Category: Turkiye

TurkNet has appointed Merve Oney Barlas as its new Chief Legal, Compliance, and Regulation Officer.

Barlas has been with TurkNet since 2023, when she joined as the company’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 1, 2023). Earlier, she was the Chief Legal Officer of DgPays between 2021 and 2023 as well as a Director of Legal Affairs and Secretary of the Board of Directors at Mapfre Genel Sigorta. Earlier still, she was an Associate with Herguner, Bilgen, Ozeke between 2014 and 2016 as well as with Dentons’ legacy firm Salans between 2008 and 2012.

“I am very excited for my new journey at TurkNet not just because I will become more familiar with all regulations but also find out more about the dynamics of our industry and our regulator,” commented Barlas. “Such an exciting challenge! Here we go!”

Originally reported by CEE In-House Matters.

Sadik & Capan has advised Cotcast on an investment round that saw the participation of DCT Trading and angel investors.

Cotcast is a Turkish AI-driven platform providing predictions for cotton contract prices in the futures market a day in advance.

The Sadik & Capan team included Managing Partners Serra Sadik Hiziroglu and Nazli Tonuk Capan, Associate Seda Koprulu, and Legal Intern Ethem Dogan.

Sadik & Capan could not provide additional information on the matter. 

Former Novo Nordisk Regional General Counsel and Vice President for legal, compliance, and quality in the Asia Pacific region Meltem Ozker Gunduz has joined GE HealthCare as its new General Counsel.

Before the move, Ozker Gunduz spent almost 15 years with Novo Nordisk, first as a Legal Affairs and Compliance Director between 2010 and 2017, then as its Regional General Counsel and Vice President for legal, compliance, and quality in the Asia, Africa, Middle East, and Oceania regions between 2017 and 2020, and finally in a similar position focusing on the Asia Pacific region between 2020 and 2024. Earlier, she worked at Herguner Bilgen Ozeke as a Lawyer between 2006 and 2010.

“I’m thrilled to join GE Healthcare as General Counsel for the Middle East, Russia, Africa, Turkey, and CIS, especially at such a transformative time for the healthcare industry,” commented Ozker Gunduz. “GE Healthcare is at the forefront of innovation, leveraging AI and precision care to improve patient outcomes and drive efficiencies in healthcare delivery. The legal and regulatory landscape in these regions is complex and rapidly evolving, and I look forward to working closely with our teams and stakeholders to navigate these challenges while ensuring compliance and enabling growth. It’s an exciting opportunity to contribute to a company that is not only making a real difference in patients’ lives but also working towards creating a world where healthcare has no limits.”

Originally reported by CEE In-House Matters.

White & Case’s Turkish affiliate law firm GKC Partners has advised Gulermak Heavy Industries Construction & Contracting on its TRY 4.845 billion IPO on Borsa Istanbul.

Gulermak is a Turkish EPC contractor.

According to GKC Partners, the IPO resulted in a 12.01% public float ratio. Gulermak shares were oversubscribed 3.2 times.

The GKC Partners team included Counsel Derin Altan and Associates Sehriban Unlu and Muhammed Asula.

CCAO, working with Linklaters, has advised J.P. Morgan Securities on a USD 400 million loan to Petkim Petrokimya Holding. Vinson & Elkins reportedly advised Petkim Petrokimya Holding.

Petkim Petrokimya Holding is a Turkish petrochemical company.

According to CCAO, the loan covered a “USD 300 million facility agreement with a maturity of 3 years at the first stage in 2023 and the amendment and restatement agreement adding USD 100 million to the existing loan in the last days of 2024, which brings the total amount to USD 400 million and extends the maturity to December 2027.”

The CCAO team included Partner Candemir Baltali, Senior Associate Onur Gorkem Koksal, and Associate Can Demirkan.

CCAO has advised Yapi Kredi, Akbank, Aktif Bank, and Alternatif Bank on a USD 95 million syndicated loan for Tekfen Holding. Tunc Firat Dereli advised Tekfen Holding.

Tekfen Holding is a Turkiye-based holding company involved in engineering and construction, textile, food processing, and other industrial sectors.

According to CCAO, Tekfen Holding borrowed USD 95 million in order to “develop its sustainable-oriented investments and support them with new financial instruments.”

The CCAO team included Partner Candemir Baltali and Associates Berfin Avag and Can Demirkan.

The Tunc Firat Dereli team included Partner Zeynel Tunc, and Associates Solen Arbak, Dilem Kabil, and Tuana Kurt.

Ozlem Gelbal Uluisik has become the new General Manager of the Legal Department at Zorlu Holding.

Headquartered in Istanbul, Zorlu Holding is a Turkish multinational conglomerate specializing in textiles, white goods, electronics manufacturing, energy, and financial services.

Gelbal Uluisik has been with Zorlu Holding since 2007, joining as a Manager and In-House Legal Counsel. In 2015, she became Zorlu Holding’s Legal Director. Earlier, she spent two years as a Manager and a Lawyer with EY between 2002 and 2004. Earlier still, she was a Senior Lawyer with Arthur Andersen between 2000 and 2002.

Originally reported by CEE In-House Matters.

Former Cakmak Attorney Partnership Partner Gokhan Okan has joined Ergun as a Partner.

According to Ergun, Okan focuses on transportation, energy and infrastructure projects, and banking & finance and project finance.

Before the move, Okan was a Partner with Cakmak Attorney Partnership between 2023 and 2024. Earlier, he spent almost 20 years with Verdi, first as a Legal Intern between 2003 and 2004, then as an Associate between 2004 and 2009, then as a Senior Associate between 2009 and 2013, and finally as a Partner between 2014 and 2023.

Paksoy has promoted former Counsel Gulce Saydam Pehlivan to Partner.

According to Paksoy, Saydam Pehlivan’s primary focus is labor and employment law, compliance and investigations, and corporate and commercial law.

She has been with the firm since 2013. Earlier, she was an Associate with DLA Piper between 2009 and 2013.

Ergun has promoted former Senior Associate Irmak Yensel Nergiz to Partner.

Yensel Nergiz’s areas of focus are banking & finance and corporate and M&A. She has been with Ergun since 2022 when she joined as a Senior Associate.

Earlier, she was an Associate with Selvi Attorney Partnership between 2017 and 2022 and an Associate with ASP between 2014 and 2017.