Merve Özbakır

Merve Özbakır is a Senior Legal Counsel at Cleveland & Co, where she advises clients across private equity investments, investment management, M&A transactions, and cross-border structuring. With dual qualifications in England & Wales and Turkey, Merve draws on six years of international experience to help clients navigate sophisticated legal and regulatory landscapes with confidence and clarity.

Merve’s work reflects the core values that define Cleveland & Co. Her resilient, detail-oriented approach enables her to deliver excellence under pressure; her collaborative mindset and transparent communication style build lasting partnerships with clients and colleagues alike. Since joining the firm in 2022, she has become a key legal adviser in structuring and negotiating complex transactions, from global private market fund investments to co-investments, securities lending arrangements, and corporate finance deals. She leads legal due diligence processes and supports SPA negotiations, all while keeping clients’ commercial objectives front and centre.

Prior to joining Cleveland & Co, Merve was a Banking & Finance Associate at Clifford Chance in Istanbul (also known as CE Partners), advising global banks and financial institutions on syndicated loans, PPPs, and project financings. This grounding in both civil and common law systems gives her a distinctive edge in cross-border problem-solving and transaction execution.

Merve embodies the firm’s commitment to integrity, responsiveness, and clarity, valued by clients for her ability to cut through complexity with pragmatic, business-focused advice. Her fluency in corporate governance and fund structuring makes her a trusted partner for clients managing legal risk in dynamic, high-growth environments.

Beyond her client work, Merve contributes to the legal community through mentorship with the Amos Bursary and her membership in the Association of Women Solicitors, reflecting her belief in lifting others as she leads.