Eyüp Kul (LLM '11 | Turkey)
Dr. Eyüp Kul, an alum of the UC Davis School of Law Master of Laws (LL.M.) ICL Degree Program, is leaving his mark in the legal landscape of his home country, Türkiye. Beginning his journey at Marmara University Law School, Kul continued his pursuit of legal excellence by enrolling in UC Davis in 2008. After completing his LL.M., he returned to Marmara University to obtain his PhD at the Institute of Social Science. Since then, Dr. Kul has established himself as the founding partner of Lexist Law firm in Istanbul, specializing in dispute resolution and M&As across diverse sectors including real estate, construction, energy, and infrastructure. His unparalleled expertise has earned him the trust of a wide range of clients, spanning from local and international businesses to governmental entities and financial institutions.
Dr. Kul's introduction to UC Davis came through an educational course in 2006. "When I was working at the Turkish Satellite Company, they sent me to an educational course in Cologne, Germany, organized by UC Davis in 2006," recalls Kul. "It was the first time I heard about UCD." Driven by both professional and personal goals, Kul embarked on his LL.M. journey to hone his legal skills and build a global network of legal professionals.
Upon arriving at UC Davis, Dr. Kul was struck by the campus's openness and size. "I was very surprised there were no walls surrounding the University," he reflects. "It was my first time in the US, so I was very excited."
Reflecting on his time at UC Davis, Dr. Kul fondly remembers the camaraderie forged during extracurricular events and classroom activities like moot court. "Davis was one of the most important career steps in my professional life," he reflects. He fondly recalls attending a hearing in San Francisco organized by the school, describing it as an “unforgettable experience to talk with judges about the legal system together with my friends and comparing all the other legal systems around the world.” Dr. Kul also reminisces about participating in moot court, an experience overseen by a Sacramento judge.
Dr. Kul's connection to the legal community extended beyond the borders of UC Davis, as he seized opportunities to network with legal professionals in California and beyond. "I attended a meeting with one of the biggest law firms in San Francisco, which was organized by UCD," he shares. “I still have many connections and friends from around the world. We have a WhatsApp group. We still communicate and sometimes we ask each other about professional help.”
Navigating the complexities of the U.S. legal system as an international student posed its own set of challenges, yet Dr. Kul approached them with curiosity and enthusiasm. "The legal system was very new for me," he admits. "It was not a problem, but it was very exciting to learn more about the system."
Looking back on his UC Davis experience, Dr. Kul recognizes the enduring impact it has had on his personal and professional growth. " I think UC Davis has helped me becoming much more international lawyer than a local one.” "One of the best things in life is saving good memories," he muses. "UC Davis is a big part of these good memories in my life. I am happy and proud of this."