Meet the team...

---

Busra Turan, Esq.

Partner 

Licensed Attorney in Texas, Maryland, New York

Busra Turan's journey through the intricate world of law and immigration is as captivating as it is inspiring. Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Busra developed a deep-seated passion for law from a young age. 

Her journey began at Marmara University Faculty of Law, where she embarked on her legal education, culminating in her graduation with an LL.B (Bachelor of Laws) in June 2014.

Eager to broaden her horizons and deepen her understanding of legal systems, Busra set her sights on the United States. Her path led her to Boston University School of Law, where she immersed herself in the nuances of American law, ultimately earning her LL.M (Master of Laws) in American Law with distinction in May 2019. Her exceptional academic performance was recognized with the prestigious LLM Scholar Award, a testament to her dedication and expertise.

Murat Akkoc

Partner 

Legal Consultant (Supreme Court of New York)

Attorney (Istanbul Bar)

Murat AKKOC earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Istanbul University School of Law in Istanbul, Turkiye in 2010. 

Following his graduation, AKKOC completed a 12-month legal internship and became a registered attorney at the Istanbul Bar Association. Since he officially started his legal career in 2011, AKKOC has demonstrated his full commitment to the pursuit of justice and the protection of human rights.

Specializing in criminal law, AKKOC is renowned for his dedication to advocating for human rights. 

Since July 22, 2014, he has tirelessly fought against human rights violations in Turkiye, lending his expertise to individuals in need. 

Over the span of a decade, AKKOC has also generously provided pro bono legal support to those facing legal challenges.

As of June 14, 2021, AKKOC is registered at the Supreme Court Of New York as a Legal Consultant (Turkiye).

Murat Erdogan

Partner, Case Manager
Attorney at Law (Istanbul Bar Association, 26093)

Areas of Practice:
Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights Law, Information Technology Law and Cybersecurity, Trademark Law, Energy Law, Public Procurement Law, Arbitration, European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Education:
Marmara University, Institute of Social Sciences (Master's Degree, 2003)
Marmara University, Faculty of Law (Bachelor's Degree, 2000)

Certifications:

• Commission of Europe, Introduction to ECHR, 2020
• University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), An Introduction to American Law, 2020
• Selcuk University, International Contracts and Arbitration, 2020
• CyberNow Labs, Cybersecurity Training, 2019
• University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Legal Terminology, 2018
• Union of Turkish Bar Associations, Advanced Energy Law Training Program, 2012
• Union of Turkish Bar Associations, Advanced Public Procurement Law Training Program, 2012
• Istanbul Bar Association, Direct Examination and Cross-Examination, 2005
• Istanbul Bar Association, Defendant Rights and Defense, 2005

Memberships:

• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2020
• American Bar Association (ABA), 2019
• Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB), 2000
• Istanbul Bar Association, 2000

Languages:
Turkish, English

Email:
erdogan@meritllp.com

Ozcan Ozbey, Ph.D.

International Law Expert 

Dr. Ozcan Ozbey holds a Doctorate Degree from Kocaeli University (Turkey, 2012), a Master of Laws from Chapman University (California, U.S.A., 2019), and a Master of Laws from TODAIE (Turkey and Middle East Public Administration Institute, 2008). 

Additionally, Dr. Ozbey completed Pedagogical Formation at Anadolu University (Turkey, 2011) and a Certified Course on Justice at Harvard University (U.S.A., 2021). He also earned a Bachelor of Laws from Istanbul University Law School (Turkey, 1996) and was admitted to the Istanbul Bar Association in 1998.

Professionally, Dr. Ozbey has held various roles such as Lawyer at the Istanbul Bar Association (Turkey, 1996-1998), Trainee Judge/Prosecutor at the Istanbul Courthouse (Turkey, 1998-2001), Public Prosecutor (Turkey, 2001-2006; 2015-2016), Judge of the Criminal Chambers of the Court of Cassation (Turkey, 2006-2010), Judge of the Criminal General Assembly of the Court of Cassation (Turkey, 2010-2012), and Constitutional Court Rapporteur Judge (Turkey, 2012-2015).

He also served as a Lecturer at the Justice Academy (Turkey, 2010-2015) and published five books and many articles on fundamental human rights, constitutional and criminal law. Dr. Ozbey has presented at national and international conferences throughout his career and received a lot of awards in his field. He has presented numerous expert reports to Turkish courts, the European Court of Human Rights, the United Nations Human Rights Committee and Other Bodies, the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes, and international institutions authorized to conduct universal criminal investigations on fundamental rights violations.

Ronia Khalaifeh

Licensed Attorney in New York and New Jersey

Ronia is an accomplished attorney, admitted to practice in both New York and New Jersey, with a Juris Doctor from New York Law School, where she earned a Trustee Scholarship and engaged actively in various leadership and advocacy roles. Prior to law school, Ronia graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics. With hands-on experience as a law clerk at Othman Legal, P.C., 

Ronia has represented clients in real estate transactions and civil litigation, showcasing a strong ability to draft legal documents and manage complex disputes. Her internship at the PTO Trademark Clinic provided valuable exposure to trademark prosecution, where she successfully represented clients before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and developed effective trademark strategies. Ronia further honed her legal skills at Ladas & Parry LLP, advising clients on trademark protection and conducting thorough legal research. Her experience with leading fashion companies like Tory Burch and Tapestry, Inc. involved Labor and Employment practice as well as Trademark and Copyright clearance, protection, and litigation respectively.  

Fluent in Arabic, Ronia brings a diverse perspective to her legal practice, focusing on areas including trademarks, labor and employment, and civil rights. Passionate about mentoring and social justice, Ronia is committed to advocating for clients and contributing to the community through both professional and personal endeavors. 

Ali YILDIZ 

Of Counsel

Member of Ankara Bar since 2004

Member of Brussels Bar since 2020

As a member of both the Ankara and Brussels Bar Associations, Ali Yildiz has been dedicatedly practicing law since 2004. His academic journey in law began with an LLB degree from the University of Ankara, followed by an LLM in International and European Law at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. 

His LLM study included European Data Protection Law. He is fluent in Turkish, proficient in English, and have a basic understanding of Dutch.

His commitment to the legal profession was recognized in 2019 when he was a finalist for the prestigious Lawyers for Lawyers Award. In 2021, he was honored to join the Legal Experts Advisory Panel of Fair Trials, a leading European civil society organization focused on criminal justice and human rights.

He is a regular legal writer, publishing on Verfassungsblog, Just Security, and with The International Association of Constitutional Law. He often provides comments to international media, including the Wall Street Journal, Al-Monitor, Balkan Insight, Turkish Minute, Ahval, Free Turkish Press, and The National.

Ali Yildiz is a prominent Interpol lawyer and track record of success on deletion of data requests submitted to CCF of Interpol.

Ali Yildiz is based in Brussels, founder of Ali Yildiz Legal, and working as an expert attorney for Merit Law LLP on matters related to Interpol and protection of personal data.

Ruslan Tashkenbay

Case Manager

Kazakh Licensed Attorney

Ruslan Tashkenbay currently works as a "case manager" in immigration matters at Merit Law, LLP. He completed his master`s degree at Temple University Beasley School of Law, 

Ruslan Tashkenbay has specialized in various legal areas including business and immigration law and gained extensive expertise over more than 20 years of legal practice in Kazakhstan.

Throughout his professional career, Ruslan Tashkenbay has always prioritized customer satisfaction and success, leading many important projects. 

Additionally, he is recognized for his skills in time management, attention to detail, and organization. Moreover, Ruslan Tashkenbay takes pride in contributing to his community by participating in various volunteer and fundraising activities.

Ruslan Tashkenbay's proficiency in Kazakh, Russian, Turkish, and Spanish allows him to communicate effectively in different languages, strengthening his ability to communicate with diverse cultures and serve international clients. 

With his experience and skills, He has proven himself in providing support and offering appropriate solutions to clients. As a "case manager," Ruslan Tashkenbay effectively utilizes his extensive experience and knowledge to always aim for success.

Vera Guzelsoy

Legal Assistant

Advocate for Immigrant Rights 

Vera G joins our team as a Legal Assistant with a remarkable blend of personal experience and professional expertise. Her journey from a distinguished attorney in Turkey to a passionate advocate for immigrant rights in the U.S. is both inspiring and impressive.

In Turkey, Vera's legal career was distinguished by her work with both the Istanbul and Ankara Bar Associations, where she gained extensive experience as a licensed attorney in criminal law and human rights. Her academic prowess was evident early on when she ranked 7th nationwide in Turkey’s rigorous university entrance exam among 2 million students. Vera's dedication to justice led her to qualify for the 1st stage as an Assistant Lawyer by the European Court of Human Rights and pass the exam to become a judge in Turkey.

After seeking political asylum in the U.S., Vera continued her commitment to justice by joining Merit Law LLP as a Legal Assistant. In this role, she adeptly manages complex immigration cases, from defensive asylum and business visa applications to strategic case coordination and client support. Her fluency in English, Turkish, and French and her proficiency in other languages enhance her ability to connect with diverse clients and provide exceptional legal support.

Vera's international perspective is further enriched by her academic achievements, including a Master-I education at Nanterre University Law School in Paris and a Bachelor’s degree from Galatasaray University in Istanbul. Her impressive background and deep understanding of the immigrant experience make her an invaluable asset to our firm.

We are thrilled to have Vera G on our team. Her expertise, dedication, and passion for justice will undoubtedly make a significant impact in supporting our mission and serving our clients. 

Leyla Ozbey

Paralegal

Leyla is a current university student who is  majoring in Criminology, Law, and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She will be double majoring in Business Administration and will pursue higher education in Law School for her graduate degree. 

Leyla has volunteered in many leadership organizations that improved her expertise in the areas of public policy, political science, and business/marketing. She has been a part of The Congressional Award Program and earned a Gold Certificate through her community services. 

Additionally, Leyla has been the president of many of her clubs throughout her education which helped her with leadership skills and time management. She is experienced in the field of law as she became a part of legal classes, criminal justice courses, and mock trials. She is also fluent in both Turkish and English. Leyla wishes to grow in the field of Criminal and Business Law.

Bedii Gurcan

Case Manager

Chinese Law Expert

Bedii Gurcan currently works as a Case Manager at Merit Law LLP. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in International Law at Renmin University of China, focusing on his dissertation in International Tax Law. He completed his Master’s degree in International Law at the same university in 2018 and earned his Bachelor's degree in Chinese Law in 2016. Bedii’s professional experience includes working as a legal consultant, international law lecturer, and advisor across various academic and commercial institutions. He is fluent in Turkish, Chinese, and English, enabling him to effectively serve a diverse client base.

As a Case Manager, Bedii aims to facilitate effective communication and collaboration between clients and legal teams, drawing on his past professional experience to ensure a smooth process. Furthermore, he enjoys exploring different cultures and mentoring law students in moot court competitions to contribute to legal education.