Erdem & Erdem Law Office > Istanbul, Turkey > Firm Profile
Erdem & Erdem Law Office Offices
Ferko Signature, Büyükdere Caddesi
No. 175, Kat. 3
34394 Esentepe - Sisli, Istanbul
Turkey
Erdem & Erdem Law Office > Firm Profile
The firm: Erdem & Erdem is an international law firm, operating for over 35 years and dedicated to providing practical business solutions to a diverse range of local and global clients, with offices in Istanbul and Izmir in Türkiye and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The firm’s mission is to deliver high-calibre and trustworthy legal solutions by synthesizing innovative strategies with sustainable practices.
Areas of practice
Corporate and M&A: Erdem & Erdem advises local and international clients operating in a wide range of industries on all aspects of company law. These processes comprise all stages of the company’s life cycle, from preparation and establishment of the articles of association through dissolution and liquidation. 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. They handle a wide range of M&A transactions and represent their clients in diverse roles on any given project. 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.
Competition and Compliance: The competition team assist the clients with comparative analyses of competition evaluations, antitrust programs, mergers and acquisitions, contract design, and dealership systems, from the perspectives of European Union and Turkish competition legislation. Erdem & Erdem represented the largest regulated and networked companies in Turkiye, Europe and Asia in some of the most controversial competition law subjects. McDonalds, RedBull, Arvato and YemekSepeti are among the clients of the firm. Erdem & Erdem compliance experts provide compliance consulting services and design and implement personalized compliance programs with a holistic approach, particularly in the areas of competition, data protection, anti-corruption, and labor 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. The firm also provides legal opinion to the borrower and the Lenders.
Capital Markets: Our capital markets lawyers provide consulting services to issuers, mutual funds, private equity funds, and financial institutions in the debt and equity capital markets and derivatives markets, which includes secured and unsecured loan issuances, capital increases, formations, IPO’s as well as private placements.
International Arbitration: The arbitration practice of the firm is one of its most well-known areas of expertise. The team handles cases involving commercial and treaty disputes that arise in Western Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East under the rules of every major arbitration system and in a wide range of industries, including energy, mining, manufacturing, transportation, telecommunications, construction, finance, manufacturing, and sports.
Litigation & Bankruptcy: The distinguished feature of the litigation team is the experience of the lawyers who have handled litigation in almost every major practice area, 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 and shareholders disputes.
Tax Law: Taking into account the fact that every commercial transaction comes with tax implications, the firm provides its clients with tax advisory and tax litigation services. By combining its tax law expertise with its extensive knowledge in a wide range of practice areas Erdem & Erdem advises its clients on the tax risks that may be associated with commercial transactions within the scope of its tax advisory services and tax dispute matters.
Technology, Media and Telecommunication: Erdem & Erdem represents a diverse client base in a variety of domains involving technology, including publishing, digital platforms, e-commerce, e-health, fintech, blockchain, advertising, and electronic scooter rental services. Erdem & Erdem offers legal consultancy to internet service providers, fixed phone operators, content providers, and hosting companies for all contracts needed in the sector.
Energy & Renewables: Erdem & Erdem’s experience in the energy industry includes wind, solar, and other renewable energy facilities in addition to natural gas, coal, and oil-fired power plants, cogeneration facilities, projects involving agricultural and municipal solid waste, and hydroelectric projects.
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.
Transportation & Logistics: Erdem & Erdem represents a wide range of industry participants in their domestic and international transactions, including transportation firms, logistics cargo firms, vehicle operators, railroad firms, airport operators, port and terminal operators, operators of ro-ro ships, providers of technical maintenance, insurance firms, and financiers.
Intellectual property: The firm offers legal support to clients who create and license intellectual property, work in sectors like telecommunications, the internet, advertising, and media, or engages in intellectual property transactions, like buying an intellectual property portfolio.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Corporate and M&A | Prof Dr Halil Ercüment Erdem | ercument@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Corporate and M&A | Özgür Kocabaşoğlu | ozgurkocabasoglu@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Corporate and M&A | Tuna Çolgar | tunacolgar@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Competition and Compliance | Prof Dr Halil Ercüment Erdem | ercument@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Competition and Compliance | Mert Karamustafaoğlu | mertkaramustafaoglu@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Competition and Compliance | Ecem Süsoy Uygun | ecemsusoy@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Compliance | Sevgi Ünsal Özden | sevgiunsal@erdem-erdem.com | +90 232 464 66 76 |
Banking and Finance | Özgür Kocabaşoğlu | ozgurkocabasoglu@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Banking and Finance | Didem Adlığ Sönmez | didemadlig@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Capital Markets | İbrahim Onur Baysal | onurbaysal@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Capital Markets | Didem Adlığ Sönmez | didemadlig@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
International Arbitratiom | Prof Dr Halil Ercüment Erdem | ercument@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
International Arbitratiom | Piraye Erdem | piraye@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Litigation and bankruptcy | Piraye Erdem | piraye@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Litigation and bankruptcy | Süleyman Sevinç | suleymansevinc@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Litigation and bankruptcy | Alper Uzun | alperuzun@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Tax Law | Canan Doksat | canandoksat@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Technology, Media and Telecommunication | Özgür Kocabaşoğlu | ozgurkocabasoglu@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Technology, Media and Telecommunication | Tuna Çolgar | tunacolgar@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Technology, Media and Telecommunication | Sevgi Ünsal Özden | sevgiunsal@erdem-erdem.com | +90 232 464 66 76 |
Energy and Renewables | Tuna Çolgar | tunacolgar@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Energy and Renewables | Mert Karamustafaoğlu | mertkaramustafaoglu@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Real Estate and Construction | Tuna Çolgar | tunacolgar@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Real Estate and Construction | Canan Doksat | canandoksat@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Transportation and Logistics | Süleyman Sevinç | suleymansevinc@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Transportation and Logistics | Özgür Kocabaşoğlu | ozgurkocabasoglu@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Employment Law | Alper Uzun | alperuzun@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Employment Law | Sevgi Ünsal Özden | sevgiunsal@erdem-erdem.com | +90 232 464 66 76 |
Intellectual property | Özgür Kocabasoglu | ozgurkocabasoglu@erdem-erdem.av.tr | +90 212 291 73 83 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mrs Didem Adlig Sönmez | Managing Associate | View Profile | |
Ms Merve Bakırcı | Senior Associate | View Profile | |
Mr İbrahim Onur Baysal | Partner and Capital Markets Leader | View Profile | |
Mr Tuna Colgar | Partner | View Profile | |
Ms Canan Doksat | Partner and Tax Leader | View Profile | |
Mrs Piraye Erdem | Founder and Managing Partner | View Profile | |
Prof Dr Ercüment Erdem | Founder and Senior Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Mert Karamustafaoglu | Partner and Competition and Compliance Leader | View Profile | |
Mr Ozgur Kocabasoglu | Özgür Kocabaşoğlu is a Partner and the Head of Corporate of Erdem… | View Profile | |
Ms Duygu Öner Ayçiçek | Senior Associate | View Profile | |
Mr Suleyman Sevinc | Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution | View Profile | |
Mrs Sevgi Unsal Ozden | Managing Associate | View Profile | |
Mrs Ecem Süsoy Uygun | Managing Associate | View Profile | |
Mr Alper Uzun | Partner and Mediator | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 32 at this office : 29Languages
English French German TurkishMemberships
TerraLex TAGLawOther
Founder and Senior Partner : Ercüment Erdem Founder and Managing Partner : Piraye Erdem Other Office : Amsterdam Other office : IzmirInterviews
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.