Güniz Gökçe > GKC Partners (in professional association with White & Case) > Istanbul, Turkey > Lawyer Profile

GKC Partners (in professional association with White & Case) is lauded for its ability to ‘solve problems proactively’, while its wider international footprint is also a significant differentiator. Combining standalone offerings in both capital markets and banking and finance, the firm has been particularly active of late in restructurings as well as financings involving the infrastructure, energy and real estate sectors. Güniz Gökçe spearheads the banking and finance practice and leads on the department’s flagship transactions, where she represents lenders, including multilaterals, and corporate borrowers on a range of domestic and cross-border financings. Derin Altan fronts the capital markets group and handles both debt and equity offerings for a mix of issuers and underwriters. Other key names include increasingly prominent finance specialist Ateş Turnaoğlu and structured finance partner Gökçe Uluç.

GKC Partners (in professional association with White & Case)’s projects group impresses sources with its ability to provide ‘great commercial contributions’. Striking a balance between lender and sponsor-side mandates, the team’s recent experience spans the transportation, healthcare, and energy and natural resources sectors. Managing partner Güniz Gökçe anchors the practice and is noted for her particular expertise in cross-border financings. The group also includes up-and-coming projects specialist Ateş Turnaoğlu, banking and finance partner Gökçe Uluç and senior associate Baran Abur.

A popular choice for large-scale or cross-border restructurings, GKC Partners (in professional association with White & Case)’s group is particularly dominant in energy and project-related matters. In a recent example of its practice sweet spot, the team advised the lenders (Garanti BBVA, Ziraat Bank, Yapı Kredi Bank, İş Bank, Vakıfbank and Halkbank) on the restructuring of Kangal Thermal Power Plant’s debts. The Kangal work was led jointly by Güniz Gökçe, who heads the banking and finance practice, and Ateş Turnaoğlu, who possesses an ‘extraordinary ability to understand the client’s needs’.

GKC Partners (in professional association with White & Case) is highly experienced at advising sponsors, lenders, and project developers within the renewable energy sector, on wind, solar, and biomass power plant projects. The team, which is co-led by Güniz Gökçe and Ateş Turnaoğlu, regularly handles matters related to project financing and refinancing, negotiations, and acquisitions. Can Argon is key name of note who regularly assists clients with high-value transactions within the energy sector.