About Ekinsu Cebi Elkei
Ekinsu concentrates her practice on cross-border arbitration and litigation. She represents clients in investment and commercial arbitration disputes under a range of arbitral rules—including ICSID, UNCITRAL, PCA, and ICC—across the media, mining, construction, and infrastructure sectors. She has experience representing state-owned entities, diplomatic missions, private companies, and individuals in a variety of litigation matters, including judgment collection actions and sovereign immunity issues under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Ekinsu also focuses on compliance with economic sanctions and export control laws and regulations administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security ("BIS"). She advises clients on transactional matters and has extensive experience conducting trade due diligence, drafting sanctions and export control policies, and assisting companies with the implementation of related procedures and controls.
Additionally, Ekinsu helps corporate and individual clients navigate a wide range of white-collar enforcement actions.
Outside the Firm
Ekinsu enjoys traveling and never passes up the chance to hike or ski.
Admitted to practice in New York and Turkey only. Not engaged in the practice of law in the District of Columbia.
A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.
Experience
Investment Arbitration
- A Turkish investor in an ICSID arbitration against the government of Turkmenistan under the Turkey-Turkmenistan BIT.
- A global mining company in an ICSID arbitration against a Middle Eastern country.
- The Sultanate of Oman regarding the enforcement of an ICSID award against a Turkish investor.
- A foreign investor against an Eastern European country in a PCA arbitration regarding the expropriation of real estate assets.
Commercial Arbitration and Litigation
- A joint venture in an infrastructure dispute against an Eastern European government stemming from a FIDIC contract.
- A U.S. global investment management firm against a Turkish mining group in the largest enforcement claim filed in Turkey for a commercial arbitral award.
- A South Korean conglomerate in a project-finance dispute between the SPV and the EPC Contractor regarding the construction of a multi-clinic hospital.
U.S. Economic Sanctions
- A U.S.-based fast-food chain company regarding a U.S. economic sanctions matter relating to its foreign subsidiary’s commercial activities abroad.
Admitted to practice in New York and Turkey only. Not engaged in the practice of law in the District of Columbia.
A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.
News & Views
Alert / Publications
OFAC Issues a General License Authorizing Transactions in Iranian Oil, Petrochemical Products, and Petroleum Products for 60 DaysJune 25, 2026
Alert / Publications
Venezuela Sanctions Update: Tracking OFAC General Licenses Post-MaduroMay 20, 2026
Article / Publications
U.S. Sanctions Targeting Russia’s Oil Giants Heighten Biz RisksJanuary 6, 2026
News / Press Release
Blank Rome Adds Leading White Collar Team, Continuing Nationwide ExpansionFebruary 26, 2024
Admitted to practice in New York and Turkey only. Not engaged in the practice of law in the District of Columbia.
A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.
Recognitions
- 2023, “Key Lawyer,” Legal 500’s Europe, the Middle East, and Africa Guide for Dispute Resolution
Admitted to practice in New York and Turkey only. Not engaged in the practice of law in the District of Columbia.
A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.
Professional Activities
Ekinsu is a founding member of the Young Istanbul Arbitration Center.
Admitted to practice in New York and Turkey only. Not engaged in the practice of law in the District of Columbia.
A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.
Bar Admissions
- New York
- Turkey
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, LLM
- Istanbul University Faculty of Law, BA (Law)
Admitted to practice in New York and Turkey only. Not engaged in the practice of law in the District of Columbia.
A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.