What has been the number one challenge that has impacted you over the past year?

Last year, our company faced a significant challenge with the implementation of the “local first” restructuring project, which involved the consolidation of three separate entities under one unified management. Our legal and compliance team played a key role in supporting the integration process, particularly with regards to labour law. We strived to ensure the project’s compliance with local regulations and successfully navigated the closure of several of the company’s factories. Additionally, we were instrumental in the preparation of a contract manufacturing agreement and the procurement of necessary permits. Despite the challenges of balancing regulatory compliance and efficient project completion while serving as a liaison between global and local teams, I am proud to say that our efforts resulted in the successful implementation of a new compliance program, fostering a positive cultural shift in our work approach. Additionally, during the competition investigation initiated against our company, we represented the company successfully and resolved the case with settlement. Beyond representing the company, the main challenge was convincing the sales team and management to implement a strong and efficient compliance program. While managing the change, we encountered some resistance at times, but as a team player, we were able to overcome these challenges.”

In your opinion, what areas should in-house lawyers focus on over the next few years to prove value to their organisations in Türkiye?

In my view, for in-house lawyers in Turkiye to demonstrate their value to their organisations, it would be advisable to focus on staying abreast of changes in laws and regulations that have an impact on their organisations. Also, it is important to establish strong partnerships with essential stakeholders within the company, such as the senior management and business leaders.
Being proactive in recognising and managing potential legal risks to the organisation and designing and implementing well-structured compliance programs is also a must. It also goes a long way to offer cost-effective legal solutions while managing legal expenses in an efficient manner.
Another priority should be keeping up with the latest developments in technology and trends, including the utilisation of artificial intelligence and new software solutions. In-house lawyers should also focus on providing practical and creative legal solutions that showcase their value to the organisation.
Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?
One of the projects I worked on was the creation of a case tracking system that both our in-house team and external counsel could access. This system streamlined our case management process, allowing us to easily track case updates and document changes in real-time, without having to rely on manual updates or email communications. Additionally, it also allowed for better collaboration between our team and external counsel, ensuring that everyone always had access to the latest information. This system was developed using cost-effective and easily accessible technology, making it a cost-efficient solution for our legal team.