In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. Given the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the legal profession, we asked: What is the one critical skill that you’re investing time and energy in to develop within your team, and why?

Ever since Booking.com’s activities had been suspended in Turkey by a court decision upon “unfair competition” claims raised by the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB), new regulations were anticipated in the short-term lease sector dominated by Airbnb, as unregistered and untaxed rental income obtained from short-term rentals has been a matter of discussion for a long time.

Paksoy has advised Iyzico on the acquisition of Paynet from Arena Bilgisayar. Baker McKenzie Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership advised the sellers.

Turunc's Yasemin Erden – a Partner at the firm for the past two years – has moved to an Of Counsel position within the Istanbul-based outfit. 

Norton Rose Fulbright Turkish affiliate Pekin Bayar Mizrahi has advised the founder of Derivex Teknoloji on the sale of a minority stake in the company to the Startup Burada VC fund. Atar Avci advised the buyer.

The Aksan Law Firm has advised SuperGears Games on its recent investment round led by The TMRW Foundation.

Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling have announced the appointment of David Foster as the new Regional Managing Partner for the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa for the combined A&O Shearman firm, starting May 1, 2024. He will serve an initial term of two years.

On the evening of April 25, 2024, the Deal of the Year Awards Banquet brought together, under the same roof, top-tier lawyers from Central and Eastern Europe's leading law firms in the region in Warsaw.

Former Senior Legal Counsel Can Aksoy has been appointed as Delivery Hero's Principal Legal Counsel M&A.

Former Turkiye Finans Katilim Bankasi Head of Legal Advisory Mehmet Tekergul has moved to the Alternatif Bank as Head of Legal.

Contributed by Nazali Tax & Legal.

The Aksan Law Firm has advised Founder One on its investment in VerdantWave.

Tunca has advised AC Cimento on its acquisition of Tracim Cimento in Turkiye.

On April 4, 2024, Clifford Chance announced that the formation of Arcelik's new standalone home appliance business JV with Whirlpool (reported by CEE Legal Matters on January 24, 2023) had been completed, resulting in the formation of Beko Europe.

Dentons' Turkish affiliate Balcioglu Selcuk Ardiyok Keki has advised Ikas on its USD 20 million Series A funding round led by the IFC and the Re-Pie Asset Management Company. Clifford Chance Turkish affiliate Ciftci Attorney Partnership advised the IFC. Unsal advised Re-Pie.

Turunc has advised Wellbees on its bridge financing round led by Sabanci Ventures and including 212, Enocta, and angel investors.

The Ergun Law Firm has advised Koc Holding on its acquisition of 80% of the shares in the Kemer Medical Center Ozel Saglik Hizmetleri. The Akol Law Firm reportedly advised the sellers, including CEECAT Capital.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.