Industry knowledge, business focus
We are a full service law firm aiming to provide legal assistance to its clients in various areas of law. In addition to its transactional work experience both in banking & finance and mergers & acquisitions fields, one of our primary focus is local litigation.
In the areas of banking & finance and mergers & acquisition, we advise both foreign and local clients in prospective investments in Turkey with a track record of over 15 years. However, our experience shows us that no matter how strong of a transactional work experience, it must be backed by a solid experience in local litigation matters. Such dual know-how is essential in terms of pinpointing the relevant risk areas whilst structuring an investment in Turkey. Therefore, we aim in combining both of our experience while rendering advice to our clients.
Serkan İçtem, the founder of İçtemLegal was a former naming partner of ELİG Attorneys at Law since 2004. Mr. İçtem has experience in bank finance transactions, corporate trust matters, mergers & acquisitions. In bank finance as his main area of practice, he focuses on drafting numerous loan documentation with an emphasis on leveraged finance transactions and represents agent banks or lenders in providing senior or secured financing to a large number of borrowers operating in a variety of industries. Mr. İçtem also worked in many transactions involving extension of subordinated loans to Turkish banks. Mr. İçtem was actively involved in many securitization deals in Turkey representing domestic banks or arrangers in their credit card receivables and diversified payment rights securitization programs. Another major focus area for Mr. İçtem is distressed debt financing and debt reorganization matters.
He has worked on Turkey’s first and all subsequent non-performing loan sale transactions as well as various debt restructuring deals for distressed debtors. In addition to transactional matters, Mr. İçtem advises various foreign financial institutions with respect to Turkish financial and capital markets legislation. Mr. İçtem has been involved in various direct investments by multinationals into Turkey. With a particular emphasis on representation of foreign buyers, he has worked on various cross-border mergers and acquisitions and joint venture restructurings. He has played an active role in the first major venture capital deal in Turkey.
In addition to his experience in Turkey, Mr. İçtem has also worked in the New York office of White & Case, LLP and was involved in the areas of corporate trust, bank finance, bankruptcy and workouts.
He advised trustees on both US based and international transactions, asset backed securitizations and project finance transactions by reviewing Indentures, Trust Agreements, Security Agreements, Collateral Agency Agreements, Issuing and Paying Agency Agreements, Depository Agreements and Escrow Agreements. He has also worked on DIP financing and bankruptcy (Chapter 11) related reorganizations and workouts in the US.
İçtem Legal is a member of INTERLEGES (The International Association of Independent Law Firms)