Subject to regulatory approval by the Istanbul Bar, the law firm of Edwards Wildman Palmer intends to open an office in Istanbul and to operate in an exclusive association with the Ismen law firm, a 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,” says Ted Cominos, a partner in Edwards Wildman’s 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, reorganisations 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 recognised 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,” says 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.”
