İlayda
Güneş
Legal & Compliance Strategist
15 Years · EMEA & U.S.
Building legal and compliance functions from the ground up across top-tier law firms and multinational corporations.
Recognitions
Legal 500 EMEA Powerlist 2022
Rising Star — Competition Law & Antitrust
Legal 500 GC Powerlist Türkiye 2024
Leadership, Innovation & Impact
Legal counsel who builds compliance functions that last.
Legal operations and compliance lawyer with 15 years of experience in cross-border legal strategy, regulatory risk mitigation, and compliance management across data-driven and highly regulated industries.
Proven track record in building legal and compliance functions from the ground up, embedding data protection and privacy compliance into business operations, and aligning regulatory frameworks with strategic objectives.
Trusted advisor to senior leadership, with hands-on expertise in digital product counseling, platform governance, and implementing global privacy programs. Background includes roles at top-tier law firms and multinational corporations across EMEA and the U.S.
Key Competencies
Currently
Director, Legal Strategies and Business Operations
Jovian B.V. · Amsterdam, Netherlands
Partner
Pelister Keki Sarac & Co · Amsterdam, Netherlands
Education
LL.M · The University of Chicago Law School
Chicago, IL, USA
LL.B · Koç University School of Law
Istanbul, Türkiye
Areas of Practice
Privacy & Data Protection
GDPR · DPIAs · SCCs · RoPA · Data Transfers
Embedding privacy-by-design into digital platforms, APIs, and SaaS workflows. Expert in DSAR processes, incident response, third-party risk management, and cross-border data flow compliance across EMEA.
Competition Law & Antitrust
Merger Control · Cartels · Dawn Raids · Investigations
Handling multi-jurisdictional merger control filings, individual exemption applications, and leniency phases. Advising on digital market power risks, vertical agreements, and internal investigation protocols.
AML & Financial Crime
AML/CFT · FCPA · UK Bribery Act · PSD2
Designing AML compliance programs, managing MLRO responsibilities, and advising on cross-border anti-bribery obligations. Experience across fintech M&A due diligence and regulatory filings under global AML frameworks.
Governance, Risk & Ethics
Compliance Programs · Whistleblowing · Corporate Secretariat
Building compliance and governance functions from the ground up. Managing board advisory, company secretariat, DPO, and MLRO roles. Designing ethics frameworks and whistleblower management systems for multinational organizations.
Let's connect.
Based in Amstelveen, Netherlands. Available across EMEA.
English · Turkish · Dutch (learning)
LinkedIn Profile
linkedin.com/in/ilaydagunes
Send an Email
info@ilaydagunes.com
Istanbul Bar Association · admitted 2015