About

Markus Renfert joined the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development six years ago as a project finance lawyer, following nine years at a magic circle law firm. His qualification under German, French and English law allow him to give multi-jurisdictional advice. In his current position as senior counsel at EBRD, he is part of a team of transactional lawyers that cover a wide range of countries, with a particular emphasis on Turkey. ‘I like the idea of new opportunities, new paths of knowledge. I believe that if one can learn such a complex thing as a language, all can be learned, if there is will and focus’ he adds. His work primarily focuses on major equity deals, with some of his notable achievements including successful management of EBRD’s equity investments in the dairy producer Yörsan, the glassware producer Pasabahce and the ongoing negotiations for an equity stake in Borsa Istanbul. When asked about the challenges of his profession Markus comments: ‘the daily challenge is to manage legal risk while being part of a team that wants deals to close. Taking legal risk for a proper return can sometimes be the answer, but not always. The biggest challenge for an in-house counsel? Find commercial flexibility even under strictest legal constraints’.