Interview with: Görkem Gökçe, Founding and Managing Partner

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Gökçe Attorney Partnership from your competitors?

At Gökçe Attorney Partnership, no matter how much we expand or how complex the matters we handle become, we remain committed to preserving our entrepreneurial spirit. Staying agile, innovative, and forward-thinking is at the core of our philosophy. We take pride in delivering boutique, client-focused legal services and maintaining proactive communication with our clients. Our approach is not merely to provide legal solutions for today’s challenges but also to anticipate future risks and regulatory developments, ensuring that our clients are well-positioned in an evolving legal landscape.

We serve as the exclusive representative of several prestigious legal networks, reflecting our dedication to international collaboration and excellence. While we offer full-service legal support, what truly sets us apart from traditional law firms is our deep expertise in technology, internet, media, data privacy, start-up regulations, fintech, mergers & acquisitions, and investment processes.

 

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

Over the next 12 months, we expect significant growth in cybersecurity, data protection, technology law, and financial technologies. One of the primary drivers behind this trend is the rapid evolution of regulations in these areas, requiring businesses to adapt swiftly. Given that many of these regulatory developments stem from EU legislation, they directly impact global players entering the Turkish market, fostering a more regulated and structured business environment.

Moreover, like the rest of the world, we anticipate continued growth in the artificial intelligence sector, which will inevitably drive further regulatory considerations. These developments highlight the increasing importance of compliance for businesses across all industries. Lastly, Turkey’s expanding start-up ecosystem continues to attract investments, and as a result, legal support in structuring and navigating investment processes will remain in high demand.

 

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

At Gökçe, we have always been committed to delivering fast, solution-oriented, and business-minded legal services. Our extensive experience in the start-up ecosystem has allowed us to position ourselves not only as legal advisors but also as strategic partners and trusted allies to our clients. Instead of merely addressing legal issues as they arise, we have developed a proactive risk management approach, helping clients anticipate and mitigate potential challenges before they escalate.

This forward-thinking strategy not only ensures legal compliance but also strengthens our clients’ competitive positioning and long-term sustainability. We believe that this shift—towards a more integrated and strategic legal service model—is one of the key factors that differentiate us and add tangible value to our clients.

 

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

Absolutely. Given that a significant portion of our client base consists of digital businesses, our work is directly influenced by technological advancements. In fact, rather than applying legal principles in isolation, we interpret and develop legal strategies in the context of evolving technologies.

Beyond that, our clients—being inherently digital-native—expect modern, efficient, and technology-driven legal solutions. Traditional and manual processes are becoming increasingly obsolete, and legal service delivery must adapt accordingly. A simple yet telling example is how email, once our primary communication tool, is now considered cumbersome by many next-generation clients, except for handling complex and sensitive matters. As a result, we continuously refine our communication and workflow processes to align with contemporary business practices while maintaining the highest legal standards.

 

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

A recent case perfectly illustrates how our legal expertise translates into tangible business value. We started working with a client at the concept stage of their business, assisting them in structuring their company, developing their terms of service, user agreements, and online platform interface to ensure full compliance from day one. Over the years, as relevant regulations evolved, we continuously adapted their business model to align with new legal requirements, effectively managing their compliance as an ongoing project.

Recently, this technology start-up entered a high-profile investment round. Thanks to our legal structuring from the outset—including a legally sound business model, privacy principles embedded within the core of their operations, clean data governance, and legally compliant information security systems—the company’s valuation saw a significant boost. This case underscores how legal compliance, when strategically integrated into a business, can drive not just risk mitigation but also financial growth and investor confidence.

 

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

Clients today expect more than just legal guidance; they seek strategic partners who can navigate them through both regulatory complexities and broader business challenges. At Gökçe, we recognize this shift and are continuously evolving to meet these expectations.

Over the next three years, we aim to strengthen our international presence, deepening our collaborations with global legal networks. At the same time, we are committed to expanding our expertise in technology and financial law, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of legal innovation. Our goal is to support more businesses—both in Turkey and globally—as they scale, transform, and adapt to an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.