In early September 2013, Edwards Wildman Palmer launched an office in Istanbul after gaining regulatory approval to operate as a foreign firm from Istanbul’s Bar Association in late August 2013. The firm has tied-up with Turkish M&A boutique Ismen Gunalcin, which itself rebranded from Ismen Law Firm.
The new office will serve as the base for the US firm to advise clients on cross border, private equity and corporate backed M&A transactions throughout Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Northern Africa and other neighbouring markets.
Edwards Wildman is known for its strong private equity practice, advising on buyouts, portfolio company operations, strategic initiatives and exit transactions. Ismen Law Firm was created in 2004 and has developed into a strong M&A boutique, including privatisations and private equity investments.
Tolga Ismen, co-founder of Ismen Gunalcin, said: “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.”
International interest in Turkey is high with recent arrivals including Baker & McKenzie, Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance among others. Edwards Wildman’s tie-up shows that such interest has not even escaped the market’s boutiques. Ted Cominos, chair of Edwards Wildman’s International Private Equity practice group, said: “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.”