Deniz Oguzkanli takes over as Senior Partner at RFB and sets out his core values of justice, intellectual rigour and social responsibility.
“Justice has always been at the heart of it for me” says Deniz Oguzkanli, a Commercial Real Estate and Finance Partner at national law firm Ronald Fletcher Baker.
It all started as a law student walking the bustling corridors of the Citizens Advice Bureau, where he first witnessed the stark realities of individual struggles; two decades later sees Deniz dealing with the intricate complexities of Commercial Real Estate and Finance deals.
His journey has been one of weaving together the threads of justice, business, and social responsibility. “The problems individuals face, their battles to hold people to their promises, it’s all mirrored in the corporate world” he explains. “With contractual obligations, clear communication is paramount, it matters not whether it’s an individual or one of my international corporate clients, the law and our roles as lawyers start from recognising that it’s an interconnected web.” That early realisation, forged in the crucible of real-life hardship, has shaped his approach to law ever since.
His career has led him from the world of criminal litigation and regulatory law to high value real estate and finance transactions, and his recent confirmation as the Senior Partner of RFB, a firm with a significant international client base, marks a new chapter. “Dealing with international clients,” he notes, “it’s a delicate dance. Diverging views, perspectives, customs – you have to navigate it all with sensitivity.”
But it’s not just about understanding cultural nuances. It’s about recognising the growing demand for corporate social responsibility. “Businesses are realising they have a responsibility to give back,” he observes, “and they value the same when demonstrated by the lawyers.”
At RFB, this ethos isn’t just a talking point. It’s woven into the firm’s fabric. An initial satellite office in Istanbul, active participation in local law society talks, lawyers traveling to Singapore, Asia, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and the US – it’s a testament to their commitment to global engagement.
Navigating diverse international sensitivities requires a delicate balance. “We do it with respect for differing views,” he emphasises, “while never compromising our values and standards.”
The firm’s commitment is reflected closer to home. Deniz serves as a councillor in his local borough of Hackney, a position which he has held since 2006. “We encourage our lawyers, at all levels, to engage in projects that directly benefit their communities,” he explains. His own 19 year tenure as a councillor, alongside partners involved in charitable trusts, schools, and educational institutions, underscores this commitment.
“We encourage giving back to the community with all of our solicitors. It makes for more rounded solicitors,” he asserts.
And at the heart of it all is that inherent quest for justice. “The legal profession, at its core, is driven by that sense of justice,” he reflects. “It’s why many of us entered the field. The intellectual challenges of mastering an area and being involved in complex transactions, are a significant draw, but it’s the ability to make a positive impact that truly resonates”.
“I get a great deal of joy from steering a commercial transaction to completion having to solve sometimes intricate and seemingly impossible problems along the way. At RFB I am able to satisfy that intellectual urge whilst also contributing positively to society through my charitable efforts. I know that my clients appreciate it and it increasingly aligns with their personal and corporate values.”
He hopes that the next generation of lawyers will find encouragement in RFB’s approach. “A firm that values both intellectual rigor and social responsibility,” he concludes, “is best placed to attract and retain top talent.” And in his own journey, he’s proven that those two ideals are not mutually exclusive, but rather, inextricably intertwined.
