Gökçe > Istanbul, Turkey > Firm Profile

Gökçe
ABIDE-I HURRIYET CADDESI NO.158
SISLI 34387 ISTANBUL
Turkey

Turkey > IT and telecoms Tier 2

Gökçe houses a team of 'masters of technology regulations', and has a strong track record in the fintech sector. Key areas of instruction for the group include digital payments, blockchain and cryptocurrency matters, as well as advising on cybersecurity, e-commerce, data protection and cloud computing cases. Bedii Kaya and Görkem Gökçe co-head the practice, in which Yagmur Yollu and Elif Aksöz are key names to note.

Practice head(s):

Görkem Gökçe; Ali Paslı; Bedii Kaya

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Gökçe is a reputable law firm with a strong command of technical issues in the field of technology and the diversity of their views in the field of technology.’

‘They are masters of technology regulations.’

‘They have a thorough awareness of the legal, regulatory, and technological facets of the fintech ecosystem. They display excellent professionalism and offer high-quality legal services.’

‘Bedii Kaya is a well-known in his field and provides a thorough analysis in all correspondences that includes the current framework as well as the potential new advancements.’

‘It is obvious they know the market very well and always provide up-to-date rapid advice on the technology industry.’

‘Bedii Kaya stands out as the legal mind of the team with the most extensive technical knowledge I’ve ever come across.’

‘Their proposed solutions are always business-oriented and reasonable rather than being purely theoretical. Their ability to blend technical knowledge with legal expertise is exceptional.’

‘Yağmur Yollu is understanding, very easy to communicate with, and is highly responsive. She knows how to handle the dynamic nature of technology-based companies. She always provides clear and to the point legal advice quickly.’

Key clients

Gram Games

Data Market

SocialTradeX

Doğuş Technology

Vision Technology

iLab Holding

DDTech

Dijital Kurye

Endeksa

Figopara

Mars Neobank

Deel

Workhy / mukellef.co

Swipeline

Transferchain

Immfly

Codeway

Motul

Idesse

HiVC

Inveo

Gedik Investment

NeoAuvra

Kenthaş (Şişli Municipality City Services)

Robomotion

RNV Analytics

EA Force

Trendbox

Arabam.com

Hangikredi.com

Work highlights

  • Assisting Codeway, an app development studio in Turkey, with all matters pertaining to information and network security, internet regulations, and IT compliance.
  • Advising NeoAuvra, a health-tech company, on compliance matters.

Turkey > Media and entertainment Tier 2

Gökçe's team has 'in-depth understanding of the complex legal nuances unique to Turkey's media and technology sectors'. The group acts for a solid client base of gaming, e-sports, broadcasting, advertising, and marketing entities in a range of matters. The practice is led by the triumvirate of Görkem Gökçe, Bedii Kaya, and Ali Paslı. Yagmur Yollu and Elif Aksöz are singled out for their contributions.

Practice head(s):

Görkem Gökçe; Ali Paslı; Bedii Kaya

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘First and foremost, their unwavering commitment to client success sets them apart. Each attorney is dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the clients and delivering tailored solutions.’

‘The team values collaboration and teamwork. Attorneys and staff work closely together to pool their collective expertise, ensuring that clients benefit from a multi-faceted approach to their legal matters.’

‘Görkem Gökçe has been recognized for his exceptional advocacy skills and a proven track record of winning complex cases. His attention to detail and dedication to clients makes him a valuable asset to the team.’

‘Elif Aksöz is known for her meticulous research and attention to detail, which has consistently led to successful outcomes for clients.’

‘As a team, they are fast and efficient. They always give you solutions right away.’

‘The legal team has exceptional expertise and experience. Each member of the team has a thorough understanding of the complex legal processes unique to Turkey, as well as the sophisticated requirements of businesses operating in the country.’

‘Gökçe’s considerable strength lies in their deep knowledge of both domestic and international markets.’

‘The team has an in-depth understanding of the complex legal nuances unique to Turkey’s media and technology sectors, and they are equipped to navigate complex regulations and craft innovative legal solutions.’

Key clients

Codeway Studios

Deep Vision

Scoutium

Robomotion

Dynasty Studios

Gybe Games

Devium Technology

Sihirli Bilet

Eternal Fire E-Sports

Alictus

Onedio

Narcade Games

All Stars Music / Sony Music Publishing

IMeanIt Creative

Gram Games

HUYA (nimo.tv)

Gameguru

Masomo (a Miniclip company)

Zeo Technology

Work highlights

  • Acting for gaming company Masomo in disputes with service users.
  • Assisting Swipeline with multiple agreements.

Turkey > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

The commercial, corporate and M&A practice at Gökçe harnesses the expertise of its team to advise domestic and multinational corporates across such sectors as fintech, energy, health, e-commerce, tourism, food, financial services, with a particular focus on tech. The practice is headed by managing partner Görkem Gökçe, who brings experience to M&A, private equity, joint ventures and venture capital transactions; and Ali Paslı, who in additional to transactional work, assists clients with corporate disputes. Managing associate Nazlı Nehir Sertbaş who joined from Lexist Law Firm in February 2023, provides key support.

Practice head(s):

Görkem Gökçe; Ali Paslı

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Görkem Gökçe is like one of our family to us. We consult him on all kinds of problems related to our business. He also always finds the most suitable solutions for us. We can always reach him. He understands our business very well. He’s very knowledgeable. Very practical. Solution-oriented.’

‘Görkem Gökçe, founding partner of the firm, has been our legal counsel since day one. His consistent presence provides us with confidence in every aspect.’

Key clients

Gram Games

Searover

Farasis

Robomotion

Figopara

Swipeline

Masomo

Codeway Studios

Inofab

N11

Deel

Neo Auvra

Work highlights

  • Advised Figo on its $11m investment round.
  • Advised Searover a start-up specialising in renewable energy based in İzmir, in its investment round in the amount of $400,000.
  • Advised Diştedavim, an online platform relating to dental services, in its investment round of $200,000 at a valuation of $6m.

Turkey > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 4

Gökçe finds favour for its ‘deep understanding of the fintech industry’, where it acts for leading domestic and multinational names such as Figopara. The group also possesses extensive experience of representing corporate borrowers on lending transactions. Managing partner Görkem Gökçe is noted for his broad practice, which takes in corporate transactions, project finance and technology-related work. Ali Paslı also has experience in banking and capital markets law.

Practice head(s):

Görkem Gökçe; Ali Paslı

Other key lawyers:

Nazlı Nehir Sertbaş

Testimonials

‘We work with the Gökçe team on managing our bank credit and financing processes, as well as our communications with various banks. Its speed in projects, knowledge base, and industry expertise are truly at an adequate level.’

‘In particular, we work closely with Nazlı Nehir Sertbaş, the managing attorney of the department. She is an easy manager to communicate with and with whom to coordinate projects. Her wealth of knowledge, negotiation skills, and ability to inform us regarding risks are crucial.’

‘Thanks to Görkem Gökçe’s commercial acumen and practicality, we’ve been able to progress or complete many tasks with less effort. Additionally, we value his ability to suggest suitable financing models based on our needs.’

‘The practice stands out for several reasons. First and foremost, its deep understanding of the fintech industry truly sets them apart. The legal team not only possesses extensive knowledge of technology and regulatory matters but it also has a profound grasp of the intricacies within the fintech sector.’

‘Its industry-specific fintech expertise allows it to provide tailored solutions and insights that other firms may lack. Furthermore, the practice is dedicated to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. Lawyers are always up to date with the latest trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes.’

‘Effective communication is a cornerstone for us, and lawyers are able to maintain transparent and open lines of communication to keep us informed at all times. The team thrives on complex problem-solving.’

‘The team consists of young and highly engaged experts. The partners work on projects, teach at Istanbul universities, and participate in legislature’s working groups, which helps them to come up with unique solutions in intersectoral cases.’

Key clients

Odea Bank

Türkiye Vakıflar Bankası TAO

Industrial and Development Bank of Turkey (TSKB)

MBaer Merchant Bank

Figopara

Hivc

Turkey > Employment Tier 4

Görkem Gökçe and Müberra Gürdal head up Gökçe‘s team, which adopts a multidisciplinary approach and incorporates elements of law from a range of practice areas, including corporate and commercial. The team is also skilled in mediation arising from labour law disputes. Other areas of work include advising on employment agreements, unilateral termination, transfer of employees and workplaces. Sector strengths for the group include highly regulated industries such as aviation, insurance and healthcare.

Practice head(s):

Görkem Gökçe; Müberra Gürdal

Testimonials

‘The team responds to our requests extremely quickly, finds practical solutions and has strong legal knowledge. A law firm that is both academically competent and understands business world practices.’

‘Başak Taş is very knowledgeable about labour law rules and very good at resolving disputes. At the same time, the team facilitates daily labour law processes thanks to the support it provides to our human resources team.’

‘First and foremost, the team consists of highly skilled and experienced attorneys who possess a deep understanding of various legal domains. Their expertise spans across multiple areas of law, including fintech, technology, corporate, intellectual property, litigation, and more. This diverse range of specialisations ensures that clients receive comprehensive and tailored legal support for their specific needs. Furthermore, this law firm values collaboration and believes in the power of teamwork. They foster an environment that promotes open communication.’

‘A confident team, the opportunity to work with experts, their commitment to their organisational structure, quick feedback, polite and understandable communication. From founding partners to interns, everyone works with the awareness that they are a part of a strong system.’

‘The Team of Gokce is very diverse and experienced, this is very important for our company. Furthermore, very flexible and responsive. We can easily reach a senior adviser or partner.’

‘Compared with our previous law firm, we are getting more practical support and advice from Gokce. They delve deep into the matter and later giving particular advice and not just general.’

‘The team is easily approachable and quick to revert back to their clients every time we reach out to them. An exemplary client experience where you can trust that the team always gets things done and on time.’

Key clients

Narcade

Figopara

Deel Inc

Mükellef Teknoloji

Codeway

Motul Oil

E-girişim

Ruul

Trendbox

Work highlights

  • Advised Codeway on daily labour law matters on a regular basis and all documents related to labour law.
  • Assisted Motul with disputes arising in Turkey or in connection with Turkey and provided the client with law consultancy on a regular basis.
  • Advised Deel on many areas such as contracts, guides, information and documents prepared in accordance with Turkish labour law.

Turkey > Dispute resolution Tier 6

Gökçe’s firmwide focus on technology translates into a disputes practice that demonstrates a significant orientation towards IP. Other recent areas of activity include tax litigation, contentious bankruptcy cases, real estate disputes and white-collar crime matters. Ali Paslı co-heads the group together with Müberra Gürdal, a former judge, and Erkan Sarıtaş, who specialises in criminal law. Associates Başak Taş and Aslihan Kayhan are also noted.

Practice head(s):

Ali Paslı; Müberra Gürdal; Erkan Sarıtaş

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Gökçe has an experienced, practical and extremely fast dispute resolution team. We have been receiving regular and intensive support from Gökçe for the last two years on commercial, IP and real estate disputes. The team identifies the differences between each legal dispute very well.’

‘Gökçe understands tech-related business very well. It has exceptional knowledge on the technical and commercial fronts, besides the legal side. We are grateful for the team’s eagerness and sector-specific know-how.’

‘We are working intensively with Ali Paslı, Başak Taş and Müberra Gürdal from Gökçe. Ali Paslı is one of the best in the field of commercial law and intellectual property law.’

‘We work closely with Başak Taş, who always delivers faultless work and handles strict deadlines without exception. Overall, I can say that she is solution-oriented, intensely helpful and talented.’

‘Gökçe consists of lawyers who are experts and competent in their field. The team is always accessible. It understands us and our business very well and is able to create suitable solutions for us. We are faced with many different commercial disputes due to the requirements of our business.’

‘Lawyers use technology effectively, they are open-minded and follow our business as if it was their own.’

‘The team is effective and handles the issues in a detailed way.’

‘In dispute resolution processes, we work with Ali Paslı, Müberra Gürdal and Başak Taş. They handle our case files completely. They have a serious communication network in the courthouses. Cases and disputes are resolved for the benefit of our company.’

Key clients

Inheritors of Cem Karaca (Turkish rock star)

Zümrüt White Goods

Derviş Zaimağaoğlu

Kürşat Ufuk Coşkun

Biz Cevahir

R.Shohat

BBraun

Dressbest

Çelebi Bandırma

Gram Games

ASB Modern

Trendbox

Al- Amel LTD.

Tervelli

Work highlights

  • Representing the inheritors of Cem Karaca (Turkish rock star) in copyright litigation.
  • Advising Çelebi Hava Servisi before the Turkish Commercial Court in a bankruptcy proceeding between it and a major airline.
  • Representing R. Shohat in a case brought against a bank concerning the bank’s failure to fulfil its duty of care.

Gökçe is an independent full service law firm based in Istanbul. Gökçe offers a broad range of legal services to meet the needs of its diverse client base, ranging from rapidly expanding international companies to emerging growth companies. Since its establishment in 2010, Gökçe earned a reputation for its expertise in technology and media space. Moreover, Gökçe has become a go-to law firm for high-profile commercial disputes. As of 1 January 2020, Gökçe merged with YazıcıLegal Law Office and strengthened its banking and finance and capital markets practice.

In 2019, Gökçe became the Turkish representative of Interlaw, a highly-ranked international law firm network whereas in 2020, Gökçe established a German desk led by a dual-qualified lawyer.

Main areas of practice
Technology and internet and media: Gökçe’s tech and internet and media team’s reputation is built on delivering commercial and practical legal advice to clients active in the digital sphere in various industries. Team members’ deep understanding of the intricacies of technology involved ensures clients’ commercial interests. Gökçe advises clients on matters of intellectual property, consumer law, e-commerce laws and data protection compliance. Team members frequently provide mentoring to emerging growth companies at leading start-up incubators and accelerators including İTÜ Çekirdek and Endeavor Turkey.

Clients such as Sony, Hilton, Nimo.tv (HUYA), Edenred, Evreka, Trendbox, Figopara, Pixsy, Nely, Spotify, Facebook, McAfee, all widely recognized game changers in their respective industries; and Gram Games (a Zynga company), Masomo and Miniclip, all prominent actors in the e-gaming industry.

Corporate, M&A and venture capital:  The corporate, M&A and venture capital team of Gökçe focuses on smaller to middle-market cross-border and domestic corporate transactions in various industries; advising on a range of corporate issues including drafting and negotiating of all types of commercial contracts, corporate compliance as well as corporate governance issues and M&A transactions. Clients include Farasis Energy (Ganzhou), BBraun, Hilton, WorleyParsons, Palsgaard, Doğuş Holding, Kıraça Holding and Çelebi Holding.

Team members are also highly adept in growth investment transactions and represent founder-led technology companies, from early stage all the way up to growth phase and exit. Gökçe recently advised:

  • FIT Solutions (Foriba) founders on the sale of their shares to Sovos, a leading global tax compliance and regulatory reporting software company
  • Gram Games, a leading Turkish mobile game company on the $250m acquisition by Zynga Inc
  • Four Mobile in the acquisition by Tencent owned mobile games developer Miniclip
  • Gameguru on the sale of one of its most-downloaded hyper casual games (namely, Slap Kings) to Lion Studios
  • Panoroma Bilisim founders on the sale of their shares to Verifone,  multinational corporation providing electronic payment transactions
  • Various emerging growth companies on financing by private equity giants and growth/venture capital investors such as EBRD, IFC, Revo Capital, Endeavor, 500 Startups and Growth Circuit
  • Evreka, an outstanding waste collection solutions SaaS company
  • Layer, a leading technology company engaged in machine learning operating systems
  • Figopara, a major fintech company acting as intermediary for trade finance transactions
  • Spirohome, an innovative medical device company
  • TraceItUp, creator of a next generation delivery management platform
  • V-Count, provider of visitor analytics solutions

Banking and finance and capital markets: Gökçe has extensive experience in banking and finance and capital markets transactions, particularly in project financings. It represents leading Turkish and foreign financial institutions in respect of a large spectrum of financing transactions. Members of Gökçe’s team have been involved in high volume transactions in a variety of forms and experienced in structuring of complex financing models and security packages, drafting, establishment, release and enforcement of such securities. Team members have represented İş Bankası, Vakıfbank, Halkbank, Ziraat Bankası, OdeaBank, TSKB, T-Bank, Fibabanka, Gedik Yatırım, Worldpay, CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique, Bereket Group, Nurol Holding, , Çelebi Holding and Yüksel Holding on various project finance and financial restructuring transactions including energy sector, infrastructure, real estate project financing, acquisition financing and other types of asset financing.

With the YazıcıLegal merger, Gökçe’s banking and finance team grew stronger and practice expanded to include capital markets transactions. Gökçe recently advised Odeabank on a complex refinancing transaction with the full security package of Turkish law and regularly provides legal advice to Worldpay and MBaer Merchant Bank in respect of various banking and capital markets products provided to Turkish residents on a cross-border basis.

Dispute resolution: Gökçe has profound knowledge and experience in litigation, especially in commercial and IP related disputes. Gökçe represented N11(Doğuş), Peninsula Hotels, NRC International, Sovos Foriba, Celebi Aviation, BBraun, V-Count, Alfatek-Mesar, SITA Information, Nimo.tv (HUYA), Figopara, Trendbox, Seacor Holdings on various commercial disputes.

Employment: Gökçe’s employment team advises numerous clients including Alpla, Biopipe, Evreka, Gram Games (a Zynga company), Usla, Yemekhane, Sovos Foriba, Alictus  and various company directors/managers on:

  • Termination of employment
  • Employment disputes
  • Settlement of disputes
  • Social Security disputes

Debt recovery and debt collection: Gökçe has a wide practice of debt collection activities including foreclosure proceedings, primarily conducted for high volume commercial receivables of its clients. Gökçe represents Çelebi Aviation, Alpla, FIT Solutions and Seacor Holding, Yemekhane, Geniks Kongre, Özak Global, Pars Güvenlik and B-Braun.

Criminal law and fraud: Gökçe’s criminal law team represents clients in complex criminal law matters in relation to commercial fraud, white-collar, financial, cyber, reconstruction crimes and data protection offenses. Gökçe’s criminal law clientele includes Çelebi Hava Servisi and various high-net-worth individuals in Turkey.

Department Name Email Telephone
Corporate, M&A and Venture Capital, Banking & Finance and Capital Markets, Technology & Internet & Media Görkem Gökçe
Banking & Finance and Capital Markets, Dispute Resolution Prof. Dr. Ali Paslı
Technology & Internet & Media Dr. Bedii Kaya
Technology & Internet & Media Yağmur Yollu
Dispute Resolution, Employment Aslıhan Kayhan
Photo Name Position Profile
Görkem Gökçe photo Mr Görkem Gökçe Managing Partner
Müberra Gürdal photo Mrs Müberra Gürdal Co-Head of Dispute Resolution
Mehmet Bedii Kaya photo Dr Mehmet Bedii Kaya Partner and Head of TMC & Privacy
Ali Paslı  photo Prof Dr Ali Paslı Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution
Yağmur Yollu photo Ms Yağmur Yollu Senior Associate
Number of lawyers : 40
English
French
German
Korean
Russian
International Technology Law Association
Law Firm Sustainability Network
British-Turkish Lawyers Association
Istanbul Bar Association

CLIENT: Koray Gültekin Bahar
COMPANY/FIRM: Figopara
TESTIMONIAL: As an investor and entrepreneur, what we need is a team that can adjust themselves to innovations and acts accordingly. With its dynamic and dedicated team, this is what Gökçe is all about. The team consist of excellent lawyers with top-notch legal knowledge. They provide what we aim for in a very short period of time.

For many years now, we have studied a lot of cases with Gökçe. They value the commercial interest and needs of our business as their own. I can easily say that with Gökçe on your side, your business is in the safe hands.


CLIENT: Onur Baylan
COMPANY/FIRM: Gram Games
TESTIMONIAL: Highly professional, dedicated and dynamic team. I feel comfortable working with them, without doubts.


CLIENT: Şimal Konanç
COMPANY/FIRM: iLab Ventures
TESTIMONIAL: Qualified and responsive team. They understand the requirements and provide practical advice.


CLIENT: Mehmet Ecevit
TESTIMONIAL: Experienced, practical and solution focused lawyers.


CLIENT: Sertaç Taşdelen
COMPANY/FIRM: Binnaz & Faladdin
TESTIMONIAL: Truly professional and responsible team always providing efficient and prompt solutions.


CLIENT: Umutcan Duman
COMPANY/FIRM: Evreka
TESTIMONIAL: Above standart responsiveness, sense of ownership and knowledge.


Gökçe is an independent full-service law firm based in Istanbul.

We are proud to offer sound legal advice and effective solutions to our clients with our pragmatic, business-minded approach. We deliver results.

With our highly qualified and dedicated team, we understand the requirements of the fast-changing interconnected world, combine our solid local and international experience with a practical know-how to tackle our clients’ most complex challenges.

Our clientele ranges from multinational enterprises to, venture capitals, and start-ups.

The clients

Key international clients for the firm include Sony, Mercedes, Motul, Miniclip, Gameguru, Codeway, Hilton, Nimo.tv (HUYA), Edenred, Spotify, Facebook, McAfee, Gram Games (a Zynga company), Odea Bank, Worldpay, Zendesk.

The team

Gökçe has a well-established reputation in the technology, media and communications sector, acting for both the leading players and the disruptors who develop game-changing technologies and innovative business models, from complex platforms to content delivery and data management.

Our team members have proudly assisted our clients, particularly international ones, with establishing their business models as well as guiding them through the compliance stages as they continue to flourish.

We have one of the largest TMC&Privacy teams in Istanbul with 7 lawyers and 2 partners. With Dr. Bedii Kaya joining the team with his valuable expertise covering wide range of IT law matters; Gökce team has broadened the scope of work it undertakes. With Dr. Kaya’s arrival, the team boasts some of the “best brains” in the area, as well as being led by a truly experienced partner.

The Corporate, Commercial and M&A team consists of 2 partners and 8 qualified lawyers. Not only is our Corporate, Commercial and M&A team capable of handling the full range of work in this area (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, venture capital transactions, corporate restructurings, spin-offs and general corporate advisory work), they also have an unrivalled experience in IT, Internet and technology related international M&A transactions.

Founding and managing partner Görkem has represented local and international clients on various commercial disputes during his career spanning more than two decades. He has key expertise in technology and digital business. Görkem represents international ic media groups, leading entertainment companies and e-gaming platforms.

Gökçe’s partner Prof. Dr. Ali Paslı has key expertise in all types of commercial disputes, IP disputes, international arbitration and enforcement of foreign awards in Turkey. Prof. Paslı is the author of five published books two of which have won reputable law awards.

The network

Gökce is the Turkish representative of Interlaw – a highly ranked international law firm network since 2019. Our Interlaw membership has enabled us to refer to high-quality law firms easily and promptly and to be referred to in relation to Turkish legal matters.


Gökçe’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity is woven into its fabric as it has adopted principles of equality and inclusivity since its inception in 2010. While we have to acknowledge that there is still a long way to go in Turkey in terms access to equal opportunity, we pride ourselves in being a pioneer when it comes to presenting equal opportunities to our current employees and applicants.

Gökçe is committed to fostering and promoting a culture of diversity in its workforce. We recruit, hire, train all employees in an equal manner regardless of their age, sex, race, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation. With the bulk of our team consisting of women, we are keen to demonstrate how a young and dynamic law firm can thrive when its team members are presented with equal opportunity based on principles of meritocracy.

We are also among the first law firms to manifestly support LGBTQIA+ rights and will continue to ardently do so. Our team members recently participated in the World Tour Challenge of International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA) not only to celebrate AIJA’s 58th birthday but also to display solidarity with LGBTQIA+ communities.