Office Managing Partner of the Year Finalist: Barbaros M. Karaahmet

Chief Operating Partner, Barbaros M. Karaahmet, was featured in an article in the New York Law Journal highlighting his selection as a finalist for Office Managing Partner of the Year. The article discussed his leadership style, his accomplishments during his tenure and the traits necessary to succeed in the competitive New York marketplace.  

In the article, Barbaros noted that he "believe[s] in the value of consulting with professionals that have contrasting points of view to incorporate diverse perspectives while still valuing the importance of making decisions swiftly, depending on the circumstances." He also emphasized the value of building consensus and getting the majority’s buy-in, particularly in situations where parties appear unable to find common ground. He is "not intimidated by engaging in new endeavors or ways of doing business and [is] quick to pivot and adapt if an initial strategy does not meet expectations."

Barbaros also recognized the value of leveraging attorney time beyond the billable hour. To that end, he focuses on "the long term arc of a client relationship" and tries not to get caught up on a particular moment or deal, "but on the value of the overall longstanding partnership that we have with a client." The same philosophy applies to his management style and his relationships with Herrick's own employees.

Barbaros emphasized that working at a mid-size firm "provides a significant amount of creative freedom to tackle challenges through a variety of out of the box approaches."

With respect to working in the incredibly cosmopolitan melting pot that is New York, he noted, "[t]o be successful here you need to be nimble and fast on your feet. You also need to evolve quickly to meet the demands of clients."  

Read the full article in the New York Law Journal here. Access may require a subscription.