Irem Cengiz, Legal Counsel · Berlin

Selected positions

1. Lines: 1 Istanbul-Berlin, 2 Tech, Web3 & fintech, 3 Data law123

   define creative GmbH

   Legal Counsel

   Berlin, Germany

   Jun 2024 — Present

   In-House

   • Prepare and negotiate commercial agreements across technology and creative industries, including software development, NFT licensing, artist collaboration, exhibition, and media license agreements.
   • Advise on corporate and governance matters, including company formation, shareholder resolutions, convertible loan agreements, and joint venture structuring.
   • Coordinate external international counsel and notaries to execute cross-border corporate restructuring and entity management.
   • Manage GDPR/BDSG compliance workflows while advising project management teams on data protection risks throughout the project lifecycle.

2. Lines: 1 Istanbul-Berlin, 2 Tech, Web3 & fintech, 3 Data law123

   Vircon Legal

   Legal & Compliance Counsel

   Istanbul · remote, venture-focused

   Jun 2022 — Jan 2024

   Law Firm

   • Reviewed and advised on day-to-day commercial contracts, including SaaS, MSA, employment, NDA, vendor, and distribution agreements.
   • Supported pre-seed and Series A investment transactions, including SAFEs, convertible notes, and shareholder agreements.
   • Drafted and negotiated SAFTs, token sale agreements, token warrants, and other Web3 fundraising documents.
   • Developed intellectual property assignment and contractor documentation frameworks for venture-backed companies.
   • Prepared legal opinions on token classification under Delaware law.
   • Drafted and implemented privacy policies and DPAs to ensure compliance with global data protection regulations, particularly GDPR, UK GDPR, and CCPA/CPRA.
   • Independently managed Turkish-to-Delaware flip-up transactions for startup clients.

3. Lines: 1 Istanbul-Berlin, 2 Tech, Web3 & fintech12

   Tevetoglu Legal & Bitci Technology

   IT Lawyer

   Istanbul · seconded in-house

   Mar 2021 — Jun 2022

   Hybrid

   Technology Advisory & In-House Secondment

   • Seconded as in-house counsel to Bitci Technology, a global crypto exchange, aligning product development with regulatory strategy.
   • Managed technology contracts throughout their lifecycle, covering cloud services, SLAs, and software licenses.
   • Drafted equity compensation plans, employment agreements, and contractor agreements for startup clients.
   • Ensured AML/CFT compliance by auditing operational policies against FATF global standards.
   • Advised fintech clients on legal due diligence for M&A transactions and corporate restructurings.
   • Drafted and negotiated crypto exchange listing agreements and prepared legal opinions on token classifications.

   Litigation & Regulatory Liaison

   • Acted as primary legal contact with regulatory and enforcement authorities, including the Financial Crimes Investigation Board and prosecution offices.
   • Represented clients in litigation involving intellectual property, commercial disputes, and contractual claims.

4. Lines: 1 Istanbul-Berlin1

   Batu Law & Consultancy

   Attorney at Law

   Istanbul, Turkey

   Jan 2020 — Jun 2020

   Law Firm

   • Drafted, reviewed, and revised petitions and extrajudicial correspondence.
   • Supported litigation processes from case preparation through courtroom proceedings.
   • Assisted with real estate, commercial, and contract law matters.

5. Lines: 1 Istanbul-Berlin1

   Aydın & Aydın Attorney Partnership

   Legal Intern

   Istanbul, Turkey

   Dec 2018 — Nov 2019

   Law Firm

   • Assisted senior attorneys with litigation by drafting petitions and procedural correspondence.
   • Liaised with court registry clerks and enforcement offices on behalf of ongoing legal cases.

6. Lines: 1 Istanbul-Berlin1

   Çınar & Çınar Law Firm

   Summer Intern

   Istanbul, Turkey

   Jul 2018 — Aug 2018

   Law Firm

   • Conducted legal research on international trade, contracts, and commercial law matters.

Frequently asked

Who is Irem Cengiz?

Irem Cengiz is a Berlin-based legal counsel for technology companies, startups, founders and boards. She is a qualified Turkish attorney (Av.) and member of the Istanbul Bar Association, with combined law-firm and in-house experience advising on corporate governance, venture financing, intellectual property and the regulatory edges of data, fintech and Web3.

Where is Irem Cengiz based?

Irem is based in Berlin, Germany, and advises clients across the European Union and Turkey on cross-border technology, corporate and regulatory matters.

What areas of law does Irem Cengiz practise?

Practice areas include technology transactions, SaaS and software licensing, venture financing (SAFEs, convertible notes, Series A), corporate governance, intellectual property, GDPR / EU data protection, EU AI Act, MiCA, fintech and Web3 regulation, and M&A for startups.

Does Irem advise startups on venture financing?

Yes. Irem supports founders and venture-backed companies through pre-seed and Series A rounds — drafting and negotiating SAFEs, convertible notes, term sheets and shareholder agreements, and advising on company structuring and cap table matters.

Does Irem advise on GDPR and the EU AI Act?

Yes. Irem advises technology and digital-platform clients on GDPR / BDSG compliance, data processing agreements (DPAs), international transfers, and the regulatory implications of the EU AI Act and adjacent frameworks.

In which languages does Irem practise?

Irem advises in English and Turkish, with working German for local matters in Germany.

How can I contact Irem Cengiz?

You can reach Irem by email at aviremcengiz@gmail.com or via LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/aviremcengiz). The contact form on this site routes inquiries directly to her inbox; replies are typically within two business days.