One of the world’s largest law firms is set to open its Turkey office June 1 to provide legal advice on international and foreign law, having obtained the necessary approval from the Istanbul Bar.
DLA Piper’s debut in the country will see the international law giant further strengthen its foothold in one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
“Turkey is an important part of the Group of 20, and it might be in the top 10 or even top five in the coming years. It fits in with our vision to be the leading global business law firm,” Sir Nigel Knowles, the joint CEO and managing partner of DLA Piper, said at a press conference Tuesday.
Local bar restrictions prohibit international firms from opening directly in Turkey, but DLA Piper has been active in the country for some time despite not having a legal presence there.
Last year, the firm hired U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Marc Grossman as a senior advisor and represented the Turkish government in lobbying against the Armenian “genocide” resolutions. DLA Piper is also a legal adviser to the Turkish Ministry of Health on the first-ever public-private healthcare partnership in the country: the 250-million-euro Kayseri Integrated Health Campus.
Earlier this year, DLA Piper formed an association with Istanbul law firm Yüksel Karkın Küçük. With DLA establishing its presence in Turkey, six Turkish partners from YKK will become members of DLA Piper with permission from the Istanbul Bar.
“Turkey is preeminent in the region, and the interest from our existing client base would be enormous,” Knowles told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
Global client base
Fifty-eight percent of DLA Piper’s client base has a presence in Turkey, including international names such as Bayer, Boeing, BP, HSBC and Pfizer.
“What is good for Turkey is that we can bring the best practices around the world to the country. We are the perfect conduit between global business and Turkish business,” Knowles said.
YKK has acted on a number of notable projects in Turkey, including working for Türk Telekom on its $1.9 billion initial public offering in 2008. YKK also represented Lukoil in its $500 million purchase of Akpet and served as counsel to Turkuaz in its $1.1 billion acquisition of media group ATV-Sabah.
Upon entering the Turkish market, DLA Piper will have 68 offices in 30 countries. The firm also penetrated the Latin America market in March through its cooperation with Brazil’s Campos Mello Advogados.
“The opening of the DLA Piper office in Turkey shows the firm’s commitment to global engagement with its clients, who require quality legal advice in all key international markets,” senior advisor Grossman said. “It is also a clear statement about the future of Turkey and its regional and international importance.”
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