Interview with: Ayça Berker, Founding Partner

Founding Partner Atty. Ayça Berker discusses Berker Berker’s vision for a sustainable world, foreign investments and the importance of fostering strong client relations.

 

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

What truly differentiates Berker Berker Law Firm from our competitors is the depth of professional experience that both Atty. Ahmet Berker and I bring to our practice, along with our high level of personal involvement in each case. Having worked on both sides of the table, representing a range of client types, we understand the unique perspectives and requirements that arise in both consulting and dispute resolution. This dual-sided experience allows us to navigate the legal landscape with a comprehensive understanding, fostering practical and effective solutions that others might overlook.

My experience as an in-house counsel for a leading telecommunications company in Türkiye has been instrumental in shaping my approach. This background has given me a profound understanding of business complexities, enabling me to deliver legal services that are deeply aligned with commercial realities and clients’ strategic goals. I can easily look at any situation from the eyes of a corporate client and can understand their points of view. This gives our clients a sense of understanding and assures them that we will act in their best interests.

Our hands-on involvement is another defining aspect of our work; as partners, we ensure we are always accessible to our clients and are actively engaged in our cases. We believe that limiting one’s practice to a single perspective misses the opportunity for crafting smarter, more adaptable solutions. Through our varied experiences, we can craft innovative, forward-thinking strategies to prevent potential issues or resolve disputes efficiently when they arise by anticipating how both sides may approach a dispute or negotiation.

This combination of legal acumen, commercial insight, and active partnership involvement allows us to serve clients with a level of detail and strategic foresight that truly sets us apart in a competitive landscape.

 

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

In the next 12 months, I see significant growth potential for our firm in the banking and finance sector, as well as in dispute resolution. Given the ever-changing economic landscape and the challenges that businesses are facing globally, I believe there will be an increasing demand for legal services that address the complexities of financial transactions and regulatory compliance.

Our previous experience in these areas will be invaluable as we navigate these changes. We are well-equipped to provide strategic guidance to both banks and financial institutions and commercial entities in their dealings with such institutions, especially as they adapt to new market conditions and look for ways to manage their risks effectively.

Additionally, I foresee a growing need for dispute resolution services. As businesses face more challenges and potential conflicts arise, our firm’s expertise in quickly resolving disputes will become even more crucial. Our proactive approach, combined with our extensive background in handling various disputes, positions us to help clients minimize disruption and achieve favorable outcomes.

 

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

The main change we have implemented at Berker Berker Law Firm that directly benefits our clients is our commitment to providing partner-level services throughout their engagement with us. This ensures that every client receives the highest quality of service, no matter the size or complexity of their case.

From the very beginning, we make it a priority to deliver on the promises we make. Our clients can trust that the level of service they are promised will be consistently maintained. Both Ahmet and I are deeply involved in all aspects of our cases, managing our teams carefully and effectively to ensure that no detail is overlooked.

I believe that this dedication to quality service is one of the most important benefits we offer to our clients. By being actively engaged and accessible, we not only foster strong relationships but also provide strategic insights that can significantly impact their business outcomes. Our focus on maintaining high standards of service ultimately helps our clients achieve their goals with confidence.

 

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

Sure enough, technology is transforming the way we interact with our clients and the range of services we can provide. It has significantly enhanced our capabilities in areas such as reporting and the digitalization of internal structures, which streamlines our processes and improves efficiency.

For instance, technology has allowed us to speed up our consulting services, enabling us to deliver timely and relevant advice to our clients both virtually and in person. We are committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, actively monitoring every change to determine how we can implement new tools and systems to better serve our clients.

This proactive approach to technology not only improves our internal operations but also enhances our communication with clients, ensuring that we can respond to their needs quickly and effectively. By leveraging these advancements, we can offer a more comprehensive and efficient legal service, ultimately leading to better outcomes for our clients.

 

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

One practical example of how we have added value to our clients’ businesses is through our commitment to keeping them informed about relevant regulatory changes. We regularly send out news alerts that cover both local and international developments that could impact their operations. This proactive approach allows our clients to stay ahead of any changes in the regulatory landscape, ensuring they can make sound commercial decisions based on timely information.

By closely monitoring these changes, we help our clients save valuable time and money, allowing them to focus on their core business activities while we handle the complexities of compliance.

Additionally, we have successfully supported several clients in confidential matters, where our involvement has been crucial in securing the continuation of their practices. In these sensitive situations, our expertise has helped clients navigate potential challenges, allowing them to operate smoothly and confidently.

 

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 indeed looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms, especially in these dynamic times. In the next three years, I envision Berker Berker Law Firm not only continue to provide that stability but also, expand significantly. We aim to grow our team to enhance our capabilities and strengthen our client relationships further.

Integrating technology into our legal practice will remain a priority, allowing us to provide even more efficient and effective services. I believe that as Türkiye evolves, it can become a more attractive destination for foreign investors, and our firm is committed to playing a key role in facilitating this. We want to provide the necessary legal support to help clients navigate the complexities of entering and operating in this market.

Moreover, we aspire to be a factor in promoting sustainability. This means not only helping our clients make their operations more sustainable but also ensuring that our own practices as a law firm reflect sustainability principles. We want to lead by example, setting a standard for other firms to follow. By focusing on these areas, I believe we can position ourselves as a forward-thinking, responsible firm that truly adds value to our clients and the broader community.