Dr Zeynep Çakmak > Çakmak Attorney Partnership > Ankara, Turkey > Lawyer Profile

Alongside its robust commercial litigation offering, Çakmak Attorney Partnership’s office in Turkey’s political capital, Ankara, ensures that its dispute resolution practice also demonstrates a significant regulatory dimension. The department is additionally well versed in domestic and international arbitration, including commercial and investor-state cases. Mesut Çakmak is sought after for his track record in representing major multinationals in judicial and arbitral disputes. The group further includes Zeynep Çakmak, who handles commercial and administrative litigation; next-generation partner Elif Demiröz; Ayşe Eda Biçer Özen, who focuses on projects-related disputes; and associate Yasin Bilen.

At Çakmak Attorney Partnership, Mesut Çakmak, Zeynep Çakmak, Gülsen Engin and Elif Demiröz lead the employment law team, which is known for being ‘collaborative and open to interaction’. In relation to disputes in particular, newly appointed practice head Demiröz is a standout member of the team. As well as local companies, the group counts international embassies as clients, often providing regulatory advice in line with both Turkish law and the law of the country in which the embassy is based.

The Istanbul and Ankara-based corporate practice at Çakmak Attorney Partnership leverages the bench strength of its team to advise domestic and foreign businesses across the automotive, financial services, construction, engineering, telecoms, energy, and oil and gas sectors. The team’s full service covers matters ranging from structuring and joint ventures to corporate governance and cross-border M&A. The group is led by practice area expert Zeynep Çakmak; Naz Bandik Hatipoğlu, a specialist in energy, mining and infrastructure matters; and Gülsen Engin, who has particular expertise in corporate governance matters. Partner Gökhan Okan joined the firm from Verdi Hukuk Bürosu in February 2023.

Highlighted for its ‘exceptional expertise and experience in projects’, Çakmak Attorney Partnership is widely revered as a force in the market. Equally adept at representing lenders and sponsors, the group packs a punch across the full projects life cycle, from development and construction, through to financing and dispute resolution. Mesut Çakmak is a go-to expert for large-scale projects and co-heads the group together with energy and infrastructure specialists Mustafa Durakoğlu and Zeynep Çakmak. The deep bench also draws on Gökhan Okan, who joined in February 2023 from Verdi Hukuk Bürosu, next-generation partner Ayşe Eda Biçer Özen, and associate Nazli Başak Ayık.

With offices in both Istanbul and Ankara, Çakmak Attorney Partnership is well placed to handle a wide breadth of energy related mandates, including advising on regulatory matters, drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, and assisting with project financing and development within the renewable energy industry. Mesut Çakmak heads the team alongside Zeynep Çakmak and Mustafa Durakoğlu. Other key members of the team include Ayşe Eda Biçer Özen and Nazli Başak Ayık, both of whom have in-depth experience acting for sponsors and lenders in relation to the acquisition and development of projects within the energy and infrastructure sector.

The team at Çakmak Attorney Partnership is known for its capabilities in aviation law, and is sought after by international aircraft carriers, airline operators, and engine manufacturers. The group is also noted for its expertise in advising on the development and financing of major infrastructure projects in the transport sector. The practice is led by the quartet of aviation finance expert Serap Zuvin, Mesut Çakmak, Zeynep Çakmak, and Mustafa Durakoğlu.