Welcome to The Legal 500’s inaugural special edition – Turkey – Women in Law. We spoke to leading female attorneys to get the lowdown on their inspirations and vision for the new generation of women lawyers.
These interviews provide insight into what motivates them, how they manage work/life balance and the challenges for women within the legal industry in Turkey.
Our thanks to all attorneys that have supported us in this endeavour.
What was your route into law? There was no lawyer in my family or close circle that I could take as an example or be influenced by. I can’t say that it was my childhood dream because I was educated by taking numerical courses. I only remember that my parents told me that you would …
What was it that made you want to become a lawyer? Being born into a family with a legal background, one of the biggest reasons that inspired me to become a lawyer is my grandfather who was one of the first public prosecutors of the Turkish Republic following its establishment. Then, he became one of …
Continue reading “Interview with… Şeyma İnal, Inal Law Office”
Tell us about your education journey starting at Istanbul University in 1998 and why you picked law. My desire to become a lawyer started at a very young age. My grandfather was my inspiration to go to law school. He graduated from Ankara University Law School and served as a military judge for many years, …
Continue reading “Interview with… Didem Kalaycıoğlu Birol, founding partner, DKB Legal”
Tell us about your career choice and journey. What inspired you to become a lawyer? When I was a child, I wanted to be a flight stewardess. My dream was to see other countries and continents. Then at some point, I watched a movie where I first saw a young female litigator at the courthouse. …
Continue reading “Interview with… Pelin Baysal, Founding partner, Baysal & Demir”
Tell us about your journey into law and what made you choose it as your profession. As opposed to the number of people who embark on their journey of law mostly through relatives; I’m the first in my family to discover these territories. My path started when I was remarkably young and realized that my …
Continue reading “Interview with Gamze Telli, Partner at Aksan Law Firm”
Tell us about your career choice and journey. Since my early years in high school, I had a passion for social justice issues, the art of debate, and law as a discipline. How much I enjoyed my university education in law further affirmed the veracity of this direction. I found private practice appealing in particular …
Continue reading “Interview with… Lale Defne Mete, CETINKAYA Law Firm, Partner”
Tell us about your career choice and journey. What made you decide to get into law? I was used to the legal profession because of my grandfather and dad. My grandfather was one of the head judges in the Court of Appeals and my father also used to be a judge and then the legal …
Continue reading “Interview with… Başak Gürbüz Lead Regional Counsel at Visa”
What was it that made you want to become a lawyer? I have wanted to be a lawyer since I was a child. I especially wanted to wear that robe, defence people and work in a big crowded office. My family has always stood by me and supported me in this regard. You head Kılınç …
Continue reading “Interview with… Duygu Doğan Şahiner – Partner at Kılınç Law & Consulting”
What was your route into law? Although I did not have any lawyers in my family that I would regard as a role model and take inspiration from; since I was a child my goal was to become a successful lawyer. I think the analytical thinking principles associated with the legal sector, being fair and …
Continue reading “Interview with… Seray Özsoy Yavuz – Partner at Kılınç Law & Consulting”
What led you to become an attorney? I have always had an opinion, a judgement on topics like politics, social judgement, values, social awareness and history in social and family settings. However, I was always told to show some respect and listen without interfering as I was still young, and did not have enough knowledge …
Continue reading “Interview with… Gökçe Köksal, Miran Legal”
