Leading global law firm Baker & McKenzie has announced it has entered into an exclusive relationship with leading Turkish law firm Esin Attorney Partnership (Esin Avukatl?k Ortakl???).
The move follows ever increasing client interest and activity in Turkey, which is one of the world’s fastest growing economies. The relationship will also serve to strengthen the firm’s global reach and client offerings.
Eduardo Leite, Chairman of Baker & McKenzie’s Executive Committee was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s site: “Istanbul is an increasingly important hub for global business. By entering into an exclusive arrangement with one of Istanbul’s leading law firms we are underlining our commitment to being able to serve our clients in those markets in which they are growing their businesses, while strengthening our ability to help Turkish clients take advantage of the opportunities beyond their borders.”
By working in an exclusive consultancy arrangement with Esin Attorney Partnership, clients of Baker & McKenzie will have access to the full-service, international and foreign law advice of the world’s leading global law firm and the Turkish law counsel of one of the leading law firms in Turkey.
Founded in 1997 by Ismail Esin, Esin has forty lawyers. It was named Legal Adviser of the Year in Turkey at the European M&A Awards 2010 by the Financial Times and MergerMarket and ranked in Tier 1 for M&A in legal directory The Legal 500. Its practices include Corporate and M&A, Real Estate, Dispute Resolution and Competition law.
Koen Vanhaerents, European Chairman and member of the Firm’s Executive Committee was quoted as saying: “It has become increasingly clear that Turkey is rapidly growing in importance for our clients. This exclusive relationship with Esin Attorney Partnership, provides our clients with access to the very best legal services in Turkey.”
This move follows Baker & McKenzie’s continuing expansion. In May of this year, the firm opened an office in Qatar, in October 2010, in Luxembourg in and in 2009, in Abu Dhabi.
According to the October 27th article at amlawdaily.com, “Baker Moves Into Turkish Market by Teaming With Istanbul Firm”, several other prominent law firms have opened offices in Turkey, including Clifford Chance
Also according to the article, Bloomberg reported the Turkish economy grew 8.8 percent in the second quarter of 2011; that is over four times the rate of the euro zone. Bloomberg also reported the Turkish deal market is far outpacing that of the emerging markets.
Founded in 1949 in Chicago, Baker & McKenzie has over 3,800 lawyers in almost 70 offices in 41 different countries. The firm has more leading lawyers in more countries in the Chambers Global Directory than any other global Top 20 law firm. Additionally, Chambers lists 19 of the firm’s practices in its global rankings of the world’s leading practices.