Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance enhances Istanbul offer with addition of leading Turkish Corporate Partner

Leading international law firm, Clifford Chance has today announced that well-respected Turkish corporate specialist, Itır Sevim-Çiftçi, will be joining its Turkish law affiliate, Yegin Legal Consultancy, to lead the Corporate practice.

Çiftçi's arrival will further bolster the firm's ambitious plans for Turkey. Mete Yegin, head of Yegin Legal Consultancy comments, "Itır is a significant figure in the Turkish legal landscape. She brings valuable local and international practice experience, as well as acknowledged expertise in the corporate arena."

Simon Williams, Managing Partner of the Istanbul office adds, "We are extremely pleased to welcome such a highly regarded figure in the Turkish legal sector. Itır has excellent insight into the market and a strong track record in a wide range of transactions for both local and international clients. One of Clifford Chance's great strengths in Istanbul is the close and effective coordination of the advice that we provide our clients. Itır will fit very well into this cohesive team."

David Childs, Managing Partner of Clifford Chance comments, "We are committed to further developing our presence in Turkey and the wider South East European region. This is an exciting, dynamic economy, considered an important growth market by our clients. As a result, they need the very best international and local legal advice. Although the office in Istanbul has been open for less than two years, it already offers this multi-disciplinary expertise both on the ground and through very effective collaboration with our global network of offices across 25 countries."

Çiftçi adds, "I am very excited to be joining the team. The firm has a great brand in the Turkish market and I am eager to play a role in helping the team here to further develop and expand its footprint."

Itır Sevim-Çiftçi is the latest in a number of senior appointments by the firm's global Corporate practice including Ying White in Beijing, Johan Ysewyn in Brussels, Aline Cardin in Paris, Claudio Cerabolini in Italy, Gerard Saviola and Alastair Mordaunt in London, Gary Boss, Ivan Presant and Joseph Cosentino in New York and Dave Poddar in Australia.

Itır Sevim-Çiftçi started her career in 1992 in Istanbul with Aktif Law Firm. She then joined Altheimer & Gray in 1995 and was based in Chicago and Istanbul during her time there. In 1999 she joined Hergüner Bilgen Özeke, where she became a partner in 2004 and was co-head of the Corporate M&A practice until 2012 when she left to create her own niche law firm, 'Legal Partner'. Çiftçi is expected to start on 25 March 2013.