We Discussed the Future with Young Lawyers: We Were at the 1st National Maritime Law Summit

As Esenyel Partners, we always feel great excitement in coming together with our young colleagues who will build the future of our profession and sharing our field experiences with them. As a reflection of this vision, we recently shared the stage with the lawyers of the future at the 1st National Maritime Law Summit held at Akdeniz University.

This summit, which we attended with the aim of conveying the practical equivalent of the theoretical knowledge learned at university desks to the youth and expanding their professional horizons, was highly inspiring for both us and the participating students.

The Cornerstones of Being a Good Lawyer Through the Eyes of a Maritime Lawyer

In one of the most striking sessions of the summit, our Founding Partner Att. Selçuk Esenyel took the stage. Att. Selçuk Esenyel shared with the youth the cornerstones of “being a good lawyer” through the eyes of a maritime lawyer, focusing not only on general legal rules but also on this specific and dynamic field.

The fundamental principles that stood out in the speech and serve as a compass in a lawyer’s career journey were as follows:

• Understanding the Dynamics of Commercial Life: A good maritime lawyer should not only be a person who interprets legal provisions but also a strategic partner who deeply understands their client’s commercial operations, industry risks, and needs.
• Having an International Vision: Maritime law is, by its nature, a global field that transcends borders. A good lawyer must be familiar not only with their own country’s legislation but also with international conventions and the practices of different judicial systems.
• Continuous Development and Foreign Language: In this field, which requires staying in communication with actors all over the world, an advanced level of professional foreign language skills and the desire to constantly follow changing global regulations are a necessity.
• Crisis Management and Quick Decision Making: The maritime sector is an ongoing, 24/7 living industry. In the event of a ship arrest or an emergency at sea, even seconds matter. Therefore, besides theoretical knowledge, being able to stay calm under pressure and produce quick, analytical solutions is the key to professional success.

We Have Full Confidence in the Future

The interest of the bright young lawyers of Akdeniz University in maritime law, their eye-opening questions, and their passion for the profession gave us great hope for the future of our sector.

We would like to thank all the academicians who contributed to this valuable organization, the organizing committee, and the lawyers of the future who listened to us with great interest. As Esenyel Partners, we will continue to support the development of our young colleagues and share our experiences with new generations.