Could you share with us the story of your path to becoming an in-house counsel? What motivated you to choose this career path? 

My journey to becoming an in-house counsel commenced in 2009 when I joined an esteemed international law firm. Throughout my tenure, I fostered long and strong relationships with clients, setting the stage for my transition to in-house roles.

Following the completion of my LLM, I seized the opportunity to collaborate closely with a renowned international e-commerce company during their entry into the Turkish market for almost three years. This experience allowed me to immerse myself in their operations and provide tailored legal support as a secondment for nearly a year.

My secondment experience marked a turning point in my career trajectory. Witnessing firsthand the inner workings of a company, actively contributing to strategic projects, and providing proactive daily legal guidance fundamentally reshaped my perspective on the role of in-house counsel.

Empowered by this insight, I eagerly embraced the opportunity to join Turkish Airlines’ legal team, seeking to leverage my legal expertise in a dynamic new environment.

Looking back, my transition from private practice to in-house counsel underscores my commitment to professional growth and adaptability. Each experience has enriched my skill set, equipping me to navigate diverse legal landscapes and deliver strategic value to the organisations I serve.

In your role as an in-house counsel, what are the main responsibilities and tasks you handle on a day-to-day basis?

As an in-house counsel, my primary responsibilities revolve around providing legal counsel and support across various facets of the company’s operations. This includes advising on investments and resolving conflicts spanning diverse jurisdictions, which entails reviewing, construing and revising agreements. Additionally, I collaborate with business units to develop strategies for addressing conflicts within existing contracts and launching new projects. My scope of work encompasses a broad range of areas such as supply and maintenance agreements, marketing and business collaborations, as well as guiding the legal aspects of new business ventures and projects. Furthermore, I closely monitor the company’s cross-border litigations to ensure comprehensive legal oversight.

What are some of the key challenges you have faced as a rising star in-house counsel, and how have you overcome them?  

As an in-house counsel, I’ve encountered several key challenges inherent to the role. Firstly, balancing the interests of different stakeholders while safeguarding the company legally presents a delicate yet crucial challenge. Some business units may view legal approval as a mere formality, requiring finesse to convey risks effectively without disrupting operations. I prioritise clear communication, simplifying complex legal insights to ensure understanding across departments.

Secondly, grappling with technical intricacies within contracts, particularly those pertaining to supply or maintenance agreements, has been another hurdle. To address this challenge, I actively collaborate with business units, diving deep into the specifics of each deal to grasp technical nuances effectively. This hands-on approach enables me to contribute meaningfully to contract interpretation and address business queries with precision.

In navigating these challenges, I’ve learned the importance of prioritisation, communication, collaboration, and a proactive approach to understanding both legal and technical aspects, ensuring effective legal support while facilitating seamless business operations.