Team size: Five

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

We have been involved in a variety of cases that have affected our company in diverse ways. Some of the cases have concerned large-sized real estate and brought high value, while others were smaller and mainly focused on labour cases. Agreements are an essential part of our business — while drafting contracts and legal documents, I pay great attention to foreseeing and eliminating potential risks that could arise. In the last months of 2021, we concluded an agreement signing an important peace protocol that impacted our business and real estate projects in a positive way.

As we enter the next decade, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

It is crucial to embrace technology and adapt to the automation of processes — storing files, communicating, and reviewing documents. The role of the corporate team is increasing in its importance; therefore, it is crucial to be versatile and innovative to develop new perspectives. In-house legal teams should be supported and spurred to participate in training and events that will widen their horizons and make them aware of the developments in the world beyond legal knowledge. The future will require internal legal teams to have strong business, financial, and management competencies. Moreover, the key point is to promote harmony between the members of the team, promote activities and networking, strengthen the bond between members, and establish a stronger corporate identity. The crucial point is to introduce accurate performance measurement and criteria, analyse the productivity of the team, and set goals.

Which recent political, economic, or regulatory changes have impacted the company and the team the most?

Political, economic, and regulatory changes continuously impact the company and the legal team. Inflation and rise in exchange rates are reflected in costs. Our instruction costs have increased for than 50 percent. Additionally, changes in legislation regulating the obtainment of Turkish citizenship have positively impacted our company. Changes guarantee citizenship to those who buy real estate worth $250.000, which, paired with the depreciation of the Turkish Lira, has attracted foreign investments.