DWF has expanded into Istanbul through an exclusive alliance with local firm Ozkan Law.

The business-focused firm is led by managing partner Orkun Ozkan and has a further three partners and nine lawyers.

The firm focuses on corporate, M&A, intellectual property, project finance and dispute resolution work. Its clients include HSBC, Mitsubishi and Rail Cargo Austria.

Commenting on the tie-up, DWF managing partner Andrew Leaitherland said: "At the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East, Turkey presents promising immediate and long-term opportunities. Turkey's growing economy, advantageous geographical position, youthful population, and dynamic entrepreneurial class have made this country a growing market for international investors."

Ozkan added: "We have a very resilient political landscape in Turkey and our economy continues to grow, so there is a lot of foreign interest in the market and good opportunities for legal advisers as a result of that. Partnering with DWF will allow us to fully realise these opportunities by harmonising our local knowledge and expertise with DWF's global exposure and network."

Last year, DWF opened its first office in Italy through the hire of a 16-strong team in Milan, including three partners from local independent firm Pavia & Ansaldo and one partner from Italian independent LS Lexjus Sinacta.

This followed the launch of an office in Berlin with a team hire from DLA Piper, a Paris launch through a merger with four-partner firm Heenan Paris and expansion into Australia through a merger with a six-partner firm.

In December, it was announced that Leaitherland had been re-elected for a fifth term in the firm's top role, which he has held since 2006.