Firms To Watch: Project finance/projects

Gedik & Eraksoy’s projects group sits within the overarching banking and finance department and benefits from the firm’s longstanding association with global finance heavyweight Allen & Overy.
The growing projects practice at Orak Attorneys at Law utilises its strength in energy and mining law to focus on projects relating to those spheres.
Due to practice lead Özgün Özok's specialism in banking and finance, Özok Law Firm's projects work focuses on financial matters, advising clients in sectors including energy, transport and healthcare on project finance structuring.
Pekin Bayar Mizrahi's 2021 alliance with Norton Rose Fulbright allows the firm to take on international projects work, with the firm advising on energy and infrastructure matters.
TOCC Attorney Partnership acted for the lenders on several windfarm projects over the past year. The group also counts energy, infrastructure and construction companies among its clients.

Project finance/projects in Turkey

Bezen & Partners

Among the standout financing firms’, Bezen & Partners is a popular choice for multilateral development banks, with the EBRD and Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank among its representative clients. The group also acts for project owners and borrowers, with strong recent experience in the energy and natural resources, infrastructure and real estate spheres. UK-qualified founding partner Yeşim Bezen is recognised for her expertise in banking, structured finance and project finance transactions and co-heads the department alongside fellow transactional specialist Banu Bölükemini. Aykut Bakırcı spearheads the regulatory side of the practice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Yeşim Bezen; Banu Bölükemini


Autres avocats clés:

Aykut Bakırcı; Elvin Erbilgin


Les références

‘One of a handful of excellent domestic Turkish firms and among the standout financing firms, while remaining competitively priced.’

‘The team is responsive, capable and understands the importance of value for money.’

‘Banu Bölükemini and associate Elvin Erbilgin are very competent.’

Principaux clients

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development


Akfen Holding


Meridiam


Rönesans Holding


Hitachi Zosen Inova


PNE Wind, and its subsidiaries


Absa Bank Tanzania


Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank


Akfen Gayrimenkul Yatırım Ortaklığı


Eren Holding


Modern Karton Sanayi ve Ticaret


Medcem Madencilik Yapı Malzemeleri Sanayi ve Ticaret


PNC Bank


Pronet Güvenlik Hizmetleri


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Modern Karton on a Hermes- and Sinosure-covered €350m financing from ING and DZ Bank for the supply of goods and services from China and Germany regarding a paper mill construction project in Turkey.
  • Advised Akfen Holding on various financings executed by various affiliates for hotel investments in Turkey, Northern Cyprus and the CIS.
  • Advised the EBRD on a project financing for Turkish food company Yayla Agro.

Çakmak Attorney Partnership

Highlighted for its ‘exceptional expertise and experience in projects’, Çakmak Attorney Partnership is widely revered as a force in the market. Equally adept at representing lenders and sponsors, the group packs a punch across the full projects life cycle, from development and construction, through to financing and dispute resolution. Mesut Çakmak is a go-to expert for large-scale projects and co-heads the group together with energy and infrastructure specialists Mustafa Durakoğlu and Zeynep Çakmak. The deep bench also draws on Gökhan Okan, who joined in February 2023 from Verdi Hukuk Bürosu, next-generation partner Ayşe Eda Biçer Özen, and associate Nazli Başak Ayık.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mesut Çakmak; Zeynep Çakmak; Mustafa Durakoğlu


Autres avocats clés:

Gökhan Okan; Ayşe Eda Biçer Özen; Nazlı Başak Ayık


Les références

‘Exceptional expertise and experience in projects and project finance work, particularly PPP/BOT projects. It advises on the full project cycle, including development, financing, construction, operation and disputes. Lawyers are commercial, punctual, detail-oriented and easy to work with.’

‘Mustafa Durakoğlu is very experienced in complex projects, including negotiations with governmental entities, and has substantial experience in development, financing, construction and operation matters. He is responsive, punctual and provides sound legal advice. We find it easy to work with him.’

‘Associate Selin Erten Yaşar is easy to reach and helpful whenever needed.’

Principaux clients

ERG Group


Ceska Exportni Banka


Rönesans Holding


Rönesans and Sonatrach Joint Venture


Garanti BBVA and Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB)


Çelikler Holding


Gama Holding and Türkerler


Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Siemens Bank and Banca IMI


International Finance Corporation


Landesbank Baden-Württemberg and KfW IPEX-Bank


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Gama Holding and Türkerler, as the sponsors, on the restructuring of the existing loan facilities extended for the construction and operation of the 2,060-bed İzmir Bayraklı and 1,180-bed Kocaeli Integrated Health Campus projects, tendered out by the Ministry of Health on a PPP basis.
  • Advising a joint venture of Rönesans and Sonatrach on a petrochemical project in Adana, Turkey.
  • Advising ERG, a Turkish conglomerate, on the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the Ankara-Niğde Motorway Project.

CIFTCI Attorney Partnership in association with Clifford Chance

CIFTCI Attorney Partnership in association with Clifford Chance houses a dominant projects group, which routinely advises on sophisticated, often cross-border, projects in the infrastructure, healthcare, and energy and natural resources spheres. Particularly acclaimed for its finance prowess, the group additionally represents an impressive roster of government bodies, sponsors, investors and others on project development, secondary market transactions, and energy trading matters. Next-generation partner Sait Eryılmaz ‘effectively finds solutions’ and heads a group that also includes talented counsel Gökçe Uzun. Also providing support are associates Başar Kırka, Ali Can Altıparmak and Pelinsu Demircan.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sait Eryılmaz


Autres avocats clés:

Gökçe Uzun; Başar Kırka; Ali Can Altıparmak; Pelinsu Demircan; Sida Özler


Les références

‘We worked with the team on structured facilities as sponsor/borrower counsel. The team has been very helpful in getting the workstreams moving, with rapid response times, and thorough support on side-matters arising from the market. Billing and cost-management was transparent and reasonable.’

‘The team led by Sait Eryılmaz, which included Başar Kırka and associate Pelinsu Demircan, provided hands-on advice, always within reach for any ad-hoc support needed. Team expertise in benchmark examples and knowledge of LMA standards supported the successful closing.’

‘The team is very professional, dedicated, client-oriented, open to communication and accessible at any time.’

Principaux clients

UKEF


TAV Havalimanları Holding


Rönesans Holding


Barclays


Credit Suisse


Standard Chartered Bank


Leading Turkish banks: Ziraat Bank, Akbank, Yapı Kredi, İşbank, Garanti BBVA, Türkiye Sınai Kalkınma Bankası, Denizbank, QNB Finansbank, Türkiye Kalkınma ve Yatırım Bankası


FMO


TAV Tunisie


EBRD


IFC


Actis


Invest International


Arçelik


TurkExim Bank (Türkiye’s official export credit agency)


SOCAR


KfW IPEX-Bank


Emirates NBD


Export Development Canada (EDC)


Citibank


Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services


AIIB


China Development Bank (CDB)


Türkiye Wealth Fund


ICBC


Uludag Energy


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising JP Morgan and the lenders on the ECA-backed financing of the Mersin-Adana-Osmaniye-Gaziantep high-speed rail project.
  • Advising the joint venture of airport operators TAV Havalimanları Holding and Fraport Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide on project development, structuring, EPC and O&M aspects, and a €1.2bn bridge financing, regarding the renewal of operational rights for Antalya Airport in Turkey.
  • Advising Ziraat Bank, Akbank, Yapı Kredi and İşbank on the secured syndicated financing of the Aydın-Denizli Motorway Project.

Hergüner Bilgen Üçer Attorney Partnership

Noted for its illustrious record in large-scale projects, Hergüner Bilgen Üçer Attorney Partnership has a hand in many of the country’s most high-profile matters. Most notably, firm co-founder Ümit Hergüner is leading the projects advice to South Stream Transport on the region-shaping TurkStream pipeline, which will connect Russian natural gas reserves to Turkey and to Europe. Other key names include managing partner Senem Denktaş, who specialises in PPPs; transactional banking and finance head Piraye Kuranel Başol; and projects and infrastructure partner Aslı Budak. Finance-focused senior associate Sertaç Coşgun recently joined from Güner Law Office.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ümit Hergüner; Senem Denktaş; Piraye Kuranel Başol; Aslı Budak


Autres avocats clés:

Sertaç Coşgun


Les références

‘The team is highly capable and dedicated to the projects.’

‘Individuals are expert in their fields and most of the time their dedication creates effective results.’

Principaux clients

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality


South Stream Transport


EBRD


Dubai Port World


Fraport TAV Antalya Terminal İşletmeciliği Anonim Şirketi


Export Development Canada


U.S. International Development Finance Corporation


IFC


EIB


K-Exim


K-Sure


BSTDB


DEG


İş Bankası


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing South Stream Transport in the TurkStream pipeline project, which is a major regional energy infrastructure project that connects Russian natural gas reserves to Turkey and to Europe.
  • Representing EBRD, IFC, BSTDB, DEG and a group of commercial banks, as the project lenders, on the Ankara Etlik project, involving the construction and operation of an integrated health campus in the Etlik region of Ankara.
  • Advising DP World Yarımca, as the owner, on every phase of the construction of a new container port in Yarımca.

ASC Law Office

Swift, responsive and easily accessible’, ASC Law Office’s project finance and infrastructure investments group specialises in representing debtors, sponsors and lenders across all core energy and infrastructure sectors. The team’s robust position in the area was recently evidenced by its takeover of Istanbul Grand Airport’s entire legal portfolio. Co-founding partner Okan Beygo steers the practice with strong support from increasingly prominent banking and finance specialist Levent Yetkil and finance partner Fulya Sert Topçu.

Responsables de la pratique:

Okan Beygo; Levent Yetkil


Autres avocats clés:

Fulya Sert Topçu; Merve Mert


Les références

‘ASC stands out for its prompt, responsive, and accessible services, providing tailored solutions aligned with clients’ commercial interests. Our experience with ASC’s services has been extraordinarily satisfactory in banking finance, project finance, energy, and more in Turkey.’

‘ASC’s core competencies are backed with its team’s specialisation in banking and finance with a best-in-class offering of unique insights and solutions. ASC handles complex legal challenges quite successfully as they are adaptive to changing legal landscapes.’

‘Our collaboration with ASC has been with Levent Yetkil and Fulya Sert Topçu. They both stand out for their robust experience, quick feedback, and strong negotiation and legal drafting skills. ASC is exceptionally dedicated to providing advice with a problem-solving mindset at any time of the project.’

Principaux clients

T.C. Ziraat Bankası


Türkiye Sınai Kalkınma Bankası


İGA Havalimanı İşletmesi


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising İGA Havalimanı İşletmesi on various matters, including issues related to the airport’s €5.6bn facility agreement.
  • Advising a Turkish bank on securing an additional €33.5m financing for an airport project in Mersin, which follows a build-operate-transfer model with a complex concession agreement.
  • Advising a prominent German bank on an ECA finance facility transaction in the wind power industry, valued at approximately €17m, for the construction of a wind power plant in Turkey.

Ergün Avukatlik Bürosu

Founded in 2016, Ergün Avukatlik Bürosu has quickly established itself as a key player in the field on the back of its ‘extensive knowledge of the project finance market in Turkey’. Distinguished by its close relationships with a broad range of lenders, government entities, project companies and investors, the group contributes particularly strong experience in the energy, transportation and healthcare spheres. Çağdaş Evrim Ergün is widely regarded as a leader for projects and PPP work and co-heads the practice alongside managing partner Burcu Baltacıoğlu.

Responsables de la pratique:

Çağdaş Evrim Ergün; Burcu Baltacıoğlu


Autres avocats clés:

Tuğba Aksoy Bozkurt


Les références

‘The firm and its lawyers are super responsive. Its advice is always spot on and lawyers have a clear knowledge of the Turkish market. The team always comes up with pragmatic and deal-oriented advice that helps solve any potential issue.’

‘The team is exceptional. Çağdaş Evrim Ergün knows the market very well. Partner Burcu Baltacıoğlu and senior associate Tuğba Aksoy Bozkurt are also key players within the team.’

‘Çağdaş Evrim Ergün is head and shoulders ahead of other advisers in the project field. He is calm, clear in his advice, and a joy to work with. I would rate him as the best adviser on PPP projects and related documentation in Türkiye.’

Principaux clients

Bankinter


CaixaBank


JPMorgan Chase Bank


UBS Switzerland


Bpifrance


Türkiye İş Bankası


Türkiye Sınai Kalkınma Bankası


Türkiye Kalkınma ve Yatırım Bankası


ISS Tesis Yönetim Hizmetleri


Dumlupınar Sağlık Hizmetleri


Güriş Holding


Güriş İnşaat ve Mühendislik


ADN PPP Sağlık Yatırım


BRS Sağlık Yatırım


Elz Sağlık Yatırım


YZG Sağlık Yatırım


Gaziantep Hastane Sağlık Hizmetleri İşletme Yatırım


QNB Finansbank


T.C. Ziraat Bankası


Türkiye Halk Bankası


Türkiye Vakıflar Bankası TAO


Meridiam Eurasia


GZT Healthcare Investment (which is a subsidiary of Rönesans Sağlık Yatırım)


Fernas Otoyol İşletmesi


Fernas İnşaat


Nakkaş Otoyol ve Yatırım İşletme


RNS PPP Altyapı Ticaret


Meridiam


Japan Bank for International Cooperation


Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation


MUFG Bank


Standard Chartered Bank


The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company


Iyo Bank


Shinkin Central Bank


Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation Climate Change


Turkish Environment Agency


The Economic Cooperation Organization Trade and Development Bank


Credit Suisse


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the project company (Gaziantep Hastane Sağlık Hizmetleri İşletme Yatırım) and the sponsors (Meridiam Eurasia and GZT Healthcare Investment) on the successful financial restructuring of the Gaziantep Health Campus public-private partnership (PPP) project.
  • Acted as Turkish law counsel to the lenders (Bankinter, CaixaBank, JPMorgan Chase Bank and UBS Switzerland) on financing the construction of a petrochemical plant for the production of purified terephthalic acid in Adana, Turkey.
  • Advised the sponsors (Güriş Holding and Güriş İnşaat ve Mühendislik) and the borrower (Dumlupınar Sağlık Hizmetleri) on the financing of the Kütahya City Hospital PPP.

Esin Attorney Partnership, a Member Firm of Baker McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein

As evidenced by its multinational client list, Esin Attorney Partnership, a Member Firm of Baker McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein’s team forms a key part of the wider firm’s global projects offering. The group acts for an array of domestic and international lenders and energy, mining and infrastructure companies on the full scope of related work, including project development, financing and operational matters. Newly promoted partner Nigar Gökmen heads the projects practice, while Muhsin Keskin spearheads the overarching banking and finance department. Finance specialist Simon Morgan recently relocated from Baker McKenzie‘s Moscow office.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nigar Gökmen; Muhsin Keskin; Simon Morgan


Les références

‘Each member of the Esin team has a strong educational background and is specialised in their field, with up-to-date experience. Yet, lawyers proactively engage other team members with different specialisations that they feel will contribute to the service provided.’

‘Esin’s international reach is highly extensive and involves competent external lawyers and consultants whenever required. Esin’s team displays strong interpersonal skills and their overall leadership in any undertaking is exemplary.’

‘Nigar Gökmen has a very strong background in construction and infrastructure deals as well as disputes which helps her to understand our needs and guide us accordingly based on her extensive experience in any suggested course of action.’

Principaux clients

SACE (Italian Export Credit Agency)


Euler Hermes


UK Export Finance


Enerjisa Enerji Üretim


Ferrovial Aeropuertos España


OYAK (Turkish Military Pension Fund)


Erdemir Madencilik


Ataer Holding


Proparco


Standard Chartered Bank


ING Bank


Intesa Sanpaolo


Yapı ve Kredi Bankası


Türkiye Sinai Kalkınma Bankası


Türkiye İş Bankası


Agence Française de Développement (AFD)


Anagold


Socar Türkiye


RWE & Turcas Guney Elektrik Üretim


Alacer Gold


IC Ictas Insaat Sanayi ve Ticaret


Çalık Enerji


YDA Havalimanı Yatırım ve İşletme Anonim Şirketi


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised three Turkish construction companies on their projected investment in Africa as the EPC contractor of the Kampala-Jinja Expressway tendered out by the Uganda National Roads Authority.
  • Advised YDA Havalimanı Yatırım ve İşletme Anonim Şirketi on the construction and operation of licence-exempt energy generation facilities, including EPC contracts, and operation and maintenance contracts.
  • Advised Türkiye Petrolleri on a $368.8m Eksportfinansiering Norge/ECA-backed term loan facility provided by Citibank to finance the development of Phase I of the Sakarya Gas Field Development project.

GKC Partners (in professional association with White & Case)

GKC Partners (in professional association with White & Case)’s projects group impresses sources with its ability to provide ‘great commercial contributions’. Striking a balance between lender and sponsor-side mandates, the team’s recent experience spans the transportation, healthcare, and energy and natural resources sectors. Managing partner Güniz Gökçe anchors the practice and is noted for her particular expertise in cross-border financings. The group also includes up-and-coming projects specialist Ateş Turnaoğlu, banking and finance partner Gökçe Uluç and senior associate Baran Abur.

Responsables de la pratique:

Güniz Gökçe; Ateş Turnaoğlu


Autres avocats clés:

Gökçe Uluç; Baran Abur; Aybike İplikçi; Kaan Alkan


Les références

‘The team is comprised of very experienced and dedicated individuals. Lawyers are easy to reach and very very punctual, even for complex issues. With its experience in many other transactions, the team not only provides legal assistance to the projects but also makes great commercial contributions.’

‘All of the members of the team are excellent. Very experienced, easy to communicate with, dedicated and oriented towards problem-solving.’

‘GKC Partners can cover both international and local counsel roles in a single project, which makes the process smooth and efficient for clients and shortens delivery time in most cases. It has the capability to address the needs of many clients in a single deal and prepares exceptional-quality work.’

Principaux clients

SASA Polyester Sanayi


Güriş İnşaat


Enerjisa Enerji Üretim


Deutsche Bank


Akbank TAŞ


T.C. Ziraat Bankası


IFC


EBRD


AIIB


Borusan EnBW Enerji Yatırımları ve Üretim


Türkiye Sınai Kalkınma Bankası (TSKB)


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Enerjisa Üretim on the $102m Export Credit Agency-backed commercial green financing provided by HSBC Group for the development of the Erciyes wind power plant and solar hybrid power plants.
  • Advised SASA Polyester on a €583m CESCE-supported facility provided by a consortium of lenders, led by JP Morgan, for the financing of a petrochemical plant in Adana, Turkey.
  • Represented Güriş İnşaat on the development of the Kütahya Hospital PPP, where financing was provided by ICBC, IŞ Bank, TSKB and Ziraat Bank.

KILINÇ LAW & CONSULTING

KILINÇ LAW & CONSULTING houses a broad projects and infrastructure practice that covers a wide mix of energy law, project finance, capital markets and M&A-related matters. The three-partner group is particularly noted for its close relationship with Arz Venture Capital Investment Fund, for which it has undertaken several projects over the past year. Key contacts include founding partner Levent Lezgin Kılınç; M&A and projects head Seray Özsoy Yavuz; maritime specialist Duygu Doğan Şahiner; and senior associate Gülenay Çapkınoğlu Kavcar.

Responsables de la pratique:

Levent Lezgin Kılınç; Seray Özsoy Yavuz; Duygu Doğan Şahiner; Gülenay Çapkınoğlu Kavcar


Les références

‘The team is unique, well-experienced, very responsive and dynamic. Lawyers have deep understanding of the local legal system and international best practices and are up-to-date on emerging matters and new techniques in legal practice, which provides for comprehensive and effective legal solutions.’

‘The team’s dynamic approach enables it to adapt quickly to evolving legal landscapes, delivering innovative strategies that meet the unique needs of each client.’

‘The firm has a very distinguished partner, Levent Lezgin Kılınç, which whom I collaborated on multiple international projects that required profound legal experience in navigating long-term financing models, oil and gas regulations, and the adoption of worldwide best practices for PPPs, which he possessed.’

Principaux clients

SOCAR Group Companies (SOCAR Turkey Enerji & SOCAR Turkey Petrol Ticaret & SCR Müşavirlik ve İnşaat Anonim Şirketi)


PETKİM Petrokimya Holding


TANAP (Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline)


STAR Rafineri


Arz Venture Capital Investment Fund


Kızılay Holding and its Venture Capital Investment Fund


RMA Group


Mersin International Port (MIP)


PSA International/Global PSA


Doka Kalıp-İskele Sanayi ve Ticaret


Pasha Holding LLC


GMM INVEST


ÖzmenYalçin

The increasingly prominent team at ÖzmenYalçin has made significant inroads into the market since its establishment in March 2022. Acting for a mix of financial institutions and borrowers on project finance matters, the group has notched up a particularly strong run of involvement in energy projects. The team is led jointly by Ömer Gökhan Özmen, who specialises in banking, finance and corporate work, and Güneş Yalçın, who has an emphasis on banking, finance and capital markets law. Next-generation partner Damla Keskin Şerbetcioğlu is also recommended.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ömer Gökhan Özmen; Güneş Yalçın


Autres avocats clés:

Damla Keskin Şerbetcioğlu; Utku Aydın


Les références

‘ÖzmenYalçın is remarkably good at being client-oriented. From a glimpse of a situation, lawyers can easily detect what a client needs to do. Whenever our company needed the team, it was accessible. The team always maintains a good attitude, and this reflects on its approach to negotiations.’ 

‘The team’s billing policy is super-transparent and very easy to understand, there has not been an issue about any expense or billed time. We have not faced anything we have not expected. The diversity among the team is very deep and luckily, it helps you to communicate with the team.’

‘We worked with Güneş Yalçın and Utku Aydın. They offer unique expertise in each area. We did not face any problem in terms of legal knowledge. Also, we were satisfied with their soft skills which play a key role during projects. Güneş Yalçın did an amazing job when negotiations stuck between parties.’

Principaux clients

Adnan Polat Enerji Yatırımı


Türkiye Sınai Kalkınma Bankası


Yapı ve Kredi Bankası


T. Halk Bankası


T. İş Bankası


Denizbank


T. Garanti Bankası


T. Vakıflar Bankası TAO


T.C. Ziraat Bankası


Odeabank


Biotrend Çevre ve Enerji Yatırımları


Kıvanç Tekstil


Bali Rüzgar


Knot Enerji Elektrik Üretim


Galatasaray Spor Kulübü


Bay Temiz Enerji Elektrik Üretim


Karayel Elektrik Üretim


Simay Elektrik Üretim


Yıldırım Holding


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Adnan Polat Enerji Yatırımı as borrower on a refinancing by a syndication of banks of project financings of four SPVs of Polat Enerji.
  • Advising Biotrend Çevre ve Enerji Yatırımları on project agreements with UOP, including a process licence agreement, and a major equipment supply agreement for its planned waste plastics recycling facility, among other issues.
  • Advising Türkiye Sınai Kalkınma Bankası on a €50m project financing provided to support the capacity increase of Kartal WPP.

Paksoy

Lawyers at Paksoy strike the right note with their ‘excellent industry knowledge’. The team is well-equipped to handle energy and natural resources work, while it also advises on infrastructure-related matters, including airports, roads and healthcare projects. Sera Somay brings to bear extensive expertise in banking and finance, projects, and energy and natural resources – she notably heads all three practices. Counsel Zekican Samlı, who specialises in energy, infrastructure, PPPs and construction, provides support.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sera Somay


Autres avocats clés:

Zekican Samlı; Bülent Öztürk


Les références

‘Paksoy’s easy-to-contact way of working and close advisory manner helped, and keeps helping, us in various challenges.’

‘Associates Zekican Samlı and Bülent Öztürk, along with partner Sera Somay, have continuously been available to various internal stakeholders of our company. The team provided us with useful insights due to their expertise of the local regulations, while also advising us as to international lawyers.’

‘Capable team including lawyers who are highly knowledgeable about project finance.’

Principaux clients

Alcazar Energy


Borusan Machinery and Power Systems


China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure)


European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)


HSBC


ING Bank


Lidya Madencilik


Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki‘s projects practice leverages the wider firm’s top-tier banking and finance offering to specialise in representing lenders in project finance matters – though it also acts for borrowers. A trio of lawyers jointly steer the practice: Barlas Balcioğlu, who anchors the real estate, energy, and banking and finance teams; Günhan Yalçın, who specialises in debt finance; and Burcu Boso, who handles project finance, acquisition finance and ship finance, among other areas. Counsel Ceyda Aydın and senior associate Ceren Akkur Bayram provide support.

Responsables de la pratique:

Barlas Balcıoğlu; Günhan Yalçın; Burcu Boso


Autres avocats clés:

Ceyda Aydın; Ceren Akkur Bayram.


Les références

‘The team is very knowledgeable, hard-working and hands-on. In particular, Burcu Boso and Doğan Eymirlioğlu are very knowledgeable, accessible, hard-working and hands-on.’

Principaux clients

Marport Liman İşletmeleri Sanayi ve Ticaret


Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden (FMO)


Sunrise Foods International Inc.


Tiryaki Agro Gıda ve Sanayi Ticaret


Tiryaki Holding


MUFG Bank


Bank of America Europe


Mizuho Bank


Emirates NBD Capital


UniCredit


Yapı ve Kredi Bankası


Oesterreichische Entwicklungsbank


Aareal Bank


ODDO BHF


Black Sea Trade and Development Bank


Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB)


Göltaş Enerji Elektrik Üretim


HSBC Bank Middle East


HSBC Bank


Bank of China Turkey


ING Bank


Hedef Araç Kiralama ve Servis


Akfen Holding


Akfen Yenilenebilir Enerji


Test Taşıt Muayene İstasyonları Yapım ve İşletim


Boden Law

An energy powerhouse, Boden Law is noted for its track record in projects within the power, oil and gas, and mining and minerals spheres. The group predominantly acts for energy and construction companies, with significant experience in cross-border projects. The practice is co-led by energy and arbitration specialist Değer Boden; technology and arbitration partner Sinem Mermer; and İnanç Akalın, who focuses on real estate.

Responsables de la pratique:

Değer Boden; Sinem Mermer; İnanç Akalın


Les références

‘The team is very capable and experienced in energy EPC projects. ’

‘Partners are always hands-on in projects which differs them from other law firms. They always attend meetings and share fruitful opinions. They insist on the right legal approach and have good negotiating skills with the opposite party.’

Principaux clients

Aksa Doğalgaz (Aksa Naturelgas)


Talesun Solar Switzerland


Sanko


Gildemeister Energy Solutions


Borusan


Steag


Aksa Enerji


Kolin


Engie


Gunvor


Aalborg CSP


Hitachi Energy Turkey Elektrik Sanayi Anonim Şirketi (Hitachi Energy)


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised a European energy trader on fuel purchase financing transactions, and security packages on floating fuel to be stored in two different storage facilities in Turkey, worth $225m and $80m respectively.
  • Advised a China-based solar panel manufacturer on its exit from a solar power investment in Turkey, including all transaction agreements, with an investment value of $64m.
  • Advised a Turkish client on its EPC contract and financing regarding a natural gas fired power plant in Uzbekistan.

DURUKAN+PARTNERS

Drawing on its banking, real estate and corporate teams, DURUKAN+PARTNERS’ projects group demonstrates a recent focus on hotel development. It also contributes experience in energy and infrastructure-related matters. Corporate and finance partner Begüm Durukan Özaydin co-heads the department together with Hikmet Fadillioğlu, whose broad practice encompasses corporate transactions and real estate law.

Responsables de la pratique:

Begüm Durukan Özaydın; Hikmet Fadıllıoğlu


Principaux clients

China Development Bank


Emaar Libadiye, Emaar Properties


Ansaldo Energia


Apple


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Ansaldo Energia as shareholder in connection with the default under the financing documents of Yeni Elektrik, the operator of the 865MW gas-fired combined cycle power plant in Gebze.
  • Advised Emaar in connection with the project financing and refinancings of the Emaar Square Project in Istanbul.
  • Advised Sovcombank on a $600m financing to Akkuyu Nuclear Power Project and its proposed partial assignment to another bank; the assignment was suspended upon the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Erdem & Erdem Law Office

Erdem & Erdem Law Office’s projects team enjoys a close relationship with glass producer Türkiye Şişe ve Cam Fabrikaları, but also brings experience in representing credit providers, joint venture partners and contractors on projects-related matters. Firm founder Ercüment Erdem jointly steers the practice alongside corporate and finance partner Ozgur Kocabasoglu. Managing associate Didem Adlığ provides support.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ercüment Erdem; Özgür Kocabaşoğlu


Principaux clients

Türkiye Şişe ve Cam Fabrikaları


Yılport Holding


Gen Temizer Ozer

At Kinstellar affiliate firm Gen Temizer Ozer, department co-head Edmund Emre Özer is held up by sources as ‘a key asset for international projects’. A UK-qualified lawyer, Özer brings to bear significant cross-border expertise gained during stints at UK and US firms. Ömer Erdoğan co-heads the practice and is noted for his broad projects and finance experience, which spans matters in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors.

Responsables de la pratique:

Edmund Emre Özer; Ömer Erdoğan


Autres avocats clés:

Baran Gen


Les références

‘Gen Temizer Özer has an excellent cross-border practice with strong capability to oversee complex project finance projects and other projects for our group.’

‘Edmund Emre Özer has acted as our trusted counsel over many years. He is an excellent counsel with a UK background. He has top-tier drafting and negotiation skills which is a key asset for international projects.’

‘Our key contact, managing partner Edmund Emre Özer, is well versed in both English and Turkish law. Together with his knowledge regarding the industry sector, he and his firm is our go-to firm regarding complex situations.’

Principaux clients

Commerzbank


Egis Tunnel Management


Erciyas Celik Boru Sanayi


Herbert Smith Freehills


Partners for Growth


RMA Automotive and RMA Group


SK Innovations


Veolia Environement


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Commerzbank in two financings for wind turbines, provided to Esyel Global Energy and Atakaleres Electrics respectively.
  • Advised SK Innovations on its investment in a greenfield joint venture with Ford Europe and Koc Holding for the development and operation of a significant electric car battery plant in Turkey.
  • Acted as Turkish law counsel to Egis regarding the operation and maintenance of the Eurasia Bosphorus Tunnel Crossing Project, as well as advising on the impact of amendments made to the O&M agreement over the existing financing conditions of the project.

Goksu Safi Isik Attorney Partnership

Goksu Safi Isik Attorney Partnership is primarily active in representing sponsors and project companies on projects-related work, including bond offerings and finance transactions. Fatma Gozde Kardes is well versed across a range of project development, project financing, banking and capital markets matters. Kardes co-heads the group together with commercial, corporate and structured finance partner Ali Sefa Turkmen, who has a focus on energy and emerging markets.

Responsables de la pratique:

Fatma Gozde Kardes; Ali Sefa Türkmen


Les références

‘The firm is amazing and covers all types of business. Lawyers are all amazing.’

Principaux clients

OYAK


Radiks


SASA Polyster


JPM


Erdemoğlu Holding


Merinos


Dinarsu


Pak Yatırım


Astay Gayrımenkul


MNG Airlines


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised SASA Polyster Sanayi on its petrochemical investment and plant in Yumurtalık.
  • Advised Radiks on gold trading and investment services.

Kolcuoglu Demirkan Koçakli

Construction-related matters feature among Kolcuoglu Demirkan Koçakli’s recent work, with the team also offering experience in advising energy and infrastructure companies on public procurement, project finance and administrative law issues. Okan Demirkan co-heads the energy and infrastructure group, as well as leading the dispute resolution team, and has a significant regulatory dimension to his practice. The department also draws on energy and infrastructure co-head Melis Öget Koç, real estate partner Serhan Koçaklı and managing partner Umut Kolcuoğlu.

Responsables de la pratique:

Umut Kolcuoğlu; Okan Demirkan


Autres avocats clés:

Melis Öget Koç; Serhan Koçaklı


Principaux clients

Qterminals


TDC Parsons Peebles


TPI Composites


Boston Consulting Group


Bozzetto Group


Alsim Alarko


Huntsman


Samsung C&T


Ema Kimya


Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG)


DM İnşaat


IHI Corporation


Mitsubishi Heavy Industries


Yu Group


Folkart


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised QTerminals on the extension of Port Akdeniz’s privatisation agreement’s term for an additional 19 years.
  • Advised TPI Composites on its renewable energy investments, composed of two wind energy facilities with an investment value of approximately €15m.
  • Advised Boston Consulting Group on the drafting of a FIDIC Green Book short form of contract for the construction works in its headquarters, with an investment value of $1.2m.

Lexist Law Firm

Regulatory stalwart Lexist Law Firm specialises in advising on projects involving highly regulated industries, including energy, transport and healthcare. The group is also active in privatisation transactions, where it is currently advising the Turkish Privatisation Administration on the privatisation of three port assets. Murat Erbilen spearheads a group that includes co-founding partner Eyüp Kul, as well as Mesut Kaya, who focuses on energy, PPPs and privatisation work.

Responsables de la pratique:

Murat Erbilen


Autres avocats clés:

Eyüp Kul; Mesut Kaya


Les références

‘The Lexist team is very professional and handles all our legal work. I like its flexibility and wide range of experience and knowledge. We are working with the team on many high-profile projects in Turkey and in Europe.’

‘Eyüp Kul is our main lawyer. He is always available for us and he is a natural negotiator. Partner Murat Erbilen is very good too and extremely patient.’

‘One of the best teams we have worked with: it sees the bigger picture, understands the commercial pressures, and is mindful of our budget. We work with it on a complex project involving multiple parties entering/exiting the deals, sector-specific regulatory hurdles and extensive project restructuring.’

Principaux clients

Directorate of privatisation Administration


TVF İFM Gayrimenkul İnşaat ve Yönetim A.Ş. (a subsidiary of the Turkish Wealth Fund)


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising TVF İFM Gayrimenkul İnşaat ve Yönetim Anonim Şirketi on the development of the Istanbul Financial Centre, a project to create a financial hub for the region.
  • Advising the Turkish Privatisation Administration on the privatisation of three port assets.

Tunc Firat Dereli Attorney Partnership

Over the past year, Tunc Firat Dereli Attorney Partnership advised a range of mining and energy companies, contractors and lenders on project financing transactions. Alongside its activity in traditional energy and infrastructure financings, the group also stands out for its experience in Islamic financing structures. Zeynel Tunç focuses on energy, infrastructure, mining and construction-related work and co-heads the department alongside energy and finance partner Nazlı Dereli Oba. Bengü Coşkun is also noted.

Responsables de la pratique:

Zeynel Tunç; Nazlı Dereli Oba


Autres avocats clés:

Bengü Coşkun


Principaux clients

Karadeniz Holding


Akfen Holding


Akfen Renewables


Acacia Mining


T.C. Vakıflar Bank


Alba Mühendislik Müşavirlik İnşaat


Albioma Geothermal


Gümüşköy Geothermal


Albioma S.A.


TWL Holding


Çalık Energy


Tekfen Construction


Power Europe


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising BAK Enerji Üretimi on its additional $30.4m project financing, provided by Garanti Bank, to support its wind power capacity extension and conversion into a hybrid (solar-wind) power plant.
  • Advising Acacia Mining Operations on the restructuring of a $120m senior facility provided by a syndication of banks.
  • Advising the Polish subsidiary of Gülermak Heavy Industries on Turkish law matters in relation to a loan extended by a syndicate of banks (including Bank Polska Kasa Opieki, EIB and EBRD) for the construction of the Krakow Tramway Line Phase IV in Poland.

Yazici Attorney Partnership

Yazici Attorney Partnership had a hand in several major projects during 2022/23, including advising on complex nuclear and mining matters. Equally equipped to represent lenders and borrowers, the group is additionally distinguished by its international expertise. The department is led jointly by Ankara-based energy and natural resources specialist Kerem Arıç, who is dual-qualified in Turkey and Switzerland, and Istanbul-based Ayşe Yazıcı Adanır, who is dual-qualified in Turkey and New York. Ankara-based construction partner Ceren Ak Güngör is also recommended.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kerem Arıç; Ayşe Yazıcı Adanır


Autres avocats clés:

Ceren Ak Güngör; Murat Yazıcı


Les références

‘Services provided by Yazıcı Attorney Partnership were good and fit for the purpose. Its way of structuring legal opinions is reader-friendly.’

‘Partner Kerem Arıç understands the needs of our company and does his best to reach the most favourable outcome with a result-oriented approach.’

Principaux clients

Aldridge Mineral Madencilik Anonim Şirketi


Akkuyu Nükleer Anonim Şirketi


BNP Paribas SA and ING European Financial Services


Ermas Marble- Coante Quartz Surfaces


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Akkuyu Nükleer Anonim Şirketi on financing and corporate governance matters, especially in the context of loan agreements, currency control and capital movement legislation.
  • Advising SOCAR-AQS Sondaj Mühendislik Sanayi ve Ticaret on a subcontract for a major industrial construction project.