous international banks and financial institutions. One of the department’s particular strengths is in unsecured interbank loan facilities. The team is managed by Barlas Balcioğlu, Burcu Boso and Günhan Yalçın and the senior associate contacts to note are Ceyda Aydın and Ceren Akkur Bayram.

Turkey > Foreign firms

Dentons’s affiliated firm Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki provides legal assistance to clients from conventional and renewable power companies to foreign investors, financial institutions and transport companies. The practice has strong M&A capabilities providing advice on every aspect of transactions including due diligence, tax structuring, employment issues and negotiation of SPAs. Tamsyn Mileham has expertise in banking and finance, acting for commercial banks, private equity investors and corporate borrowers; she co-heads the team with infrastructure expert Ian McGrath and Nadia Cansun who focuses on cross-border transactions.

Turkey > Tax