Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP is pleased to announce that, subject to regulatory approval by the Istanbul Bar Association, the firm intends to open an office in Istanbul and to operate in an exclusive association with the Ismen law firm, a leading boutique M&A and private equity law firm based in Istanbul, Turkey. Edwards Wildman will work closely with Ismen in advising a broad range of clients on cross-border private equity and corporate-backed M&A transactions throughout the Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Northern Africa (CEEMENA) region and other emerging markets.
“Istanbul has become a hub for sophisticated M&A and private equity activity as multinational companies and private equity firms are attracted to the increasingly active CEEMENA region,” said Ted Cominos, a partner in Edwards Wildman’s globally recognized Private Equity practice group. “We are excited to partner with the Ismen law firm to tap into this dynamic market.”
Edwards Wildman’s lawyers have significant long term international commercial experience and firsthand knowledge of the CEEMENA region’s transactional landscape and business practices. A number of the firm’s private equity and corporate attorneys have lived and worked in the region, establishing significant personal and professional ties which provide them with a unique perspective on how to best assist clients. Edwards Wildman’s global clients include private equity funds, investment banks, public and private companies and enterprises of all sizes, with needs for services in broad cross-border practice areas, including M&A, capital markets, debt financings, reorganizations and restructurings, intellectual property creation and commercialization, joint ventures and many other business transactions.
Founded in 2004, the Ismen law firm focuses on all types of M&A transactions, including privatizations and private equity investments. Ismen is also experienced in complementary practice areas, such as corporate and commercial services, finance, real estate, capital markets, TMT and competition law. Led by two partners, Tolga Ismen and Arzum Gunalcin, the 12 lawyers of the Ismen firm are recognized as leaders in high-end M&A and private equity transactions in the CEEMENA region.
“The arrangement with Edwards Wildman presents an opportunity for our lawyers to tap into a new network of sophisticated clients while offering a broad array of cross-border legal services to our existing clients,” said Ismen. “Our experience in M&A, private equity transactions and privatizations complements Edwards Wildman’s strong private equity and cross-border practice groups, and we are excited to develop and expand our reach.”
“As one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, Turkey’s demographics, diversifying business base and supportive investment climate are fueling impressive growth. Our objective is to expand our international footprint into markets that offer tremendous opportunity for sophisticated and market-leading work, and Turkey increasingly has become a global leader in that regard,” added Robert L. Shuftan, the managing partner of Edwards Wildman. “Our core practice areas, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and cross-border transactions, are a natural fit for the growing CEEMENA region, and we look forward to working closely with our new colleagues in Istanbul in providing strong client service throughout the region.”
