First, can you please give us an idea of the sort of work your team has done recently (cases, transactions, projects)?

My team and I are responsible for advising on competition law, maintaining corporate filings, providing ethics and compliance training, handling environmental matters, and instructing on class action litigation. Additionally, we have organised workshops in collaboration with the government, private sector, and NGOs. The workshops concerned discussions on tackling and reducing counterfeit spirits production in Türkiye to prevent public health hazards, protect intellectual property rights of local, regional, and global spirits brands, as well as maximising the alcohol duty collection of the government. Furthermore, we had a crucial role in advising the private sector on the regulation concerning the spirits industry.

What do you think are the biggest risks facing your industry at the moment and how are you preparing your company and team to face these risks?

The biggest risk facing our industry is the production of counterfeit spirits. Inflation and increasing alcohol duties are increasing the price of spirits and turning our customers into counterfeit beverages. I serve as the general secretary of the NGO GISDER (Traditional Spirits Producers Association) — we constantly organise meetings to discuss this dangerous situation, raising awareness and demanding law enforcement.

In what ways do you see the in-house legal role evolving in your region over the next few years?

The in-house legal role is increasing its relevance as the business world becomes more differentiated every year. Our scope is well beyond its original task to provide industrial expertise; we support the management at all levels to build strategic plans to help our companies achieve their objectives. We have a key role in guaranteeing compliance with the law. We are expected to keep up with regulations and foresee legal risks to minimise their impact on our organisations. In-house lawyers are now a bridge between the business department and regulator. We must understand the business environment and our clients’ needs to tailor our advice and guarantee the success of the company — we are the heart of the company, and our role will continue to increase over the years.