CCLegalCo was founded with the mission of helping the change.
We are a specialist in NGO strategy and legal compliance & business and human rights consultancy.
We deliver robust advice to businesses, local and international NGOs, non-profit enterprises, public-benefit agencies and individuals on these issues, harnessing our in-depth legal expertise.
There were three fundamental incidents that had triggered the foundation of CCLegalCo: First was the influx of Syrian refugees into Turkey, which caused a serious humanitarian crisis worldwide; Second was the wave of protests that were sparked by a civil outrage against the eviction of a small green area in Istanbul; and Third was a realization of how “business as usual” can pose severe and irrevocable social, environmental and financial risks.
Whilst working at a major international law firm, Cigdem Cimrin started pursuing a PhD degree on international human rights law in 2014. During her PhD, she realized that she can blend her decade long experience and know-now acquired at major international law firms, where she was advising multinational companies and investors on cross-border business transactions, PPPs, joint ventures and M&A deals with her academic studies and research on human rights.
In 2016, Cigdem decided to take on the challenge of safeguarding rights and freedoms against abuses with the purpose of contributing back to society. That’s when CCLegalCo was born: Out of the passion Cigdem Cimrin felt and continues to feel every day towards promoting the inherent dignity of all human beings.
Our values provide a frame of reference in our daily work:
We are a passionate team committed to challenge assumptions and push boundaries in order to promote a world where all human beings are free and equal in dignity and rights.
We always strive to exceed the expectations of our clients and provide them with the highest-quality advice.
We pride ourselves for being reliable, easy to work with, approachable and giving the most practical advice.
We believe that sound governance and transparency form the bedrock of leadership, and we are committed to serving with integrity.
She has more than 14 years of professional experience, including 8 years working on corporate law at international law firms in Turkey and the Netherlands.
She has a unique experience advising and leading efforts to improve, develop and implement sustainable management strategies, programs and projects for a broad client portfolio. Thus, Cigdem has worked with companies from range of sectors, local and international NGOs operating in humanitarian field and public-benefit agencies as well as undertaken a leadership position at the Center for Child Rights and Business, a reputable international non-profit enterprise, which advises businesses on child rights in supply chains.
She is the Co-Founder and Chairperson at Minerva Business and Human Rights Association (www.minervabhr.org), the first Turkish NGO with a central focus on business and human rights.
She also served as a Consultant in Giving Refugees a Voice Project, a pilot initiative funded by C&A Foundation which focused on informal Syrian refugee workers in garment supply chains in Turkey. Prior to this and whilst working full-time at a major international law firm, she volunteered at American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative (ABAROLI). During her work at ABAROLI, she had designed and conducted legal awareness raising trainings for Syrian refugee communities.
Cigdem has a PhD degree in public international law (with a special focus on business and human rights), an LLM degree from Universiteit Leiden and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Bilkent University. She is a practicing lawyer qualified in Turkey. She is also a certified auditor for SA8000.
Practice Areas:
Human Rights Law; Business and Human Rights; NGO Strategy, Management and Legal Compliance; Individual Claims & ECHR Applications
Education Information:
Ph.D. Istanbul Bilgi University, 2020 (Thesis: "A Right-Based Approach to Companies’ Human Rights Responsibility: Human Rights Due Diligence")
LL.M. Universiteit Leiden, 2012 (Thesis: "The Emergence of ICSID Arbitration in line with the Development of International Concession Agreement Era in Turkey")
LL.B Bilkent University, 2008
Bar Admission:
Istanbul Bar Association, admitted 2009
Memberships:
Women of Orange (Board Member)
Holland Alumni Network
Bilkent University School of Law Alumni Association
American Collegiate Institute Alumni Association
Languages:
Turkish, English, Arabic
He also has gained a broad experience in carrying out advocacy projects during his posts in civil society organizations. Mahmut is acting as a Special Consultant at Başkent University Migration Research Center’s Consultative Committee.
Mahmut has a law bachelor degree from Istanbul Bilgi University and currently pursuing an LL.M. program on human rights law.
Practices:
NGO Legal Compliance, Human Rights Law, Immigration Law, Dispute Resolution, Training & Research
Bar Admission:
Istanbul Bar Association, admitted 2014
Education:
LL.M İstanbul Bilgi University, Present
LL.B Istanbul Bilgi University, 2013
Languages:
English, Turkish
He has a broad experience in providing legal advice and counseling both to international and national clients operating in various fields among which labour law, corporate and contractual law and civil law. He is a registered mediator in Turkey.
Savaş has a law bachelor degree from Ankara University. He was admitted to practice law in 2009.
Practice Areas:
Labour Law, Corporate & Contractual Law, Dispute Resolution & Mediation, Administrative Law, Occupational Health and Safety Law, NGO Legal Compliance, Individual Claims and ECHR Applications
Bar Admission:
Istanbul Bar Association, admitted 2008
Education:
LL.B Ankara University, 2008
Languages:
English, Turkish
Burak has an in-depth experience on matters involving data privacy and technology, commercial law and start-up mentoring. He also has CIPP/E certificate which is the global industry standard in the field of privacy and GDPR knowledge.
Burak graduated from the Faculty of Economics of Baskent University and completed the Faculty of Law at Istanbul Commerce University.
Practice Areas:
Personal Data Protection Compliance, Corporate & Contractual Law
Bar Admission:
Istanbul Bar Association, admitted 2015
Education:
LL.B Istanbul Commerce University, 2014
Başkent University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, 2006
Languages:
English, Turkish
Education:
LL.B Istanbul Bilgi University, 2020
Practice Areas:
Personal Data Protection Compliance, NGO Legal Compliance, Corporate & Contractual Law, Administrative Law
Bar Admission:
Istanbul Bar Association, expected to admitted in 2022
Languages:
English, Turkish
