From Private Practice to Global M&A: Deniz’s Journey

What mindset shift is needed when moving from a law firm to in-house M&A?

Deniz, originally from Turkey, worked for 10 years in private practice before joining Delivery Hero. But the move in-house, she explains, was more than just a change in setting, it was a change in thinking.

“The biggest challenge was the mindset shift. In a law firm, you’re focused on delivering the perfect legal advice. But here, you’re not just an advisor, you’re a strategic business partner. You have to balance legal risk with business reality, and that often means finding fast, practical solutions.”

This shift can be uncomfortable for some, but for Deniz, it’s what makes the work exciting.

“People often think in-house roles are more relaxed, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! Especially at Delivery Hero, the work is far more complex and rewarding than what I experienced previously.”

What does leading cross-border legal deals look like?

Deniz joined Delivery Hero at the height of the pandemic, remotely from Turkey. Six months later, she was finally able to move to Berlin, where she now leads the M&A Legal and Integration team, a centralized unit that operates across all of Delivery Hero’s global markets.

“We deal with cross-border transactions, from acquisitions to integrations. One day I’m negotiating agreements; the next, I’m working with the business to structure a new market entry. Every day is different.”

The work spans regions and time zones, and success often depends on staying agile.

“It’s a dynamic environment. We work with evolving information, and we need to make decisions quickly. That requires resilience and a strong commercial mindset.”

How does legal work with the business?

Legal at Delivery Hero doesn’t sit in a silo. It's embedded in the business.

“We collaborate daily with other Legal teams, but also Product, Operations, and Leadership. We’re not a support function. We help shape the strategy of the company.”

Her team works closely with senior stakeholders and helps deliver on the company’s most transformative initiatives.

“Whatever legal team you join at Delivery Hero, whether it’s M&A, Employment, or Privacy, your work will have a direct impact on our growth and success.”

What can new joiners expect?

New joiners in Legal at Delivery Hero don’t wait long to get involved.

“You’ll be working on high-impact projects from day one. In our team, you won’t just be supporting in the background. You’ll be part of the negotiation, the decision-making, and the strategy.”

The pace is fast, and expectations are high, but so is the opportunity to grow.

“We’re proud of how quickly our team members take ownership. And we support that by improving our processes, investing in legal tech, and building leadership skills at every level.”

What does growth look like?

Deniz’s own growth is a perfect example. She recently took on an international assignment as interim Head of Legal at foodpanda, one of Delivery Hero’s brands based in Asia.

“It was a great opportunity to step outside my comfort zone. I learned a lot, contributed in a different region, and saw firsthand how global our legal function really is.”

These kinds of mobility and stretch opportunities are part of what makes Delivery Hero unique.

“We look at our legal team as a global talent pool. If you want to grow, raise your hand, there’s always something to take on.”

What’s it like to work in the team?

Deniz leads a team of legal professionals, currently five in M&A Legal and two senior project managers on the integration side. Her leadership approach is inclusive and ownership-driven.

“We take leadership seriously and we expect it from everyone. Our global leadership principles guide how we work. For me, it’s about staying curious, diving deep into issues, and asking lots of questions.”

And while legal work can be intense, culture matters just as much as competence.

“We take our work seriously, but even under pressure, we support each other. Good vibes to me means being polite, collaborative, and staying kind, especially during tough negotiations.”

What are the qualities for success?

What does it take to thrive here?

“Resilience. Adaptability. Commercial thinking. And collaboration. You’ll be dealing with fast timelines, so staying solution-oriented is key.”

What advice do you have for candidates?

Deniz is passionate about helping new joiners succeed. Her advice?

“Ask questions. During the interview process, and after you join. Don’t stay in your lane, extend your network beyond Legal, talk to stakeholders, and take time to understand the business deeply.”

For lawyers coming from private practice, she emphasizes one thing above all:

“You’re no longer just giving advice, you’re part of shaping the decisions. That’s what makes this so meaningful.”

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From Private Practice to Global M&A: Deniz’s Journey

What does it mean to lead high-impact, cross-border legal work inside one of the world’s most global tech companies? We sat down with Deniz Özkan Ergün, Senior Director, Head of M&A Legal and Integration at Delivery Hero, to learn about her journey and challenges.

What mindset shift is needed when moving from a law firm to in-house M&A?

What does leading cross-border legal deals look like?

How does legal work with the business?

What can new joiners expect?

What does growth look like?

What’s it like to work in the team?

What are the qualities for success?

What advice do you have for candidates?

What's next?

Tags

Find out more about Delivery Hero

From Private Practice to Global M&A: Deniz’s Journey

What does it mean to lead high-impact, cross-border legal work inside one of the world’s most global tech companies? We sat down with Deniz Özkan Ergün, Senior Director, Head of M&A Legal and Integration at Delivery Hero, to learn about her journey and challenges.

What mindset shift is needed when moving from a law firm to in-house M&A?

What does leading cross-border legal deals look like?

How does legal work with the business?

What can new joiners expect?

What does growth look like?

What’s it like to work in the team?

What are the qualities for success?

What advice do you have for candidates?

What's next?

Receive articles like this

Tags

Find out more about Delivery Hero