Betul Serbest
Betul Serbest focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity transactions, venture capital transactions, joint ventures, corporate governance matters, and commercial contracts.
She advises clients on various legal aspects of their business, playing a crucial role in guiding entrepreneurs through the complexities of the pre-sale phase and sale process. Betul places a particular emphasis on founder-owned private companies and routinely advises executives in equity-related matters.
Passionate about pro bono work, Betul assists clients on matters involving elder rights, immigration, and prisoner rights. Prior to joining Perkins Coie, Betul was a Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) graduate fellow at the Office of the Public Guardian, where she helped protect the rights of adults who were adjudicated disabled. She also has extensive experience aiding immigrants seeking asylum in the United States.
Areas of focus
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, summa cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2019
- Loyola University Chicago, B.S., Biology and Psychology, 2016
Bar and Court Admissions
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Illinois
Related Employment
- Reed Smith LLP, Chicago, IL, Associate, 2019 – 2022
- Office of the Public Guardian, Adult Division, Chicago, IL, Public Interest Law Initiative Graduate Fellow, 2019
- Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County, Chicago, IL, Extern to the Hon. Daniel J. Lynch, 2017
Additional Languages
- Turkish
Professional Recognition
Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), 2024-2025
Selected as a "Rising Star" in Super Lawyers Magazine, 2024
*The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and no certificate, award or recognition is a requirement to practice law in Illinois.
Impact
Community Involvement
- Kurdish Cultural Center of Illinois, Co-Vice President, 2021 – present
News
Professional Experience
Experience
- Represented a family-owned multistate transportation services company in its sale to a private equity fund.
- Represented a multinational lottery management and technology company in its sale to a private equity fund.
- Represented a private equity portfolio company, a Silicon Valley-based student safety pioneer, in its acquisition of a student wellness company.
- Represented large insurance brokerage in simultaneous acquisitions of two asset management and financial consulting services companies.
- Represented a leading provider of digital process outsourcing services in its sale to a global leader in business process outsourcing.
- Represented pet care company in acquisition of veterinary practice.
- Serves as outside counsel to various companies, including a privately held food manufacturer with multinational operations, advising on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, commercial contracts, and strategic litigation.
- Counsels emerging companies in capital raising.
- Counsels various clients in complex commercial contracting arrangements involving supply, distribution, co-manufacturing, bottling, and equipment procurement, particularly in the food and beverage industry.