Possessing the ‘ideal balance between thoroughness and practicality’, Paksoy maintains a broad energy practice that spans the full lifecycle of major upstream, midstream and downstream projects, advising on M&A, project development, power purchase arrangements, construction and supply contracts, operation and maintenance agreements, and greenfield and brownfield investments. The team’s multidisciplinary model, combining regulatory insight with deep experience in financing and complex contract structures, positions it as a trusted advisor to sponsors, contractors, IPPs, state-owned entities, and leading engineering and technology companies. Practice head Sera Somay leads on the financing and development of large-scale energy and infrastructure projects, while Zekican Samlı provides specialist guidance on regulatory compliance, licensing, and PPP structures.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The energy team works seamlessly with the banking and finance practice at Paksoy to provide lender-friendly clear advice on regulatory aspects of energy financing transactions.'
- ‘Zekican Samli has considerable expertise in the sector and advises in a clear and focused manner. He is easy to work with and able to resolve issues.’
- ‘The firm has a deep understanding of the energy industry in Turkey, combined with a fast and efficient team. They stand out by prioritising practical advice more than complex, unnecessary legal texts. Potential clients should know their key strengths include a senior-level team that is agile, ensures a quick turnaround for foreign investors, and deeply understands local regulatory hurdles.’
- ‘Zekican delivered the ideal balance between thoroughness and practicality. Unlike lawyers who deliver overly complex and time-consuming legal advice, Zekican consistently cuts through the complexity of matters to give clear, actionable steps, avoiding unnecessary detail. He was exceptionally quick, consistently delivering before deadlines, which is invaluable as a foreign investor requiring quick decisions.’
- ‘High quality practice, very responsive and provides practical, sensible advice.'
- ‘Zekican Samli is excellent, very responsive and very practical with strong technical skills.'
Key clients
- Bank of America Europe
- ING Bank
- First Abu Dhabi Bank
- BP International
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
- Migros
- Innovalift
Work highlights
Advised BP International on the sale of its indirect stake in the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline Project (TANAP) to Apollo Global Management for approximately USD 1 billion.
Advised Bank of America, ING Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank on a USD 500 million loan to Turkey Petrol Refineries (Tüpraş).
Advised Migros on a EUR 94 million and USD 6.5 million dual-currency loan to finance the construction of solar power plants across Turkey, and the expansion and modernization of Migros’ retail work.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Sera Somay
Other key lawyers
Zekican Samlı