Interview with: Özlem Ege Polat, Founding Partner

What do you see as the main points that differentiate EGE ÇAKIRCA from your competitors?

At EGE ÇAKIRCA, we differentiate ourselves from competitors through our specialized expertise, particularly in renewable energy law. Our firm has a strong focus on renewable energy projects, including solar and wind power, which allows us to offer comprehensive legal support tailored to the specific needs of clients in this sector. This deep understanding of renewable energy regulations, trends, and best practices sets us apart as leaders in this field.

Our strong track record in M&A transactions — both domestic and cross-border — further distinguishes us. We regularly advise on share and asset acquisitions, corporate restructurings, and strategic partnerships involving energy companies, infrastructure assets, and technology-driven enterprises. By combining our corporate/M&A expertise with our energy sector focus, we deliver highly tailored transaction strategies that align legal solutions with our clients’ commercial objectives.

Another key differentiator is our extensive experience in handling cross-border transactions. We excel in navigating the complexities of different jurisdictions and legal frameworks, making us well-equipped to facilitate international deals effectively. This capability ensures that our clients receive seamless legal support regardless of the geographical scope of their business operations.

Innovation is at the core of our legal practice. EGE ÇAKIRCA is known for its ability to devise creative and forward-thinking solutions to complex legal challenges, particularly in areas where regulatory environments are evolving rapidly, such as energy law and sustainability. This innovative approach allows us to stay ahead of industry trends and provide cutting-edge legal advice to our clients.

Additionally, our firm’s thought leadership is evident in our active contribution to legal scholarship, participation in industry conferences, and engagement with regulatory bodies. This commitment to staying informed and involved in the legal landscape ensures that our clients benefit from the most up-to-date and informed legal advice, further solidifying our position as a trusted legal partner in the industry.

 

Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

The global shift towards renewable energy sources has been a prominent trend in recent years, driven by concerns about climate change and the need for cleaner energy solutions. This transition has significantly increased the demand for legal services in areas like project development, financing, regulatory compliance, and contract negotiations within the renewable energy sector. As businesses and governments continue to invest heavily in renewable energy projects, the legal profession is expected to see continued growth in these areas.

Additionally, there’s a noticeable uptick in businesses prioritizing sustainability and green initiatives to reduce their environmental impact. This has led to a surge in clients seeking legal guidance for drafting and implementing sustainability policies, navigating green certifications and standards, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The emphasis on sustainability has become a key aspect of our legal practice, reflecting the broader shift towards environmentally responsible business practices.

Furthermore, regulatory frameworks, particularly in regions like Europe, are evolving to address supply chain complexities, including transparency, ethical sourcing, and labor practices. This has created a demand for legal expertise in supply chain management, encompassing contract negotiations, risk assessment, due diligence, and compliance with evolving supply chain regulations.

Lastly, the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations cannot be overstated. Our legal team plays a pivotal role in helping clients develop robust ESG strategies, communicate ESG-related information effectively, ensure compliance with ESG regulations, and resolve any related disputes. This holistic approach to legal support enables our clients to navigate the complex landscape of sustainable business practices effectively.

 

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

At EGE ÇAKIRCA, we have introduced a significant change aimed at benefiting our clients by enhancing our expertise in cross-border transactions and navigating complex legal frameworks across different jurisdictions. This change aligns with our commitment to providing services tailored to our clients’ needs, not only in the legal field but also in structuring their business models financially and technically, leveraging our deep sector knowledge for feasibility assessments.

What sets EGE ÇAKIRCA apart from others is our longstanding trust-based relationships with various market players and our access to sector-specific knowledge, allowing us to deliver tailor-made business and legal solutions. This change enables us to truly understand our clients’ objectives and personalize our legal strategies to not only mitigate risks but also capitalize on growth opportunities within the energy industry.

While several legal firms assert their involvement in energy law, a considerable number predominantly concentrate on offering corporate legal guidance to entities within the energy sector rather than energy law being their core business area. In contrast, energy law is one of our core competencies, positioning us as experts in this specialized field. This focused expertise allows us to provide unparalleled insights and solutions that directly address the unique challenges and opportunities within the energy sector.

Our team excels in identifying creative and forward-thinking strategies to address multifaceted challenges, whether it’s structuring complex transactions, advocating for policy changes, or finding sustainable approaches to renewable energy projects. We take pride in our ability to think outside the box and provide innovative solutions that drive success for our clients in the ever-evolving energy sector.

 

Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

Yes, technology is significantly changing the way we interact with our clients and the services we can provide them. We have embraced digital tools and platforms that allow for seamless communication and collaboration with our clients, regardless of their location. This includes video conferencing, secure document sharing platforms, and electronic signature capabilities, enabling us to conduct meetings, share important documents, and execute agreements remotely and efficiently.

 

Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

 In essence, the services provided by EGE ÇAKIRCA offer tangible value to the Client both in litigation follow-up, contract management, and in the establishment of new business models/structures; however, a recent administrative fine process experienced by the Client serves as the most concrete illustration of this contribution.

 Specifically, a license-exempt solar power plant established and commissioned by the Client was sealed by the local authority (municipality) following an inspection, on the grounds that it lacked a construction permit, and a substantial administrative fine was imposed on the Client. As is well known, construction and the associated permitting processes—particularly in relation to electricity generation facilities—are highly complex, technical, and involve numerous procedural steps. Similarly, the calculation of zoning fines applicable to unlicensed structures involves technical and non-legal factors such as identifying the relevant building classification and group. We would like to emphasize that elements such as the surface area forming the basis of the fine, as well as the structure’s classification and group, are of critical importance, as any inaccuracies in their determination may significantly increase the amount of the penalty—potentially doubling or even tripling the imposed fine.

 In this context, we have been involved from the very beginning of the process, working closely with the Client. We coordinated the necessary steps to complete the permitting procedures for the power plant and conducted communications with the local administration to ensure that the process proceeded efficiently and transparently. At the same time, we carried out a comprehensive review of all records, letters, official correspondence, and notifications issued in the course of the administrative proceedings. This allowed us to ensure that the actions taken against the Client were fully compliant with both legal and procedural requirements. Ultimately, we also reviewed and verified the calculation of the administrative fine imposed, to confirm its accuracy and to prevent any disproportionate financial impact on the Client.

 In light of our comparative and hypothetical assessments, it has been determined that the administrative fine had been calculated at approximately twice the amount that would have been applicable had the structure group/classification been properly identified in accordance with the applicable legislation. Accordingly, in order to safeguard the Client’s legal interests and to prevent any potential infringement of rights, EGE ÇAKIRCA initiated legal proceedings before the competent administrative court, seeking the annulment of the fine on the basis of the erroneous determination of the structure classification. The case remains pending, and our firm continues to represent the Client throughout the litigation process.

In conclusion, throughout this highly sensitive administrative process—one carrying potentially severe consequences— EGE ÇAKIRCA has provided concrete and effective legal support by: (i) preventing the demolition or suspension of operations of an already-operational facility contributing to renewable energy generation, and (ii) taking action to secure the annulment of an unjust and disproportionate administrative fine imposed on the Client.

 

Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Clients indeed seek stability and strategic direction from their law firms, and we recognize the importance of providing these elements to our clients. In three years’ time, we envision EGE ÇAKIRCA as a leading firm in the legal landscape, particularly in the energy and corporate law sectors. Our focus will continue to be on delivering exceptional legal services tailored to our clients’ needs, with an emphasis on innovation, strategic thinking, and client-centered approach. With the increasing focus on ESG criteria in investment decisions, we will provide strategic counsel to help clients align with sustainable business practices and regulatory requirements.

We aim to further strengthen our expertise in cross-border transactions, renewable energy, and regulatory compliance, leveraging technology and data analytics to enhance our services and provide proactive legal solutions. Additionally, we will continue to expand our global reach and network of partnerships to better serve our clients’ international needs. We anticipate significant growth in legal services related to EV infrastructure development, regulatory compliance, and investment opportunities in the electric mobility sector. Our firm will be at the forefront of advising clients on navigating the legal intricacies of renewable infrastructure, government incentives, and sustainable transportation initiatives.

Furthermore, we are committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within our firm, ensuring that our team remains at the forefront of legal trends and best practices. By maintaining our dedication to excellence, client satisfaction, and strategic growth, we are confident that EGE ÇAKIRCA will continue to be a trusted partner for our clients, providing stability, strategic direction, and value-added legal services.