With ‘deep market knowledge’, the team at Paksoy is well-positioned to navigate the complexities of all phases of project financing, from due diligence to drafting and negotiating project and financing documents. Credited for forming a team of ’well-trained and enthusiastic associates who work well together to provide legal and commercial solutions’ is head Sera Somay, whose work centres on advising sponsors, lenders, and governmental bodies on PPPs, privatisations, and ECA- and DFI-backed transactions across the power, gas, mining, and construction sectors.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Sera Somay has created a team of well-trained and enthusiastic associates who work well together to provide legal and commercial solutions. Their advice is well researched and considered, and they are able to efficiently resolve complex legal issues, including where deadlines are tight.’
- ‘Sera Somay is excellent. She is hardworking and available. She has excellent insight into complex issues and is able to advise on solutions in a commercial manner.’
- ‘This firm is great because they know the Turkish energy market well and work very fast and affordably. They give clients simple, useful advice. Their partners are quick and flexible, making sure foreign investors get the information they need right away to deal with local regulations.’
- ‘What makes Paksoy unique is the ability to understand clients' needs and give business-oriented and practical solutions.’
- ‘Responsiveness and good cooperation.’
- ‘Paksoy’s team has deep market knowledge. They are responsive and have the ability to deliver pragmatic solutions under tight deadlines. They combine technical excellence with a strong commercial awareness. This makes them not only trusted legal advisers but also true business partners. Sera and her team are highly collaborative, very well organised, and always proactive in anticipating what you need. They have innovative approach even in structuring complex financings, integrating technology in workflows, or ensuring diversity of perspectives. This also differentiates them from other firms we have worked with.’
Work highlights
Advising a consortium formed by Samsung C&T and Korean sovereign wealth funds KIAMCO and KIND, on their investment in the company developing the Nakkaş-Başakşehir section of the Northern Marmara Highway Project, which attracted a total investment of EUR 1.43 billion from five project sponsors and 16 financial institutions.
Advising TÜV SÜD on the tender process for the privatisation of the construction, maintenance, and operation of vehicle inspection stations in Turkey in two regions.
Advised Bank of America Europe and ING Bank as lead mandated arrangers and First Abu Dhabi Bank as agent on a USD 500 million loan extended to Turkey Petrol Refineries (Tüpraş), a leading energy company and the largest industrial enterprise in Turkey.
Practice head
Sera Somay