Blue Ocean Global Technology Interviews Nevin Can | Lawyer & Mediator Partner of Can & Partner

Nevin Can is an experienced lawyer and IMI-certified mediator in İzmir, Turkey, with a career spanning over three decades. After graduating from Marmara University and earning a master’s degree from Dokuz Eylül University, she established Can & Partner, a firm specializing in international, commercial, and inheritance law, as well as alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Beyond her legal practice, Nevin is Vice Chair of the International Committee of BPW İzmir, championing women’s economic independence, and contributes to youth mediation initiatives as a member of AKRANDER.

Blue Ocean: Could you tell us about your professional journey—what inspired you to pursue the Legal industry?

Nevin: What inspired me to become a lawyer was rooted in my own experience as the child of immigrant workers growing up in Germany. I never faced discrimination at school—instead, my teachers stood by me and protected me like silent advocates. They made me feel seen and safe. That early sense of being supported planted a seed in me: a desire to be a voice not just for myself, but for those who remain unheard. Just as teachers defend children’s hearts, I knew I wanted to defend people’s rights as a lawyer.

Blue Ocean: What does a typical day in your life look like?

Nevin: My day as a lawyer begins early—with tea and a long list of postponed emails. Court hearings, client meetings, and contract reviews fill my professional hours. But during lunch, I often jump into a nonprofit board meeting or check in on a social project I’m involved in. Evenings are reserved for my most grounding role: being a mother—homework, dinner, endless questions, and warm hugs. My life is a continuous balancing act: advocating for justice, nurturing love at home, and fostering solidarity in the community. It’s exhausting at times, but deeply fulfilling- because I believe showing up in all spaces isn’t just possible; it’s transformative.

Blue Ocean: Which emerging trends in your industry most excite you?

Nevin: Several emerging trends excite me deeply in the legal and social impact sectors. First, the integration of AI in legal research, case analysis, and document automation is reshaping how we work—allowing lawyers to focus more on strategy and empathy, rather than repetitive tasks.

Second, I’m inspired by the rise of human-centered lawyering, which emphasizes trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and client-empowered legal practices—especially relevant in immigration, family, and social justice law.

Another exciting trend is the increased collaboration between legal professionals and civil society, using interdisciplinary approaches to tackle complex social issues like gender-based violence, climate justice, and digital rights.

And as a woman balancing law, motherhood, and social advocacy, I’m particularly motivated by the growing movement toward flexible and inclusive legal work models—where care, equity, and innovation can coexist.

Blue Ocean: What do you believe is the key to your success, and how do you stay ahead in such a competitive environment?

Nevin: I believe the key to my success lies in my ability to stay deeply human in a system that often becomes mechanical. As a lawyer, I bring not just legal knowledge, but empathy, cultural awareness, and lived experience—as the child of immigrant workers, as a woman, as a mother, and as a social advocate.

What keeps me ahead in a competitive field is my constant curiosity and adaptability. I embrace emerging technologies like AI in legal practice, not to replace human judgment but to amplify it. I also stay grounded by engaging with civil society, which keeps me attuned to the real-world impact of legal decisions.

Ultimately, success for me is not just about winning cases—it’s about building trust, empowering others, and using my position to create meaningful change where it’s needed most.

Blue Ocean: What is something unique you offer to your clients?

Nevin: What makes my service unique is the combination of legal expertise, cultural sensitivity, and human-centered advocacy. As someone who grew up between cultures, I understand the unspoken fears, needs, and complexities many clients face—especially in family law, immigration, and cross-border disputes.

I don’t just provide legal solutions; I build trust. I listen deeply, communicate clearly, and stand beside my clients—not just in courtrooms, but in the emotional and personal challenges that legal conflicts often bring. I work not only for my clients, but with them.

This integrated, compassionate, and strategic approach is what sets me apart.

Blue Ocean: In your experience, what qualities separate those who excel in their field from those who don’t?

Nevin: In my experience, the people who truly excel are not always the most technically brilliant—they are the ones who combine competence with emotional intelligence, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose.

They are willing to listen more than they speak, adapt without losing their integrity, and stay consistent in their values, even under pressure. Especially in law and social impact work, those who succeed long-term are not driven by ego, but by empathy, service, and the courage to stand alone when necessary.

What separates them is not just what they do, but how and why they do it.

Blue Ocean: How do you approach mentoring or guiding those who look up to you?

Nevin: I approach mentoring not as a transfer of knowledge, but as a shared journey. I don’t position myself as someone with all the answers—I listen, ask questions, and try to reflect what the other person may not yet see in themselves.

My goal is to create a safe, honest space where growth is possible, failure is allowed, and potential is nurtured. I try to lead with authenticity, not perfection; with empathy, not ego. Especially for young women or underrepresented voices, I see mentoring as a responsibility not only to guide, but to affirm, to empower, and to remind them that they belong—even when the world says otherwise.

Blue Ocean: What advice would you give to your younger self as you were starting your career in this multifaceted industry?

Nevin: I would tell my younger self: You don’t need to choose between being strong and being kind—your power will come from the very things they told you were “too soft.”

Don’t rush to prove yourself. You belong here. Learn to pause, to ask for help, and to define success on your own terms—not by titles or perfection, but by impact and integrity.

This journey will be demanding, but also deeply meaningful. One day, everything you thought was your weakness—your empathy, your roots, your questions—will become your greatest strengths. Trust that.

Blue Ocean: What is something you are most grateful for, either professionally or personally?

Nevin: I am most grateful for the people who saw something in me before I saw it in myself.

From the teachers who believed in me as a child of immigrant workers, to the mentors, clients, and community leaders who trusted me with their stories and struggles—each of them helped shape who I am today.

Their belief gave me the courage to use my voice not only in courtrooms, but in spaces where justice, empathy, and dignity often go unheard. I carry their trust as both a responsibility and a source of strength every single day.

Blue Ocean: What’s one lesson in life that changed your perspective?

Nevin: One life-changing lesson I’ve learned is this: Silence is not always consent—it’s often the result of not feeling safe enough to speak.

This realization changed the way I listen, lead, and advocate. Whether I’m working with clients, engaging in community work, or raising my child, I’ve learned to look beyond words—to see the hesitation, the fear, the invisible barriers.

It taught me that true empowerment doesn’t come from giving people a voice, but from creating the safety for them to use their own.

Blue Ocean: Is there a particular quote or piece of advice that has guided you through your career?

Nevin: Yes—there’s one sentence that has stayed with me through every stage of my journey: “You don’t have to raise your voice to be heard—just raise your presence.”
This quote has reminded me that strength doesn’t always look loud. In courtrooms, in negotiations, in community work, and even in motherhood, I’ve learned that calm clarity, consistency, and integrity often speak louder than force.

It’s not always about being the loudest voice in the room—but about being the one that people remember when the room goes quiet.

Blue Ocean: What hobbies or interests help you maintain a balanced lifestyle outside of work?

Nevin: Outside of work, I find balance through quiet creativity and meaningful connection. Writing—whether reflections, short stories, or simply journaling—helps me process life with depth and clarity. It’s how I recharge.

Nature walks and time by the sea ground me, reminding me of rhythm and stillness. And nothing nourishes my spirit more than meaningful conversations—especially with women who carry stories, strength, and humor in equal measure.

These moments remind me that I’m not just a professional—I’m a whole person, and I thrive when I honor that wholeness.

Conclusion

Nevin Can’s journey is truly inspiring. She has been an advocate for the impact of empathy, cultural awareness, and human-centered work in the legal field. Her dedication to justice, nurturing her family, and building solidarity in her community shows her leadership. She truly lives her belief that “showing up in all spaces isn’t just possible—it’s transformative.”