Erdem & Erdem Law Office > Istanbul, Turkey > Firm Profile

Erdem & Erdem Law Office
Ferko Signature, Büyükdere Caddesi
No. 175, Kat. 3
34394 Esentepe - Sisli, Istanbul
Turkey

Turkey > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Erdem & Erdem Law Office houses a ‘high-quality, very responsive and client-oriented’, team, which is well versed in the gamut of contentious matters, including commercial disputes, administrative lawsuits, execution proceedings and arbitration. Suleyman Sevinc and Piraye Erdem jointly head the practice. Founding partner Ercüment Erdem, who is praised for his ‘hands-on approach’, and Alper Uzun, who was promoted to partner in 2021, are other key names.

Practice head(s):

Piraye Erdem; Süleyman Sevinç

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Süleyman Sevinç: experience and problem-solving approach.’

‘The entire team at Erdem is very responsive. I have a response or update within 24 hours of any correspondence I send to anyone on the team.’

‘They have been able to address any situation we have brought to them within their network/organization.’

‘We are a global company and Erdem has been able to assist with items in multiple jurisdictions.

‘The team is very responsive and client-oriented.’

‘Erdem&Erdem’s litigation team is a high-quality team in every sense from junior associate to partner: technical quality of the advice, quality of the work product, language capabilities, and mastery of the practical aspects of the dispute at the courthouse is impressive.

‘Ercument Erdem always has a hands-on approach; it is reassuring for a client to know that he is following the strategy and developments in the case and makes necessary interventions whenever needed.’

‘Suleyman Sevinc: He is always available even on short notice whenever we need partner-level attention on certain strategic-level decisions in the lawsuits where Erdem&Erdem represents us.’

Key clients

Yıldırım Holding A.Ş

Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna Jsc

Uber B.V. & Uber Turkey Yazilim ve Teknoloji Hizmetleri Ltd. Şti. (Uber Turkey)

LG Electronics

EMAAR

Samsunspor Kulübü Derneği

Samsunspor Kulübü A.Ş.

Türkiye İş Bankası A.Ş.

Türkiye Şişe ve Cam Fabrikaları A.Ş.

Trakya Cam A.Ş.

Credendo Short Term and Credendo Single Risk

Enerjisa Elektrik Enerjisi Toptan Satış A.Ş.

Work highlights

  • Representing Yıldırım Holding and its subsidiaries in various commercial disputes including the ownership of the shares and administrative lawsuits concerning environmental impact assessment reports, zoning plans and other administrative disputes for ports and expropriation proceedings.
  • Representing Samruk-Kazyna JSC in various lawsuits and execution proceedings which arose from unlawful attachments of the shares owned by the client in a Turkish bank on the basis of an ICSID award.
  • Representing Uber in hundreds of lawsuits in Turkish courts.

Turkey > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2

With Ercüment Erdem and Özgür Kocabaşoğlu at the helm, Erdem & Erdem Law Office handles acquisition finance and refinance, project finance, commercial banking transactions and bankruptcy matters, and also shows prowess advising private equity funds and financial institutions in debt capital market transactions. Tuna Colgar, who puts to use is ‘highly relevant background and vast experience’ when assisting clients, is another name to note.

Practice head(s):

Ercüment Erdem; Özgür Kocabaşoğlu

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘We have worked with this firm since 2007 and found them to have the ability to cover banking, corporate and potential restructuring/ insolvency issues well. We have been working with them on the financing of a transaction, the defaults, restructurings and potential insolvency aspects.’

‘Özgür Kocabaşoğlu is the key partner.’

‘The team has always been instantly available for our urgent queries and they have always been familiar with the cases we bring forward, thanks to their previous experience with similar matters. This has provided us full confidence for their work. They have been distinctly collaborative as if they are part of the in-house team.’

‘We have worked mostly with Tuna Colgar who was very good at finding pro-active solutions for our specific problems utilizing his highly relevant background and vast experience.’

Key clients

Şişecam Elyaf Sanayii A.Ş.

Türkiye Şişe ve Cam Fabrikaları A.Ş.

Soda Sanayii A.Ş.

Türkiye İş Bankası A.Ş.

Yılport Holding A.Ş.

Yıldırım Holding A.Ş.

Gemlik Gübre Sanayii A.Ş.

Work highlights

  • Providing retainer services, general advice on several matters regarding banking legislation and daily business of Türkiye İş Bankası.
  • Advised Şişecam regarding the merger of 6 companies, 5 of which are publicly held joint stock companies.

Turkey > Competition Tier 2

Erdem & Erdem Law Office is one of the go-to firms for domestic companies needing competition law counsel, whether it's assistance with merger control filings or representation in investigations. On the latter front, a particular recent focus has been in regards to price increases in various Covid-hit sectors. 'Expert in his field' Mert Karamustafaoglu  jointly heads the practice with the firm's founder and senior partner Ercüment Erdem, while senior associates Ecem Süsoy Uygun and Merve Bakırcı are other names to note.

Practice head(s):

Mert Karamustafaoğlu; Ercüment Erdem

Testimonials

‘The people we work with are professional, collaborative, solution-oriented, well-intentioned, disciplined, easily accessible, hardworking, innovative and informative.’

‘Mert Karamustafaoğlu is an expert in his field and has full knowledge of legislation in this field. Also he is highly competent in current developments regarding competition law and has a high reputation before the Administrative Authority. High level of knowledge of not only local but also international legislation and decisions is one of the important features that make a difference. The combination of these qualifications with positive communication ensures the service received extremely satisfactory.’

‘Ecem Süsoy Uygun always provides solutions and gives legal advice to our questions as quickly as possible. She pays attention to every detail in her work and patiently tries to get all kinds of information from her clients in order to give the right answer.’

‘We would like to commend Ecem Süsoy Uygun, who was our main contact and provided very satisfactory service. We were provided with easy to understand explanations about complex aspects of Turkish law and procedure, and she proved to be a great companion in helping us to navigate through those waters.’

‘Ercüment Erdem has deep knowledge in competition law. Due to his dispute resolution skills he manages to handle the transaction with a varied perspective.’

‘Mert Karamustafaoğlu who actually led the team is a previous chief competition expert in Turkish Competition Authority, which is an unmatched team asset to obtain not only theoretical but also precise and realistic advice. We are very glad to work with Mert who always brings in new ideas, practical and business oriented solution alternatives and appreciates the business aspect of discussions. We trust his expertise and it is always an eye opening discussion with him when we bring new subjects to him. He can make himself easily understood by persons having different levels of knowledge in his field of expertise.’

‘Merve Bakırcı is great at specific regulations related to the competition law matters and always into the daily matters. She is a very hard working, responsive lawyer who is always available to help and support. She is also very business minded and practical in her work which I really appreciate.’

‘The office has a very high level of legal expertise in the field of consultancy and is very competent in relevant fields. Always easily accessible and provides highly qualified service in a reasonable time. Even though if there are personnel changes under the corporate identity, the quality of the service provided never changes. Also the office has comprehensive knowledge of technological developments and maintained client relationships during the pandemic very well.’

Key clients

Türkiye Şişe ve Cam Fabrikaları

Trakya Cam Sanayii

Red Bull Gıda Dağıtım ve Pazarlama Ticaret

Anadolu Restoran İşletmeleri (McDonalds)

Türk Hava Yolları

Yemek Sepeti Elektronik İletişim Perakende Gıda Lojistik

TEB Arval Araç Filo Kiralama

Çelik Motor Ticaret

Remzi Avcı Özel Sağlık Hizmetleri Tekstil Otomotiv Sanayi ve Ticaret

Carrefoursa Carrefour Sabancı Ticaret Merkezi

Türk Ekonomi Bankası (TEB)

CMA CGM Deniz Acenteliği

Gemlik Gübre

Adel Kalemcilik

Anadolu Isuzu Otomativ

Ekol Lojistik

Yalova Ro-ro Terminali

Alternative Taşımacılık

Çelik Motor

Bankalararası Kart Merkezi (Interbank Card Center)

BMC Otomotiv

Türkiye İş Bankası

Yıldız Entegre Ağaç

Dorak Tur. ve Gayrimenkul Yat. Holding

Kapadokya Balon

Sultan Balon Havacılık

Atmosfer Balon

Gökyüzü Balon

LE CO Deri

CO DMC

Pamukkale Birlik Online Turizm

Elis Balonculuk Havacılık ve Eğitim Turizm

Denizli Havacılık Turizm

Uluer Havacılık

Discovery Havacılık

Samanyolu Hava Balon Eğt.

Şeref

DLX Seyahat Acentalığı

Akben

Deluks

GNM

Stüdyo

Work highlights

  • Representing Şişecam in the investigation launched by the Turkish Competition Authority based on the excessive price allegations in flat glass market.
  • Representing Red Bull in an investigation launched by the TCA based on the allegations that some undertakings that are producers/suppliers in the consumer goods industry have violated Article 4 of Law No. 4054.
  • Acted for Yemek Sepeti in an abuse of dominance investigation initiated by the Authority due to most favoured nation clauses applied by the company.

Turkey > Compliance Tier 2

Erdem & Erdem Law Office has an extensive domestic client list spanning numerous sectors and advises on compliance with the latest rules from relevant regulatory bodies. Data protection has been a recent focus for the team and is an area of expertise for practice head Mert Karamustafaoglu, who also coordinates the competition law offering.

Practice head(s):

Mert Karamustafaoglu

Other key lawyers:

Ecem Süsoy Uygun; Sevgi Ünsal Özden

Testimonials

‘Erdem & Erdem understand quickly our needs and was very flexible in their approach.’

‘Individuals are efficient and professional.’

‘The services we received pro bono from Erdem & Erdem Law Office are very valuable to us. The fact that the people who deal with us have a great command of the subject, their working discipline and their quick feedback that we need are all important.’

‘The people we work with in this law office are people who are very knowledgeable about their subject, provide detailed information, answer all of our questions in an explanatory way, and prepare and follow up all kinds of written documents they send us in great detail. They provided us with all kinds of support regarding a newly enacted law. They have adapted the details of this law according to the functioning of our organization and brought it into the form that we will put on our website.’

‘We were advised by Erdem & Erdem regarding certain GDPR and KVKK compliance issues. They understood the specific job perfectly and gave the answers to our questions in a timely manner while our deadlines were quite stressful. Our request was not a usual compliance issue however, they understood and responded adequately.’

‘Mert Karamustafaoglu is a real professional and he perfectly knows what he does.’

Key clients

Çolakoğlu Metalurji

Feka Otomotiv Mamulleri

Livewell Giyilebilir Sağlık Ürün ve Hizmet ve Teknolojiler

Göçtur Turizm Yatırım ve Ticaret

Tricon Energy Plastik ve Kimyevi Maddeler

Türkiye Görme Özürlüler Kitaplığı Derneği

International Chamber of Commerce

İbrahim Polat Holding

Trigo Çözüm

Ceva Logistics

Yıldırım Holding

Tohum Türkiye Otizm Erken Tanı ve Eğitim Vakfı ile Tohum Türkiye Otizm Erken Tanı ve Eğitim Vakfı İktisadi İşletmesi

Ege Seramik

Ege Vitrifiye Sağlık Gereçleri

Ege Seramik İç ve Dış Ticaret

Polat Maden

Polat İnşaat

Work highlights

  • Acted for Feka Automotiv in the execution of the data protection compliance programme.
  • Advised Göçtur Turizm on maintaining compliance with the data protection legislation in Turkey and with GDPR as well.
  • Advised Livewell on maintaining compliance with the data protection legislation.

Turkey > Energy Tier 3

Erdem & Erdem Law Office acts for stakeholders in various areas of the energy sector, including project developers, energy suppliers and investors. The team is co-headed by projects and real estate expert Tuna Çolgar, who has ‘in-depth knowledge of the energy industry‘, and competition law partner Mert Karamustafaoglu. ‘Highly knowledgeable and responsive‘ associate Melissa Balıkçı is a further contact to note.

Practice head(s):

Tuna Çolgar; Mert Karamustafaoğlu

Other key lawyers:

Melissa Balıkçı; Ecem Süsoy Uygun

Testimonials

‘We have a long history with Erdem & Erdem. They are well known for energy law and their key strength is their understanding of the sector, from natural gas and electricity to renewable energy, and from production to distribution. We trust their in-depth knowledge of the renewable energy industry and especially wind turbines. Erdem & Erdem are able to efficiently leverage their knowledge and experience for the benefit of their clients.’

‘Tuna Çolgar has exceptional expertise in energy law. He stands out for his in-depth knowledge of the energy industry in Turkey and of EPC and O&M contracts. Melissa Balıkçı combines her deep knowledge of Turkish and English law related to the energy industry and advises the clients from an international perspective.’

‘Everyone in the team is competent and knowledgeable. They prepared all our contracts in the energy sector even better than we expected. They had a good overall picture of the process.’

‘Their mastery of the subject and their ability to solve problems are at a high level.’

‘Very strong.’

‘They have lawyers from different backgrounds and levels of seniority, and they work together quite harmoniously.’

‘Tuna Çolgar’s business acumen and efficiency stand out. He provides first-rate advice at very competitive rates and he has a strong reputation in the energy sector. His influence on the project is always positive and the solutions that he creates are very constructive at all times.’

‘Melissa Balıkçı is highly knowledgeable and responsive. In addition, her experience in negotiation techniques is very helpful to ensure matters proceed rapidly when dealing with other parties.’

Key clients

IC Holding

Trakya Cam

Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD)

Şişecam

Soltec

Limak Holding

Sanko Enerji

Work highlights

  • Advising Yıldırım Enerji on Uzbekistan’s first combined-cycle power generation facility of 660Mw, to be constructed and operated based on the public-private partnership model.
  • Advising IC Holding on the draft text amending many laws, including the laws on renewable energy resources, the electricity market and mining.
  • Advising Şişecam on the transfer of the electricity generation licences belonging to companies it had acquired (Soda Sanayii and Trakya Cam).

Turkey > Project finance/projects Tier 3

Erdem & Erdem Law Office has a solid track record of advising local and global clients, acting as sponsors, developers, lenders, equity investors and multilateral agencies, on private power and infrastructure projects, including airport and port operations and power generation plants, under build-operate-transfer models. Headed by Ercüment Erdem and Özgür Kocabaşoğlu, the practice is particularly strong in the energy, transportation and healthcare sectors, and is developing notable capabilities in Islamic financing.

Practice head(s):

Ercüment Erdem; Özgür Kocabaşoğlu

Key clients

Şişecam Elyaf Sanayii A.Ş.

Türkiye Şişe ve Cam Fabrikaları A.Ş.

Soda Sanayii A.Ş.

Deutsche Bank A.Ş.

Türkiye İş Bankası A.Ş.

QNB Finansbank A.Ş.

HSBC Bank A.Ş.

Yapı ve Kredi Bankası A.Ş.

Şişecam

Yılport Holding

Çolakoğlu Metalurji A.Ş.

Qazaq Soda LLP

Yıldırım Holding A.Ş.

IC Holding

Work highlights

  • Advised Deutsche Bank A.Ş. on several matters, including financial transactions and loan agreements.
  • Advising consortium partners Yılport Holding and Çolakoğlu Metalurji on the tender phase as well as the drafting of the consortium agreement and EPC contract for an access road construction project.
  • Advising on Türkiye İş Bankası A.Ş. on several matters, including financial transactions and loan agreements.

Turkey > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4

Erdem & Erdem Law Office is ‘quick to respond and always very knowledgeable’. The practice, which is jointly headed by seasoned practitioner Ercüment Erdem and corporate expert Özgür Kocabaşoğlu, handles joint ventures, investments, and acquisitions, and is particularly experienced in infrastructure-based deals. Tuna Colgar is another name to note.

Practice head(s):

Ercüment Erdem; Özgür Kocabaşoğlu

Other key lawyers:

Tuna Çolgar

Testimonials

‘We have been able to rely on the attorneys at Erdem and Erdem to assist with our US clients’ needs in the international trade space. The firm’s attorneys are quick to respond and always very knowledgeable.’

‘During our experience, we have faced different complications and Erdem & Erdem was very flexible providing full support and services from different experts within their team.’

‘The team supported us 24/7. There were times when we needed a quick opinion from Erdem & Erdem and they always made themselves available to meet.’

‘They advised us very well in terms of the law. On the other hand, with their monthly detailed reports we can track the process of the cases easily. With risk analysis reports, we can foresee the risks and take actions.’

‘The Erdem & Erdem team understand the local legal market for our US based company. They effectively communicate ideas and approaches to help us strategically navigate the local Turkey market. They ensure we remain compliant with all local laws and regulations.’

‘The Erdem & Erden team are good communicators. They listen to our needs, and effectively suggest approaches consistent with local laws and regulations. They are patient when required to work with us on solutions.’

The team is very professional and friendly. The team provides top quality advice. They are always available to respond in line with strict deadlines.

Key clients

Şişecam

IC Holding

Yıldırım Holding

İş Portföy

Tepaş

Turkon

Enerjisa

Çolakoğlu

Norm Holding A.Ş.

PSA Lojistik

Limak Holding

Mersin Uluslararası Liman İşletmeciliği A.Ş. (MIP)

Bigger Games

Guccio Gucci S.p.A.

Neapco

ICA

ICE

Sapio Life Turkey

Invitrx

Brodies LLP

Göçtur Turizm

Yılport Holding

Teraoka Seiko Co., Ltd

Segezha Ambalaj & Segezha Packaging

Samsunspor

Liwevell

Work highlights

  • Advised Şişecam on the merger of six companies, five of which are publicly held joint stock companies.
  • Advised İş Portföy on (i) electronic general assembly meetings and electronic board meetings via the electronic platform and software and (ii) internal directive concept regarding the management and representation authorities.
  • Advised Tepaş on conducting vendor due diligence and preparing a due diligence report accordingly, as well as drafting a share purchase agreement and providing legal consultancy for the course of the sale.

The firm: Erdem&Erdem is an international law firm dedicated to providing practical business solutions to a diverse range of clients particularly in cross-border business transactions, M&As, corporate restructuring and governance, international contracts, corporate finance, project finance, energy/renewable energy, privatizations and PPPs, private equity investments, capital markets, competition and antitrust, litigation (execution and bankruptcy) and international arbitration.

Erdem&Erdem has a team of 50 fee-earners with specializations in line with the firm’s growing reputation and diversified practice areas.

Areas of practice
International transactions, M&As and private equity: The firm advises public and private companies, private equity firms, financial sponsors, investment banks, governmental entities in a variety of complex, cross-border and strategic transactions including structuring and organizing fund sponsors and investment funds, executing acquisitions, financing and exit transactions.

Competition and antitrust: The firm has a strong record of successful representation of the largest regulated and networked companies in Turkey, Europe, Asia, and the CIS and advisory in competition regulations.

Banking and finance: The firm advises corporate borrowers, private equity funds, financial advisers, commercial banks, investment banks in construction and acquisition finance and refinance, project finance, banking and capital market transactions, including issuances of high-yield debt security, secured and unsecured debt offerings and private placements.

Privatization: The firm represents foreign and local clients in privatization projects in Turkey, Western Europe and Southeast Asia. Its clients encompass refinery, port, airport, energy, healthcare, real estate, consumer goods, natural resources, and infrastructure and construction industries, also banks and financial institutions.

International contracts, agency and distributorship: The firm has decades of diverse experience in the field of international contracts. Team members are known for their in-depth know-how and extensive experience in drafting and negotiating all types of commercial contracts, such as agency, franchise, supply and distribution and commission arrangements, foreign representative and consultancy agreements.

Energy and renewables: The energy sector experience includes natural gas, coal and oil-fired power plants, co-generation facilities, agricultural and municipal solid waste projects, hydroelectric projects, and wind, solar and other renewable energy facilities.

Real estate and construction: The firm represents investors, developers, owners, lenders, prime contractors, REITs, PPPs, subcontractors, architects, port management authorities, airlines and energy utility companies involved in the construction and development of manufacturing, distribution and operational facilities in real estate finance, joint venture, leasing, acquisition and disposition of real estate assets.

Capital markets and corporate governance: the firm provides innovative solutions to a wide variety of capital raisings and compliance and governance issues the clients face in Turkey and abroad.

International arbitration: The firm’s arbitration practice is among its most prominent field of work. The team handles commercial and treaty dispute cases under the rules of every major arbitration system and in a wide variety of industries, including energy, mining, manufacturing, transportation, telecommunications, construction, finance, manufacturing and sports arising in Western Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East and the CIS.

Litigation and bankruptcy: The hallmark of the litigation team is the experience of the lawyers who have been involved in litigation in almost every major practice, including M&As and post-closing disputes, insurance, transportation, breach of contract, partnership and joint venture disputes, real estate contracts, unfair competition, franchise and distributor disputes, government contracts, shareholders disputes.

Maritime law: The firm regularly represents clients in trials and appeals of admiralty and maritime matters. Their team handles and provides efficient resolution to maritime insurance and liability claims and other transportation matters in international or coastal trade. Erdem&Erdem has been involved in both prosecuting and defending transportation claims involving marine carriers.

Aviation: The firm regularly counsels airlines, airport authorities and other aviation industry clients in civil aviation regulation and enforcement, aircraft finance, engine and aircraft leasing, competition law and antitrust, mergers and alliances, aircraft acquisition and disposition, airport terminal construction and expansion projects, as well as aviation company reorganization, and restructuring issues.

Hospitality and leisure: The team is often engaged by foreign and local clients to provide support in all aspects of the development, acquisition, sale, financing, franchising, leasing and operation of hospitality and leisure assets that include hotels, resorts, theme parks, entertainment and sport complexes and convention centers that are abroad and in Turkey.

Intellectual property: The firm advises clients in telecommunications, Internet, advertising, and media who develop and license intellectual property, enter into transactions involving intellectual property, acquire portfolios of intellectual property, and make strategic decisions that are based on such considerations.

Tax law: Taking into account the fact that every commercial transaction comes with tax implications, we provide our clients with tax advisory and tax litigation services.

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
M&A and private equity Prof Dr Halil Ercüment Erdem
M&A and private equity Özgür Kocabasoglu
M&A and private equity Tuna Çolgar
Competition and antitrust Prof Dr Halil Ercüment Erdem
Competition and antitrust Mert Karamustafaoglu
Banking, project finance and PPPs Prof Dr Halil Ercüment Erdem
Banking, project finance and PPPs Özgür Kocabasoglu
Banking, project finance and PPPs Didem Adlığ
Privatisation Prof Dr Halil Ercüment Erdem
Privatisation Özgür Kocabasoglu
Privatisation Süleyman Sevinç
International contracts, agency and distributorships Prof Dr Halil Ercüment Erdem
International contracts, agency and distributorships Tuna Çolgar
Energy and renewables Tuna Çolgar
Energy and renewables Mert Karamustafaoğlu
Real estate and construction Tuna Çolgar
Real estate and construction Süleyman Sevinç
Capital markets and corporate governance Prof Dr Halil Ercüment Erdem
Capital markets and corporate governance Özgür Kocabasoglu
Capital markets and corporate governance Didem Adlığ
International arbitration Prof Dr Halil Ercüment Erdem
International arbitration Piraye Erdem
International arbitration Süleyman Sevinç
Litigation and bankruptcy Piraye Erdem
Litigation and bankruptcy Süleyman Sevinç
Litigation and bankruptcy Alper Uzun
Maritime Süleyman Sevinç
Aviation Özgür Kocabasoglu
Hospitality and leisure Tuna Çolgar
Intellectual property Özgür Kocabasoglu
Compliance Mert Karamustafaoğlu
Personal Data Protection Mert Karamustafaoğlu
Tax Law Canan Doksat
Labor Law and mediation Alper Uzun
PhotoNamePositionProfile
Didem Adlig photoMrs Didem AdligManaging Associate
Tuna Colgar photoMr Tuna ColgarPartner
Canan Doksat photoMs Canan DoksatPartner and Tax Leader
Piraye Erdem photoMrs Piraye ErdemFounder and Managing Partner
Ercüment Erdem photoProf Dr Ercüment ErdemFounder and Senior Partner
Mert Karamustafaoglu photoMr Mert KaramustafaogluPartner and Competition and Compliance Leader
Ozgur Kocabasoglu photoMr Ozgur KocabasogluÖzgür Kocabaşoğlu is a Partner and the Head of Corporate of Erdem…
Suleyman Sevinc photoMr Suleyman SevincPartner and Head of Dispute Resolution
Ecem Süsoy Uygun photoMrs Ecem Süsoy UygunManaging Associate
Alper Uzun photoMr Alper UzunPartner and Mediator
Number of lawyers : 32
at this office : 29
English
French
German
Turkish
TerraLex
TAGLaw
Contacts : Prof Dr H Ercüment Erdem
Contacts : Piraye Erdem
Other office : Izmir

Piraye Erdem, Founder and Managing Partner

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Erdem & Erdem from your competitors?

Our customer-oriented practice philosophy developed more than 35-year history has always been one of the elements that make us who we are in Turkey and neighboring geography. For more than 35 years, we have worked in many different industries, in various fields of law, both nationally and internationally. We aim to provide the highest quality legal service to our clients. While doing this, we also aim to create an environment that supports our most significant assets, our employees, to be peaceful, contemporary, and productive. In the turbulent environment caused by the pandemic, many law firms in Turkey had to dismiss their employees, but by clinging to our values, we managed to overcome most of this difficult process without being have to separate ways with a single person, on the contrary, by growing even more.

During the pandemic, we gave importance to the mental health of our employees as much as their physical health, and prioritized their peace and happiness at work. We handled the entire procedure with transparency and informed our employees at every stage. Even we have constantly reviewed and updated the measures we have taken according to their ideas, thoughts and emotional state.

As Erdem & Erdem, we draw our strength from our teammates, who are the best in the industry. Their career development, happiness, stability of their lives and deepening of their legal knowledge are very important to us. We know that employee-centered approach creates highly engaged people and successful organizations. This approach, I believe, is one of the most essential aspects that sets us apart from our competitors.

Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

We see constant growth in our anti-trust, personal data protection and anti-corruption areas, therefore we expect that our compliance programs will be in demand due to the international or internal legal environments. We have special compliance programs with an all-over approach in relation to competition, personal data protection, anti-corruption and labor laws.

Erdem & Erdem designs and implements tailor-made compliance policies and programs with the best defensible position possible concerning compliance with the predominant anti-corruption and export control laws. The firm adopts an all-over approach by reviewing existing operations, structure, and corporate governance procedures, and consequently designs or builds on existing compliance programs and corporate controls, including anti-corruption and international trade and sanctions compliance matters, tailored to each client’s corporate culture.

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

As a firm with a strong academic bases, we care about the ongoing development and training of our employees so that they are constantly prepared to respond to the issues and difficulties that our clients, who operate in a variety of industries, encounter. We have established different practice groups or industry teams on banking and finance intellectual property, IT law, start-up law, family businesses, real estate and construction, energy, transportation, and other topics in order to keep our knowledge up to date and provide more systematic and high-quality service. In addition, we prepare annual sectoral reports including the amendments in practices in different industries.

We have also undergone a great change physically last year. As part of our expansion plans, we moved to a new office having a high-tech infrastructure and larger workspaces in Levent, Istanbul. We provide more efficient, innovative and fast service to our clients.

Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

It does, constantly with an exponential rate. As a law firm providing services to clients all over the world, we were using video conference systems frequently even before the pandemic transformed this communication method as a common practice. Yet again, we managed to leverage our digital competences to tackle the communication and security problems that the pandemic brought and kept providing legal services to our clients at any place and any time. Thanks to our technology infrastructure, we adopted easily to electronic filing system, virtual hearings and meetings.

We know that technology is helping us to inform our clients swiftly and accurately. Good planning and punctuality have always been a priority for us, and we strive to use all the opportunities provided by information technologies, to ensure this promise of ours.

Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

We review our clients’ existing operations and corporate governance procedures, and we prepare tailormade compliance programs for them. We also provide trainings and if need be review clients’ employees’ computers in order to better understand where the client companies stand in terms of their compliance culture and compatibility. We also take note and report the results of these reviews, trainings and examinations, and provide assistance for a more tailored and controlled compliance compatibility within the client companies. As a result, we are able to protect our clients from incurring hefty fines by spotting potential issues ahead of time.

Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Among the law firms in Turkey, Erdem & Erdem has one of the highest employee engagements. I believe this commitment is that making us one of the most stable offices in this region. Our lawyers who improves us by developing themselves with the knowledge and experience created by this commitment, regularly examine current legal developments and publish academically-based articles and reports. This help us draw a strategic direction in the region by enabling other lawyers and law firms to act mostly by relying on our opinions.

On the same goal above, Erdem & Erdem also provides Capital Markets Board (SPK) and Competition Board with legal opinions whenever needed. Thus, we believe that we have the role to create a strategic direction and legal stability in Turkey and we strenghten our aim with assisting legal instutitions in the country we operate.  As the business in this region and Turkey grow we keep growing our team and still be there in the next three years to stand with our clients.

Erdem & Erdem Represented Acıbadem Healthcare Group in the Acquisition of Private Orthopedia Hospital

Acıbadem Healthcare Group, one of the academic health institutions that is referenced in the world which created a model for Turkey serving in 5 countries, namely Turkey, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia and the Netherlands, acquired Private Orthopedia Hospital, which is one of the first private orthopedic hospitals that was established 14 years ago in Adana by orthopedic physicians. The share purchase agreement was signed on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.

Didem Adlığ joined Erdem & Erdem as Managing Associate

We are proud to announce that Didem Adlığ joined Erdem & Erdem as Managing Associate.

Erdem & Erdem Represented Yıldırım Holding in the Soda Ash Factory to be Established in Kazakhstan

The ground breaking ceremony for the Qazaq Soda factory, which is to be built by Qazaq Soda LLP, a subsidiary of the Yıldırım Group of Companies represented by Erdem & Erdem, was recently maid. Kazakhstan's first soda ash factory, which will be constructed with a $400 million investment, will meet the country's domestic needs by producing 400 thousand tons of soda ash and other important raw materials annually, and will employ 1500 people during the construction phase and appx. 300 people once it is brought into service.

Erdem & Erdem Represented Akinon on $20 Million Investment

Akinon, which is supporting the omni-channel operations and digital transformation processes of Turkey's and the world's leading retail brands with its cloud-based solutions, attracted $20 million investment in the investment tour led by Actera Group and Revo Capital. Erdem & Erdem is proud to support Akinon in the series B investment round and to represent the company in all legal processes of this transaction.

Canan Doksat has been promoted as Managing Associate at Erdem & Erdem

We are very proud of announcing that Canan Doksat has been promoted as Managing Associate, as of July 1, 2021.

Alper Uzun has been promoted as Partner of Erdem & Erdem

We are very proud of announcing that Alper Uzun has been promoted as Partner, as of July 1, 2021.

Anadolu Cam, Denizli Cam, Paşabahçe, Soda Sanayii and Trakya Cam were Merged Under Şişecam

Five companies of the Şişecam Group, four of which are publicly held, namely Anadolu Cam, Denizli Cam, Paşabahçe, Soda Sanayii and Trakya Cam have merged under Şişecam and the transaction was completed as of September 30, 2020.  Erdem & Erdem is proud to represent Şişecam in this merger transaction which is the biggest merger in Turkish capital markets.