An in-depth look at Inanc Akalin of Boden Law covering his career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.
Career:
- Boden Law; Senior Partner; 2016-present
- Herguner; Senior Associate; 2014-2016
- Herguner; Associate; 2008-2014
- ELIG; Associate; 2007-2008
- Paksoy; Associate; 2006-2007
Education:
- Exeter University; LL.M.; 2004
- Istanbul University Law Faculty; LL.B.; 2002
Favorites:
- Out-of-office activity: Football, travelling
- Quote: “You are either part of a solution or you are part of the problem.” – Eldridge Cleaver
- Book: The Godfather by Mario Puzo
- Movie: The Godfather
Top 5 Projects:
- Advising DP World on the development of a port project in Turkey – carried out all construction agreements, zoning and construction permits, land agreements, and operation requirements from sketch until operation
- Advising Tesco Kipa on the lease and purchase of more than 50 hypermarkets around Turkey, including zoning and construction permits
- Advising Ferko on the acquisition, development, and construction, as well as lease, sale, and lease-back or sale of several multi-purpose real estate projects, including hotels, residences, hypermarkets, residences, offices, and factory buildings
- Advising the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority on the renovation project of a historical hotel building in Istanbul
- Advising Koc Entek in the due diligence and share purchase process of a wind power plant project
CEELM: What would you say was the most challenging project you ever worked on and why?
Akalin: The most challenging project I ever worked on is possibly the DP World Yarimca Port project. I was involved in the project in the phase of obtaining land rights and worked on it until the port became operative. It took nearly eight years and involved many parties, including governmental bodies and private third parties. As the project took several years, we faced many legislative amendments, financial instabilities, and changes in personnel. Furthermore, being required to obtain several permits from governmental authorities needed excellent communication skills, coordination, and strategic thinking. The client, being a foreign company, imposed certain complexities as well, such as obtaining land-related rights and a change of C-level management after a couple of years. In the end, we managed to complete the project successfully.
CEELM: What was your main takeaway from it?
Akalin: I could say that my main takeaway from the project was developing my communication skills, coordination abilities, and strategic thinking. It was difficult to explain the delays, mainly arising from governmental bodies in the project, to the client and convince them that it was the normal course of action. It was also very hard to deal with third parties and governmental bodies at the same time, within an uncertain schedule.
CEELM: What is one thing clients likely don’t know about you?
Akalin: Clients know I like to get into the action of it all as quickly as possible. Having said that, clients generally do not know that I am a very detail-oriented lawyer as well and cannot stop reading the petitions or agreements even days after submission or execution to make sure that everything is well structured and executed.
CEELM: Name one mentor who played a big role in your career and how they impacted you.
Akalin: I have been privileged to work with many extraordinary and role-model lawyers throughout my career. I may say Serdar Paksoy, Umit Herguner, and Serkan Gul played very important roles in my career. However, if I have to name only one person, it would be Mutlu Dolarslan, who was one of the partners of the law firm where I started working during my education at Istanbul University and where I completed my compulsory apprenticeship period. His way of solving problems, thinking, and creating solutions to problems shaped my thinking. He was also very good at writing petitions in a clear, detailed way in a style that is user-friendly, with perfect language. I still can see his impact on every document I write.
CEELM: Name one mentee you are particularly proud of.
Akalin: I have also been privileged to work with many great young lawyers. To name one, I would say Enis Sinan Reyhan, who is currently providing legal services to his own clients in his own firm. I worked closely with Sinan for nearly five years and witnessed his development both as a lawyer and a person. I worked hard to help him develop his weak sides. He was very eager to learn and develop himself. We are still in touch, and I still like to discuss legal issues with him. His mindset and way of thinking are different than mine, so it is very good to see the problems from a different point of view while discussing them with him.
CEELM: What is the one piece of advice you’d give yourself fresh out of law school?
Akalin: One should never give up learning and keeping up with new developments. Freshmen should also develop their communication skills, both orally and in writing. They should never say, “Yes, I am done!”
This article was originally published in Issue 12.5 of the CEE Legal Matters Magazine. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the magazine, you can subscribe here.
