CIFTCI Attorney Partnership in association with Clifford Chance houses a dominant projects group, which routinely advises on sophisticated, often cross-border, projects in the infrastructure, healthcare, and energy and natural resources spheres. Particularly acclaimed for its finance prowess, the group additionally represents an impressive roster of government bodies, sponsors, investors and others on project development, secondary market transactions, and energy trading matters. Next-generation partner Sait Eryılmaz ‘effectively finds solutions’ and heads a group that also includes talented counsel Gökçe Uzun. Also providing support are associates Başar Kırka, Ali Can Altıparmak and Pelinsu Demircan.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘We worked with the team on structured facilities as sponsor/borrower counsel. The team has been very helpful in getting the workstreams moving, with rapid response times, and thorough support on side-matters arising from the market. Billing and cost-management was transparent and reasonable.’
‘The team led by Sait Eryılmaz, which included Başar Kırka and associate Pelinsu Demircan, provided hands-on advice, always within reach for any ad-hoc support needed. Team expertise in benchmark examples and knowledge of LMA standards supported the successful closing.’
‘The team is very professional, dedicated, client-oriented, open to communication and accessible at any time.’
‘The whole team is very involved in the project. It is easy to reach out to lawyers, which is very important for me when the deal involves strict deadlines and a stressful environment. The team is well-experienced in project finance; documentation phase goes smoothly and interaction with banks is easier.’
‘Sait Eryılmaz is reachable and effectively finds solutions. Başar Kırka and Pelinsu Demircan are very experienced in project finance deals, they were very responsive and offered valuable guidance in a stressful environment – their level of expertise is very good in project finance.’
‘I endorse the team's practice as a leading force in the legal field. Its dedication to excellence, innovative spirit, and client-focused approach makes it a good choice for anyone seeking top-tier legal counsel in the project finance area in Turkey.’
‘A very talented team, which Sait Eryılmaz leads with remarkable effectiveness in his role as a partner. Lawyers demonstrate a commendable ability to meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality.’
- ‘Başar Kırka stands out as a remarkably talented adviser, known for his responsiveness and adept client management skills. Sida Özler is a promising young lawyer: highly responsive and an attentive listener, which enables her to grasp every aspect of a problem and provide the right feedback consistently.’
Key clients
- UKEF
- TAV Havalimanları Holding
- Rönesans Holding
- Barclays
- Credit Suisse
- Standard Chartered Bank
- Leading Turkish banks: Ziraat Bank, Akbank, Yapı Kredi, İşbank, Garanti BBVA, Türkiye Sınai Kalkınma Bankası, Denizbank, QNB Finansbank, Türkiye Kalkınma ve Yatırım Bankası
- FMO
- TAV Tunisie
- EBRD
- IFC
- Actis
- Invest International
- Arçelik
- TurkExim Bank (Türkiye's official export credit agency)
- SOCAR
- KfW IPEX-Bank
- Emirates NBD
- Export Development Canada (EDC)
- Citibank
- Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services
- AIIB
- China Development Bank (CDB)
- Türkiye Wealth Fund
- ICBC
- Uludag Energy
Work highlights
- Advising JP Morgan and the lenders on the ECA-backed financing of the Mersin-Adana-Osmaniye-Gaziantep high-speed rail project.
- Advising the joint venture of airport operators TAV Havalimanları Holding and Fraport Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide on project development, structuring, EPC and O&M aspects, and a €1.2bn bridge financing, regarding the renewal of operational rights for Antalya Airport in Turkey.
- Advising Ziraat Bank, Akbank, Yapı Kredi and İşbank on the secured syndicated financing of the Aydın-Denizli Motorway Project.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Sait Eryılmaz