A law firm is a professional organization where lawyers and legal professionals come together to provide solutions for individuals and organizations facing legal issues. In Turkey, the profession of law is governed by the “Attorneyship Law” (Avukatlık Kanunu), which outlines the rules, rights, and responsibilities of lawyers. The Attorneyship Law requires lawyers to act independently, impartially, and uphold principles such as integrity, honesty, and professionalism.
Types of Law Firms
Law firms in Turkey can be categorized based on their structure and areas of expertise:
- Individual Law Firms:
Typically run by a single lawyer specializing in specific areas such as commercial law, family law, or criminal law. - Partnership Law Firms:
Comprising multiple lawyers who collaborate, offering a broader range of expertise and services. - Corporate Law Firms:
Large-scale firms, often operating at national or international levels, with a wide range of services and numerous lawyers and support staff.
Structure of a Law Firms
A law firm usually has a team of lawyers, legal assistants, paralegals, interns, administrative staff and other support staff. The most important component of a law firm is its lawyers. Law firms include experienced lawyers specializing in various legal fields based on their areas of expertise. The structure of law firms varies depending on their services and operations:
1. Partners
Partners are the owners of the law firm and are involved in its management and strategic decisions. They are experienced lawyers who often handle important client cases.
2. Senior Associates
These are experienced lawyers who may be candidates for partnership. They manage important cases and mentor junior associates.
3. Junior Associates
Junior associates often work alongside senior lawyers in order to gain experience.
4. Interns
Graduates of law schools who pass the Legal Professions Entrance Exam complete a one-year compulsory internship, spending the first six months in courts and the remaining six months under the supervision of a lawyer with at least five years of experience. Law students also do summer internships to familiarize themselves with the profession and gain practical experience.
5. Administrative and Support Staff
Lawyers and law partnerships can employ support staff essential for the practice of law in their offices. Accounting, human resources, information technology, and secretarial services fall under the scope of personnel who assist lawyers with legal research, case management, and client relations.
Services Offered by Law Firms
Law firms provide a variety of services tailored to meet the legal needs of individuals and organizations. These include:
- Consulting Services:
Offering legal advice and guidance on various issues to clients. - Litigation and Representation:
Representing clients in legal proceedings, handling court cases, and managing legal processes. - Contract Drafting and Review:
Assisting clients in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts. - Legal Research and Case Management:
Conducting legal research and analyzing risks and opportunities related to specific legal issues. - Arbitration and Mediation:
Providing alternative dispute resolution services such as arbitration and mediation. - Following Up Case Law and Legal Developments:
Keeping clients informed about changes in laws and relevant court decisions.
Areas of Service Provided by Law Firms
Law firms provide services across a wide range of legal areas, including:
1. Commercial and Corporate Law:
Commercial and Corporate Law, they provide services in matters such as commercial contracts, the establishment, operation, and dissolution of companies, mergers, demergers, and transformations of companies, bankruptcy and liquidation processes, and disputes related to negotiable instruments such as bills of exchange, promissory notes, and checks.
2. Obligations Law:
They also assist with obligations arising from contracts, torts, and unjust enrichment, including the performance of such obligations, the consequences of non-performance, termination, joint and several liabilities, conditional obligations, assignment of claims, and more. Their expertise covers a wide range of contracts, such as:sales contracts, barter contracts, promise of gift contracts, lease contracts, loan contractd, service contracts, marketing agreements, contract of work, publishing agreement, attorney agreements, brokerage contracts, acting without authority, commission contracts, safekeeping contracts, bailment contract, gambling and betting agreements, annuity contracts, lifelong support agreement, ordinary partnership agreements.
3. Family Law:
Family law, they provide services in matters such as engagement, divorce, custody, adoption, and alimony.
4. Inheritance Law:
They assist with issues related to legal and appointed heirs, drafting wills (handwritten, official, or oral), renunciation of inheritance, disinheritance, rejection of inheritance, and division of inheritance.
5. Criminal Law:
Criminal law, they undertake the defense of individuals who are victims or suspects during the investigation and prosecution phases. Legal services are provided for crimes against life, bodily integrity, sexual inviolability, freedom, honor, privacy and private life, property, society, the nation, and the state.
6. Labor Law:
They provide legal support in employee-employer disputes, employment contracts, workplace accidents, compensation claims, and mediation processes.
7. Real Estate Law:
Real estate law, they guide clients on matters such as property transactions, lease agreements, mortgages, title deed registration lawsuits.
8. Intellectual and Industrial Property Law:
Industrial and Intellectual property law, they offer services related to legal and criminal sanctions for violations of rights regarding trademarks, geographical indications, designs, patents, utility models, and traditional product names. Additionally, they assist with applications, registration, and post-registration processes for these rights, as well as legal and criminal cases involving the rights of authors and artists in cases of infringement.
9. Carriage Law:
They provide services concerning passenger and freight transportation contracts by land, sea, and air, and the resolution of disputes arising from these contracts.
10. Consumer Law:
Consumer law, they provide services in matters such as consumer contracts, defective goods and services, liability for defective goods and services, consumers’ choice rights, installment sales contracts, the right of withdrawal, consumer credit agreements, housing finance contracts, pre-paid housing sales contracts, distance contracts, timeshare and long-term vacation service contracts, package tour contracts, subscription agreements, commercial advertising and unfair commercial practices, applications to the Consumer Arbitration Board, decisions and objections to decisions, consumer courts, and mediation as a prerequisite for filing lawsuits.
11. Competition Law:
They offer services related to agreements, concerted practices, and decisions that restrict competition, exemptions, abuse of dominant position, mergers and acquisitions, the legal nature of agreements and decisions violating competition law, the right to compensation, compensation for damages, and the burden of proof.
12. Arbitration Law:
Arbitration law, they provide assistance with arbitration agreements, remedies against arbitral awards, and the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards.
13. International Law:
They offer consultancy services on international trade, foreign investments, and legal matters abroad.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Good Law Firm
When choosing a law firm, several key factors should be taken into consideration:
1. Experience and Area of Expertise
The area of law in which the firm specializes and its level of experience are important criteria in choosing a law firm.
Experience: The firm’s track record and its level of expertise in handling specific types of legal cases are important.
Area of Expertise: It is essential to choose a law firm that focuses on the specific legal area relevant to your needs.
2. References and Achievements
The firm’s past successes and references can provide insight into how effective it may be for clients.
Client Reviews and References: Positive feedback and references from previous clients provide valuable insights into a law firm’s credibility and professionalism.
Compliance with the Attorneyship Law: Ensuring the law firm adheres to the rules set by the Turkish Bar Association helps guarantee its trustworthiness.
3. Legal Consultancy Fees
A reputable law firm should provide clear and transparent pricing for its services.
- Explicity: The firm should provide clear pricing for its services, ensuring there are no unexpected expenses.
- Attorney Fees: The attorney’s fee refers to the amount or value representing the compensation for the legal assistance provided by the lawyer. Different law firms may charge based on case fees or hourly rates. Understanding the fee structure helps avoid unexpected expenses.
4. Communication and Accessibility
A good law firm ensures timely and effective communication with clients and easy access to legal services.
Effective Communication: A law firm should be able to communicate promptly via phone, email, or in-person, ensuring you are kept informed about your case.
Litigation: The firm should maintain regular updates and provide clear information on the progress of your case.
Personal Attention and Support: A good law firm provides personalized attention and support to ensure your legal needs are met.
5. Technological Infrastructure and Resources:
A modern law firm should be equipped with up-to-date technology to ensure efficient case management and data security.
Digital Case Management: A law firm with advanced digital systems ensures efficient case management and secure data handling.
Data Security: Protecting client information is essential, and a law firm should prioritize data security.
6. Up-to-Date Legal Knowledge:
The law firm should stay current on legal developments and offer clients the most relevant and up-to-date legal advice. Law constantly evolves, so a law firm’s ability to stay current with legal developments is vital:
Keeping Up with Legal Changes: The firm should stay updated on laws, regulations, and case law to offer accurate and current legal advice.
Informing About Supreme Court Decisions: A law firm’s familiarity with legal precedents and court decisions ensures clients receive well-informed guidance.
7. Scope of Services and Areas of Expertise
Legal issues can have significant consequences for individuals and organizations, making the selection of a law firm essential for obtaining reliable and effective legal services. When choosing a law firm, several key factors should be taken into consideration.
The scope of services provided by a law firm should align with your specific legal needs:
Service Areas: Ensure the law firm provides services that match your legal requirements. For example, whether an firm focuses exclusively on labor law or whether it offers a wider scope of services, such as corporate law, criminal law, etc. Law firms that specialize in specific areas, such as family law, business law, or criminal law, may be more effective in providing targeted legal assistance.
In conclusion, law firms play a crucial role in addressing the legal needs of individuals and organizations. Guided by both the Attorneyship Law and universal ethical principles, good law firms balance their commitment to clients with their duty to the broader community. Choosing the right law firm ensures access to competent legal representation and the best possible outcomes.
When choosing a law firm, considering the above factors ensures you make an informed decision. The complexity and significance of legal issues require professional legal representation. By evaluating experience, reputation, transparency, communication, technological capabilities, and service offerings, you can select a law firm that best meets your legal needs and ensures effective legal solutions.