Professional notice
Turkey
Highly regarded antitrust lawyer Tolga Ismen runs the competition group at Ismen, the firm he established in 2004. Another alumnus of White & Case in Turkey – known then as Derman Ortak Avukatlik Bürosu – Ismen says the firm focuses on mergers and acquisitions, and the competition group handles around 15 deals a year.
The firm is busy domestically and internationally, most notably acting for Seagate in its acquisition of Samsung’s hard disk drive business. The TCA opened an in-depth investigation, but closed it after accepting agreements from the companies. They also advised Novartis in its merger with Alcon, which the TCA approved with remedies. Ismen says the firm is working on three additional merger filings.
Despite the transactional focus, Ismen says the firm is increasingly active in cartel investigations and sector inquiries as the TCA increases the number it carries out. The firm often represents the Turkish government in privatisation deals and has advised on matters regarding the ports, road network and maritime transport sectors.
Ismen Law Firm is a leading Turkish M&A law firm. It was founded in 2004 and since then focused in all types of M&A transactions including privatizations and private equity investments.
With regard to competition law, to date, Ismen has represented local and international clients in more than 60 notifications made to the Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) in different industries such as energy, pharmaceutical, food, oil and gas, retail, construction. Consisting of 1 senior and 2 junior associates, the competition group of the firm handles around 15 to 20 merger filings a year. Tolga Ismen is the managing partner of Ismen and the head of the competition group.
Ismen’s most recent and notable filing with the TCA was Seagate’s acquisition of the HDD Business of Samsung. The TCA opened an in-depth investigation on the filing but closed it after accepting agreements from the parties. The transaction was cleared unconditionally by the TCA.
The other important filing made with the TCA in 2010 was the acquisition by Novartis AG of approx. half of the shares in Alcon, Inc. from Nestlé S.A. The approval was crucial since Alcon, Inc. would become dominant in two of the relevant markets following the acquisition. Tolga Ismen played an important role in negotiations between the parties to the transaction and the TCA as to the remedies. The TCA cleared the transaction conditionally to be fulfilled by Novartis.
The firm is also experienced in running compliance programmes and training services to its various clients, including the Turkish entities of well-known multinational clients such as 3M, BAT, Tetrapak, Bunge.
Ismen is also experienced in defending multinational clients in investigations by the TCA. Furthermore, the firm often represents Turkish government in privatization deals and has advised on matters regarding the ports, road network and maritime transport sectors.
Contact details:
Buyukdere Caddesi Maya Akar Center
No:100-102 Kat:18
Esentepe – Istanbul / Turkiye
T: +90 212 272 6364
F: +90 212 272 6365