Norton Rose Fulbright’s Turkish associated firm has hired project finance partner Utku Unver to bolster its offering in Istanbul.

Unver joins Norton Rose Fulbright’s Turkish partner — now known as Inal Unver Attorney Partnership — from Allen & Overy, where he was an associate and worked on a range of project finance and public-private partnership deals in the energy, transportation, technology and healthcare sectors. 

Anne Lapierre, Norton Rose Fulbright’s global head of energy, said: “Currently, there is a tremendous need for lawyers in Turkey who have a strong background working on project restructurings. Utku has this coveted experience, and his timely addition to Norton Rose Fulbright will benefit clients throughout the region.”

Unver brings with him that coveted experience working in project restructurings, as well as advising on private equity transactions, joint ventures and various operation and maintenance agreements and concessions in Turkey and the Middle East.

Ayse Yuksel Mahfoud, Norton Rose Fulbright’s head of cross-border practices and Istanbul partner-in-charge, said: “Utku is a natural fit for our Istanbul office, as he possesses experience from global law firms across many sectors on which we are focused. He understands our clients’ interests, and our clients will certainly appreciate him from a business standpoint.”

Unver spent seven years at Allen & Overy in Istanbul, and almost three years at Herguner Bilgen Ozeke Attorney Partnership before that. He also spent a year at Baker McKenzie in Frankfurt as an M&A and corporate lawyer, having started his career at Istanbul-based law firm Yamaner & Yamaner Law Office.

He said: “Turkey continues to offer promising opportunities for businesses and investors even during these unprecedented times. Norton Rose Fulbright’s regional and global experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors will allow me to provide the highest level of client service.”

In August, the firm named Houston-based Gerry Pecht as its new global chief executive in place of  Peter Martyr, who stepped down this month after almost two decades in the job. That followed the appointment of new EMEA managing partner Peter Scott, who took over from Martin Scott in April.