Sultan Başak Karayol

As in-house counsel for a family-owned group of companies, I provide comprehensive legal support across multiple sectors, overseeing a wide range of matters including employment disputes, contract lifecycle management, and procurement-related challenges. My role involves drafting, negotiating, and reviewing contracts, managing litigation processes from initial filings through resolution, and advising on regulatory compliance to mitigate risks. I also lead internal audits and ensure adherence to quality management standards, playing a key role in maintaining corporate certifications and streamlining legal workflows. This position has strengthened my ability to deliver strategic legal solutions, balance business objectives with regulatory requirements, and support the group’s long-term growth.

During the continuation of my legal traineeship, I joined ClientEarth as a contracted legal intern, where I gained extensive exposure to a wide range of legal practice areas through case file management and legal drafting. Within the scope of my collaboration with ClientEarth, I closely monitored developments in Turkish environmental legislation and jurisprudence, prepared monthly analytical reports in English, and contributed to litigation planning and strategy formulation. I also participated in drafting submissions for Greenpeace’s environmental cases and played a role in the design and organization of an environmental law training program funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB). These experiences honed my expertise in environmental advocacy, cross-border legal reporting, and policy-oriented legal work.

During my initial legal traineeship, I actively supported data protection compliance initiatives under the KVKK framework, assisting in the development of internal policies, drafting privacy documentation, and advising on regulatory requirements. I was also involved in drafting and reviewing commercial agreements, gaining hands-on experience in contractual risk assessment and negotiation preparation. In addition, I contributed to trademark registration and portfolio management processes, including application filing, procedural follow-ups, and correspondence with intellectual property authorities. This experience allowed me to build a strong foundation in data privacy, intellectual property, and corporate advisory services early in my legal career.