Interview with: Ahmet Berker, Founding and Managing Partner

Founding and Managing Partner Atty. Ahmet Berker emphasizes the importance of close partner-level involvement in the firm’s cases.

 

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Berker Berker Law Firm from your competitors?

What sets Berker Berker Law Firm distinctly apart is the deeply personal and hands-on approach we take with every client and every case. We do not merely oversee cases from a distance—Atty. Ayça Berker and I are personally involved in every detail, from strategy sessions to client meetings, ensuring we come fully prepared without relying on extensive briefings or third-party support. This direct involvement means that clients are working directly with the decision-makers of the firm, not intermediaries, and receive the benefit of our combined insights from the outset.

Our commitment to personal engagement is more than a method; it reflects our dedication to providing the highest level of care, accountability, and client satisfaction. This approach enables us to not only deliver efficient results but also build a deeper understanding of each client’s unique needs, allowing us to anticipate potential challenges and pivot quickly when necessary. Ayça and I prioritize a close, ongoing relationship with our clients, providing them with frequent updates and being readily accessible whenever they need guidance or reassurance.

Ultimately, our clients gain the assurance that their matters are not just being managed—they are being championed. With our deep involvement and commitment, we take ownership of each case, ensuring no detail is missed and every avenue for success is explored. This level of personalized service and rigorous engagement underscores our firm’s philosophy and is central to our identity at Berker Berker Law Firm.

Ayça’s extensive experience as an in-house counsel gives her a unique business-oriented perspective on legal matters. She understands the corporate world’s demands and nuances and her insights are invaluable for guiding company management and developing strategic, outcome-oriented solutions that align closely with business goals. My background as an outside counsel complements this. I draw on over 33 years of experience managing complex matters in various fields, such as corporate law, construction projects, and dispute resolution, with a special focus on arbitration.

With experience across both sides of the table in transactions and disputes, ranging from banking and finance disputes where we represented both banks and corporate borrowers, to real estate projects where we acted on behalf of both property owners and developers, our varied experience enables us to understand issues from multiple perspectives, tailoring our approach to best serve each client. Through such an approach, our firm can address the distinct needs of each party involved in multifaceted disputes, both in Türkiye and internationally.

Ayça and I are experts in our respective fields. Together, we offer a unique and well-rounded collaborative service that capitalizes on this. For corporate deals, Ayça’s business acumen and contractual expertise is crucial; in complex disputes, my dispute resolution and arbitration experience comes to the fore. Our clients receive direct access to senior-level expertise at every step, with both of us actively involved alongside our team. When we talk about partner-level service, we mean it—no detail is overlooked, and every case receives the full benefit of our combined knowledge and experience.

 

 

Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

Looking ahead, I am afraid I anticipate significant growth in our role in dispute resolution, particularly within the banking and finance sectors. This need is largely driven by the ongoing global economic challenges. Over the next 12 months, I foresee a rising demand for the restructuring of commercial loans as banks face increasing pressures in today’s financial climate. Many institutions will need to reassess their loan portfolios, and our firm’s expertise in corporate law and financial restructuring will be invaluable in addressing these challenges.

At Berker Berker Law Firm, we are positioning ourselves to meet the complex demands of both banks and their clients. We offer comprehensive support, from asset management to debt recovery, for banks both domestically and abroad. However, we also extend our expertise to borrowers, leveraging our experience representing prominent corporate clients in their dealings with financial institutions. This unique perspective allows us to see both sides of the table, enabling us to foresee potential issues and develop practical, strategic solutions to avoid or resolve disputes. In this critical area, our dual-sided experience will be essential for helping both lenders and borrowers navigate uncertain times with stability and insight.

Additionally, we are currently advising on several large-scale real estate projects, and I am optimistic about the progress there as well. These projects represent significant opportunities, and I expect our work in this area to continue growing as the projects move forward.

 

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

 One of the main changes we have made that will significantly benefit our clients is the expansion of our legal team. We have recently brought in talented new attorneys, which not only strengthens our capacity but also introduces fresh perspectives to the way we approach our cases. This growth allows us to provide enhanced support across a broader range of industries and legal matters, ensuring we meet our client’s needs with depth and agility.

We have also embraced technology more actively, implementing secure, encrypted file-storing services to protect client information rigorously. Additionally, each team member has a dedicated work laptop, providing an added layer of security for sensitive data. Virtual meeting platforms have also further streamlined our operations, allowing us to connect seamlessly with clients, both locally and internationally, and to use our time more efficiently. This technological integration has enabled us to respond faster and more effectively, making our services even more accessible and secure for our clients.

 

Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

Technology has changed the way we interact with our clients and the services we provide, especially since the pandemic. Platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams have become an essential part of how we conduct meetings, replacing many of the face-to-face interactions we used to rely on. These virtual meetings not only cut down on travel time and costs but also allow us to meet more frequently with clients when needed, which ultimately benefits them.

The time we save by using these platforms gives us more flexibility and allows us to focus on what really matters—understanding our clients’ needs in greater depth and delivering faster, more efficient solutions. This has been particularly beneficial for our clients abroad, as technology enables us to stay connected no matter where they are located, making the entire process more practical and streamlined.

Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

 One example that really stands out is our work regarding a large tourism project in a private tourism area in Türkiye, valued at over 600 million Euros. We represented the property owner in this matter, and there were significant disputes between the owner and the developer that prevented the project from moving forward. The delays were costly for both parties, and the project was at risk of not starting at all.

Through our practical approach and in-depth knowledge of real estate and construction law, we were able to resolve these issues and made sure the project could proceed as planned. By navigating this complex situation and settling the disputes efficiently, we not only ensured that the project could start but also saved both sides from further financial losses. This was a clear example of how our law firm adds value by combining legal expertise with practical problem-solving skills.

 

 

Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Absolutely, clients are looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms, especially in today’s challenging environment. We have made several key changes to ensure we meet those needs, from expanding our legal team to using technology more actively and continuing to offer our expert advice.

Looking ahead, in the next three years, I see our firm growing strategically in several areas. One major focus will be expanding our work in dispute resolution. With the increasing complexity of disputes, both locally and internationally, we want to further establish ourselves as a leading firm for arbitration and litigation, particularly in corporate and construction-related matters.

Real estate and construction projects will also remain a key area for us. We have already seen success in these sectors, such as with the large tourism project we helped launch, and I expect us to continue strengthening our role in these industries.

Another area where I see significant growth is energy projects. I have in-depth knowledge of energy law, backed by prior experience working on major energy projects, and I see this as a vital sector going forward. With the global push towards sustainable energy and the increasing need for legal guidance in energy investments, we are positioning ourselves to offer strategic counsel on these projects, helping clients navigate both regulatory and operational challenges.