Valued by sources for its ‘unmatched legal experience in real estate’, Abcoo Law Firm houses one of the most comprehensive practices in the market. The team routinely represents the premier developers and investors in Turkey, while it also acts for lenders, landowners and tenants. The department is led jointly by Hasan Çağlayan, who is a 35-year veteran of the real estate market; Murat Aygün, who specialises in transactional real estate matters; and Berk Batur, whose practice spans real estate, government affairs and corporate law. The team’s strong second line of associates includes Ezgi Aysima Kurtuluş and Miray Yağcı.

Hergüner Bilgen Üçer Attorney Partnership impresses with its involvement in flagship development projects across all core real estate segments, including shopping malls, hotels and residential property. The team also benefits from its ability to draw on the wider firm’s corporate and projects offerings, among other complementary practice areas, for support on large-scale matters. Sector specialist Serkan Gül co-heads the department and contributes experience across the full life-cycle of real estate work, including zones and permits, construction, and sale and leaseback transactions. Group co-lead Nazım O. Kurt combines strength in development and real estate litigation. Zeynep Tor and associate Pınar İnci Tetik specialise in matters intersecting real estate and corporate law.

The full-service real estate team at Kolcuoglu Demirkan Koçakli added a raft of new names to its client roster over the past year, including tourism company Losta Turizm and property owner Odea Bank. The group’s diverse client list is testament to its expertise across all key stages of the sector, from land acquisition and planning, through to project development and financings. Go-to real estate expert Serhan Kocaklı heads the department and brings to bear extensive experience in commercial and industrial property transactions. The group also includes talented managing associate Büşra Özden and associate Orcan Çetinkaya, who both focus on real estate work.

Routinely engaged by domestic and multinational clients, ARIKAN | PARTNERS ILC’s group is noted for its ‘high-level experience and knowledge in construction law’. The team shows adept handling of a wide range of non-contentious real estate matters, including permits, development projects, and property sales and acquisitions, while it is also equipped to advise on complex construction disputes, including arbitration proceedings. Nazli Arikan spearheads both the construction and arbitration practices and is noted for her expertise in cross-border work. Managing partner Akin Volkan Arikan and counsel Selda Tasyürek Köksal are also key contacts.

Balcioglu Selçuk Ardiyok Keki has a marked focus on advising major domestic and multinational corporations on leasing-related matters, with Coca-Cola, Christian Dior and Eren Holding among its representative clients. The group also demonstrates strong recent showings in real estate disputes and land acquisitions and disposals. Department head Barlas Balcioğlu is held up by sources for his ‘sharp business acumen and a commercial approach’, while counsel Ali Can Gören is valued for his ‘exceptional project management skills’; both have broad experience in real estate transactions.

Esin Attorney Partnership, Member Firm of Baker & McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein is distinguished by its focus on the retail sector, shopping malls, offices and hotels. Arguably best known for its record in leasing transactions, where it recently won Decathlon Turkey as a new client, the group also handles real estate investment deals, project development and contentious matters, among other areas of activity. Dispute resolution specialist İsmail Esin heads the group. Associates Tugay Hanegelioğlu and Berk Bengi left the firm in 2023. Since publication, Nigar Gökmen left the firm.

Over the past year Paksoy’s practice showed particular activity in the hospitality and real estate investment spheres. The team also advises on M&A-related real estate issues, leasing transactions, construction and contentious work. Key contact Elvan Aziz spearheads both the real estate and corporate departments and brings significant transactional expertise to the table. The group also draws on banking and finance specialist Sera Somay and newly promoted counsel Zekican Samlı, who specialises in energy and natural resources.

Güner Law Office has a robust offering in the hotels and leisure sphere, due in no small part to its ten-year relationship with Marriott Hotels International, to whom it is providing ongoing advice in relation to several development projects. Leasing is also a practice strong suit and the group advises both domestic and international clients, as lessees, on leasing arrangements. Former department head Burcak Kurt Bicer left in August 2023 to establish her own firm. Senior associate Sabahat Elif İpek is now the key contact.

According to one satisfied client, Hansu Law Office provides ‘advice rooted in a profound understanding of the industry’. The group acts for a range of construction companies, private entrepreneurs and public sector clients across an increasingly broad array of matters, with an emphasis on project development. Co-managing partners Ömer Faruk Hansu and Ata Torun jointly head a department that also includes managing associates Fatma Çimen and Burcu Dalyan Aydın.

Among Moral | Kınıkoğlu | Pamukkale Attorney Partnership’s key areas of expertise, the team has recorded an uptick in immigration-related real estate work of late. The group also has significant experience in retail-related matters, including leasing arrangements. Multidisciplinary department head Serkan Pamukkale maintains a broad practice straddling finance, capital markets, M&A and real estate. Senior associate Aybike Gürcan specialises in real estate, immigration and M&A.

Moroglu Arseven acts for a broad pool of industry stakeholders on construction and real estate matters, including landowners, developers and institutional investors, among others. The group demonstrates particularly adept handling of contentious construction work, including arbitral proceedings, but it also has experience in transactions, development projects and leasing arrangements. Key partners Benan Arseven, Seyfi Moroğlu and Nejla Aydın Özer oversee a practice that also includes litigator Burak Baydar and senior associate Fulya Kurar.

With a marked focus on the hospitality and leisure sphere, Pelister Atayilmaz Enkur Law Office is well-positioned to advise major industry clients, including RCI and InterContinental Hotels Group, on real estate transactions and construction projects. Emre Atayilmaz is recommended for his broad sector experience, which spans residential and commercial property development, hotel management contracts, and leasing arrangements. Atayilmaz co-heads the practice together with corporate partners Emre Keki and Senem Saraç.

Real estate disputes are a mainstay of Acar & Ergönen Law Firm’s practice and it supported clients in a wide range of judicial cases, mediation proceedings and enforcement actions over the past year. The team is also well-versed in construction projects, sale and purchase transactions, and leasing agreements. Department head Onur Ergönen additionally leads the dispute resolution practice.

The real estate group at DURUKAN+PARTNERS houses an increasingly prominent leasing practice, which recently secured several new clients in the luxury retail sector. The team is also noted for real estate finance, and immigration-related issues. Corporate and finance partner Begüm Özaydin co-heads the department alongside Hikmet Fadillioğlu, who specialises in corporate and commercial work.

Lawyers at Ersoy Bilgehan Lawyers & Consultants are valued for their ‘great knowledge of the industry’. The multidisciplinary practice has experience across all core areas of real estate law but is primarily involved in investment transactions, sale and purchase agreements, and leasing-related issues. Shipping specialists Zihni Bilgehan and Ergün Ersoy co-head a team that also includes ‘outstanding lawyer’ Emre Ersoy.

Kesikli Law Firm’s robust construction expertise translates into a practice that specialises in advising on energy and real estate development projects. Other key areas of activity include construction disputes and leasing arrangements. Group head Omer Kesikli is held up by sources for his ‘proven track record in the real estate area’. Since publication, Başak Akin left the firm.

KILINÇ LAW & CONSULTING’s real estate practice is equipped to advise on a broad scope of work, from zoning and regulatory law, through to property management, lease agreements and immigration matters, among other issues. Key contacts include Duygu Doğan Şahiner, who handles real estate, shipping and dispute resolution; senior counsel Nigar Guliyeva; senior associates Eren Dündar and Mevra Baran Akkoyun; and managing associate Mert Sönmüş.

Boutique firm Kizilyel & Partners Law Firm houses a compact but effective five-lawyer-strong real estate practice that is distinguished by its record in leasing matters. Murat Kızılyel steers a group that has additionally handled construction projects and real estate disputes. Associate Ece Ilci is also singled out for praise by sources.

Over the past year Lexist Law Firm has advised on over 100 lease agreements alongside its work on project development and contentious matters. Co-founding partner Eyüp Kul spearheads the practice and combines experience in corporate transactions, construction, infrastructure and dispute resolution. Projects and administrative law partner Mesut Kaya is also noted.