Leveraging longstanding experience in union negotiations work, Cukur & Partners routinely represents employers in collective bargaining disputes, while also offering a highly capable team advising across the full range of employment work. Its client roster spans the automotive, food and beverage, agriculture, life sciences, IT and technology, consumer products and retail industries. Ayça Kortel steers her practice towards labour and employment law, frequently representing leading Turkish and international companies operating in highly unionised sectors. Merve Gözde Üçler provides end-to-end employment advice and Pelin Öztürk supports clients in labour law and HR matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘I believe that Çukur’s biggest strength is being equipped with a team of knowledgeable, skilful and attentive lawyer staff with systematic, planned and organized working methods along with high follow-up skills. I would like to share that the carefully analysing of each case ensures that the results are so clear, understandable, and error-free that there is almost no room for correction. Another strong feature of their working model is that customer evaluations and feedbacks are taken into account and evaluations are shared in an understandable manner with legal processes. It gives confidence to know that they are following the details of each case, and they fully commit themselves to the subject.’
  • ‘The Employment team at Cukur & Partners combines legal accuracy with practical HR solutions, giving clear guidance on sensitive workplace issues. They stand out for being solution-oriented, collaborative, and responsive, with transparent billing and effective use of digital tools. This makes them a trusted and business-minded partner compared to other firms.’
  • ‘We are highly satisfied with the legal services provided. The firm demonstrates strong expertise in relevant regulations and compliance matters. The lawyers we work with are experienced, knowledgeable, and consistently provide practical, business-oriented advice. Their team is not only legally proficient, but also highly responsive and easy to communicate with. We especially value their ability to understand our industry-specific needs and offer tailored legal support. Their strong communication skills and professionalism make them a reliable and trusted legal partner.’
  • ‘They have consistently demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and a client-first approach. What sets this practice apart is not only its deep legal knowledge but also its impressive network and collaborative spirit. The team is approachable, responsive, and genuinely committed to supporting its clients with clarity and care.’
  • ‘Çukur & Partners’ employment practice is unique in its ability to provide both strategic and day-to-day support across the full spectrum of employment law matters. The team combines deep knowledge of Turkish labour law with a commercial, solution-oriented approach that helps clients manage complex workforce challenges with confidence. Clients value the practice’s responsiveness, clarity, and ability to anticipate risks before they escalate into disputes. The team has particular strengths in advising on compliance, collective labour relations, restructuring and reorganisations, executive contracts, and cross-border employment issues. Compared with many competitors, Çukur & Partners is recognised for its balanced approach: technically robust yet always practical and tailored to the business context. The practice has also introduced several innovations that distinguish it in the market: flexible billing arrangements that reflect client needs, a collaborative style of working that ensures seamless support across HR and legal functions, and a diverse team that brings different perspectives to problem-solving. The use of technology in compliance monitoring and employee data protection further underlines the practice’s forward-thinking approach.’
  • ‘The individuals at Çukur & Partners stand out for their strong command of employment law combined with an understanding of the commercial and human dynamics behind workplace issues. Unlike many competitors who focus narrowly on legal technicalities, the team’s lawyers distinguish themselves by offering pragmatic solutions that help businesses manage sensitive employee matters effectively and with minimal disruption. Stand-out partners are noted for their strategic guidance, ability to navigate complex restructurings and disputes, and calm leadership in high-pressure situations. Associates are highly valued for their diligence, responsiveness, and proactive support in day-to-day employment matters, from contracts to compliance. Clients particularly appreciate their accessibility, clarity of communication, and empathetic approach, which builds trust and makes them not only reliable legal advisers but also long-term partners to HR and management teams.’

Key clients

  • MITSUBISHI ELEKTRIK TÜRKİYE (JAPAN) TPI COMPOSITES TÜRKİYE (USA) ZF LEMFORDER (GERMANY) BORGWARNER (USA) TEKA TURKEY (MIDEA GROUP) INTER ABRASİV GROUP (TÜRKYE) AJINOMOTO TÜRKİYE (JAPAN) PHINIA TÜRKİYE (USA) BALL BEVERAGES (USA) - GD TEKNIK (COESIA GROUP-ITALY) TAFE TRACTORS (INDIA) MOPAK GROUP (TÜRKİYE) NEMAK TÜRKİYE (MEXICO) IMPO POMPA (FRANKLIN ELECTRIC-USA) TECHASAY GROUP (TÜRKİYE) LUNA (LANDIS+GYR – SWITZERLAND) GRAM EQUIPMENT (DENMARK) KRONE TRAILER (GERMANY) TEKNOKON GROUP COMPANIES PAYCORE GROUP COMPANIES 77 CONSTRUCTION SISTEM GROUP COMPANIES REDINGTON TURKEY- ÖZSEÇ CONCRETE & MINING ERAK CLOTHING INDUSTRY BALKAYA TRANSPORT & EXCAVATION GLASSHOUSE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

Work highlights

Advised MITSUBISHI ELEKTRIK TÜRKİYE on the comprehensive employment framework restructuring in connection with the launch of Mitsubishi Electric Turkey’s new facility.
Advised BORGWARNER TURKEY on complex collective bargaining negotiations with Birleşik Metal-İş union, ensuring a legally compliant, operationally effective, and dispute-free collective bargaining agreement.
Advised TPI COMPOSITES TÜRKIYE (USA) on managing a complex litigation portfolio, currently handling 185 ongoing employment-related cases with strategic legal guidance and robust dispute resolution.
Practice head

Ayça Kortel

Other key lawyers

Merve Gözde Üçler; Pelin Öztürk