Professional Experience
Forte Labs, Inc
Sr. Legal Counsel •February 2022 - April 2024
Strategic transactions
• Lead negotiator on multi-million US$ contracts in software & product development (incl. Web3/blockhain tech.), addressing risks in a business-centric manner.
• Re/structuring Forte's onshore and offshore affiliates to align with evolving business requirements and global regulatory developments. Privacy
• Leading Forte's privacy compliance initiative, monitoring adherence to CCPA, GDPR, PIPEDA and other U.S. state privacy regulations.
• Guiding Forte teams on third-party vendor matters such as negotiating DPAs, conducting vendor risk assessments. Legal process optimization
• Optimizing and refining Forte policies & procedures (BYOD, AI use, digital asset insider trading, whistleblower), template agreements (MSA, SoW, ToU, ToS, SLA, license agreement, NDA), working cross-functionally with HR, Finance, IT, BizOps. Governance & compliance
• Overseeing corporate training programs, including harassment, privacy, and whistleblowing.
• Monitoring compliance with Forte policies through internal reviews and compliance management systems (KnowBe4, TrustArc, Ethico).
TAB Food Investments
Legal Director •December 2020 - February 2022
Strategic transactions
• Led multi-million US$ franchise deals with RBI International and helped grow TFI into the world's largest Burger King franchise with +3,000 stores globally. Achievements include closing investment agreements (total value ≈300mil US$) with Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, EBRD, and leading TFI's second IPO. Privacy
• Implemented and monitored TFI's privacy compliance framework, ensuring adherence to GDPR and local privacy regulations. Governance & compliance
• Initiated compliance initiatives across TFI (≈55,000 employees) on privacy, data protection, FCPA, harassment, and unfair competition. Team management
• Supervised local legal teams and external counsel in the Netherlands, Eastern Europe, Cayman, China, and Turkey.
Stanford Law School
Research Assistant / Legal Fellow •November 2018 - August 2019
state court officials and conducted prototype testing with real users.
Yum! Brands
Chief Legal Officer / Board Member •September 2013 - September 2017
Strategic transactions
• Helped KFC and Pizza Hut achieve +100% store growth in 3 years.
• Led negotiations of various key commercial deals. Highlights included selling +100 KFC stores to an overseas PEF, sub-franchising +150 Pizza Hut stores, and separating KFC and Pizza Hut brands through a spin-off. Franchise/team management
• Created Yum!s local franchise framework by creating a local franchise vetting system; drafting local master franchise agreements, training people on Yum!'s franchise system, and expanding legal and franchise teams from 0 to 10 members. Governance & compliance
• Initiated Yum!'s global compliance initiatives on FCPA, gifts, privacy, competition, anti-corruption, and implemented a comprehensive monitoring system covering training, certification, auditing, and whistleblowing.
Ford (Otosan) Motor Company
Assistant General Counsel •May 2011 - September 2013
Strategic transactions
• Negotiated and closed two major construction projects: an R&D Center and an automotive assembly plant, collectively valued at US$1 billion.
• Structured and negotiated dealership, parts supply, and buyback agreements; finalized equipment purchasing deals with leading plant machinery and tech suppliers like Kawasaki Robotics, Fanuc, and KUKA; reviewed EBRD financing agreements. Legal process creation
• Created the legal framework for Ford Trucks' distribution network across EMEA, Turkey, and Central Asia; lead negotiations of key agreements with distributors. Governance & compliance
• Trained corporate executives and +250 employees on FCPA, anticorruption, competition, and governance matters, including signature authorities, expenditure limits, and chart of approvals.
Acteeum Real Estate Group
Legal Manager •December 2007 - April 2011
Closed eight real estate development projects with a combined value of US$1 billion.
Japan Tobacco International
Legal Manager •October 2006 - December 2007
Drafted and negotiated distributorship contracts; focused on employment, marketing, and regulatory compliance issues.
Aselsan Defense Industries
Legal Associate •April 2004 - October 2006
Worked on technology transfer contracts, including technology license transfer agreements for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program.
Judicial Corps of Turkish 2nd Army Division
Conscription / Disciplinary Officer •August 2002 - August 2003
White & Case LLP
Associate •September 2000 - May 2002
Assisted senior lawyers with power plant construction projects on a Build-Operate (BO) and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis.