Our 2005 Law Graduate, Dinç Şanver, began his legal internship in 2005, completed his service as a Lieutenant at the GATA Disciplinary Office in 2008, and then continued his legal career at various law firms in Istanbul. He started his corporate legal career in 2010 at Istanbul Patent, specializing in International Brand and Patent Consultancy, and in 2012, he joined Samsung Electronics. At Samsung, he supported the legal and compliance departments for many years and was promoted twice. In 2017, he started working as the Compliance Manager for the EMEA region at Zimmer Biomet, a global leader in orthopedics. In this position, he served as the Compliance Manager for the Balkans, Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa. During this time, he participated in and contributed to many local and regional organizations in the field of ethical practices in the healthcare sector. After three years, he accepted an offer from TEVA, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies, and took on the role of Legal and Compliance Director for the newly structured Middle East and Africa sales organization within the company. He resigned from this position in 2022 due to an internal organizational change. He is currently working as the Regional Legal Director for the Middle East and Africa at Pearson Education, a global leader in English language education. In 2023, he was listed as one of the most powerful legal directors in Turkey by Legal500's GC Powerlist Turkey.
Can you talk about your experience at Yeditepe University?
Yeditepe University holds special significance for me. It was the first social environment I stepped into after moving to Istanbul. Additionally, perhaps due to being in law school, I spent more time there than at home during the weekdays. I can say that I have memories in every corner of Yeditepe University, from the foosball table in the cafeteria to the social facilities, from the library to the green areas, and these places evoke very special and unique associations for me. Moreover, in terms of the legal profession, thanks to our esteemed professors, it was an invaluable professional resource that allowed me to start my career on solid foundations.
What differences and advantages did being a Yeditepe graduate bring to your career?
Honestly, I can say that being a Yeditepe graduate gave me an edge over my peers at the beginning of my career. The diverse education we received in many emerging areas of law, which were not yet widely known in the legal community, enriched my resume and allowed me to start my career almost like a lawyer with a master's or doctorate degree. Of course, there were disadvantages as well. This kind of qualification sometimes created envy, and in some circles, there was a perception that, because I was from Yeditepe, I had very high expectations.
What do you think was the turning point in your career?
It's difficult to point to a single turning point in my career because there have been many. I view my career journey as a voyage, much like my personal life. At every stage, I was tested with different opportunities and challenges, discovered various aspects of myself, and my career has been full of milestones at every phase. However, if I were to give an example of a defining moment, it would be my first corporate job experience when I entered the corporate world by starting as a lawyer at Samsung Electronics Turkey.
What advice do you have for our students/new graduates for their career journeys?
I have two pieces of advice for our new graduates: First, I recommend that they choose the right career path for themselves through experience and knowledge, and once they have chosen it, they should never give up on it.
What message would you like to share with our readers on the 100th anniversary of our Republic?
Having worked in various roles in the Middle East for many years and having personally experienced how Atatürk's reforms have elevated Turkey to great heights, I would like to advise all our readers who believe in the Republic and embrace its values, on the 100th anniversary of our Republic, to never lose their faith and love for the Republic and freedom, and to always be defenders of the principles of law, which are indispensable for the Republic, both in their lives and in their professions.
