CC London partner to relocate for Turkish office launch with YLC

Clifford Chance (CC) is set to launch in Turkey next year, with the magic circle firm planning to relocate a partner from London to open the base.

City finance partner Simon Williams is due to move to Turkey to lead the Istanbul office, which will formally launch in spring 2011. Two associates will also relocate to Turkey, with the office operating in co-operation with local firm Yegin Legal Consultancy (YLC) to meet local Bar rules.

The base will focus on infrastructure, energy, finance and capital markets work, with CC lawyers working alongside those from YLC.

YLC head Mete Yegin, a banking and finance partner, has been working as a consultant for CC since January 2009. The Turkish firm has four further associates.

CC's incoming senior partner, Malcolm Sweeting, said: "We've been very focused on Turkey for some time now and it is increasingly becoming the central hub for southeastern Europe. Our clients are working in the region more and more and now require us to have a presence on the ground there to be able to service them fully.

"The success of the firm in Turkey so far has been based around services in energy, infrastructure and financing, but we are looking to move into corporate and real estate in due time."

Williams (pictured) said: "We have been working with Mete for nearly two years and have established a solid relationship with his firm in the Turkish market. We will be looking to help him expand his team over the coming months, and may also relocate further partners to our office in the region once we see what our needs are on the ground."

The office will work closely with banking and finance partners Nicholas Wong in Paris, Riko Vanezis in Frankfurt and Sweeting, who have been steering the firm's activities in Turkey up to this point.

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