Olgan Gunduz

I was born in Turkey and moved to the United Kingdom at the age of ten, beginning my primary education in London. Arriving as a child meant adapting quickly to a new language, a new environment and a different way of life. I embraced the change fully. Over the years, I travelled widely across the UK and Europe, grew deeply attached to UK and European culture and values, and formed friendships and networks that shaped both my personal and professional identity.

At the same time, I maintained strong ties with Turkey and friends in the US, South America Africa and Asia. This dual connection between Turkey and UK, culturally, socially and professionally, has given me a broad and adaptable outlook. It has allowed me to understand people, organisations and global issues from more than one perspective. Throughout my career, I have built a wide international network spanning finance, banking, business leaders, community figures and professionals associated with global organisations, including UN-linked bodies, EU institutions and international financial institutions. These relationships continue to enrich my practice and broaden my reach.

My academic path began with Business and Finance, grounding me in the mechanics of commerce, financial analysis and strategic decision-making. I later completed my LLB and LLM, strengthening my understanding of commercial, corporate and regulatory frameworks. After completing the LPC, I qualified as a solicitor in 2006.

Before entering private practice, I worked within local government departments and the Home Office, where I gained valuable insight into public-sector decision-making, administrative law and regulatory processes. That experience remains central to my approach in immigration, regulatory law and public-law challenges.

From the outset, I pursued a deliberately broad legal practice, working across litigation, commercial and corporate law, immigration, landlord and tenant, insolvency, regulatory matters, tax-related issues, private client work, property disputes and complex family finance litigation. This multidisciplinary background allows me to approach legal problems holistically, recognising that many real-world challenges span several areas of law.

I built much of my early practice in the City of London, acting in matters before the County Courts, the High Court (King’s Bench and Chancery Divisions), the Commercial Court, specialist tribunals and before Masters. I have worked closely with senior counsel and King’s Counsel (KCs) and frequently acted opposite large City firms and Magic Circle litigation teams. These experiences strengthened my strategic acumen and taught me how to navigate high-stakes disputes with discipline, clarity and composure.

My litigation work includes international company disputes, jurisdiction challenges, high-value contractual claims, shareholder conflicts, commercial fraud, property and chancery litigation, professional negligence, IP disputes, enforcement actions and complex multi-party matters. I have arranged and represented clients in arbitration and mediation forums and coordinated cross-border disputes requiring an understanding of multiple jurisdictions.

Alongside commercial litigation, I have extensive experience in financial family law, particularly matters involving business ownership, trust structures, investment portfolios, TLATA disputes, Schedule 1 cases, international assets and situations involving concealed or dissipated wealth. My grounding in finance and accounting enables me to provide clarity in cases that require detailed analysis of corporate documents, valuations and financial disclosure.

My corporate and commercial practice includes advising clients on structuring businesses, drafting high-value commercial contracts, negotiating joint ventures, guiding reorganisations, supporting investment transactions and defending clients against onerous contractual terms. I have acted for businesses across sectors including technology, hospitality, property development, finance, supply and distribution, professional services and international trade.

My regulatory practice includes advising on HMRC enquiries, sponsorship and Home Office compliance, tax-related disputes, planning and licensing matters, customs issues, public-law challenges and complex regulatory investigations. My governmental background means I understand how regulators think and how to engage with them effectively.

I am currently working on significant projects in the healthcare sector, advising professionals and investors in the establishment of medical centres, clinics and diagnostic facilities. My admiration for the NHS, combined with recognition of the challenges it faces, has driven my interest in supporting ethical, accessible healthcare models that complement public services. My work in the sector brings together regulatory insight, commercial structuring, operational planning and compliance.

In 2012, I started working with Fortis Rose Solicitors, a boutique practice built on principles that have guided my career: clarity, thoughtful analysis, strategic judgement and a calm, human approach in challenging circumstances.

Over the years, I have mentored, trained and supervised junior lawyers, many of whom now work across a range of law firms. I remain in close contact with them, sharing insight and professional support where needed. I also maintain a strong network of trusted lawyer colleagues and friends across specialist fields. This enables me to draw on the right expertise at the right moment, ensuring that clients receive the most appropriate support while I maintain oversight and direction of their broader strategy.

Beyond the law, I am actively involved in charitable initiatives, regeneration projects, educational programmes, cultural events and community-integration activities, believing that lawyers have a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the communities they serve.

Outside my professional work, I enjoy music, sport and travel, pursuits that provide balance and perspective.

Today, my practice brings together all strands of my experience: commercial and financial litigation; corporate and business advisory; regulatory and public law; insolvency and restructuring; business immigration; high-value family finance; property and asset disputes; and tax-related legal conflicts.

Clients instruct me when matters are complex, sensitive or high-stakes. Whether resolving an international dispute, protecting a director in a regulatory investigation, stabilising a distressed business, or guiding a family through a significant financial issue, my aim remains constant: to bring structure where there is uncertainty, clarity where there is complexity, and strategic insight where decisions will shape the future.