Pinsent Masons has become the latest firm to target the fast-growing Turkish market, with the firm set to launch a new infrastructure-focused base in the region.

The new Istanbul office will be headed up by Noyan Goksu, a former of counsel at Turkish firm Herguner Bilgen Ozeke.

Due to local practising rules, the firm has agreed a deal that will see Goksu found his own practice, with which Pinsents will enter into a joint venture arrangement. The deal is subject to regulatory approval, but Pinsents expects this to be confirmed by April.

The firm is planning to build up the office to a headcount of 20 lawyers over the next three years. The base will help it to tap into regional infrastructure markets across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Gulf and Africa, with a particular focus on international contractors, a significant number of which are based in Turkey.

The launch for Pinsents comes on the back of a period of international expansion following the end of its alliance with Salans, including new offices in Paris and Munich.

Senior partner Chris Mullen said: "Over the past year we have made considerable progress in expanding our network. We have a clear focus on investment into those global sectors where we see client demand and the greatest potential for growth, so opening in Istanbul and targeting the infrastructure sector is a natural next step."

Other firms with a presence in Turkey include Allen & Overy – which last November secured an association with Istanbul firm Gedik & Eraksoy after initially launching a UK law practice in 2011 – Baker & McKenzie, Clifford Chance and McDermott Will & Emery.