The international law firm Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP is pleased to announce that on August 22, 2013, the Istanbul Bar Association approved the firm’s application to operate as a foreign law firm in Istanbul, Turkey, under the name of Edwards Wildman Danişmanlik Hizmetleri Avukatlik Ortakliği. The new office will serve as the base from which the firm will advise 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 neighboring markets.
In addition, Edwards Wildman Palmer is pleased to announce its formal collaboration with Ismen Gunalcin. Formerly known as the Ismen law firm, Ismen Gunalcin is a leading boutique M&A and private equity law firm based in Istanbul. Founded in 2004, Ismen Gunalcin focuses on all types of M&A transactions, including privatizations and private equity investments. The firm is also experienced in other leading 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 firm’s lawyers are recognized as leaders in high-end M&A and private equity transactions in Turkey.
“Our new collaboration with Edwards Wildman presents an opportunity for our lawyers to access into a larger network of sophisticated clients interested in Turkey while offering access to a broad array of international legal services to our existing clients,” said Ismen. “Our experience in M&A, private equity transactions and privatizations in Turkey complements Edwards Wildman’s strong private equity and cross-border practice groups in Turkey and the region. We are excited to join forces with our new colleagues.”
“Istanbul has become a hub for sophisticated M&A and private equity activity in the region as multinational companies and private equity firms are attracted to the increasingly active leadership role that Turkey plays economically in the region,” added Ted Cominos, a partner and chair of Edwards Wildman’s International Private Equity practice group. “Our new office provides us the ability to be more responsive to client needs in this increasingly active part of the world – and together with Ismen Gunalcin, we feel we can offer truly market-leading service to existing and prospective clients in Turkey and the region.”
