Cerrahoğlu Law Firm

Managing Partner: Prof Dr M. Fadlullah Cerrahoğlu
Number of partners: 4
Number of lawyers: 16
Languages: English, French, German, Turkish

Firm Overview:
Cerrahoglu Law Firm was founded by Prof Dr M. Fadlullah Cerrahoglu in 1966 and is currently working with a staff of 16 full time lawyers and a tax manager.

Main Areas of Practice:

Corporate:
The firm gives ongoing legal assistance to more than hundred multinational and national public and private companies in Turkey in various fields. This assistance includes giving advice on contracts, preparation of legal opinions, preparation of board of directors and general assembly meetings, preparation of agreements including share purchase, shareholders, construction, hotel management, license, franchise, employment, escrow, loan, management, service, asset purchase, leasing, mortgage and other real estate agreements and consultancy agreements and giving legal opinions on Turkish law matters when required by creditors in lending, leasing and other transactions. The firm has taken part in many major mergers and acquisitions of both public and private companies in Turkey and thus has an extensive experience in this field. Furthermore, the firm has represented issuers in connection with initial and secondary public offerings and issuance of debenture bonds. The firm has also worked in major privatisation projects in Turkey. The firm also gives its clients legal assistance regarding anti-corruption and compliance, product liability and corporate governance matters.
Key Clients: The Coca-Cola Company, Baxter, Duracell, Fosroc, Kale Holding, Continental AG, A.T. Kearney, Ferrero, Magneti Marelli, NIKE, Samsonite, Siemens, Boston Scientific, CNH, Electrolux, Autoliv, Asda (a Walmart affiliate), Towers Watson, Communisis, Pasinex, Hilton, Affinion, Dufry (The Nuance Group), Orion Mine Finance, Polimeks, Teneco, Sagemcom, OSRAM, Nexans, Emerson Group.
Contact: Ms Ayşegül Yalçınmani, Mr Onur Gülsaran
Tel: +90 212 355 30 00
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Intellectual Property:
The firm gives clients legal assistance with regard to copyright, trademark and other intellectual and industrial property rights issues in M&A deals, IP related agreements, trademark applications and preparation of assessments. The firm also represents clients in patent, trademark and copyright infringement, licensing and trade secret lawsuits. Key Clients: NTIC, Communisis, Mustang, Electrolux. Data Protection: The firm provides clients legal assistance within the context of protection of personal data. Such assistance includes trainings and follow-up on conformity practices, as well as provision of legal opinions on various aspects of protection of personal data.
Key Clients: Polimeks, Asda (a Walmart affiliate).

Arbitration:
The arbitration department has been and currently is involved in various international and domestic arbitration proceedings as counsel. Prof Dr M Fadlullah Cerrahoglu is also included in the list of arbitrators of ICC Turkish National Committee’s Arbitrator Committee and has acted as co-arbitrator and Chairman in these arbitration proceedings. Key Clients: Astaldi, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Kanel, Basari, Ferrero, ING Bank N.V, Sahelian.
Contact: Ms Eda Cerrahoglu Balssen
Tel: +90 212 355 30 00
Email: [email protected]

Litigation:
The litigation department is involved with various disputes before Turkish courts and execution offices. Furthermore, members of this department also give ongoing legal assistance to the clients with a view to avoid legal disputes. Legal transactions related to immovable properties, preparing legal opinions especially on contract law, labour law, unfair competition, consumer law and representing clients in disputes related to distribution agreements, construction agreements, joint ventures and tax matters are also among the tasks carried out by the litigation department.
Key Clients: The Coca-Cola Company, Boston Scientific, Quiznos, Samsung, Tremco Illbruck, ILFC Ireland, Ferrero, CEVA, Venüs Concept, La Farge, Life Media, McDonald’s, Apple, Almana Group, Daikin, Deyaar, Eaton, Nando’s, Grand Thornton, NIKE, ThyssenKrupp, Walmart, Jumeirah, affiliated companies of Akkök Holding A.Ş., AGCO Ltd., Alstom Group, Astaldi, AGFA Graphics, Technicas Group, Platinum Mining, Venus Concept.
Contact: Mr. Uraz Canbolat, Ms. Aysegul Gursoy
Tel: +90 212 355 30 00
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Employment:
The employment department is performing various tasks regarding Turkish labour law and social security law such as drafting all kinds of employment agreements and also internal regulations and personnel regulations of companies; giving legal advice on matters concerning Turkish labour law, social security law, unions law and related applicable legislation during the effective term of employment agreements; drafting the documentation required for termination of the employment agreements (termination notice, letter of resignation, mutual agreement on termination of the employment agreement), giving advice on ways for the termination of any employment agreement and the methods to be put into practice during the termination stage; drafting subcontracting agreements and agreements for temporary employment relations and agreements for transfer of employees and giving advice on such matters; giving advice on labour law consequences of splitting up of companies and transfer of workplaces including but not limited to the risk assessment regarding Turkish labour law and employees, the evaluation of M&A transactions and privatisations from all aspects of Turkish labour law and giving advice on such matters; representing the clients on the lawsuits concerning employees and other legal actions; training the company’s staff (especially HR departments) on such matters and offering any kind of relevant legal services.
Key Clients: Brink’s, Nike, Duracell, Tarsus Group, Almana, Tenecco, Trendmicro, Communisis, Timken, Masimo,Vitagro, Boston Scientific, Chiesi, Sonoco, CNH, Hilton, BAE Systems, JLL, APC, Beckman Coulter, ITW, Siemens, Fujitsu Siemens, Autoliv, Asda (a Walmart affiliate), A.T. Kearney, Baxter, Mercuria Energy Trading SA, Fosroc and Worldbank.
Contact: Ms Dilek Kursuncu
Tel: +90 212 355 30 00
Email: [email protected]

Competition:
The competition department gives legal assistance with regard to competition issues, especially M&A filings, negative clearance and exemption applications, preparation of assessments and memoranda on various aspects of Turkish competition law in comparison to the European Union competition law and assistance in compliance investigations Key Clients: The Coca - Cola Company, Ferrero, UIP, NIKE
Contact: Ms. Secil Abali
Tel: +90 212 355 30 00
Email: [email protected]

Taxation:
The taxation department gives tax and fiscal consultancy services and performs litigation services relating to tax disputes. The main tax and fiscal consultancy services rendered consist of the following: informing clients about the up to date Turkish tax legislation; providing opinion in the areas of corporate income tax, personal income tax, value added tax, stamp tax, tax issues in free zones, tax treaties in order to avoid double taxation, cross-border and financial leasing; advising on all fiscal issues related to foreign exchange legislation, banking legislation, foreign capital legislation, capital market board legislation, incentive legislation, commercial law, labour law and social security legislation; contacting the public authorities in order to request opinions and rulings; making analysis of tax risks and tax opportunities associated with structures; and providing assistance in structuring tax efficient activities.
Key Clients: Almana, Baxter, Çayeli Bakir Isletmeleri AS (a First Quantum Minerals Affiliate), Electrolux, Sagemcom, Hilton, Orion Mine Finance, Magneti Marelli, NIKE, Pasinex, Jumeriah, Boston Scientific.
Contact: Mr. Selman Koç
Tel: +90 212 355 30 00
Email: [email protected]