Ikbal began his legal career in 2013 at the Denlik-Hukuk law firm. By the end of 2013 Ikbal joined Altyn Kanun – leading law firm in Turkmenistan, where he worked as a lawyer and head of the corporate law department until 2015. During this time, he gained experience in labor law, contract law, and business law, making him one of the leading lawyers in Turkmenistan. 

He then joined the Hukukchy Hyzmatdash law firm, where he advised multinational and local companies on the setup and operations of business in Turkmenistan. Additionally, he assisted clients in obtaining necessary licenses and permits. He also accompanied the local juice producer of the brand 8 YAP on day-to-day legal issues. 

In 2016, Ikbal joined the regional team of General Electric in Central Asia – Legal Center of Excellence, as a legal consultant. In this role he provided legal services and performed various legal functions for GE business units in Central Asia.

In 2020, Ikbal joined the Hukukchy law firm as a partner and introduced the practical application of alternative dispute resolution, where he continued his duties until end of 2021. In November 2021, Ikbal was appointed as a Managing Partner at Hukuk Consulting law firm – associated office of GRATA International in Turkmenistan. Since February of 2023 Ikbal leads office of GRATA International in Turkmenistan, where he continues his practice in business law. 

Mekan brings over 10 years of experience in tax, finance, and business analysis, having developed deep expertise across industries such as public infrastructure, construction, automotive, and petroleum. With an MBA in Finance, Mekan has worked with multinational petroleum companies under profit-sharing agreements, demonstrating his ability to navigate and advise on complex tax structuring and compliance projects.

Mekan has played a key role in establishing PwC’s office and tax practice in Turkmenistan. During his time at the firm, Mekan gained significant experience in tax advisory, tax due diligence, and tax dispute resolution assignments by servicing multinational corporations. Currently, Mekan is pursuing the Canadian CPA designation to further enhance his professional qualifications. We are confident that his leadership skills, strategic thinking, and expert knowledge in taxation will make a substantial contribution to our firm’s growth and client success.

With over a decade of experience in corporate and business law, Kerim brings exceptional expertise in crafting strategic legal solutions and providing multilingual support to clients across diverse industries.

His time at CNPC International allowed him to master the art of designing and implementing comprehensive internal control systems, performing meticulous risk assessments, and ensuring strict adherence to regulatory standards in the oil and gas sector. Drawing from his experience with Polimeks A.Ş., he has proven expertise in managing intricate construction contracts and mitigating legal risks in high-profile projects. Additionally, his role at Civi & Partners in Istanbul enriched his knowledge in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and cross-border transactions, equipping him to handle complex international legal challenges with ease.

Kerim’s multilingual proficiency in English, Russian, Turkish, and German, combined with his degree in Law from Istanbul University, allows him to navigate complex legal landscapes with precision. His exceptional problem-solving abilities and dedication to achieving client success make him an integral part of GRATA International.

With over 14 years of extensive legal experience, Lachin brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. She spent more than a decade working at the arbitration court and court of general jurisdiction, where she handled arbitration, civil, administrative, and criminal proceedings. Her expertise extends to managing real estate transactions, including sale, purchase, rent, and donation, as well as corporate, contract law and employment. After her tenure from the court, Lachin obtained her license from the Ministry of Adalat of Turkmenistan, enabling her to provide legal assistance to physical persons and businesses. Lachin’s combination of technical expertise and dedication to delivering results makes her an invaluable addition to GRATA International Turkmenistan Team. We are excited to have her on board and look forward to her contributions to our clients and the team.

Leyli, a graduate of the International University for the Humanities and Development with a degree in International Trade, brings a wealth of diverse experiences. She has provided mentorship to aspiring innovators through the Technovation Girls program, empowering young girls to develop technology-driven solutions, and significantly contributed to educational initiatives like the English Language Projects at the American Center, both in Ashgabat. Additionally, her internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave her insight into financial processes and government operations.

Since joining us last summer, Leyli has excelled in delegating tasks within the office and developing exceptional proficiency in task management, data analysis, and documentation. Her efforts have significantly improved operational efficiency, broadened her knowledge across various sectors and services, and contributed to her growing understanding of jurisdictional matters. Her expanding expertise in business integration and dedication to innovation make her a valuable member of our team.

Along with her main role Leyli will support the GRATA International Turkmenistan Team as a Paralegal. In her additional new role, Leyli will be responsible for conducting legal research, gathering and summarizing legal materials, preparing documents as well as legal correspondence letters, assisting with case management, including, scheduling meetings, organizing documents, tracking deadlines, and managing case files, assisting with data collection, review, and production, providing general administrative support to the legal team.