Dear colleagues and subscribers,

Continuing our GRATA International Global View series, this edition highlights our firm’s presence in the Middle East, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. We share an overview of the region, outline our key services, and provide updates on recent developments and recognitions across these jurisdictions.

The Middle East, Turkey, and Azerbaijan are no longer just strategic locations on the map — today, they are dynamic centres of investment, trade, and legal innovation.

Positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, these markets offer expanding opportunities in energy, infrastructure, finance, and cross-border commerce. GRATA International is uniquely placed to guide clients through the legal complexities of these jurisdictions, combining local expertise with international insight.

With strong teams in Turkey, the UAE, and Azerbaijan, we provide seamless legal support for businesses operating across the Caspian region and the wider Middle East.

In this issue, discover how our offices in Istanbul, Dubai, and Baku can support your projects with tailored legal solutions aligned with your industry and strategic goals.

📍 Turkey
🏙️ 87.6 million people
The largest market in the region, strategically bridging Europe and Asia. Istanbul is a commercial, logistics, and arbitration hub.

Baspinar & Partners (GRATA International Turkey) helps clients manage risk, seize opportunities, and drive their business forward. Our lawyers are focused on results - whether in the boardroom or the courtroom.

We advise local and international companies on public and private ventures, guide startups, and handle complex transactions and regulatory matters. Collaboration across teams ensures integrated solutions tailored to each client’s goals.

Our Turkish team provides legal assistance on: 

• Corporate and M&A
• Commercial Contracts
• Tax
• Intellectual Property
• Employment
• Real Estate
• Dispute Resolution

Gokmen Baspinar
Senior Partner

Before co-founding the firm in 2010, he was a partner at one of Turkey’s leading law firms.

Gökmen began his career in the maritime sector, specializing in P&I insurance, and later expanded into real estate, representing clients ranging from investors and developers to contractors and end users. He is particularly known for his expertise in distressed asset transactions and resolving complex legal matters.

Gökmen has also advised on numerous M&A and NPL transactions, representing both domestic and international investors. He is licensed to handle trademark and patent applications.

Kaan Gök
Senior Partner

Kaan has started his professional career in 2003 in Frankfurt am Main with a consulting firm. In Germany, he advised his clients in their cross border transactions mostly related to Turkey and Germany.

In 2005 Kaan attended one of the biggest law firms in Turkey in which he has worked as a senior associate for six years.

Kaan has advised his clients in their real estate transactions, privatization tenders and corporate matter specifically in M&A deals. He has also advised public authorities such as Privatization Administration of the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry Investment Support and Promotion Agency for the matters related with the foreign investors.

Adil Ali Ceylan
Senior Partner

Ali Ceylan started his career within Turkish Savings Deposit Insurance Fund of Turkey. After having worked for two years, Ali moved to private practice. During his government practice time, he dealt with the recovery of bankrupt Turkish banks’ losses. He chased the assets outside Turkey and lead international cases related to such assets.

Ali advises foreign clients in Turkey for their acquisitions and corporate matters, as well as he advises retailers in food and garment sectors, banks, real estate developers, advertisement companies, hotels and factories in different industries.

Ali is also working on international arbitration cases. He advised various cases before ICSID and ICC.

📍 Azerbaijan
🛢️ 10.4 million people
A leading energy player in the Caspian region, with a growing legal and investment landscape.

GRATA International Azerbaijan has been a trusted legal advisor in Azerbaijan since 2003. Baku office provides full legal support to both international and local clients across key industry sectors.

One of the few internationally qualified law firms in the country, the office has proven track record across local, regional, and cross-border projects. The office provides services on a wide range of legal inquiries including: 

• Environmental Law
• Corporate and M&A
• Commercial Contracts
• Licenses and Permits
• Tax
• Subsoil Use
• Intellectual Property
• Employment
• Finance and Securities
• Real Estate
• Customs Law, International Trade & WTO
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Dispute Resolution

Ummi Jalilova
Managing Partner, Director of Baku office

Ummi Jalilova leads GRATA International’s Baku office and brings over 14 years of experience in corporate, commercial, contract, labour, administrative, and international law. She advises local and international clients on complex employment and corporate matters, including cross-border M&A, corporate reorganizations, employee share schemes, and legal entity liquidations. Her work also covers recognition of foreign judgments, employment contracts and policies, separation agreements, retrenchments, and disciplinary issues.

📍 UAE
🌐 11.3 million people
A global center for finance and technology. Dubai serves as a gateway to the broader Middle East market.

From our office in Dubai, Mai Alfalasi Advocates and Legal Consultancy (MAAF Legal) provides comprehensive legal support across sectors including corporate, finance, insurance, real estate, energy, construction, and dispute resolution. Our experienced litigation team handles a wide range of cases across all UAE courts and tribunals.

Our office in UAE provides legal services in different practice areas:

• Dispute resolution
• Corporate and M&A
• Commercial Contracts
• Tax
• Intellectual Property
• Employment
• Finance and Securities
• Real Estate

Issam Dahman
Managing Partner

Issam Dahman is a Managing Partner of Mai Alfalasi Advocates and Legal Consultancy (MAAF Legal), an associate office of GRATA International in UAE. With over twenty years of experience, Issam previously held various executive roles as General Counsel, leading in-house counsel for legal departments of key corporate and financial institutions. 

Issam acted on major transactions, including key mergers and acquisitions, project finance, corporate and debt restructuring, dispute resolutions, transfer of intellectual property, and many other business and commercial deals. Isaam is fluent in English, Arabic and French. 

Legal 500 EMEA 2025 results: GRATA International strengthens its position in Azerbaijan

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