Could you tell us about your personal background?
I was born and raised in Ankara, Turkey. I graduated from the Middle East Technical University with a degree in Economics in 2003. Later, I moved to the United States to study law at the Syracuse University College of Law. I also obtained a master’s degree in Public Administration and International Affairs from the Maxwell School of Citizenship while at Syracuse University. I joined Hiscock & Barclay, LLP in 2008, where I currently practice in our Energy Group, and in the Real Property Tax Practice Group.

Iskender (Alex) Cemaletin, Esq., is one of the few Turkish-American lawyers who was raised in New York. He immigrated with his family from Turkey to New York in 1963.  He graduated from Hofstra University, School of Law with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1987. He has practiced immigration law for over 26 years and has maintained his main office in the same building, located in downtown New York City at 401 Broadway, New York, NY 10013.

“There is a huge increase in business people who either invested in or established a business in the U.S.,” says Remzi Güvenç Kulen of Kulen Law, New York based law firm. “I think the interest is warranted since we have better companies and brilliant business people who can compete in the U.S.,” he adds. Kulen is a graduate of Marmara Law School in Istanbul and Tulane Law School in New Orleans. He is a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association and active in NY Chapter’s Corporate Law and USCIS committees. He writes articles in print and web media and he is a frequent guest on Turkish and U.S. TV stations. He is also invited to various panels, to speak about investment opportunities in the U.S., and visa options for professionals and foreign employees. He is also an active community member. He answered our questions. 

Looking back to the early 1980’s, one would not be able to find many Turkish professionals, including attorneys, accountants or physicians in the United States. J. Cahit Akbulut, an attorney currently operating his own law practice in New York City, had the courage to undertake the challenge to change this reality.