Baker & McKenzie is gearing up to launch in Turkey later this year, with the new office set to operate in co-operation with local firm Esin Attorney Partnership to comply with local Bar rules.

Esin, which is based in Istanbul, is a 40-lawyer firm which covers practice areas including corporate, real estate, dispute resolution and competition law. The firm's main clients include NBK Capital, Global Investment House, Unicredit, Carrefour, Metro Asset Management, Credit Suisse and Pfizer.

Esin currently has four partners, one of who will become a partner at Bakers as a part of the agreement.

Turkey's Bar rules stipulate that international firms can only practice local law in co-operation with a local law firm. It is understood, however, that Bakers has already applied for a licence to launch its own Istanbul office, which will operate in the same space as Esin currently does.

Bakers chairman Eduardo Leite commented: "Istanbul is an increasingly important hub for global business. By entering into an exclusive arrangement with one of Istanbul's leading law firms we are underlining our commitment to being able to serve our clients in those markets in which they are growing their businesses, while strengthening our ability to help Turkish clients take advantage of the opportunities beyond their borders."

European chairman Koen Vanhaerents added: "It has become increasingly clear that Turkey is rapidly growing in importance for our clients. This exclusive relationship with Esin provides our clients with access to the very best legal services in Turkey."

The launch, which is subject to regulatory approval, will be the third for Baker in as many years. In May this year the firm opened an office in Qatar on the back of launches in Luxembourg in October 2010 and Abu Dhabi in 2009.

Clifford Chance launched in Turkey in April this year, with the office operating in conjunction with Yegin Legal Consultancy, while DLA Piper opened for business in the country in June last year.