On 24 November 2015, The Legal 500 hosted the GC Powerlist reception, sponsored by Esin Attorney Partnership and Baker & McKenzie at Les Ottomans hotel in Istanbul. The event was held to recognize in house lawyers of leading corporations chosen for their outstanding work supporting their companies and the wider legal profession in Turkey.
The Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world for almost 30 years. The GC Powerlist is the latest publication from The Legal 500, turning its attention to the in-house legal function, to recognize corporate counsel who are driving the legal business forward. The GC Powerlist has previously covered the UK, USA, Latin America, Germany, Asia, Africa, Middle East, Nordics, Switzerland, Russia and Ireland. The reception to recognize winners and nominees was attended by over 90 in-house counsel.
Ismail Esin, managing partner of Esin Attorney Partnership, member firm of Baker & McKenzie, explained the Firm's motivation for sponsoring the PowerList. "Our clients have supported us in gaining international recognition through directories such as the Legal 500 for many years, so we were excited for the chance to do the same for them. More importantly, the GC Powerlist recognizes the important role that in-house counsel play in driving the business decisions of some of the largest companies in Turkey, and truly demonstrates the legal profession's vital importance to business."
Research process evaluated; innovation, quality and excellence
The GC Powerlist Turkey which is the latest edition to the series, recognized 61 individuals that are known for their outstanding work in the country. The extensive research process was nomination led, with law firms and in-house counsel suggesting peers that have demonstrated innovation, quality and excellence within their companies.
The research sought to identify in-house counsel that have changed or formed opinions within their company or industry, developed outstanding technical solutions to complex problems, created innovative structures to ensure that the in-house function is driving the business forward and provided a model that other in-house counsel should follow. Nominations were assessed by The Legal 500 team of researchers, who specialise in the in-house portion of the legal sector, carrying out interviews with those individuals nominated to determine the final list for publication.
One of the main points that the GC Powerlist identifies is that senior corporate executives are now starting to realize the increasing strategic importance of the in-house legal team as key drivers of growth. In-house lawyers are now required to be commercial, work closer to the business and actively interact with the company. In Turkey, the in-house legal market has expanded rapidly in the recent past due to the emergence of a number of roles with regional responsibilities at both large multinationals and local blue chip companies.
Dominic Williams, Head of Research for The Legal 500, said: "For 28 years, The Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world. With the GC Powerlist, we are turning our attention to the in-house function, and recognising those corporate counsel who are driving the legal business forward. For this latest edition, we have identified the most influential and innovative in-house counsel working in Turkey. We would like to congratulate all those selected; they represent the best and brightest legal minds in Turkey today."
The findings of GC Powerlist: Turkey will be available to view as a print supplement which will be distributed to the legal sector in the region and is also available to view online via The Legal 500 website.