Described as a ‘globally minded’ firm, Esin Attorney Partnership, Member Firm of Baker & McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein brings a ’combination of technical excellence, commercial insight, and an exceptional commitment to client service’ to multinational corporations and local market-leading companies, across the full employment lifecycle. The firm draws upon the bench strength of its network of international Baker McKenzie offices, leveraging its deep relationships to an international client base. The team presents a well-rounded employment law offering, with particular strengths in employment advisory and compliance work, contentious mandates and cross-border employment and immigration matters. Heading the group is Elif Nur Çakır Vurgun, who brings a deep end-to-end understanding of employment, union, social security and immigration law, boasting extensive experience before the Turkish courts in employment litigation. Özgür Kızıltan is well versed at the intersection of employment and union law, with notable experience in litigation and dispute resolution. Zeynep Adıyaman Oğuzman stands out for her dual focus on employment and immigration law.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'They are available all the time. I work mainly with Zeynep Adıyaman, and she is either answering all my phone calls instantly or coming back very shortly after sending a message that she is in a meeting at that moment. As I had a lot of tough employee issues recently, their calmness and mentorship for my cases were incredibly helpful. Many thanks to all team!’
- ‘This practice demonstrates a high level of professionalism and client service, distinguishing itself through both technical expertise and its commitment to tailored, commercially relevant solutions. The team’s strengths lie in its depth of subject-matter knowledge, responsiveness, and ability to provide clear, actionable guidance. Potential clients would likely appreciate not only the firm’s experience across industries but also its collaborative approach, which ensures consistency, efficiency, and alignment with client objectives. In particular, the team’s labour law and employment expertise is noteworthy. They provide practical and commercially attuned advice on employment contracts, workplace policies, compliance with regulatory requirements, and dispute resolution. Their ability to navigate complex employment law issues—ranging from workforce restructuring and executive arrangements to labour disputes—positions them as a trusted partner for clients managing sensitive employee-related matters. Compared with other firms, the practice appears well-positioned to deliver at an international standard, with an emphasis on quality of execution and proactive problem-solving.’
- ‘The individuals we have worked with stand out for their combination of technical excellence, commercial insight, and an exceptional commitment to client service. What makes them different from competitors is not just their knowledge of the law but their ability to anticipate challenges, provide pragmatic solutions, and communicate with clarity and confidence. Elif, as a partner, brings outstanding leadership and depth of expertise. She distinguishes herself through her ability to balance strategic oversight with hands-on involvement in complex matters. Elif is particularly adept at guiding clients through high-stakes issues, offering advice that is not only legally sound but also commercially practical. Her responsiveness, professionalism, and ability to manage multidisciplinary teams ensure that clients feel supported at every stage. Zeynep has been equally impressive in her role. She demonstrates strong analytical skills and attention to detail, and she consistently delivers high-quality work under tight deadlines. What sets Zeynep apart is her proactive approach — she takes initiative, anticipates client needs, and communicates with clarity. She is collaborative, dependable, and brings a fresh perspective that adds real value to the team’s output.’
- ‘Here are the good qualities of the team: diligent & hardworking, responsive and a flexible way of working (eg being reachable outside typical work hours), detail-oriented, open to feedback and welcome being challenged with good follow-up.’
- ‘Ozgur Kiziltan understands very well the problem at hand and can deliver a solution that is accurate but also business oriented.’
- ‘The Esin team, specifically Özgür Kızıltan as he was the main contact in our project, was always reachable and prompt. He always demonstrated a positive atmosphere, ready to respond to our queries and was solution oriented. Our deliverables were of good quality.’
Key clients
- ByteDance Co., Ltd. (TikTok)
- Nike, Inc.
- The Swatch Group A.G.
- Minerals Technologies Inc.
- Alexion İlaç Ticaret Limited Şirketi
- Biogen Turkey İlaç Ticaret Limited Şirketi
- RWE & Turcas Güney Elektrik Üretim Anonim Şirketi
- Oriflame Kozmetik Ürünleri Ticaret Limited Şirketi
Work highlights
Advised ByteDance (TikTok) on the strategic transfer of 200+ employees from a third-party vendor to their own entity in Türkiye—an operationally complex and legally sensitive restructuring.
Advised Nike, Inc. on two consecutive rounds of enterprise-level collective bargaining negotiations across 12 workplaces, helping them avoid a strike and secure industry-defining terms.
Provided end-to-end employment law support to Minerals Technologies Inc., regarding daily advisory and multi-jurisdictional litigation.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Elif Nur Çakır Vurgun
Other key lawyers
Özgür Kızıltan; Zeynep Adıyaman Oğuzman