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PUBLISHER Turk of America, LLC
06 THE LIST OF TURKISH-AMERICAN LAWYERS IN THE U.S. According to TURKOFAMERICA’s research on Turkihs-American Lawyers in the U.S., the Turkish-American lawyers have practiced in 21 different states, from Florida to California, New York to Texas. New York is a home for Turkish-American lawyers.
CO-FOUNDER & GENERAL MANAGER Ömer Güneş – omer@turkofamerica.com CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING EDITOR Cemil Özyurt – cemil@turkofamerica.com
06
ART DIRECTOR Sinem Ertaş COVER Engin Tufan Sevimli
10
EDITOR Patricia Russo
14 SEDA AKTAS: A TOP 40 UNDER 40 IN FLORIDA Seda Aktas was honored as a new member of the Top 40 Under 40. Aktas Law, P.A. is one of the largest Turkish-American law firms in Florida. They have served to its clients in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando.
CONTRIBUTORS Ali Çınar, Cüneyt Gürkan, Burcu Gündoğan, Dr. Hakan Karalök, Halim Özyurt, Sechil Sertbas ADVISING COMMITTEE Ali Günertem, Egemen Bağış, Ekmel Anda, Ferhan Geylan, G. Lincoln McCurdy, Günay Evinch, Hakkı Akbulak, Melih Abdulhayoğlu, Mehmet Çelebi, Osman (Oz) Bengür, Uğur Terzioğlu
14
MAIN OFFICE TURKOFAMERICA, LLC. One Bridge Plaza N. Suite 275 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 Tel: +1 (201) 849 4445 info@ turkofamerica.com www.turkofamerica.com Follow on @turkofamerica
24
REPRESENTATIVES IN THE U.S. CALIFORNIA (Los Angeles): Barbaros Tapan - btapan@ turkofamerica. com Tel: +1 (213) 924 8027
18 28
MASSACHUSETTS Mustafa Aykaç – maykac@turkofamerica.com Tel: +1 (857) 205 8318 NEW YORK (Rochester) Ersoy Yildiz – eyildiz@turkofamerica.com Tel: +1 (707) 394 5349
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EUROPE: Yasin Yağcı – yyagci@turkofamerica.com Tel: +31 (624) 66 92 23 TURKEY GENERAL COORDINATOR Nuri Özyurt – nozyurt@turkofamerica.com MARKETING & SALES SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION TOA Basın Yayın Tic.Ltd.Şti. Büyükdere Caddesi Yapı Kredi Plaza C Blok No:40/41 Kat 17 Levent / İstanbul Tel:+ 90 212 282 37 11 turkiye@turkofamerica.com Tel : +90 (212) 317 47 85
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18 HE STARTED AT AS INTERN, NOW HE IS A PARTNER As a young and energetic lawyer, Barbaros Karaahmet first started at Herrick, Feinstein, LLP in 1995 and worked there until 2001. Ten years later, he re-joined the company as a partner. 24 If You Need Commercıal Lendıng, RRML Capıtal Resources Is Ready to Serve RRML Capital Resources, one of the nation’s leading commercial mortgage firms doing business nationwide, is investors’ single source for innovative business consulting, financing, equipment loans and commercial real estate loans. 28 THE PIONEER OF TURKISH LAWYERS J. Cahit Akbulut has pioneered the path for Turkish law students who have graduated abroad and want to become attorneys in the U.S. Akbulut, had the courage to undertake the challenge to change this reality. 36 SALTZMAN & EVINCH CELEBRATES ITS 20th ANNIVERSARY Saltzman & Evinch, PLLC provides a variety of legal services to foreign and domestic clients in the private and public sectors. The firm celebrates its 20th anniversary, and it concentrates on matters relating to Turkey and the surrounding region. 42 THE KINGS OF GAS STATION Creating over $2 billion worth of economic input, the Turkish and Armenian entrepreneurs also provide employment for more than 3000 people. The gas station business is in the hands of Armenians, especially in northern NJ, and of Turks in the Long Island region. 52 BAGLAN NURHAN RHYMES 20 Million People Are Breaching the Ban With Help of A Turkish Woman Entrepreneur AnchorFree, which was established in November 2005, received a series C investment in the amount of 6 million dollars in 2006, 4.8 in 2008 and 52 million from Goldman Sachs recently. 56 THE NUMBER OF TURKISH F&B VENUS HITS NEARLY 200 There are now 63 Turkish restaurants and cafes in business in Manhattan, there are 43 in NJ and 25 in Brooklyn. Venues which were initially opened in areas where there were many Turks and, which, over the years, have turned their customer profiles from ethnic to Americans, are now increasing in numbers in Brooklyn, NYC and northern NJ. 60 FOUR MILLION AMERICANS USE THEIR ATMs Four million Americans withdraw $300 million from the ATMs of two Turks. Müftahi brothers, today, own ATM machines in 10 states. They have recently won the bid for the Boston Airport terminal, and they continue to grow in Massachusetts.
60 02 • TurkofAmerica
10 THE FIRST TURKISH-AMERICAN LAWYER James Ben Ali Haggin, the grandson of Ibrahim Ben Ali, an Ottoman Janissary, became a lawyer and millionaire in the1880s. He was one of the most successful mining men of the country and achieved international renown as a breeder of fine race horses.
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62 FOUR NEW HOTELS BY TURKISH ENTREPRENEURS IN MANHATTAN In the upcoming years, Kiska Group will open the second and third and Devli Group and Lexington Capital will open their first hotels. The Mark Hotel, whose owner İzak Şenbahar is also the owner of Alexico Group, was opened to business in 2008.
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FROM EDITOR
Over 200 Turkısh-Amerıcan Lawyers Practıce ın the U.S. By Cemil Özyurt
cemil@turkofamerica.com
A
ccording to TurkofAmerica’s research on Turkish-American lawyers in the U.S., the most experienced lawyer is Elizer Kapuya, who has practiced since 1975 in Los Angeles. Kapuya graduated from the University of West Los Angeles. After Kapuya, the second-most experienced lawyer is Aydın S. Çağınalp, who has practiced in New York since 1976. He is listed in the Best Lawyers in America. Melih Doğan also has practiced since 1979 in New York. İskender Cemaletin has also practiced immigration law for over 26 years and has maintained his main office in the same building, located in downtown New York City. New York is a home for Turkish-American lawyers. According to our research, 82 lawyers have practiced in New York State, 38 lawyers are located in California, and 25 lawyers have practiced in Washington, DC.
The number of Turkish-American lawyers have hit 228 across the U.S.
The most popular law schools for the lawyers are Brooklyn Law School, Touro Law School, Seton Hall University School of Law and Suffolk University Law School. The most preferred practice areas are immigration, business law and international law.
The lawyers have practiced in 21 different states, from Florida to California, New York to Texas.
In addition to Turkish-American lawyers, there are plenty of American lawyers who target the Turkish-American community and they are very active in it. Considered as friends of Turks, Michael E. McMahon of Herrick, Feinstein, LLP, Andrew P. Johnson, David Saltzman of Saltzman & Evinch P.C., John Driscoll of Eaton & Van Winkle LLP are well known American lawyers in Turkish-American community. The list includes Armenian, Greek, and Jews of Turkish descent as well as lawyers who married Turks, such Vanessa Seçkin in New York, Staci Cazanne Pirnar of Bellinger & Suberg, LLP in Dallas, TX, Rachel Cerqueira Denktaş of Saltzman & Evinch, P.C. in Washington, DC, and Christina Angelena Çorbacı of Joyce & Associates, P.C. in Boston, MA. There are approximately 20 lawyers who have dual law school degrees from both Turkey and the U.S. Cahit Akbulut is the pioneer of the Turkish lawyers who started to practice in the U.S. after obtaining a law degree in Turkey. Mine Gür of The Law Office of H. Mine Gur, Mehmet Fırat Polat of Polat Law Firm, and Betül Ü. Dışkaya of Pinci & Bianchini Law, have obtained
04 • TurkofAmerica
dual law degrees from both Turkey and the U.S. Some owners of boutique law firms expand their offices to different cities. Seda Aktaş of Aktas Law Firm, and Ayhan Ögmen of Ogmen Law Firm have three different offices in three different cities. Seda Aktaş has offices in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando. Some lawyers work at as partners in respected large law firms such as Barbaros Karaahmet of Herrick, Feinstein, LLP, a New York based renowned law firm with 170 lawyers and it has existed since 1928, Berin S. Romagnolo of Posternak Blankstein & Lund LLP, founded 1980 in Boston, Demet Başar of Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP, founded in 1888, and Gülgün U. Mersereau of Hawkins Delafield & Wood, LLP, based on Portland, OR with more than 100 lawyers in eight cities. The highest ranked person among Turkish-Americans in the legal professions is Jay Ceyhun Karahan, who is a judge in the Harris County Criminal Court in Houston, TX. He has been re-elected twice since 2003. Elizabeth Munisoğlu is the Commissioner of the Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles and Mehmet K. Konar-Steenberg is the Dean of William Mitchell College of Law School in Saint Paul, MN. While most lawyers prefer to run their own offices, some of them work for companies as in-house legal advisers for companies such as IBM, Blackberry, Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, American Express, Morgan Stanley and Travelers. Some experienced lawyers are also very active in Turkish-American community. Günay Evinch of Saltzman & Evinch was former President of American Turkish Association Assemble; Sevil Özışık of Tooma & Ozisik LLP was President of Turkish American Chamber of Commerce Industry and Remzi Güvenç Kulen of Kulen Law Firm was President of Turkish American Cultural Center in New Jersey. The younger generation also has a bright future in their careers, including Ayşe Kuzucuoğlu of Vedder Price, a San Francisco based law firm, Ekin Senlet of Hiscock & Barclay LLP in Albany, NY, and Petek Günay of Gunay Law Firm in New York.
TURKISH LAWYERS IN THE US
According to TURKOFAMERICA’s research on Turkihs-American Lawyers in the U.S., the Turkish-American lawyers have practiced in 21 different states, from Florida to California, New York to Texas. New York is a home for Turkish-American lawyers.
The Lıst of Turkısh-Amerıcan Lawyers ın the U.S. T
he Turkish-American lawyers have practiced in 21 different states, from Florida to California, New York to Texas. New York is a home for Turkish-American lawyers. According to research, 82 Turkish-American lawyers have practiced in New York State, 38 lawyers are located in California, and 25 lawyers have practiced in Washington, DC. According to TurkofAmerica’s research on Turk-
ish-American lawyers in the U.S., the most experienced lawyer is Elizer Kapuya, who has practiced since 1975 in Los Angeles. After Kapuya, the second-most experienced lawyer is Aydın S. Çağınalp, who has practiced in New York since 1976. He is listed in the Best Lawyers in America. Melih Doğan also has practiced since 1979 in New York. New York is a home for Turkish-American lawyers.
THE LIST OF ADVERTISER LAWYERS * Name
Firm
Address
City
State
Zip
Tel
1- Cahit Akbulut
Law Offices of John C. Akbulut
36 E 20th St #2
NY
NY
10003
(212) 387 0600
jca@akbulutlaw.com
2- Birsen Aksakal
Moallemzadeh & Aksakal
1501 Broadway 12th Fl Ste 1203
NY
NY
10036
(646) 416 6364
usimmigrantlaw@gmail.com
3- Seda Aktaş**
Aktas Law, P.A.
701 Brickell Ave, Ste 1550
Miami
FL
33131
(305) 728 5331
seda@aktaslaw.com
4- İskender Cemaletin
Iskender Cemaletin, Esq
401 Broadway, 5th Fl
NY
NY
10013
(212) 941 1717
green.card@verizon.net
5- John J. Driscoll
Eaton & Van Winkle LLP
3 Park Ave., 16th Fl
New York
NY
10016
(212) 779-9910
JDriscoll@evw.com
6- Günay Evinch
Saltzman & Evinch, P.C.
655 15th St NW, F St. Lobby Ste 225
Washington
DC
20005
(202) 637 9877
GEvinch@Turklaw.Net
7- Petek Günay Gunay Law, P.C. 57 West 16th St. 3rd Fl NY NY 10011 (646) 331 9527 pgunay@gunaylaw.com 8- Barbaros M. Karaahmet
Herrick, Feinstein
LLP 2 Park Ave.
NY
NY
10016
(212) 592 1570
bkaraahmet@herrick.com
9- Remzi GüvençKulen
Kulen Law Firm
P.C.363 7th Avenue Ste. 400
NY
NY
10001
(212) 904 1506
kulen@kulenlaw.com
10- Ayse
Kuzucuoğlu
Vedder Price275 Battery St. Ste 2464
San Francisco
CA
94111
(415) 749 9512
akuzucuoglu@vedderprice.com
11- Sevil Özışık
Tooma & Ozisik LLP
29 Broadway Ste 1500
NY
NY
10006
(212) 509 0099
sozisik@tolawllp.com
12- Mehmet Fırat
Polat
Polat Law Firm 363 7th Ave. Ste 400
NY
NY
10001
(212) 359 4212
polat@polatlaw.com
13- David Saltzman
Saltzman & Evinch, P.C.
655 15th St. NW
Washington
DC
20005
(202) 637 9877
Dsaltzman@turklaw.net
14- Vanessa Seçkin
Seckin Law Firm
125 Park Avenue 25th Fl.
NY
NY
10017
(212) 520 1663
vseckin@seckinlaw.com
15- Ozan Yalti
Eaton & Van Winkle LLP
3 Park Ave., 16th Fl
New York
NY 10016
16- Ekin Senlet
Hiscock & Barclay LLP
80 State St.
Albany
NY
(212) 779-9910 12207
* The lawyers are ordered by last names. ** Aktas Law, P.A.has offices in Ft Lauderdale and Orlando as well. (1) Immigration, Real Estate, Personal Injury, Criminal, Business Law (2) International Treaties, International Organizations, International and Federal Jurisdiction, State Sovereignty, Anti-terrorism and Human Rights. (3) Immigration and Nationality Law, Corporate and Business Law, Commercial Litigation (4) Media Law, Intellectual Property Law Group, Turkish Practice, International Law Group, Corporate & Securities Law Group, Internet and E-Commerce Law
06 • TurkofAmerica
OYalti@evw.com
(518) 429 4231
www.evw.com Turkish Practice
ESenlet@hblaw.com
TURKISH LAWYERS IN THE US
Birsen Aksakal, Moallemzadeh & Aksakal
John C. Akbulut, Law Offices of John C. Akbulut
John J. Driscoll Eaton & Van Winkle
İskender Cemaletin
S& Attorneys at Law
Barbaros Karaahmet,
Herrick, Feinstein, LLP SALTZMAN & EVINCH,
P.C.
(202) 637-987
www.turklaw.ne
Dsaltzman@turkl
Ayşe Kuzucuoğlu, Vedder Price
Seda Aktaş, Aktas Law P.A.
Petek Günay, Günay Law
Remzi Güvenç Kulen, Kulen Law Firm
Ekin Senlet, Hiscock & Barclay, LLP
Mehmet Fırat Polat, Polat Law Firm
Sevil Özışık, Tooma & Ozisik LLP
Rachel Cerqueira Denktaş David Saltzman - Günay Evinch Merve Demirel, Saltzman & Evinch, P.C.
Vanessa Seçkin, Seckin Law Firm.
Gevinch@turklaw
MAIN OFFICE
TÜRKİYE OFFICE
Saltzman & Evinch, P.C. 1050 K Street, NW Suite 1150 Washington, D.C. 20001
The Paragon Kızılırmak Mah. 1445.Sokak No:2 B Blo Çukurambar, Çankaya,
Ozan Yalti Eaton & Van Winkle LLP
Web
Practice
School
Bar Admission
akbulutlaw.com
Immigration
NYU
1998
www.usimmigrantlaw.com
Immigration
Touro Law School
2013
www.aktaslaw.com
Criminal Defense & Corporate Law
Florida Coastal School of Law
2008
(1)
School of Law at Hofstra University
1988
New York University Law School
1977
www.evw.com www.Turklaw.Net
www.gunaylaw.com
(4)
(2)
Washington & Lee University School of Law
1994
Civil litigation, Contract and Business Law and Employment Law
Brooklyn Law School
2002
www.herrick.com
Business Law
NYU School of Law
1999
www.kulenlaw.com
(3)
Tulane Law School LL.M
2001
www.vedderprice.com
Labor and Employment
University of California, Davis - School of Law
2007
www.tolawllp.com
Immigration
Temple Law School
1997
www.polatlaw.com
Corporate & Business Law
Temple University, Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia
2003
www.Turklaw.Net
International Corporate and Commercial Law
Washington & Lee University School of Law
1992
www.seckinlaw.com
Immigration
William Mitchell College of Law
2003
Regulatory, Energy, Oil & Gas
Syracuse University School of Law
2009
Stanford University Law School 2012 www.hblaw.com
TurkofAmerica • 07
TURKISH-AMERICAN LAWYERS IN THE US Name Middle 1- Ciğdem A. 2- Kevork 3- Ayda Sara 4- Berc 5- Irma Melissa 6- Ben Hasan 7- Cahit 8- Salih Zeki 9- Zafer A. 10- Timur 11- Birsen 12- Seda Seda Seda 13- Derin 14- Sule Öktenay 15- Akın Mahmut 16- Ayşe Çevik 17- Müge Anber 18- Erol Derin 19- Emrah 20- Richard N. 21- John Ali 22- Togai K. 23- Neil Nesim 24- Sinan 25- Serra 26- Troy Özhan 27- Atilla 28- Cemile 29- Yelda Mesbah 30- Cağla Zeynep 31- Demet 32- Alpaslan 33- Melinda Mehtap 34- Mehmet 35- Erol Cengiz 36- Ahmet 37- Sedat John 38- Nihat Deniz 39- Mehmet 40- Giacomo Jacques 41- Nigar “Nicky” 42- Dogan M. 43- Samuel C. 44- Arda M. 45- Claire Aylin 46- Elif 47- Yiğit Bora 48- Ayşe Kiraz 49- Madeleine Giansanti 50- Aydın Sami 51- Bahar 52- Suzan 53- Aslı 54- Nafiz 55- Barbaros 56- Kubilay 57- İskender 58- Ebru 59- Neal N. 60- N. Banu Başaran 61- Mehtap Cevher 62- Christina Angelena 63- Rıza İsmail 64- Yasin 65- Zeynep Durnev 66- Marta 67- Gökçe Ucuzal 68- Aylin 69- Merve 70- Dr. Özden 71- Rachel Cerqueira 72- Erdal R. 73- Betül Ümit 74- İrem 75- Melih 76- İlkay Pınar 77- Ferhan Kiper 78- John J. 79- Timur 80- Yasemin 81- Bahadır 82- Eda S. 83- Erin 84- Mutahare Sarıtabak 85- Diler 86- Eve X. 87- Burcu Umut 88- Günay 89- Faik Burak 90- Seda 91- Yalkın 92- Aytül 93- Soner 94- Abbas K. 95- Mehmet Faik 96- Başak Demet 97- Esra Güles 98- Erol N. 99- Okan 100- Petek 101- H. Mine 102- Arzu 103- Fatih S. 104- Ümit 105- Sinem Taşan 106- Aysun Burcu 107- Esra Açıkalın 108- Susan Odzer 109- Emre Nizam 110- Barış H. 111- Benjamin Besim 112- Aycan 113- Andrew P. 114- Sinan Sırrı 115- Eliezer 116- Barbaros M. 117- Yalçın
Last Name Firm Acar Cigdem A Acar Law Offices Adanas Kevork Adanas P.C. Aghnami Aghnami Law Corporation Agopoglu The Agopoglu Law Firm Akansu Tane Waterman & Wurtzel, P.C Akbulut Law Offices of John C. Akbulut Akbulut Law Offices of John C. Akbulut Akbulut Law Offices of John C. Akbulut Akın Akin Law Group, PLLC Akpınar Akpinar Law Firm Aksakal Moallemzadeh & Aksakal Aktaş Aktas Law, P.A. Aktaş Aktas Law, P.A. Aktaş Aktas Law, P.A. Akyar Accenture Akyüz Arent Fox Alçıtepe Bailey Law, PC Alpay Zenith Insurance Company Kontakis Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc. Arı The Vartazarian Law Firm Artukmaç The Law Office of E. Artukmac, Esq., P.C. Asfar Saxon, Gilmore, Carraway & Gibbons, P.A. Atabek Atabek & Associates Ataç Atom Law Group LLC Aydın Darakjy Aydin & Isik Aydıner Sacco & Fillas, LLP Aygün Bonner Kiernan Trebach & Crociata LLP Aykan Law Office of Troy Aykan Babacan Law Office of Atilla Babacan Barbaros US Federal Government Bartlett Bartlett Law Firm Başar Basar Law Başar Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman&Herz LLP Başaran Skadden,Arps,Slate,Meagher&Flom LLP Başaran Basaran Law Başoğlu Fein Such Kahn & Shepard P.C Başol Morrison & Foerster LLP Bayazıtlıoğlu Prescription Advisory Systems & Technology, Inc. Baydar Sedat John Baydar, Esq Bayramoğlu Baysan William E. Gens Law Offices Behar Behar International Counsel Bek Schneider Law Group Bengisu Law Office of Dogan Bengisu Berger Samuel C Berger PC Beşkardes M. Arda Beskardes, Esq Bilir Santa Barbara County Counsel’s Office Birkok Edwin P. Whittemore, P.C. Bozkurt Latham & Watkins LLP Bulut Çağ Axiom Law Cağınalp Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP Cankurt U.S. Department of Homeland Security Canlı Monkey Inferno, Inc. Carome Carome Law, P.C. Çekirge Bryan Cave LLP Çelebi Madina Celebi, Esq Çelebi Celebi Law Office Cemaletin Iskender Cemaletin, Esq Çetin U.S Equipment Company Chilnigirian Law Offices of Neal N. Chilnigirian Çolak City of Lansing, Office of the City Attorney Conti Vedder Price Çorbacı Joyce & Associates, P.C. Dağlı Dagli Law Daneshfar Polenberg, Cooper,Saunders,&Riesberg, PL Darendeliler The World Bank Delimelkonoğl Sirota & Associates Demir Demirci Carr & Ferrell Demirel Saltzman & Evinch, P.C. Deniz Denktaş Saltzman & Evinch, P.C. Derviş Baker Hostetler Dışkaya Pinci & Bianchini Law Offices Doğan Gibney, Anthony, & Flaherty, LLP. Doğan Dogan & Associates Doğru Doyle Siegel & Doyle, LLC Driscoll Eaton & Van Winkle LLP Edip Law Office of Timur Edib Ekici Law Office of Yasemin Ekici Ekiz Barst Mukamal & Kleiner LLP Elitok Elitok & Hartnett Elliott The Law Office of Erin Elliott Engin Derrick Corporation Erdengiz Ramineni Law Associates Erdoğan McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP Ergün Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz Evinch Saltzman & Evinch, P.C. Evrenesoğlu FTI Consulting Gayretli Hudson Legal Gencel Travelers Girgin American Express Gizer Gökal Barbaro,Gokal & Associates, LLP Gökçe Göts Gots Law Firm Güçtaş Gules Law Firm, PLLC Gülay Debevoise & Plimpton LLP Günay Rosenberg Law, P.A. Günay Gunay Law, P.C. Gür The Law Office of H. Mine Gur Gürcan Law Office of Arzu Gurcan, P.C. Gürk Law Offices of F.S. Gurk, P.C. Gürsoy Gursoy Law Firm Halterman JPMorgan Chase Hensley Hensley Law Firm, PLLC Hudson Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP Hugentugler The Florida Bar Criminal Law Section İlter McDermott Will & Emery LLP İpeker Işık Darakjy Aydin & Isik İşkent Law Office of Aycan Iskent Johnson The Law Offices of Andrew P Johnson Kalayoğlu Kapuya Law Offices of Eliezer Kapuya Karaahmet Herrick, Feinstein Karadağ The Karadag Law PLLC
08 • TurkofAmerica
City New York Fort Lee Los Angeles Los Angeles New York New York New York Merrick New York Little Neck New York Miami Ft. Lauderdale Orlando Philadelphia Washington Washington Woodland Hills New York Sherman Oaks Medford Tampa Los Angeles Chicago River Edge Astoria Washington Whitter Fort Lauderdale New York Oakland Huntington Beach New York New York Paterson Parsippany Los Angeles Princeton Brooklyn Henderson Boston Los Angeles New York Delray Beach Rochelle Park New York Santa Barbara Arlington New York Washington New York New York New York San Francisco Washington Los Angeles New York Everett New York New York Woodland Hills Lansing New York Boston Parsippany Fort Lauderdale Washington Brooklyn Hallandale Menlo Park Washington New York Washington Washington New York New York New York Austin Rockville New York Rockville New York New York Washington Atlanta Buffalo Woburn Atlanta New York Washington Portland Los Angeles Orlando New York West Hollywood Irvine Mineola New York Clifton Park New York Sarasota New York New York Brooklyn Cinnaminson Brooklyn Columbus Mars Hill Los Angeles Tallahassee Washington Rockville River Edge Irvine New York New York Los Angeles New York Houston
State NY NJ CA CA NY NY NY NY NY NY NY FL FL FL PA DC DC CA NY CA NY FL CA IL NJ NY DC CA FL NY CA CA NY NY NJ NJ CA NJ NY NV MA CA NY FL NJ NY CA MA NY DC NY NY NY CA DC CA NY WA NY NY CA MI NY MA NJ FL DC NY FL CA DC NY DC DC NY NY NY TX MD NY MD NY NY DC GA NY MA GA NY DC OR CA FL NY CA CA NY NY NY NY FL NY NY NY NJ NY OH NC CA FL DC MD NJ CA NY NY CA NY TX
Name Middle Last Name Firm 118- Jay Karahan Harris County Criminal Justice Center 119- Mehmet Oğuz Karlıyıl 120- Gilda O. Karpouzian The Law Office of Gilda O. Karpouzian 121- Jahit H. Kavurt Law Offices of J. Kavurt 122- Bora Sabih Kayan Delahunty Peter Law Office 123- Talat Kayar Conrad & Kayar, P.A. 124- Yasmin Kayıran Law Offices of Yasmin Kayiran 125- Elif Keleş Law Offices of Carl Shusterman 126- Karmen Kıvıroğlu Kettner 127- Elif Kimyacıoğlu Latham & Watkins 128- Leyla A. Kiosse Tabak & Kiosse, LLP 129- Gokhan Kıran Kiran Law Firm, P.C. 130- Müge Ayşe Kıy BlackBerry Corporation 131- Necip Kağan Kocaoğlu Kocaoglu, PLLC 132- Meltem Fazilet Kodaman Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP 133- Mehmet K.Konar Steenberg William Mitchell College of Law 134- Lale Korkmaz MKT Law 135 - Isabel Angela Kugler The Walt Disney Company 136- Remzi Güvenç Kulen Kulen Law Firm P.C. 137- Esra Kurt 138- Ayse Kuzucuoğlu Vedder Price 139- Nejla K. Lane Lane Legal Services P.C. 140- Mine Babacan Lange Lange & Lange P A 141- Suzan M. Lehmann Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP 142- Aylin Açıkalın MaKlansky Legislative Director 143- Fatma E. Marouf UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law 144- Nazlı Sönmez Matt Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County 145- Michael E. McMahon Herrick, Feinstein 146- Mark Meirowitz Mark Meirowitz Attorney at Law 147- Gülgün Uğur Mersereau Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP 148- Seniz Mısırlıoğlu Boyer Law Firm, PL 149- Selcan Kılıç Moral 150- Elizabeth Mitchell Munisoğlu Los Angeles Superior Court 151- Mehmet Münür IBM 152- Emel Ersan Navarro Emel Ersan Navarro Law Office 153- Emel Nesli 154- Arek Nizamian Nizamian & Nizamian, LLP 155- Raffi Nizamian Nizamian & Nizamian, LLP 156- Ayhan Ögmen Ogmen Law PLLC 157- Mehmet Kemal Okay The Okay Law Firm 158- Barış John Okçular Liebler, Gonzalez & Portuondo 159- Ali Mustafa Onan Onan & Associates 160- Aylin Jacqueline Öncel Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati 161- Ömer Örs The DeVries Law Firm, P.A. 162- Özge Ötarsi Frank J. Martone, P.C. 163- Farshad Owji Owji Law 164- Sibel Bekaroğlu Owji DLA Piper Law Firm 165- Sezen Zeynep Oygar Neil, Dymott, Frank, McFall & Trexler 166- Aykut Özger U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 167- Emre Özgü Barst Mukamal & Kleiner LLP 168- Murat Özgü B. Braun Medical Inc. 169- Sevil Özışık Tooma & Ozisik LLP 170- Murat Erol Özkan 171- Gaye Özpinar Law Office of Gaye Özpınar 172- Ömer S. Öztan Citigroup Global Markets Inc 173- Ferve Özturk Baker Hostetler 174- Uğur Özyürük Clutch Group, LLC 175- Selen Şiringil Perker Harvard Kennedy School 176- Staci Cazanne Pirnar Bellinger & Suberg, LLP 177- Sinan Pişmişoğlu Dentons US LLP 178- Burcu Polat The World Bank 179- Emre Polat Akin Law Group, PLLC 180- Mehmet Fırat Polat Polat Law Firm 181- Efe Poturoğlu Butzel Long 182- Berin Sultan Romagnolo Posternak Blankstein & Lund LLP 183- Stefanos N. Roulakis Blank Rome LLP 184- Aslı Feride S. Carome Carome Law, P.C. 185- Sinem Şahin Expeditors 186- Nazlı Ahu Saka IntelligentMDx 187- Erhan Sakaoğlu The Law Office of Erhan Sakaoglu 188- David Saltzman Saltzman & Evinch, P.C. 189- Bahadır Emir Sarana Morgan Stanley 190- Nazlı G. Sater Warner Norcross & Judd LLP 191- Vanessa Seçkin Seckin Law Firm 192- Taylan Kartal Şen Phillips Lytle LLP 193- Okan Şengün Law Office of Okan Sengun 194- Ekin Senlet Hiscock & Barclay LLP 195- Ayşe Filiz Serbes Irs Office of Associate Chief Counsel 196- Metin Serbest Law offices of Metin Serbest, LLC 197- Allen M. Shabani Shabani & Associates, P.C. 198- İsmail T. Shahtakhtinski I.S. Law Firm 199- İpek Candan Snyder White & Case LLP 200- Aytül Soğukoğlu 201- C. Yankı Sökmensuer Smith Mackinnon, PA 202- Aslan T. Soobzokov Aslan T. Soobzokov, Esq., L.L.C. 203- William A. Streppone Law Offices of William A. Streppone 204- Deniz Şadan Tamer 205- Michel Selim Tamer Quality Management Solutions, Inc. 206- Barış Taylan Becker & Associates, P.A. 207- Kemal Tekinay Law Office Of Kemal Tekinay 208- Derya Tokdemir Crowell & Moring 209- Gökçen Tuğral Gürk Law 210- Başkut O. Tuncak The Center for International Environmental Law 211- Timur Türe 212- Deniz Türkbaş Deniz Turkbas, Esq 213- Nury Ablikim Türkel 214- Aslın Tutuyan The Mandell Law Firm 215- Sedef Melisa Twomey 216- Okan Üstün INI Lawyers 217- Vivian Volker Law Offices of Vivian Volker & Associate 218- Emel Gökyiğit Wadhwani CA State Water Resources Control Board 219- İpek Seniz Yakut Kirkland & Ellis LLP 220- C. Yalçın C. Yalcin, Esq 221- Hasan Tuvan Yalım 222- Ozan Yaltı Eaton & Van Winkle LLP 223- Gökhan Yazıcı G.Yazici Attorney and Counselor at Law 224- Vanessa Yazıcıgil Blakely Sokoloff Taylor Zafman LLP 225- Fatih Yiğit 226- Sema Yıldırım The Law Offices of Sema Yildirim, P.A. 227- Robert Zara Zara Law Offices 228- Mehmet Orhun Zenginler American Lawyer Media 229- Leila Zubi Zubi Rosner LLP 230- Cuneyt A. Akay Greenberg Traurig 231- Suzan H. Akyali IRS 232- Ata Dinlenc Dentons 233- Nigos Karatas Karatas Law Firm 234- Zeynel M. Karcioglu Jacobs & Burleigh LLP 235- Faruk Usar Usar Law Group The list was ordered by last name. To see the list by state visit us at www.turkofamerica.com
City Houston Horseheads Annapolis Orlando Tampa West Palm Beach Beverly Hills Los Angeles West Palm Beach San Francisco Albany Delran Washington Washington Washington Saint Paul Houston Burbank New York Houston San Francisco Chicago Ft. Lauderdale Boston New Orleans Las Vegas West Palm Beach New York New York Portland Miami Johnson City Los Angeles Dublin Tampa New York Los Angeles Los Angeles New York Batavia Miami Houston San Francisco St. Augustine Bloomfield San Francisco San Francisco San Diego Washington New York Bethlehem New York New York Cambridge New York New York Washington Cambridge Dallas Dallas Washington New York New York Washington Boston Washington Washington Seattle Waltham Oakland Park Washington New York Southfield New York Rochester San Francisco Albany Washington Chicago Birmingham Alexandria New York Brooklyn Orlando Paterson Commack Bay Side Porter Ranch Boca Raton Mount Kisco Washington Cinnaminson Washington New York New York Washington Northridge Winnetka Irvine North Bay Village Sacramento New York Brooklyn Boston New York New York Portland New York Tampa New York New York New York Denver New York New York Rochester New York Sunnyside
State TX NY MD FL FL FL CA CA FL CA NY NJ DC DC DC MN TX CA NY TX CA IL FL MA LA NV FL NY NY OR FL NY CA OH FL NY CA CA NY NY FL TX CA FL NJ CA CA CA DC NY PA NY NY MA NY NY DC MA TX TX DC NY NY DC MA DC DC WA MA FL DC NY MI NY NY CA NY DC IL AL VA NY NY FL NJ NY NY CA FL NY DC NJ DC NY NY DC CA IL CA FL CA NY NY MA NY NY OR NY FL NY NY NY CO NY NY NY NY NY
JAMES BEN ALI HAGGIN
James Ben Ali Haggin, the grandson of Ibrahim Ben Ali, an Ottoman Janissary, became a lawyer and millionaire in the1880s. He was one of the most successful mining men of the country and achieved
James Ben Ali Haggin was born in Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky. He made a fortune in the aftermath of the gold rush and was a multi-millionaire by 1880.
international renown as a breeder of fine race horses.
The Fırst Turkısh-Amerıcan Lawyer:
The Grandson of an Ottoman Janıssary T
he New York Times carried an obituary in its September 13, 1914 issue. It was about James Ben Ali Haggin, who had died at Villa Rosa, his Newport residence, after an illness extending over a month. The paper says Mr. Haggin was buried in Lexington, KY, and that he was the grandson of Ibrahim Ben Ali who 10 • TurkofAmerica
was considered a pioneer member of America’s Turkish community. Wait a minute. Who was Ibrahim Ben Ali and what was he doing in America in the 1790’s? How did his lawyer grandson James Ben Ali Haggin become a rancher, investor and multimillionaire? Let’s keep investigating.
EAST MEETS WEST AT
Herrick: Your Bridge between Turkey and America At Herrick, we have been serving the Turkish-American business world for more than 30 years. Our long-lasting relationship with Turkey began when our Turkish Practice Group represented the Turkish Ministry of Culture here in the U.S. in the 1980s. Since then, our Practice has grown and evolved and we are now proud to say we are the only midsized U.S. law firm with an office in Istanbul, Turkey. We work with our clients to ensure they have a competitive advantage by helping them to navigate the U.S. and Turkish legal systems effectively.
NEW YORK CITY
NEW JERSEY
As a full service firm with more than 170 lawyers, Herrick’s Turkish Practice Group is your bridge between Turkey and America and works in every sector -from consumer products and hospitality to automotive and technology. Call on Herrick to help you bridge your business needs. For more information, please contact: Barbaros M. Karaahmet bkaraahmet@herrick.com Istanbul: +90.212.988.1260 New York: +1.212.592.1570 www.herrick.com
WASHINGTON, DC
ISTANBUL
JAMES BEN ALI HAGGIN
The issue of the Dublin Literary Journal, which was published on March 1, 1844, in Dublin, had a biography of Ibrahim Ben Ali, the Christian Janissary. Ibrahim Ben Ali was a soldier, physician and one of the earliest American settlers of Turkish origin. He was born in 1756 near Istanbul. His father, Ali Ben Mustafa, was a man of wealth and prominence and his estate was situated about six miles from that city. Through the influence of his father, he secured an appointment as captain in the Janissaries, a royal corps in the Sultan’s army. After five years’ service he reached a turning point in his life, undergoing a remarkable experience. Two companions, who slept next to him in the barracks, were murdered and suspicion at once pointed to Ibrahim, who was last seen with them. He protested his innocence and through the intercession of friends secured a reprieve of five days in which to establish proof of his assertion. On the fifth day a dish of black olives was sent to him, signifying that he must die on the sixth. In the prison was an old Spanish slave who advised him to convert to Christianity. Sitting down by his side, the Spaniard taught him to repeat the following words: “Turn Christian and recommend your soul to God through Jesus Christ, and He will save you unto life eternal.” This he did at intervals during the long night and on the morning of the day set for his execution the jailer came to announce his pardon, saying that two other soldiers had confessed to the crime, for which they would immediately pay the penalty. About the time of his release, Turkey became involved in a war with Russia and Ibrahim was forced to join the campaign. He was taken prisoner in the province of Wallachia, Romania on the banks of the Danube, and conveyed to Arzeniceur, about five miles from St. Petersburg, Russia where he spent two years, securing his liberty through the efforts of an influential lady whose sight had been restored by his treatment. The good treatment he experienced, his freely conversing with Christians of that place and rejoicing to hear of the Christian religion, strengthened his faith. Two fellow captives wrote to Istanbul, informing the authorities that Ibrahim had turned Christian, and that there was every reason to believe that he had proved a traitor to his country by delivering his troops into the hands of the Russians. Ibrahim was warned by his brother not to return to his home. He went to Denmark and at Copenhagen secured passage on a boat bound for England. He landed at Liverpool, England and then journeyed to Dublin, Ireland, where he met Dr. Adam Clarke, the Biblical commentator, by whom he was baptized. Ibrahim became strongly attached to the doctor and his family, accompanying them on their return to Liverpool, where he spent two years, and also went with them to Manchester, England. He lived for several years in that city and then sailed for America. After his arrival he met and married an Englishwoman of the Baptist faith and established his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the practice of medicine. He afterward moved to Baltimore, Maryland. Ben Ali contracted yellow fever while ministering to patients during an epidemic that struck Philadelphia and Baltimore, and he died in 1800. He was survived by his wife and infant daughter, Adeline Sally. The middle name, “Ben Ali” appears several times among his descend-
12 • TurkofAmerica
ants. The Washington, DC based Richard Lounsbery Foundation was established in the name of Richard Lounsbery, who was the grandson of Ben Ali Haggin. The foundation aims to enhance national strengths in science and technology through support of programs. JAMES BEN ALI According to the History of Kentucky, which was published by The J.S. Clarke Publishing Company in Louisville Kentucky in 1928, Ibrahim Ben Ali was the grandfather of James Ben Ali Haggin through his only child, daughter Adeline Sally. Haggin was born in Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky. He made a fortune in the aftermath of the gold rush and was a multi-millionaire by 1880. Probably James Ben Ali Haggin was the first Turkish-American attorney in the U.S. Haggin was graduated from Centre College at Danville, Kentucky, and began the practice of law in Shelbyville, KY, afterward opening an office in Natchez, Mississippi. On December 28, 1846, Haggin married Eliza Jane Sanders and his second union was with Margaret S. Voorhies, to whom he was married in 1897. By his first wife he had five children: Louis Terah, James Ben Ali, Jr., Margaret Sanders, Adeline Ben Ali and Edith Hunter. In October 1850 he joined a recent acquaintance, Lloyd Tevis, a banker and capitalist who later served later as president of Wells Fargo & Company from 1872 to 1892, in opening a law office in Sacramento. They moved to San Francisco in 1853. Haggin and Tevis acquired the Rancho Del Paso land grant near Sacramento. The two invested in the mining business with George Hearst as one of their partners. Hearst, Haggin, Tevis and Co. became one of the largest mining companies in the U.S. They owned or controlled at various times more than one hundred mines. During the latter part of his life, Haggin acquired the Cerro de Pasco, one of the largest copper mines in Peru. In 1880 he sought a new outlet for his energies and began breeding horses at the Rancho del Paso. In 1890 his interests had become so varied that he was compelled to seek a more central location and migrated from California to New York. In 1897 he returned to his native state and purchased the Elmendorf Farm. On an elevation overlooking Elk Horn, Haggin built one of the finest residences in Kentucky, and included in his estate. He also built a model dairy farm and a greenhouse which he filled with exotic plants. Elmendorf Farm became one of the most noted estates in America. The horses from his stables raced on every prominent course and were known throughout the U.S. and England. He set a high standard and to him Kentucky is largely indebted for the fame of its racing stock. He reached the venerable age of ninety-one years, passing away on September 13, 1914, at his villa in Newport, Rhode Island.
#7 AYDIN ŞENKUT
Experienced Team. Proven Track Record. Vedder Price is a general-practice law firm with nearly 300 attorneys in six offices worldwide and over 50 attorneys who concentrate solely on labor and employment law. In addition to the various services provided by our Corporate and Litigation attorneys, our Labor and Employment attorneys represent private sector management clients of all sizes from a wide range of industries on all types of labor and employment matters, including: • Union-management relations
• Wage and hour questions
• Anti-discrimination laws
• Social media challenges within
• Wrongful discharge claims • Workplace safety and occupational health matters • Employee benefits, ERISA and executive compensation concerns • Restrictive covenants and trade secret disputes
the employment context • Business immigration • The Fair Labor Standards Act (minimum wage, overtime, exemption, and similar matters), the Family and Medical Leave Act and other federal, state and local employment regulation and compliance.
For More Information Heather M. Sager +1 (415) 749 9510 hsager@vedderprice.com Ayse Kuzucuoglu +1 (415) 749 9512 akuzucuoglu@vedderprice.com
What can we do for you? www.vedderprice.com
Chicago • New York • Washington, DC • London • San Francisco • Los Angeles TurkofAmerica • 10 Vedder Price P.C. is affiliated with Vedder Price LLP, which operates in England and Wales, and with Vedder Price (CA), LLP, which operates in California.
SEDA AKTAS
Seda Aktas:
A Top 40 Under 40 ın Florıda
A
ktas Law, P.A. is one of the largest Turkish-American law firms in Florida. It has served its clients in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando. Being a former prosecutor Seda Aktas graduated with honors from UMASS Amherst in Massachusetts. She talked to TURKOFAMERICA. Could you tell us a little bit about your personal background? I was born in Istanbul, Turkey and moved to Garfield, NJ with my family at the age of 10. I graduated with honors from UMASS Amherst in Massachusetts. I then attended law school at Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida. I have the current honor and pleasure of serving as the Vice President of the Florida Turkish American Association, and being active in the Turkish-American community in Florida.
Seda Aktas was honored as a new member of the Top 40 Under 40. She has successfully handled hundreds of trials so far in her career.
You are a former prosecutor. How does it help you in law practice? Being a former prosecutor gave me the requisite experience I needed to become a successful litigator along with a high comfort level in any courtroom, Federal or State, as I have successfully handled hundreds of trials so far in my career. Specifically in criminal defense cases where I have been on the opposite side, I am able to see the weaknesses in the government’s case, and therefore I am able to negotiate excellent resolutions for my clients. In civil matters, I am unafraid of fighting for my clients’ rights to the end. Whereas compromise is an option for me as a zealous advocate providing sound counsel, giving up never is. In 2014, you were honored as a new member of the Top 40 Under 40. Could you tell us about it? The Top 40 Under 40 is an invitation-only professional organization composed of top trial lawyers from each state who are under the age of 40. Invitees must exemplify specific qualities and possess superior qualifications, positive trial results, and great leadership skills as a young lawyer under the age of 40. Selection is based on a thorough multi-phase process, which includes peer nominations combined with third-party research. It is an honor to have been invited to be a part of this elite organization. Can you share with us some interesting case resolutions which you handled? As an ethical obligation, I cannot divulge details of
14 • TurkofAmerica
Seda Aktaş.
cases I have handled, but I can say that the most interesting case resolutions for me are those that were resolved by carefully crafting a solution instead of just employing the obvious methods. The problem with utilizing the most obvious methods is that a “one size fits all” approach is ultimately bound to fail the client, whereas utilizing a creative approach is bound to be successful as it is tailored to meet the client’s needs, which is deeply satisfying for me. What are your future plans? Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? As a Turkish-American attorney, I take pride in assisting the booming Turkish-American business community in their growth by acting as a guide, a resource, and an advocate through Aktas Law, P.A. My firm has experienced rapid growth in the past year in keeping up with the demands of this very active community, which includes small to medium-sized businesses, investors, and individuals in Florida. In the next ten years, I will still be practicing law, launching more offices in Florida for the convenience of our clients, and proudly aiding the continued prosperity of the Turkish-American business community. Would you like to add anything? At Aktas Law, P.A., our diverse practice works to serve our clients’ needs. We are a solid team of three principals, and do not believe in putting our clients through many levels of administrative staff before they can ultimately reach their lawyer. We believe in open lines of communication, and use our extensive experience to resolve matters while remaining focused on the client, which is the very core of our success. We look forward to continuing to serve the legal needs of the U.S. Turkish-American business community in Florida.
Tooma & Ozisik LLP Attorneys At Law A Client Driven Approach Millions of immigrants pursued the American Dream, passing through the gates of Ellis Island on their way into the country. We just help to make people’s dreams come true as their pioneers made it in history. Tooma & Ozisik LLP is a business and family immigration law practice. . We represent the best and brightest in their relevant fıelds. Our business immigration services include: - Investor visas, multinational executives and managers, specialty workers - Extraordinary ability in science, education, arts, business or athletics visas - National interest waivers - Entertainer visas - Exchange visitor, trainee visas and student related matters - Short and long term work assignments - Reentry permits - Guidance with visa issuance and consular processing - Assistance on security clearance issues - EB-5 investor green card applications . - Labor certifıcations and immigrant visa petitions
NEW YORK OFFICE 29 Broadway, Suite 1500 New York, New York 10006 T: (212) 509-0099 F: (212) 509-0488 sozisik@tolawllp.com
Our family immigration services include: - Family-Based Immigration Petitions - Temporary Fiance(e) visas - Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence - Child Status Protection Act - Naturalization Application (U.S. Citizenship) Our multilingual and multicultural staff provides communication in Turkish, French, Pilipino, Japanese, Tamil, Farsi, Swedish and Mandarin.
NEW JERSEY OFFICE One Bridge Plaza North, Suite 275 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 T: (201) 654-3621 F: (201) 654-3613 ftooma@tolawllp.com
PETEK GÜNAY
She Knows When to “Speak Softly” and When to “Carry A Bıg Stıck” What kind of cases you are handling? Having my own firm has allowed me to be more flexible
with the kinds of matters I handle. In addition to litigation matters, I also counsel individuals and small businesses on compliance and contract issues. As for my litigation work, a good portion of my practice consists of representing parties in actions to pierce the corporate veil and restaurant owners against employee claims of overtime and tip violations. Both the biggest advantage and disadvantage of litigation is its adversarial nature. While the constant challenge is extremely rewarding, be-
Petek Günay
ing in a field where your failure means your opponent’s success can be unduly taxing. You often deal with attor-
served as part of
neys who confuse zealous advocacy with pettiness, and take extreme positions simply to advance their clients’ positions, even if those positions ultimately hurt their
the legal team that represented famous boxers such as Lennox Lewis and “Terrible” Terry Norris. She worked on a series of litigations involving players in New York’s famous diamond district.
16 • TurkofAmerica
Petek Günay.
W
hen she graduated from the law school in 2001, the economy had taken a hit and then September 11 happened. Petek Günay was looking for a job in corporate law when a great deal of corporate activity had virtually stopped. She responded to a job listing that said, “Get an opportunity to work on cases you read about in newspapers.” A week later, she had her first job in litigation. Günay answered TurkofAmerica’s questions. Could you tell us about your background? I was born and raised in Istanbul by two wonderful parents whose careers were as diverse from one another’s as could be: my Mother is a talented artist and textile designer; my Father was a successful attorney. After graduating from Robert College in 1992, I went to Pennsylvania, where I attended and graduated from Franklin and Marshall College with a degree in economics. I subsequently accepted a job as an Operations Analyst at the New York branch of VakifBank. I knew in my heart that I wanted to be a lawyer, like my Father (Mom understands; I am not half as artistic as she is!). I picked Brooklyn Law School. Upon graduating with honors in 2001, I took a job working for Judd Burstein, a powerhouse litigator. Subsequently, I became associated with the prestigious law firms of Meister Seelig & Fein LLP and Salon Marrow Dyckman Newman & Broudy LLP where I practiced general civil litigation. In April 2013, I started Gunay Law, P.C., a general practice law firm in Manhattan with a focus on litigation, contract, business and employment matters.
clients. If I have learned one thing in this business, it is when to “speak softly” and when to “carry a big stick”. Would you share some of your interesting cases with us? One of the very first cases I ever worked on was a lawsuit over the ownership of works created by the legendary dancer, Martha Graham, who is considered to be Mother of Modern Dance and was Time Magazine’s Dancer of the Century. I served as part of the legal team that represented famous boxers such as Lennox Lewis and “Terrible” Terry Norris. I worked on a series of litigations involving players in New York’s famous diamond district where gems worth millions of dollars exchange hands based on a simple handshake. One of my most recent cases was over the ownership of a Ukrainian TV station. We see very few Turkish American lawyers in your field, what was your main reason for focusing on litigation? I originally got into litigation unwillingly. I graduated in 2001, when the economy had already taken a hit. And then September 11 happened. Here I was, looking for a job in corporate law when a great deal of corporate activity had virtually stopped. With less than a year left on my F-1 visa, I knew I had to find a job sooner rather than later. So, I responded to a job listing that said “Get an opportunity to work on cases you read in newspapers about.” A week later, I had my first job in litigation; a month later, I was hooked. I have a background in improvisational theater and I sang a capella in college, so having to perform under pressure ultimately proved to be a good fit my personality.
BARBAROS KARAAHMET
He Started At As An Intern, Now He Is A Partner A
with a boutique firm culture, which gives our clients the best of both worlds. From a business perspective, it also allows us to be entrepreneurial and client-centric, where a larger firm might be more bureaucratic. For example, last year we opened our first international office in Istanbul. Most firms would not open in Turkey before they had an office in a major global capital like London. But we have deep roots in Turkey, and we recognize the great potential for U.S. and Turkish business interests today, and years from now.
Barbaros Karaahmet.
s a young and energetic lawyer, Barbaros Karaahmet first started at Herrick, Feinstein, LLP in 1995 and worked there until 2001. Ten years later, he rejoined the company as a partner. Today Karaahmet, Co-Chair of Herrick, Feinstein, LLP’s Turkish Practice Group answered our questions.
“When I first started at Herrick,
Could you tell us a little bit about your professional background? I started my career in law in Turkey and graduated from Istanbul School of Law in 1993. After I finished my one-year internship in Turkey and got my Turkish license in 1994, I was admitted to NYU School of Law to receive my LLM (Masters of Law). In 1995, right after I finished my NYU Masters Program, I started working at Herrick, Feinstein as a foreign legal consultant.
Feinstein in 1995, I thought it would be just a one-year assignment. I guess you never know in life and you never burn your bridges.”
Did you ever imagine becoming a partner when you were a former legal consultant at Herrick, Feinstein? When I first started at Herrick, Feinstein in 1995, I thought it would be just a one-year assignment and eventually I would go back to Turkey to practice law with my family law firm. But then one year became two years, and eventually six years passed at Herrick. So in 2001, I left Herrick to set up my own practice. After ten years of running my own practice in New York, I re-joined Herrick and I am now a partner and co-chair of the firm’s Turkish Practice Group. So, I guess you never know in life and you never burn your bridges. What are the main differences between working for a boutique law firm versus a large one? The differences between a boutique law firm and large one are almost too many to name. But Herrick is a breed apart. We have approximately 170 lawyers, which is considered a “mid-sized” law firm these days. That size allows us to combine large firm capabilities
18 • TurkofAmerica
Have you had any deals that you will never forget? Recently I advised the Gulaylar Group in their acquisition of a 15,000 square-foot retail condominium in New York’s diamond district. That’s one of my most memorable deals. It took us two years from the first meeting until the opening of the mall, which was two weeks ago, and our client now owns and operates the largest jewelry mall in New York. As a Turkish-American, I am proud to be involved in such a signature project, so that’s one of the deals I don’t think I will ever forget. What advice would you give to young lawyers who want to succeed in business law in the U.S.? Naturally they have to be very proficient in English. They also have to appreciate the fact that Turkish laws and U.S. laws are completely different. I think a good international lawyer is the one who understands how American businesses are run and what the American business culture is, and also knows how to successfully navigate matters through the U.S. legal system. How do you see the ties between Turkish and U.S. business interests in the future? The U.S. remains one of the most, if not the most, attractive destination for many types of Turkish businesses to expand in. At the same time, Turkey is attracting a lot of interest from U.S. companies. Turkey has a young population, fast-growing urban areas and a much higher level of disposable income than in past generations. Because of that, real estate and retail – especially the food and garment industries – are two of the fastest growing industries. I think we will see U.S. investments in those industries grow, as U.S. businesses start to see successes from their recent expansion efforts in Turkey. And right now in the U.S., I think there are many opportunities for Turkish real estate investors, especially in New York and Miami. In terms of the food and beverage sector, Turkish food companies are still underrepresented. So there is a lot of room for growth in that area.
SALTZMAN & EVINCH, PLLC
Attorneys at Law
S&E
(202) 637-9877 www.turklaw.net Dsaltzman@turklaw.net Gevinch@turklaw.net
MAIN OFFICE
TÜRKİYE OFFICE
Saltzman & Evinch, PLLC 1050 K Street, NW Suite 1150 Washington, D.C. 20001
The Paragon Tower 1445 Sokak No: 2, B Blok, Kat: 23 Söğütözü, Çankaya, Ankara
EKIN SENLET
Capıtal Regıon’s Top Turkısh Lawyer
C
ould you tell us about your personal background? I was born and raised in Ankara, Turkey. I graduated from the Middle East Technical University with a degree in Economics in 2003. Later, I moved to the United States to study law at the Syracuse University College of Law. I also obtained a master’s degree in Public Administration and International Affairs from the Maxwell School of Citizenship while at Syracuse University. I joined Hiscock & Barclay, LLP in 2008, where I currently practice in our Energy Group, and in the Real Property Tax Practice Group.
Ekin Senlet.
“Providing top-notch legal services in New York’s Capital Region”
You are one of the Turkish lawyers who practices in New York’s capital. Could you share your experiences as a Turkish-American lawyer in Albany, NY? New York’s Capital Region has been earning national attention in recent years as a high-tech hub, a stimulating place to work and live, and an ideal environment for growing a company and a family. The region is attracting new businesses due to its public-private partnerships in nanotechnology , higher education, and health care. The area is home to more than 15 private and state colleges. We have a decent sized Turkish population working in the region, including State of New York employees, researchers at General Electric and GlobalFoundries, and faculty teaching at the region’s numerous universities. We also have very active Turkish Student Associations at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and SUNY Albany. I regularly receive calls from friends and colleagues seeking legal services. Hiscock & Barclay LLP is a full service law firm representing clients from multi-national Fortune 500 companies to medium and small businesses, and individuals. To deliver for our clients, we assembled a team of 210 attorneys across 30 specialized practice areas in ten strategically located offices. By leveraging our Northeast regional platform to connect extraordinary legal talent with the needs of our major-market clients, the Firm is often able to pass along a highly competitive cost structure. Our Firm’s presence in major markets has always helped me with advising and solving my Turkish clients’ challenges and maximize the opportunities for our clients to succeed. You are practicing in the Regulatory, Energy and Oil & Gas Practice Areas. There are not a lot of Turkish-Americans in those fields. Could you tell us about your practice? My group represents major energy and telecom clients before New York’s Administrative Agencies, such as the Public Service Commission, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the New York Independent System Operator. All of these agencies are located in the Capital Region, which gives our attorneys a strategic ge-
20 • TurkofAmerica
ographical advantage. Our attorneys combine industry experience and regulatory insight with economic analysis, business understanding and legal know-how to help clients solve and avoid a range of complex regulatory and environmental issues. We are involved at every stage of energy exploration, permitting, generation, transmission and distribution with specific strengths in New York’s evolving regulatory environment. That includes the siting and development of interstate pipeline and electric transmission projects, resolving regulatory and environmental issues for power generators and working closely with clients on opportunities for the development of Marcellus and Utica shale deposits. I also practice in the Real Property Tax Practice Group, advising industrial and commercial companies in buying, building and operating facilities to effectively manage their real property taxes, including representation before the industrial development agencies. We successfully represent energy and utility clients in jurisdictions across the country, when necessary, we litigate complex tax-reduction cases for our clients. In your practice areas, what kind of investment opportunities do you observe for Turkish-American investors? The energy sector is definitely one of the fastest growing sectors both in the United States and in Turkey. For example, there are a lot of opportunities for investors in the renewable energy sector in both countries. Turkey’s solar and wind maps are among the best in the world, while the country has significant potential for the development of geothermal energy. Also, similar to the United States, there is high shale gas potential in Turkey and shale gas infrastructure expansion in Turkey will be on the rise in the near future. In New York and the Capital District, our Firm can help investors with multitudes of business areas outside my practice areas as well. These areas include, but not limited to, corporate, commercial litigation, real estate, labor & employment, environmental, health care, public finance, immigration, trusts & estates, and tax law. Most of the time, the biggest challenge for Turkish investors is understanding the business climate and culture in the United States. And the same goes for American investors who would like to invest in Turkey. My biggest advice for both would be hiring the best professionals in the sectors in which they are interested. Successful business deals depend on good business acumen and working with the right people in the industry.
TurkofAmerica • 10
ISKENDER CEMALETIN
The Lawyer Who Helped Many Turkısh Natıonals After 9/11 Prior to going to law school, he graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1984. While studying at New York University, he double majored in Economics and International Political Science. When he heard from us that there are approximately 200 Turkish-American lawyers in the United States at the present time, he replied with a smile, “That is unbelievable and great compared to the very few Turkish-American lawyers that were practicing when I started in this profession.” While he has been practicing and helping the Turkish-American community for over 26 years, notably he helped many Turkish nationals after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. At that time the FBI, US immigration officers and other law enforcement agencies were detaining many individuals because of their immigration status. He represented over 30 Turkish nationals before the immigration courts in the months immediately after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
İskender Cemaletin.
While İskender Cemaletin has been practicing and helping the Turkish-American community for over 26 years, notably he helped many Turkish nationals after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York.
I
skender (Alex) Cemaletin, Esq., is one of the few Turkish-American lawyers who was raised in New York. He immigrated with his family from Turkey to New York in 1963. He graduated from Hofstra University, School of Law with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1987. He has practiced immigration law for over 26 years and has maintained his main office in the same building, located in downtown New York City at 401 Broadway, New York, NY 10013.
22 • TurkofAmerica
When we asked him what was the most memorable case in that time period concerning Turkish nationals, he recalled that there was a lot of fear, bias, discrimination, profiling, etc., against immigrants. He said, “I remember one case in particular where a neighbor contacted the law enforcement authorities and complained that individuals were welding in their apartment. When the law enforcement authorities came to the apartment they found three Turkish students who were watching T.V. in their apartment. The colored lights from the T.V. in their apartment were mistaken by the neighbors as indicating that the individuals were welding.” When we asked him if he would recommend others to study law and become lawyers, he said, “Yes. Once a person becomes a lawyer they do not necessarily have to practice law. If you look at the educational background of distinguished individuals in the United States, such as the Presidents of the United States, US Congressmen/ Congresswomen, Senators, Executives of Corporations, members of the Board of Directors of Corporations, etc., you will find that many of them are lawyers.”
Law offices of J. Cahit Akbulut
Serving To Turkish-American Community Over 30 Years Prompt and Efficient Service www.akbulutlaw.com Wills and Estate Business Transactions Immigration and Naturalization L-1, H-1, E-1, E-2 Visas EB-1 Visa For Extraordinary Ability and EB-5 Investor’s Visa Based On $500K Investment New York Office 36 East 20th Street New York, NY 10003 Tel: 212-387-0600 Long Island Office 2895 Shore Drive Merrick, NY 11566 Tel: 516-428-5079
RRML CAPITAL RESOURCES
If You Need Commercıal Lendıng, RRML Capıtal Resources Is Ready to Serve Lenford L. Robins, CEO of RRML Capital Resources.
R
Over many years in the business, RRML Capital Resources has made over $2 billion in loans for an array of clients in commercial lending.
RML Capital Resources, one of the nation’s leading commercial mortgage firms doing business nationwide, is investors’ single source for innovative business consulting, financing, equipment loans and commercial real estate loans. RRML covers virtually any category including Hotels/Hospitality, Office Buildings, Shopping Centers, Healthcare Facilities, Non-Profit Organizations and more. ‘’The Economy is on an upsurge which is an excellent opportunity for prudent Investors to take position in different projects.’’ says Lenford L. Robins, CEO of RRML Capital Resources. Robins talked to TURKOFAMERICA about his company. Could you tell us about your background? I attended St. Georges College in Jamaica, West Indiesand subsequently worked as a law clerk in the CriminalJustice System. I came to the United States in 1969to further my studies. I attended New York School ofDentistry and Brooklyn Community College where Ireceived my degree in Orthodontic Dentistry. I wenton to invent the “Tooth Aligner,” which was approvedby the American Dental Association and is being usedin dental practices nationally and internationally. It iscommonly known as the “Invisalign”. How did you start out in the financing business? In 1980 I changed my career path and pursued corporatefinancing. I became an investment advisor andworked for First Investor Corporation, Wall Street andbecame a member of the exclusive “Elite Clout Club”.I joined Ford Motor Credit and worked as a leasingexecutive for several years and received several awardsfor my outstanding performance and con-
24 • TurkofAmerica
tributions inthe leasing industry. I served as Director of Leasing forEmar International, Reserve Lease Systems, Presidentfor Leasing Research International. I was appointedDirector of International Markets for Blockwell FundingCorporation. I was head of the International FinanceDivision for GFI Business Capital. I was the founder and chairman of Bridgepoint Capital Resources, anaircraft leasing and commercial financing company inWall Street, New York from 1999 to 2004. In 1996, I wasappointed by the Government of Central African Republic,Congo where I served as the Financial Advisorto President Angie Patassi for over two years. I receiveda United States Congressional Award in 2002 from the107th Congress for my outstanding achievement. Can you describe what sort of clients you have? What services do they need? We provide services for all commercial businesses, real estate developers, retail, hotels, renewable energy, industrial, and hospitality groups. We have an array of clients nationally and internationally who require lending needs from business loans, structured financing, advisory services, and financing for hotels, shopping centers, gas stations, infrastructure developments, renewable energy projects, equipment lending, construction loans and much more. Throughout your years in business, could you tell me how many projects you have helped to be completed, such as retail holdings, hotels, offices, etc. Over the years in the business, RRML Capital Resources has done over $2 billion in loans for an array of clients in commercial lending. Could you give me three reasons to pick your service/company if I were a client?
RRML CAPITAL RESOURCES
Three reasons our company is referred business time and time again is our professional consulting service, our structured financing resources, and our promptness on approval. How do you see the near future in the commercial marketplace? Is there any signal that we are going to have another crisis such as we had in 2008? The commercial market place is vibrant and continues at a steady pace. Fundamentals, transactions, and lending continue to improve. The commercial real estate standing in the current recovering cycle is giving astute players a competitive edge. Increased international interest in U.S. commercial real estate has also helped revive the transaction market following the financial crisis. With this trend, investors find value in attractively priced properties globally. What would be hot investment areas for international investors who have up to 5 million dollars? There are continued improvements across all property types of commercial real estate. The increased drive has been in multifamily, as the apartment sector continues to post a strong performance with vacancy and rent growth near historical levels. Knowing and understanding the market where there is a demand is most crucial as some cities are experiencing a shortage in apartment rental space. Industrial space and the demand for warehouse rental is increasing as more online e-retailers and shippers are leasing more warehouse space given the demand
for shopping online. The lodging/hotel construction sector is reporting solid growth and continues to be robust. Investing in this sector by upgrading the facilities, using competitive technology, and having a smart reservation system is the key to beating the competition. Green technology is increasing in every sector of the economy and petroleum is also on the rise. These are good investments for investors who are looking for long-term profits. Do you help your clients in overseas project as well? We help clients with international projects, business growth and business developments. We have clients with renewable energy developments, new hotels, shopping centers and residential villas projects. There simply is an abundance of investors looking for new areas of investment in many different regions, especially in the Caribbean where infrastructure development is taking place. We have worked with clients providing advisory services and structured financial deals that will help the overseas investor save on interest rates and better structure needs. ROBINS’S ACHIEVEMENTS AND MEMBERSHIPS Inventor; Dental Tooth Aligner, US Congressional Award, Author; The Advantages of Leasing, Entrepreneur. NJ Bankers Association, CT Bankers Association, Meadowlands YMCA Board of Directors, March of Dimes Board of Directors, Hackensack Chamber of Commerce, Fort Lee Chamber of Commerce, Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce, Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, Fort Lee Rotary Club.
The Law Applied. At Hiscock & Barclay, we are not just attorneys who practice law - we apply the law to find the answers, solve our clients’ challenges and maximize the opportunities for our clients to succeed. When you hire Hiscock & Barclay, you are hiring the confidence of working with knowledgeable, responsive, experienced and proactive professional attorneys focused on delivering you results.
To us, that’s the law applied. Contact Ekin Senlet in our Albany, NY office at 1-800-444-2163 or esenlet@hblaw.com for information on any of our diverse practice offerings in 30 areas, including corporate, commercial litigation, labor & employment, energy, environmental, health care, real estate, public finance, immigration, trusts & estates, tax law and more. hblaw.com
REMZI GUVENC KULEN-KULEN LAW FIRM
in more easily. Investors who come to U.S. at a later stage in their lives need some time to get used to U.S. business customs, but their ability to adjust to new settings is unparalleled in any other community. We provide a smooth landing to our clients with our legal services. One issue I see is the desire to get a quick result in everything we do.
Remzi Güvenç Kulen.
Kulen Provıdes Hıs Clıents Wıth a Smooth Landıng “
“Our community is so hungry for information. They read, talk, ask and obtain this
There is a huge increase in business people who either invested in or established a business in the U.S.,” says Remzi Güvenç Kulen of Kulen Law, New York based law firm. “I think the interest is warranted since we have better companies and brilliant business people who can compete in the U.S.,” he adds. Kulen is a graduate of Marmara Law School in Istanbul and Tulane Law School in New Orleans. He is a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association and active in NY Chapter’s Corporate Law and USCIS committees. He writes articles in print and web media and he is a frequent guest on Turkish and U.S. TV stations. He is also invited to various panels, to speak about investment opportunities in the U.S., and visa options for professionals and foreign employees. He is also an active community member. The famous Turkish comedian Cem Yilmaz visa process was also carried out by Kulen. He answered our questions.
information one way or another.”
Can you see any solution in terms of immigration reform in the near future? Everybody accepts that we have a broken immigration system but an immediate solution does not seem close. We will probably see a temporary fix in the near future such as DACA for children, with the hope that a comprehensive immigration reform will follow. What are the most common problems Turkish immigrants face? Professionals who were educated in the U.S. can fit
26 • TurkofAmerica
Hardliners say Obama is soft on immigration, but advocates call him the “deporter in chief.” Which is it? Both comments have some truth in them. The removal of illegal immigrants while they are in the U.S. has increased substantially, but on the other hand, the return of immigrants who are apprehended at the US. Border has declined. One reason for that is the decreased illegal immigration after the 2008 recession. The U.S. Government has fewer illegal immigrants to deport. The second reason is the government’s shift from returns to removals. This administration has become tougher, using summary removal processes to by-pass the immigration court. This means more people are being deported quickly without due process. Do you think Turkish-American communities are aware of their rights? Mostly yes, because our community is so hungry for information. They read, talk, ask and obtain this information one way or another. However, there is a lot of misinformation as well. People pay so much attention to what their friends say or experienced and get confused along the way. I think this is inevitable to some degree since immigration is such a big part of our lives. Can you say more Turkish immigrants move to the US or return home? I would say the numbers are more or less the same, with a huge difference in who is coming and who is going. We have witnessed a huge decrease in illegal immigration. People are more concerned about their status in the U.S. now. On the other hand, there is a huge increase in business people who either invested in or established a business in the U.S. I have been speaking on panels in Turkey, U.S., and most recently in Azerbaijan, about investment made in the U.S. Every year we see that the Turkish business world is more interested in doing business in the U.S. I think the interest is warranted since we have better companies and brilliant business people who can compete in the U.S. In return, the U.S. is opening the doors for foreign investors with programs such as SelectUSA. www.kulenlaw.com
J. CAHIT AKBULUT
The Pıoneer of Turkısh Lawyers L
ooking back to the early 1980’s, one would not be able to find many Turkish professionals, including attorneys, accountants or physicians in the United States. J. Cahit Akbulut, an attorney currently operating his own law practice in New York City, had the courage to undertake the challenge to change this reality. Attorney Akbulut’s journey began in 1982 when he came to the United States with his wife, who attended a bank-training program. His wife completed her bank-training program and began working in the banking industry in New York. Meanwhile, Mr. Akbulut decided to pursue legal studies. Mr. Akbulut finished his legal studies and worked several part-time jobs until he passed the New York State Bar Exam and began working with the Law Offices of Peter J. Kelley in New York City. “To my knowledge, I am the first Turkish-American who came to the United States as a foreign graduate and became a licensed attorney in the United States,” Akbulut notes. As stated by Mr. Akbulut, his distinction is that “traditionally others are born and complete their studies in the United States, pass the Bar, and then become a lawyer.” After gaining fourteen years of legal experience, including his active involvement in several Turkish-American non-profit organizations and societies, Mr. Akbulut opened his own law practice. He has pioneered the path for Turkish law students who have graduated abroad and want to become attorneys in the United States. Now, perhaps as a result of the achievements of Mr. Akbulut, many Turkish law professionals have followed in his steps. There are now at least twenty Turkish-American lawyers practicing in the New York metropolitan area with a dual degree in Turkey and the United States.
J. Cahit Akbulut.
J. Cahit Akbulut has pioneered the path for Turkish law students who have graduated abroad and want to become attorneys in the United States. 28 • TurkofAmerica
Attorney Akbulut proudly notes that both of his sons, Salih Zeki Akbulut and Ben Hasan Akbulut, have followed his footsteps and are now practicing attorneys in New York.
We utilize personal attention, progressive thought and creative strategy to meet your legal needs. Headed by former prosecutor Seda Aktas, Esq. and counseled by experienced attorneys Michelle Hinden, Esq. and Jamie Lint, Esq., Aktas Law, P.A. is a law practice that strives to provide driven, high-quality legal representation in Transactional, Civil, and Criminal matters throughout Florida. Whether assisting a business with its development and legal needs, aggressively defending the constitutional rights of an individual in a criminal case, or helping parents protect the rights of their child, we remain focused on you. No matter the issue, your case deserves the utmost attention from an experienced lawyer who will approach your case with fervor and dedication.
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BIRSEN AKSAKAL
law, lawyer Birsen Aksakal says, “The passing of the bill does not seem very likely but how much longer can the issue of illegal immigrants be avoided?” With the arrest of eight members of Congress during a protest in front of the Congress, the immigration bill continues to keep its place in America’s political scene. The Obama administration emphasizes that having legal regulations to open the door for green cards for undocumented immigrants would also serve as a big gain for the economy. The view of supporters is that the new bill would help liven up different sectors, primarily real estate to increase new housing starts. A graduate of İstanbul University Law School, Birsen Aksakal is a member of both the İstanbul and New York Bar Associations. When asked the question, “As there are more than enough immigration lawyers in and around New York trying to reach the Turkish community, wouldn’t it be difficult to find a place in the market?” Aksakal answers, “If you do your job delicately, you can always find a place for yourself in the market. We approach every file as if it was our own, knowing that it would change a person’s life.”
Birsen Aksakal.
“How Much Longer Can the USA Avoıd the Issue of Illegal Immıgrants?” A graduate of İstanbul University Law School, Birsen Aksakal is a member of both the İstanbul and New York Bar Associations.
T
he bill concerning the over 10 million illegal immigrants in America, waiting to be approved in the Congress, gives hopes to many people. Although the passing of the bill seems to be a challenge in a Republican majority Congress, immigration lawyers are hopeful. Working in New York in immigration
30 • TurkofAmerica
Having encountered many difficulties during her own green card process through the job she had started when she came to the USA, Aksakal mentions that the process was delayed due to the mistakes of the law office she applied through. “I know very well what an immigrant may go through during this process.” After completing an internship in Turkey at Gür & İnal Law Office and then working as a lawyer, Aksakal came to the USA in 2001. She first started an MBA program in NYIT but her mind was on the law. She left her MBA studies and went on to obtain a master’s degree in law from Touro College. After completing the LLM program, she started working at Carmel & Frederickson Law Firm, which was specializing in real estate. Currently, she works, with her partner Leyla Moallemzadeh, at their own firm Moallemzadeh & Aksakal Attorneys at Law P.C. in the field of immigration law. By also representing Umut Vakfı (Hope Foundation), an organization in Turkey working against personal arming, in the United Nations, Aksakal also reaches out to, in addition to the Turks, the members of the Indian, Pakistani, and Iranian communities about immigration issues.
TurkofAmerica • 10
MEHMET FIRAT POLAT-POLAT LAW FIRM
Three Crucıal Pıeces of Advıce from Counselor Polat
MEHMET FIRAT POLAT- Lawyer- NYC, New York, Board Member at Turkish American Chamber of Commerce (TACCI)
“
The biggest challenge is to understand the business culture in the United States,” says Mehmet Fırat Polat, New York based business lawyer. “Spreading the trade across different sectors should be a target. I hope that in the future we will achieve a balance in the bilateral trade,” he adds. Polat Law Firm has served its clients in their legal matters since 2011.
Know your U.S. business partner. A little bit of due diligence on the front end. Protect your trademark,” Mehmet Fırat Polat recommends.
34 • TurkofAmerica
Could you tell us a little bit about your personal background? I graduated from Ankara University, Faculty of Law in 1990. After working as a lawyer for the Turkish Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Turkey and France for years, in 2000 I moved to the U.S. and got my master’s degree in law from Temple University, Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia. In 2003 I was admitted to the New York State Bar. Several years later, I started my own law practice, Polat Law Firm in Manhattan. My law practice concentrates on corporate and business law matters, including business immigration law. Since I moved to New York, I’ve had the chance to represent a lot of Turkish companies and entrepreneurs in their legal matters. I helped them set up and structure their U.S. branches/businesses; protect their trademarks; negotiate contracts. I also represented them in courts. From time to time, I participate as a speaker in conferences and seminars in Turkey and in the U.S. to advise Turkish exporters about legal issues encountered when conducting trade with the United States.
How do you see the future of Turkish-American business relations? I think that the goal should be improving trade and investment ties between the countries. No one can deny that the foundation of the relations is strong. On this strong foundation, we should be building up sound trade relationships. The existing trade channels seem to be favoring U.S. imports to Turkey. Turkish export numbers are very low. They are also limited to certain sectors. Spreading the trade across different sectors should be a target. I hope that in the future we will achieve a balance in the bilateral trade. What are the most common problems for Turkish companies that want to do business in the US? The biggest challenge is to understand the business culture in the U.S. Americans tend to take a business-first approach. They ask questions and read documents before signing them. In Turkey things are a little bit different. Turkish business culture is often based on trust and oral agreements, which often creates legal disputes. Using a lawyer in business dealings can actually let Turkish companies save a lot of money before a business dispute arises. I call this “preventive lawyering”. It takes a big role in managing business risks when doing business in the U.S. Another common problem is failed business partnerships. This happens when Turkish companies partner with a U.S. person or company. I always recommend signing an agreement detailing the parties’ expectations from the deal. Without that, things usually fall apart in a year or so. Another common problem is Turkish companies’ failure to protect their trademarks in the U.S. Most of the time they abandon their U.S. trademark registrations without even realizing it. This generally happens when they make their trademark applications without using a U.S. licensed lawyer. What would be your 3 recommendations for companies seeking investment opportunities? First of all, know your U.S. business partner. When looking to expand your business in the U.S. market, it is important that Turkish companies use some prudence with their potential business partners. A little bit of due diligence on the front end can help avoid a host of problems down the road. Also negotiate a document before you sign it. Remember, you cannot negotiate a single thing after you put your signature on it. Protect your trademark. I always advise Turkish entrepreneurs to conduct a search to determine whether their mark is available for use in the States. This should be done before any expenses are incurred. Otherwise, a costly lawsuit may result if your mark infringes someone else’s trademark rights. www.polatlaw.com
GUNAY EVINCH
Saltzman & Evınch Celebrates Its 20th Annıversary S
“I would advise young Turkish-American lawyers to focus on integrity -- promise only what you can deliver and then work diligently to make sure that it happens.”
36 • TurkofAmerica
altzman & Evinch, PLLC provides a variety of legal services to foreign and domestic clients in the private and public sectors. The firm, celebrates its 20th anniversary, concentrates on matters relating to Turkey and the surrounding region, providing an in-depth understanding of the area, its people and cultures; talent and experience in domestic and foreign legal system; and an extensive network of professionals and support staff. One of its founders, Gunay Evinch who is also a leader in the Turkish-American community, talked to TURKOFAMERICA. Can you tell us about some of the firm’s significant achievements in 20 years? Twenty years is a significant milestone for any company, particularly a law firm in Washington, DC. For us, it represents a lot of hard work on interesting matters for wonderful clients. We are definitely proud of our achievements; from keeping Cyprus land claims out of US courts, thereby allowing them to be resolved on the island where they properly belong, to bringing terrorists to justice and preventing money from going to terrorist organizations, to representing parties in litigation relating to World War I, we definitely seek out controversies that evoke great passions. Our success, we believe, is mainly due to our work ethic and genuine interest in the matters. Above all, we are honest to our clients. We try to tell our clients what is realistic within the law. While this might not necessarily be what they want to hear, it helps craft effective strategies for our clients to achieve their goals, whether via
litigation, negotiation, or in business. You were classmates in law school. What is the secret to your longtime business partnership? It is most gratifying to do this as part of a friendship that has lasted since our law school days, almost 25 years. What a wonderful way to spend one’s professional life, with a true friend! Our friendship is based most of all on mutual respect, trust and admiration. It certainly helps that we have similar senses of humor and genuinely enjoy each other’s company -- and we better, because we spend a lot of time at the office! As a leader in the Turkish American community, what is your suggestion to young Turkish-American lawyers who have just started in their careers? I would advise young Turkish American lawyers to focus on integrity -- promise only what you can deliver and then work diligently to make sure that it happens. And, to have a sense of mission beyond oneself by volunteering to empower Turkish-Americans in the democracy and economy of America. This includes pro bono legal help on immigration, family law, retirement and estate planning, labor and employment, business law, and civil rights matters. It also includes donating time and money to Turkish American public advocacy. We employ the 10% rule: we donate 10% of our personal income to Turkish American non-profit organizations, such as the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), and as well as to the various Turkish Coalition PACs. We try to lead by example.
VANESSA SECKIN
The mother of three, this passionate and energetic lawyer believes that being greedy to grow does not always work in her profession. “I know what I want to do and focus on specific fields which few lawyers interested in,” Seckin indicates. She started with physicians – she attributes this to her husband, Ali Inanc Seckin, who specializes in pain management. Now she has clients from many different professions and fields. Seckin has a diverse knowledge in immigration law. She covers individual, start-up, mid-sized, and large multinational companies and organizations encompassing a broad range of industry sectors. After graduating from law school, Seckin acted in the capacity of an in-house / outside counsel / immigration specialist for a pharmaceutical and IT company in NYC. Thereafter, Seckin practiced with a New York-based immigration law firm where she provided counsel to physicians and scientists on employment based immigrant and nonimmigrant matters.
“We need a reform that should meet the needs of families and business. Immigration reform will not be successful unless it ensures that American businesses have access to the workers they need.”
Vanessa Seçkin.
The Nıche Markets Lawyer V
anessa Seckin represents clients ranging from members of Time Magazine’s Most Influential People list to NBA stars, from physicians to scientists. “It’s all about the marketing power of word of mouth and building a bridge of trust with clients that brings more clients,” she says. 38 • TurkofAmerica
Seckin now advises corporations, hospitals, small businesses, and individuals on all aspects of immigration law, including visa applications for specialty occupation workers, intra-company transferees, international investors, entertainers, athletes, and extraordinary ability individuals, as well as J-1 waivers (Hardship, Persecution, State 30, no objection), PERM applications, outstanding researchers, National Interest Waivers, and the filing of appeals with BALCA and the AAO. In addition, Seckin focus on finding innovative immigration solutions for foreign nationals who have exhausted their maximum allowable time in nonimmigrant visa status subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement or who will shortly have held H-1B statuses for the maximum allowable time. IMMIGRATION REFORM “The current system is dysfunctional, which prevents economic growth. Immigration reform cannot be successful without a solution for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants who are working and living in the U.S.,” Seckin says. She believes that the U.S. needs a reform that should meet the needs of families and business. “Immigration reform will not be successful unless it ensures that American businesses have access to the workers they need. American lose out when talented immigrants are blocked from using their skills in the U.S and strengthening our economy. Due to this, immigration reform should increase access to green cards for science, technology, engineering and math college graduates, entrepreneurs and inventors,” she adds.
SEVIL OZISIK
A Turkısh-Amerıcan Bar Assocıatıon Is A Necessıty S
evil Özışık received her LL.B degree from Dokuz Eylul University Law Faculty in İzmir and her LL.M degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia. She is a member of both the New York Bar Association in the U.S. and the Istanbul Bar Association in Turkey. She has also been active in the American Immigration Lawyers Association and is a member of the American Bar Association. After working at some of New York’s most prominent immigration law firms for five years, she founded her own law firm in 1998, serving Turkish and also other immigrant communities with a specialization in business immigration and related corporate transactions. As long as she remembers, she has been an active member of the Turkish-American business community as well. She is a member of Turkey’s Overseas Citizens Advisory Board. She is one of 8 board members chosen to represent the interests of Turkish citizens living in the U.S. and the only lawyer in the group. She is also an executive board member of the American Regional Committee of the World Turkish Business Council. Since the beginning of her career in the U.S., she has always enjoyed practicing immigration law and found this field much more intimate and personal than other practice areas. She possesses a significant distinction from most other American immigration attorneys, which makes her much more understanding, responsive, caring and educated because she knows what it means to be an immigrant in the U.S. She still believes today that what makes immigration law practice the most enjoyable is also the most difficult part of the practice, which is the human side of the practice and the emotional connections established through the professional relationship. Each approval received from the US Consulate or the US Immigration Service still makes her smile and she tries to reach the phone to give the client the news herself instead of just sending an email. She sincerely recommends practicing immigration law to young law school graduates or students if they have a strong interest in the immigrant community in the U.S. She cannot imagine a successful immigration attorney not becoming a member of an AILA. She also supports a collaborative approach of working with business groups and national immigrant rights organizations to keep pressure on Congress until Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) is
Sevil Özışık.
achieved. By reaching out to all groups, she hopes to achieve change in immigration laws that can and will be lasting and effective. “It is a privilege to be able to study law in the U.S. The best and brightest students of the Turkish American Community attend law schools here and I believe there is a great future awaiting them,” she indicates. “It is not easy by any means, but it is enjoyable, it is satisfactory, it is full of vision and it is for a better future. We need more law school graduates to be interested in public service and politics, to serve as district attorneys and judges, to be attorneys in the fast developing areas of cyber security, heath care law, information technology, patents and trademarks, international law, family law, entertainment law, etc.” Özışık and a group of Turkish lawyers in New York have recently organized the First Turkish- American Law Conference at New York Law School in January 2014 and talked about starting the Turkish-American Bar Association together. “I think we have been taking the right steps and growing not only with numbers but also visions too. And yes, there are still more than enough job opportunities for more immigration lawyers and any other lawyers all around the U.S. as the need for qualified legal services professionals cannot be eliminated from the developed and civilized countries’ future,” she adds.
Sevil Özışık has been an active member of the Turkish-American business community. She is a member of Turkey’s Overseas Citizens Advisory Board. She is one of the pioneers that established the Turkish-American Bar Association.
TurkofAmerica • 39
AYŞE KUZUCUOĞLU
Shınıng Star of Vedder Prıce A
yşe Kuzucuoğlu joined the Vedder Price team in April 2013. If you had asked her 13 years ago, recently arrived from Turkey with limited means, whether her future would include working for a large general practice law firm helping to represent world-renowned clients, she might have said yes.
Ayşe is an Associate in Vedder Price’s Labor and Employment practice group. The ability to pitch to larger clients and the depth and breadth of the firm’s practice groups attracted Ayşe to Vedder Price.
From an early age, Ayşe was driven. Growing up in Adana, Turkey, she attended Hacettepe University for two years, focusing on American Studies, before deciding to move to the U.S. Her father, the Assistant General Manager for the Adana International Airport, started teaching Ayşe English at a young age, and she continued to study it through her high school years. Even with those years spent studying the language and customs, starting a new life in a foreign culture, where the primary language is your second language, is an amazing challenge. Ayşe never let that get in the way of creating her own success story because she was determined to be successful. Ayşe began her journey working three jobs while attending a community college near Sacramento, California before transferring to Sacramento State University. Her hard work paid off when she graduated cum laude in only two and a half years. “I wanted the degree to be able to provide for myself,” Ayşe explained. “I knew that without a good education, I wouldn’t be able to do the things I wanted to do, like somehow make a positive difference in society.” Never one to back down from a challenge, Ayşe decided to pursue a law degree from the University of California Davis School of Law, where she was a member of the university’s Turkish Students Association, comprised mainly of Ph.D. and postdoctoral students. Upon graduation, Ayşe was awarded a Diversity Fellowship by the Sacramento County Bar Association, which helped her obtain her first litigation job in Sacramento.. Ayşe later moved to San Francisco and joined a large international law firm working on large class action defense cases, reporting primarily to Heather Sager, who would become her mentor and biggest champion. “Heather and I make a great team—she is one of
40 • TurkofAmerica
Ayşe Kuzucuoğlu.
the very best in the field—not only because she knows the law, but because she is efficient, cost-conscious and practical, and she understands the decision-making process for businesses.” Following her mentor to the San Francisco office of Vedder Price, Ayşe is now an Associate in the firm’s Labor and Employment practice group. The ability to pitch to larger clients and the depth and breadth of the firm’s practice groups were major factors in her decision to join Vedder Price. Recently, Ayşe had the opportunity to pitch to a very prominent Turkish firm, in line with her personal objective of serving Turkish companies doing business in the U.S. and American companies doing business in Turkey. “I want to serve businesses with a Turkish connection because I want to get in touch with my past, my roots,” Ayşe commented. The firm’s extremely well-regarded practices in Global Transportation Finance, Labor and Employment, and Government Contracts and Investigations provide a unique set of services that are useful to companies based outside of the U.S. Referencing the firm’s nearly 300 lawyers, a history dating back to 1952 and offices located in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco and London, Ayşe observed, “Vedder Price has the means to allow me to serve international businesses. Many companies–especially foreign ones–just don’t know about the intricacies of our laws. We are here to help enable those companies to focus on their business operations, while we focus on risk management.”
Changing lives in Turkey. One person at a time. #23 İZAK ŞENBAHAR
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GAS STATIONS’ OWNERS
The Kıngs of Gas Statıons
Creating over 2 billion dollars worth of economic input, the Turkish-American entrepreneurs also provide employment for more than 3000 people.
42 • TurkofAmerica
T
he Turkish, Armenian, and Assyrian entrepreneurs from Turkey, who have been interested in the fuel industry in the USA since the 1960’s, are still running nearly 300 gas stations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut today. Creating over 2 billion dollars worth of economic input, the entrepreneurs also provide employment for more than 3000 people. The gas station business is in the hands of Armenians, especially in northern New Jersey, and of Turks in the Long Island region. Long Island, the Crimean Tatars and Uzbek Turks had initially entered the sector widely, and became so strong as to virtually create their own franchise. The first known Turkish gas station owner became active in Long Island at the end of the 1960’s. Kanat Erbay, who left behind his military officer status in Turkey and settled in the USA, Kenan Ödemiş, one of the first Kazan Turks, Faruk Terpiş, and the former Fenerbahçe soccer player Salim Görür were among the first names that entered the fuel sector. Kenan Ödemiş established a Kenaco gas station chain in 1981 and had a total of 23 branches in upstate New York, and, later, sold it to ATI stations in 1984. Numan Okuyan, who was directing Kenan Ödemiş’s business during those years, says that they had opened 23 stations in a short time over a region extending from Middletown to
Albany, and that it was a great success for those days. Okuyan, at that time, was responsible for researching and designating the sites for the stations. Power Test Petroleum Distributors was one of the first stations of the earliest gas station owners. Turkish entrepreneurs played an important role in the growth of the New York Yonkers-centered Power Test. Power Test bought the northeastern representation of Getty, a sub-station of the oil giant Texaco, in February 1985. and the firm’s name was changed to Getty. Also doing wholesale of fuels, Faruk Terpiş is still the head of the business. THE SEED WAS PLANTED BY MASTER HAMPİK IN NEW JERSEY Gas stations also became the focus of the Armenians that came from Turkey to New Jersey during the 1960’s. The person who served as the link in Turkish Armenians’ entrance into the fuel business in New Jersey was the mechanic Hamparsum (Harry) Civan. Civan, an Armenian from Istanbul, gave job opportunities at his workplace to many Turks and Armenians. One of the first gas station owners, Arev (Sunny) Kerkorian, had gained the capital, which he needed for opening his own station, by working
GAS STATIONS’ OWNERS
at Civan’s business. Civan came to the USA in 1960 and passed away in February 2010 at the age of 79; he had opened Harry’s Amaco at 1300 Palisade Ave. in Fort Lee, New Jersey since 1970. The business is now being run by his daughters. Another person who opened his own station and car repair shop after working with the mechanic Hampsarsum (known as ‘Hampik’) is the owner of Eurotech Motors, Inc., Zenop Tuncer. “The shop of Master Hampik was almost like a university. Many of those who opened car repair shops in New Jersey, such as Dikran, Arto, and Kirkor, had grown there,” says Tuncer. The gas station business was so popular that, at one point, even Yasin Özdenak, a former player on the Cosmos soccer team, opened up an Amaco branch with the partnership of Turkish businessman Can Has. Özdenak and Can run the Amaco stations at 125th Street in Harlem, and at 34th Street and Hudson Street in Manhattan. THE BIG THREE: TÜMAY BAŞARANLAR, HAGOP UZATMACIYAN AND ADNAN KİRİŞCİOĞLU Among the gas station owners, the one who runs the largest chain is the owner of Atlantic Management, Tümay Başaranlar. Atlantis has nearly 30 stations in New York, 15 of which are located in Bronx.
Hüseyin Tayfun Ender who has been in gas station business since 1987. He has built himself about 50 gas stations and has own four different locations.
Levent Sertbaş came to the USA in 1987 and worked at a station as pumper; now, he is the owner of two Exxon stations, in East Rutherford and Paramus.
44 • TurkofAmerica
On the other hand, in New Jersey, Hagop Uzatmaciyan, an Armenian from Istanbul, is another entrepreneur having the greatest number of stations, with 25 branches. He opened his very first station, as Exxon, in New Jersey’s Rochelle Park district. Uzatmaciyan is followed by Adnan Kirişcioğlu, who also has 25 stations. Kirişcioğlu has stations in New York, New Jersey, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Although the second generation does not have much of an interest in the fuel sector, Hagop Uzatmaciyan’s son Avak is an exception. Having
GAS STATIONS’ OWNERS
Tümay Basaranlar, CEO of Atlantis Management Group, the biggest Turkish business group which has over 30 gas stations.
GAS STATIONS’ OWNERS
different brand stations, such as Exxon, Gulf, BP, and Sunoco, in New Jersey, Uzatmaciyan is running his businesses with his son.
ment, which proposed unproportional price raises, was not agreed to by the branch owners.
Kevork Uçar is also one of the owners who has the most number of stations in New Jersey after Hagop Uzatmaciyan. Uçar has stations in eight different locations. Another one of the longest-running gas station owners in New Jersey is İsmet Akar, who runs three Exxon and one Valero station.
It was probably the first time in BP’s history that it lost a case against the station owners. Over 1 million dollars were spent on lawyers during the case. Alboycian says, “The case we won stood as an example for all the franchise owners in New Jersey. They also benefited from the ruling that the main company would not be allowed to alter the contract for its own interests without the consent of the franchise owner.”
THOSE WHO BECOME OWNERS BY PUMPING GAS Those who are now in the fuel sector are those who have come from the sector itself and know all phases of the gas station business. Levent Sertbaş is one of those people. He came to the USA in 1987 and worked at a station as pumper; now, he is the owner of two Exxon stations, in East Rutherford and Paramus. By taking the offer of his employer in 1995 for a partnership, he had his first experience as an owner, and, later, bought his first station in 2002 in Paramus, and a second one in 2007 in East Rutherford. Sertbaş employs a total of 22 people. Noting that it has now become too difficult, due to changes within the sector, to own a station through savings earned by working at a station, Sertbaş adds, “Previously, firms used to sell the stations at minimum cost or even grant them to those whom they trusted and could work with. Now, both the prices have gone up too much and the hand-over cases have become less compared to the past.” Sertbaş is one of the people who led the efforts, through a three-year-long lawsuit involving 130 Exxon station owners, for the legalization of the obligation for the Exxon company owner to ask the station runner first when the sale of a station location is considered. This initiative is considered as a major steps won against the Exxon Company.
THE MAN WHO SOLD 160 MILLION GALLONS OF FUEL IN A YEAR A great majority of the Turkish entrepreneurs who are in the fuel sector are working as business owners. An exceptional professional owner who chose a different path and leaned towards wholesale of fuel to the stations is Şevket Kayabaş. Living in the USA for the past 32 years, Kayabaş is a well-known name among the Turks who are in the wholesale fuel sector, into which he entered in 2003. He holds the position of Manager of Northeastern States at the energy sector giant firm CPD Holding, which is owned by four Palestinian friends and includes under its roof NJ Energy Corporation (Exxon), CPD Energy Corporation (Shell), NECG Holdings Corporation (BP and Getty), and CPD NY Energy Corporation (Mobil). The adventure of Kayabaş in America started in 1982 with his employment, for $3.50 dollars an hour, at a Texaco station in California. After graduating from Hacettepe University’s French Language and Literature Department in 1977, Kayabaş came to the USA in pursuit of adventure. After staying in California for a year and a half, he moved to New York in 1984. Here, he started working at a station belonging to Kanat Arbay, one of the leading names in the fuel sector.
NEW JERSEY’S MARKO PASHA Ara Alboyacian is also one of the most senior business owners in the fuel sector in New Jersey. A graduate of the Istanbul Austrian High School, he left Turkey in 1971. He states “In the 1970’s, a gas station could be bought for about 40-50 thousand dollars, but at the same time, the cost of a car was only around 3-4 thousand.” Having worked in his father-inlaw’s Esso (Exxon) station at first, Alboyacian became the owner of the Amaco in Fort Lee in 1975. Throughout his thirty-year-long professional life, Alboyacian has employed a total of nearly one thousand people. A person to whom the Turkish students, the newcomers in the USA, and those without a place to stay went for support, Alboyacian now still runs two BP stations on one of the main roads of New Jersey, Route 46. Also known for his influence in changing the destiny of all of the franchise owners in New Jersey, Alboyacian wrote history when he led and organized 20 station owners in filing a lawsuit against BP Company and won. BP, which was planning to withdraw from the retail sector and terminate contracts with all of its franchise owners in 2006, encountered a stiff wall. BP’s plan to implement a new lease and procurement agree-
46 • TurkofAmerica
Şevket (Steve) Kayabaş is a well-known name among the Turks who are in the wholesale fuel sector.
GAS STATIONS’ OWNERS
While he was working at a Texaco in New York without insurance, he had a job offer from the Jewish businessman Avi Stein, whose station was next to Texaco. At that time, his wife was pregnant with their second child and he did not have health insurance. So, Kayabaş told Avi, “I will work with you if you provide me with health insurance.” He, then, became the manager of three Amaco and one Mobil stations. He adds, “I settled for the first transfer for cheap but at the end Avi was the one who made me the boss.” The number of stations he managed increased to seven by the end of one year. Kayabaş also got his very first station, in 1987, in partnership with Avi. Between the years 1987 and 2000, Kayabaş even increased his station numbers to five at one point. He also went to Baltimore and bought four stations, once. In 2003, when he decided to sell everything he had and return to Turkey, he had a job offer from Ocean Petroleum, a wholesale fuel company which had bought 18 new stations in Pennsylvania at that time changed his mind. He did not go back Turkey. While Ocean Petroleum was distributing fuel to nearly 60 stations previously, that number reached 80 when Kayabaş was running the position. He contributed significantly to the company’s sale of 120 million gallons of fuel in one year. In 2008, when the BP stations went on sale, Kayabaş had a very important role in adding 15 of those stations to Ocean Petroleum.
Between November 2011 and May 2012, ExxonMobil Corporation made a decision to hand over 235 fuel stations in New Jersey to the business runners through the ‘Right of First Refusal’ system; however, Ocean Petroleum, where Kayabaş was working, did not take an active role in this sale. Eight firms competed to get the stations; three of them reached the forefront. As the firms did not want to lose the chance to work with a professional who had the power to sell 250 million gallon fuel, all three firms offered Kayabaş the opportunity to make an agreement on the new stations. Among these offers, Kayabaş decided to take the one from Chestnut Petroleum Distributors (CPD), which was established in 1981 by brothers Ahmet, Salih, Salah and Halil. He started working on that on March 9, 2012. With stations also in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, CPD’s 150 stations in New York and New Jersey regions are directly under the management of Kayabaş. 160 million gallons of CDP’s fuel sales, which has a total sale value of 400 million gallons per year, is carried out by Kayabaş. Among the stations run by CDP are 75 BP, 32 Getty, 66 Exxon, 97 Mobil, and 80 Shell stations. Kayabaş, whose father is a military officer, states that he grew up with military discipline. He is also the president of ATCOM (American Turkish Trade Bureau), a businessmen’s association. Living in Delaware, Kayabaş is now 61 years old and a father of five children.
Adnan Kirişcioğlu, (second from right) owns 25 gas stations in New York, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. He is at Gas Station Owners Conference in New York City with Cuneyt Gürkan, CFO of Team of America Consulting, Ercüment Müftahi of United ATM Services, Altan Ergün, hedge fund manager and Bülent Müftahi of United ATM Services.
48 • TurkofAmerica
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PIERRE LOTI
Ozan Yüzen, Burak Argun, Orhan Çakıcı (left to right)
Manhattan Is Meetıng Wıth The Pıerre Lotı Franchıse
K
As of now, 17 different wine houses owned by Turkish entrepreneurs are in business within New York.
nown for its adaptation to different concepts and its city spirit which is constantly searching for new things, New York City is now becoming a home for one of the fastest-growing trends of the past 10 years: wine houses. It is estimated that the numbers of such places, which are on the increase with different concepts, are nearly 150. The first entry of the Turkish entrepreneurs in this sector was with the opening of the second wine house in the city, known as the Turks & Frogs. As of now, 17 different wine houses owned by Turkish entrepreneurs are in business within New York. Creating the concept of Pierre Loti in 2007, after his experience in running, in partnership with his older brother Osman, the Turks & Frogs, Orhan Çakır also opened four wine houses. Working with six partners in four different venues, Orhan Çakır is running business with Burak Argun, Ozan Yüzen, and İsmail Burak Topal. Orhan Çakır is the main partner in all of these venues. Topal has partnerships in three of them, and Argun in two. While the ones in Manhattan, within the Chelsea, Union Square, and Midtown districts, are run under the name Pierre Loti, the first venue outside of Manhattan, Park Slope, is in Brooklyn. Four of the partners had previously worked in New York restaurants for a period of time. All four of them are from İstanbul. Living in the USA since 2000, Argun is a graduate of İstanbul University’s Business Administration department and holds a MBA degree from Pace University. Having started his professional life at Deutsche Bank, Argun, lastly, left his position at the Wealth Management section of the Morgan Stanley bank, the department managing the money of the wealthy, and now he is a full time business owner. He emphasizes that even many high level executives at the bank dream of opening a small business of their own. He adds that he felt relieved when he came here from the bank.
50 • TurkofAmerica
Having gained experience in America since 1997, Ozan Yüzen is actually a construction engineer. The partners also carry out the distribution of the Pamukkale wines in the USA. They state that very soon they will also be able to introduce any Turkish brand with a foreign corporation status to twenty different venues. Currently, the most consumed wines in their venues are French, Argentinean, and Californian wines. Nearly 60 people work in the venues that are being opened under the name of Pierre Loti. Among the four different venues, which have a sales value of 600 bottles of wines per week. The partners are planning to establish a similar concept in İstanbul as well. Having opened and sold 11 restaurants previously, Orhan Çakır is now preparing to open a Mediterranean restaurant with 120-seat capacity, again in Manhattan. Another goal of the partners is to own their own wholesale company. The famous French novelist and naval officer Pierre Loti, who lived between the years 1850 and 1923, was known for his love for İstanbul. The four partners who have spread the Pierre Loti Wine House brand share the background information about Pierre Loti to those who ask about him at the venues. Çakır says, “Maybe, even his great-grandchildren don’t actually commemorate him as much as we do!” WINE HOUSES Pierre Loti - Union Square - 53 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003 - (212) 777 5684 Pierre Loti - Midtown - 300 E 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022 - (212) 755 5684 Pierre Loti - Chelsea - 258 W 15th Street, New York, NY 10011 - (212) 645-5684 Park Slope - 78 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 (347) 889 6524
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BAGLAN NURHAN RHYMES
AnchorFree, which was established in
25 Mıllıon People Are Cırcumventıng the Censorshıp wıth Help of A Turkısh Woman Leader
November 2005, received a series C investment in the amount of 6 million dollars in 2006, 4.8 in 2008 and 52 million from Goldman Sachs recently.
Bağlan Nurhan Rhymes.
52 • TurkofAmerica
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BAGLAN NURHAN RHYMES
T
urkofAmerica - The Virtual Private Network (VPN), which has gained attention when the social media sites got banned, is being used by millions of people in the world today.
Their service is not solely used in countries where social media is banned. Users prefer this service also when they don’t want their location to be known.
With the work of companies that produce tunnel technologies for certain banned websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube, access is made possible without the recognition of the IP address. Especially in Tunisia and Egypt during the Arab Spring, millions of people accessed the banned sites Twitter and Facebook by using this tunnel technology. And, actually, companies that enabled the breach of this ban gave a pathway to the Arab Spring. Lately in Turkey, as well, the banned site Youtube is being accessed through this technology. The ban on Twitter was also breached through the same technology. Today, around 600 million people are still facing internet bans. One of the sub-branches of the Mountain View, CA-centered VPN company is AnchorFree. Along with the founders of the company, which is also the owner of the HotSpotShield product, David Gorodyansky and Eugene Malobrodsky, a Turkish women entrepreneur, Bağlan Nurhan Rhymes, is the major shareholder.
Regarding the Egypt or Tunisian experience, Rhymes notes that they are not the reason for the revolution but they served as a mediator in making people’s voices heard. The majority of the AnchorFree users consist of people in the USA and Muslim countries, such as Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan.
AnchorFree, which was established in November 2005, received a series C investment in the amount of 6 million dollars in 2006, 4.8 in 2008 and 52 million from Goldman Sachs recently. Around 20 million people in the world, with 2 million of them in Turkey, use the technology of this firm, which has 70 employees. Rhymes, who is a graduate of the Dokuz Eylül University Economoics Department and Carnegie Mellon University, states that the market value of their company is 1 billion dollars and since they offer free download options, they have an advantage compared to other firms. Currently, there are about 12 firms offering tunnel technology for desktops and 15 for mobiles. Pointing out that they sometimes face difficulties with governments and FBI, who desire to have access to the users’ information, Rhymes says they never keep any personal information in their databases, so, they do not have to share anything. She adds, “We spend more money in order not to keep any user information on our server. Although it is normally less costly to keep such information, we spend this extra money to show our customers that we value their security.” In addition to the US, the firm also has another office in Sweden. Rhymes explains that one of their goals is to reach out to the public through either buying firms or joining them together. Having served as the vice president of the marketing firm LSF Interactive and structured its marketing department prior to her experience at AnchorFree, Rhymes says that they are preferred not only by those who want to access banned sites but also by those who cannot access other countries’ broadcasts due to political issues. For example, those who can’t watch the British BBC channel in Ireland use the AnchorFree service.
54 • TurkofAmerica
In the company that has 70 employees. In addition to Rhymes, there is another Turk, Levent Sapçı, who is the head of the marketing department.
TURKISH RESTAURANTS
The Number of Turkısh Food and Beverage Venues Hıts Nearly 200
There are now 63 Turkish restaurants and cafes in business in Manhattan, there are 43 in New Jersey and 25 in Brooklyn.
T
urkofAmerica - The number of Turkish food and beverage venues operating in New York and New Jersey has reached 191. According to a research done by Turk Avenue, such venues, which were initially opened in areas where there were many Turks and, which, over the years, have turned 56 • TurkofAmerica
their customer profiles from ethnic to Americans, are now increasing in numbers in Brooklyn, New York City and northern New Jersey. While there are now 63 Turkish restaurants and cafes in business in Manhattan, there are 43 in New Jersey and 25 in Brooklyn.
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TURKISH RESTAURANTS
‘Istanbul’ stands out as the most preferred ‘name’ among these venues. In addition, Bodrum, Adana, Antalya, Beyoğlu, Aksaray, Efes, Tarabya, Troy, İzmir, Marmara, Marmaris, Üsküdar, and Pera are other Turkish place-names chosen as a name for businesses in the USA. Turkish Kitchen is one of the oldest restaurants in Manhattan, having 20 years behind it; Ali Baba Restaurant, Pasha, Taksim, Turkish Cuisine, Üsküdar, and Turkuaz follow it with ten-year histories. In addition, in New Jersey, while Toros is the first Turkish restaurant, now completing its twentieth year, Dayının Yeri (Uncle’s Place) in Cliffside Park, Beyti in Union City, Şamdan in Tenalfy, and Taci’s Beyti and Sahara in Brooklyn are also among venues with 15 years in business. For the all Turkish restaurants list, please visit our website at www.turkofamerica.com
On the other hand, most of the businesses currently running have opened within the past five years; hand-overs and closings happen often. The number of businesses with over 10-year background is few. However, the number of businesses which are opened in more than one venue, as a franchise, is rising. For example, Ayhan’s Shish Kebab, which has branched out widely, especially in Long Island, now has 8 venues. Having been established by Ayhan Hassan, from Cyprus, and run in Long Island for over thirty years, this restaurant chain is the Turkish business with the most branches. While Wild Fig is another chain, run in three different venues in Long Island, with over twenty years of business in Long Island, Pita House gets attention as one of the oldest businesses among the others. Pierre Loti, in business as a wine house and bar in Manhattan’s Chelsea, Union Square, and Midtown districts and Toros Restaurant, hosting its customers in New Jersey’s Clifton, Paterson, and New Milford cities, have the same concept and the highest number of branches. While Pera and Ali Baba are run in two different venues in Manhattan, Ayza Wine Bar & Chocolate, also in Manhattan, is in business in two venues, having a menu which mostly includes wine and chocolate, in a different way from the more common Turkish concept. The hookah bar concept is very popular in New York City and Babylon, owned by Ali Rıza Doğan and Mehmet Akçetin, has two branches already. 58 • TurkofAmerica
THE MUFTAHI BROTHERS
paper. Representing four USA-centered factories, the Müftahi brothers hold the status of ‘preferred business partner’ by Harold Levinson Associates, the supplier for BP and other gas stations in the ATM sector. Having started their business by placing their first ATM machine in the gas station of a New Jersey-centered Turkish businessman, the brothers, today, own ATM machines in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, and New Hampshire. They have recently won the bid for the Boston Airport terminal, and they continue to grow in Massachusetts.
Bülent and Ercüment Müftahi.
Four Mıllıon Amerıcans Wıthdraw $300 Mıllıon From the ATMs of Two Turks T Müftahi brothers, today, own ATM machines in 10 states. They have recently won the bid for the Boston Airport terminal, and they continue to grow in
urkofAmerica - According to data from the National ATM Council, the number of ATMs in the USA owned by banks and independent firms is 425,000. As well, there is a serious competition in the market for independent ATM machines, which are placed in restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and shopping centers. Aside from those owned by the banks, the number of ATMs owned by independent firms is 222,500. The very first ATM was used in the year 1969 at Rockville Center, New York-centered Chemical Bank’s branch. ATM machines spread over every corner of the country in 45 years; today, there is one ATM per 730 people. One of the three big ATM firms in New York and New Jersey belongs to the owners of the United ATM Services, Ercüment (43) and Bülent Müftahi (39) brothers. A Ridgefield, New Jersey-centered company, the United Group, owns 2000 ATM machines in 10 different states in the country.
Massachusetts. At the same time, distribution of paper for the POS and ATM machines is done by their other company, United Paper & Ribbon. This firm is listed on the e-trade site Amazon as the number one vendor of POS machine
60 • TurkofAmerica
THEIR FIRST JOBS After coming to the USA in 1998 to obtain a master’s degree, Müftahi started working at the POS machines services section of Chase Manhattan bank. A graduate of Cyprus Eastern Mediterranean University’s English Business Administration department, Ercüment Müftahi worked in the same section for 9 years. His brother Bülent also came to the USA for the same purpose, in 2000, and he also entered the same bank for employment. While they were working at the same bank, they were always encountering the question, by the customers, about where POS machine paper could be obtained. The brothers entered business life with their first firm, United Paper & Ribbon. Until then, customers were getting the product for high prices and from only a few points. As the Müftahi brothers got the representation of two east coast factories in 2003, they also had an advantage in price. Bülent started working part-time and Ercüment full-time, on selling POS machine paper to gas stations, restaurants, and supermarkets. When they entered the ATM machine business in 2007, Ercüment also left Chase Bank and began to market ATM machines. He says, Generally, you start your own business by creating a firm that would be a rival to the firm you are working at. However, since we were not to open a bank, we decided to go on a path that was related to the same sector.” Having reached a capacity of 2000 ATMs in seven years, United ATM Services is currently operating as the distributor for three different ATM producers. In addition, United Paper & Ribbon is the representative of four different factories’ POS machine paper producers. United Paper is now the supplier to nearly 7 thousand businesses that use POS machine paper. Stating that you would know in two months whether an ATM is useful at a certain location where it is
THE MUFTAHI BROTHERS
placed, Ercüment Müftahi also notes that an ATM with fewer than 200 transactions per month would be considered as having low-performance. The firm determines the amount of the commissions applied on cash withdrawals from the ATMs. There is a range of ATMs, applying a commission cost starting from 1.50 dollars and reaching 4.99 dollars. For any given ATM machine, there are four different firms involved. The first is the owner of the location where the ATM is placed; another is a financial institution (NYCE, PULSE, PLUS, Cirrus, AFFN, Interac, Interswitch, STAR, LINK, MegaLink or BancNet) giving permission for the monetary transactions and being a part of a network of banks; the third is the firm that places, takes out, and carries the money (Garda, Brinks, Loomis,etc.); and the last one is the owner of the machine itself, firms such as United ATM. This means that the commission received is shared among the four firms. SIXTY PERCENT OF ATMs IN NY United ATM Services uses the products of the Korean ATM producer Nautilus Hyosung. The number of ATMs under their company which face burglary or similar damage is 10, and the machines can hold 10 thousand transactions in their memory. About 60 percent of the 2000 ATM machines of the Müftahi brothers are
in New York and New Jersey. Pennsylvania is in third place in terms of number of ATMs. Not just anyone can place an ATM wherever they desire. Only firms with an Indepenent Sales Organizations license operate in this business. Bülent Müftahi says, “There is a real competition in the market. Our growth is usually enabled through the adding of our representatives’ new places to our chain and through the reference of our customers.” In order to increase the preventive actions against robberies in the ATM sector, the Müftahi brothers are working on a program with New York City Police Commmissionor Raymond Kelly. The purpose is to prevent vandalism and increase the penalties. ATM robberies are still considered to be minor offenses. The Müftahi brothers want the robberies to be considered not as minor crimes but as financial crimes. They are working towards this along with eight other ATM firms. Another project on which the Müftahi brothers are working is mobile robot ATMs. These ATMs can move around and be used in crowded areas such as fairs and casinos in order to serve the need for cash withdrawal. Each a father of two children, the brothers Ercüment and Bülent Müftahi are also members of the important organizations of the sector, the ATM Industry Association and the National ATM Council.
THE HOTELS OWNED BY TURKISH
Four New Hotels By Turkısh Entrepreneurs ın Manhattan T
Kiska Group will open the second and third and Devli Group and Lexington Capital will open their first hotels.
urkofAmerica - Since the opening of the first Turkish hotel in Manhattan, the Marmara Manhattan owned by Kiska Group, in 1998, Turkish entrepreneurs haven’t made any other step into the hotel business. However, in the upcoming years, Kiska Group will open the second and third and Devli Group and Lexington Capital will open their first hotels. On the other hand, the Mark Hotel, whose owner İzak Şenbahar is also the owner of Alexico Group, was opened to business in 2008. The Mark Hotel is one of the historic buildings of New York, built in 1927. İzak Şenbahar bought the 16 floor building, which is located between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue, from Mandarin Oriental Management for 150 million dollars and spent 200 million dollars for its renovation: the hotel has 150 suites and 10 residences. Şenbahar was also the owner of the Flatotel and the Alex Hotel; however, due to a problem with the bank
62 • TurkofAmerica
which gave them a loan, he had to leave both hotels in January 2012. The Flatotel and the Alex hotel, which are located in the middle part of Manhattan, had 272 and 203 rooms, respectively. A SIBLING TO MARMARA IS ON THE WAY On March 1, 2010, Kiska Group completed the demolition of the building on Lexington Avenue and 56th Street, which it had bought for 34 million dollars, in order to build another hotel as a sister to the Marmara Manhattan. Kiska is planning to build a hotel in place of the buildings on Lexington Avenue, at numbers 678, 680, 682 and 684, and on East 56th Street, at numbers 131, 122 and 135. At the same time, trying to turn another ready building into a hotel, Kiska will also provide an opportunity for long stays at this new hotel.
THE HOTELS OWNED BY TURKISH
Erol Devli.
Metin Negrin.
DEVLİ GROUP Erol Devli, who has been running his Wallington, NJ-centered business Devli Realty Management since 1986 in addition to his role in the renovation of the Kiska Development, has now stepped in to build his first hotel in Manhattan.
More policies. More savings.
Known in New York for its Sasha Bag branded purse, Devli will demolish the four-floor building and build a new hotel in place of it. Having gotten the permission for demolition, Devli is planning to open his first hotel, on 42 West 29th Street, within the next two years. LEXIN CAPITAL IS IN THE HOTEL BUSINESS WITH HYATT HOUSE Another hotel project is being run by the owner of Lexin Capital, Metin Negrin. Having gained an expertise in real estate business in New York since the ‘90s, Negrin has been investing in land, real estate, and residences in US states of Florida, Arizona, New York, and Nevada through Lexin Capital, which he established in 2002.
Hugo Gonzalez, Agent 715 Washington Street Hoboken, NJ 07030 Bus: 201-795-0004 hugo@hobokensf.com
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Negrin will build, with 70 million dollar investment, a 31 floor hotel on the land she bought on 28th Street and 6th Avenue; then, she will hand over its operation to the Hyatt House apart chain. It will be the first hotel of the Hyatt House brand in Manhattan. Planned to be opened in summer of 2015, the hotel will consist of 152 units. THE HOTELS OF TURKISH ENTREPRENUERS IN MANHATTAN Kiska Group - The Marmara Manhattan - 301 E 94th St New York, NY 10128 Alexico Group - The Mark Hotel - 25 East 77th Street New York, NY 10075 Lexin Capital - Hyatt House - 101 West 28th Street New York, NY 10001 Devli Group - 42 West 29th Street New York, NY 10001
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