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 goal before even entering law school was to practice in-house law at a corporate firm. My family was disciplined and supportive, which greatly influenced my life. I grew up in Izmir and completed my education there. During my high school years, I pursued various opportunities such as language education abroad starting from the first year of high school to prepare myself for university and professional life. After starting university, I participated in mentorship programmes and took an active role, particularly in the European law students’ association (ELSA). In the final year of my involvement with the association, I served as the president of the Izmir branch. Additionally, throughout my university education, I undertook legal internships in various sectors including voluntary public institutions and private companies. All these experiences helped me understand different areas of law and set my career goals correctly. Upon graduating from university and completing my mandatory legal internship, I began working at a reputable law firm in Izmir where I continued for about 1.5 years. However, in line with my career aspirations, after gaining sufficient legal and practical knowledge, I transitioned to a corporate career by joining Borovalı Companies Group. During my time at Borovalı, I gained experience in various fields such as retail sales and energy production within the group’s companies. Subsequently, I transitioned to my current position as an in-house counsel at Norm Holding with a positive feeling, with an offer from Norm Holding. Currently, I provide legal services and support as an in-house counsel to more than 25 companies within Norm Holding. In conclusion, the supportive attitude of my family, my disciplined and goal-oriented efforts, and the knowledge and experiences gained through my work in various fields have led to my career in in-house counsel, enabling me to achieve my goals.

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

In my role as an in-house counsel, I handle several key responsibilities, including internal legal counselling, contract drafting and review, general assembly preparations, litigation and dispute management, as well as education and information dissemination.

Most of my daily tasks involve providing internal legal advice and addressing legal inquiries from various departments within the company. These inquiries typically cover topics such as business contracts, procurement agreements, employment relations, intellectual property rights, and compliance with data protection laws. I am also responsible for preparing new contracts and revising existing ones to ensure they protect the company’s legal interests. No contract is signed without legal approval. I oversee all power of attorney processes, internal regulations, and general assembly procedures to ensure legal compliance. Additionally, I handle the preparation of documents for general assembly meetings and monitor relevant legal procedures. Identifying and mitigating legal risks faced by the company is another important aspect of my role, which includes staying updated on current legal regulations and informing relevant stakeholders within the company. I also manage all legal disputes encountered by the companies under the Holding umbrella, including overseeing litigation processes and exploring alternative dispute resolution methods. Furthermore, I educate company employees on current legal regulations and company policies, particularly in areas such as data protection and competition law. These responsibilities require maximum effort to meet the company’s legal needs and minimise its legal risks on a daily basis.

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

I often find myself having to manage multiple different projects simultaneously. Managing time effectively and prioritising tasks could initially be challenging for me. However, I have overcome this challenge by using various methods and tools to enhance my time management skills. For instance, I have adopted techniques such as listing daily tasks, determining priorities, and allocating time in blocks. Another challenge I have had to overcome is keeping up with the fast pace of commercial matters and the difficulty of aligning legally with them. Making quick decisions is common in the business world, and these decisions often involve legal dimensions. Initially, I was cautious about being constrained by time and making quick decisions. However, as I gained experience and increased my knowledge in the field, my confidence in this area grew. Additionally, I have adopted strategies such as carefully gathering information when making critical decisions, seeking advice from other experts when necessary, or directing stakeholders to put the matter on hold if needed, which has been quite helpful. One of the most crucial aspects of being an in-house counsel within a company is effectively communicating with different departments and stakeholders. Initially, I spent a lot of time explaining legal matters and collaborating with other departments. However, overtime, I learned to streamline this communication and found opportunities to practice explaining legal matters in an understandable way. Furthermore, I made efforts to understand the business needs of other departments and collaborate with them and continue to do so. I have also observed that in some cases, face-to-face communication has a different and positive impact compared to communicating in writing. To cope with all these challenges I have faced, I have remained focused on continuously improving and learning, aiming to become a stronger in-house counsel by learning from challenges and leveraging my experiences.