# Turkish bar association leadership and cooperation

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-bar-association-leadership-and-cooperation
> Updated: 2026-10-27T14:24:39.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

Recent developments within Turkish bar associations involve both leadership transitions and institutional coordination efforts.

In İzmir and Edirne, new leadership has been established following elections. Serhat Sökmen of the Republican Lawyers Group was elected president of the İzmir Bar Association, while Taner Balta was elected Vice President of the Edirne Bar Association. Both leaders expressed commitments to judicial independence and the rule of law.

In other regions, bar associations are engaging in professional cooperation. The Kırıkkale Bar Association, led by President Turan Zeki, met with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations to discuss term plans and coordination. Additionally, the Ankara Bar Association, led by President Elçin Özge Şimşek Çağlayan, met with Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş to discuss infrastructure for the new courthouse, legal aid center cooperation, and municipal services for lawyers.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-27: Mansur Yavaş meets Murat Kurum to discuss Ankara urban development

Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş met with Minister Murat Kurum to discuss urban development and city needs in the capital.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-bar-associations-meet-with-officials-to-discuss-cooperation

### 2026-10-18: Turkish bar associations elect new leadership in İzmir and Edirne

Serhat Sökmen has been elected president of the İzmir Bar Association, while Taner Balta was named Vice President of the Edirne Bar Association following recent local elections.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-bar-associations-elect-new-leadership-in-izmir-and-edirne

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Cite as: Turkish bar association leadership and cooperation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-bar-association-leadership-and-cooperation