First, let me briefly introduce these two remarkable women:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (born Joan Ruth Bader; 15 March 1933, Brooklyn – 18 September 2020, Washington, DC), also known simply as RBG, was a lawyer and jurist on the Supreme Court of the United States. Appointed to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton, Ginsburg was sworn into office on 10 August 1993. During this time, Ginsburg attracted attention in the legal world and popular culture with her strong dissents. She is generally considered to belong to the liberal wing of the Supreme Court. The second female justice of the US Supreme Court, Ginsburg was the only woman on the court from 2006 to 2009. (https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Bader_Ginsburg )
We lost Ginsburg last month, on 18 September 2020, at the age of 87, at her home in Washington, DC, from complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer. To explain Ginsburg’s importance in the American system, I need to mention the Supreme Court of the United States, of which she is a member (See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States ). Accordingly, the Supreme Court is not only a constitutional court that reviews concrete norms but also the highest-level appellate court within the judiciary. Therefore, the decisions of its nine justices directly impact both people’s lives and American democracy (for details, see http://tbbdergisi.barobirlik.org.tr/m2017-128-1635).
Born in 1957, Aslı Başgöz completed her undergraduate studies in the Department of Economics and Political Science at Indiana University. Başgöz, who received her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School, was a member of the New York Bar Association.
Aslı Başgöz was the first female member of the Global Executive Committee in White&Case LLP’s 100-year history, serving from 2007 to 2011. Başgöz was a senior partner in the firm’s Istanbul office and founded the firm’s Turkey office in 1985. (https://www.istekadinlar.com/asli-basgoz-kimdir-biyografi,660.html )
We lost Aslı last week. She had been receiving treatment in Boston since the beginning of the summer, and I have not yet learned the cause of her death.
To better illustrate Aslı’s professional position, let me add the following: White&Case Law Firm, where she served on the global executive committee and managed the operations of the Turkey office she founded since 1985, is one of the oldest and largest law firms in the United States, founded in 1901.
Now, let’s talk about how I met these two wonderful people…
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Since so many years have passed, I can’t be sure of the exact date, but if I remember correctly, it was 2009. An official from the American Turkish Council (ATC), where I sit on the board of directors, called me, and the following conversation took place:
(Official) – Mr. Serhan, an important guest is coming from America next week. We thought of you as the person to host him. Would you be willing to help?
(Serhan) – Of course, who is coming?
(Y) – Ms. Ginsburg, a prominent American jurist and a judge of the Supreme Court, the equivalent of our Constitutional Court, is coming to Turkey. She and her husband are coming to Turkey for a vacation and to unwind. They will be meeting with a small group of people here. We’ve been asked to help.
(S) – Of course, I’d be happy to help. What do I need to do?
(Y) – There’s an opening in your schedule for dinner. Could you take me out to dinner?
(S) – I will. Let’s not get them stuck in Istanbul traffic and bother them in the evening. I’ll take them to dinner somewhere nearby. Which hotel are they staying at?
(Y) – …….
(S) – Okay. While we’re here, let’s treat them to Turkish food. The closest I can think of to their hotel is Borsa Restaurant. It’s close by, and the food is delicious.
(Y) – Yes, Mr. Serhan. Whatever you like. Then I’ll reserve Thursday evening for you and write it in the schedule.
(S) – Of course, I’ll pick them up from the hotel for your convenience.
(Y) – That would be great, Mr. Serhan. Thank you for helping us host such an important guest.
(S) – You’re welcome.
A gift from a wonderful woman.
Just as we discussed, I picked them up from the hotel and went to Borsa Restaurant. Her husband, Martin D. Ginsburg, and I enjoyed the food at Borsa. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was more talkative during our conversation. Martin Bey, who preferred to listen, was also very sympathetic. We chatted about everything. I was very impressed by Ruth’s intellectual mindset. The conversation sparked conversation. Normally, I’m often bored at a formal dinner, but I remember not being bored at all that evening, and in fact, truly enjoying the conversation. The couple were very relaxed, which made the dinner feel intimate. At the end of the meal, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and I had the following conversation:
(Ginsburg) – Thank you for taking the time to talk to us tonight.
(Serhan) – Of course, what can I say? It was a pleasure.
(G) – We also really enjoyed our conversation. Tonight, we got to know a young man with a broad vision and worldview, one who pursues his ideals, and my wife and I were delighted.
(S) – Frankly, I really enjoyed the conversation. I lost track of time. Moreover, tonight, I gained a better understanding of how solid the foundations of America were laid. The qualities and qualities of people in important positions are very important for a country.
(G) – Thank you. Speaking of America, we would like to give you a significant gift from our perspective tonight.
After saying this, he took a small box covered in navy blue fabric from his bag and opened it. Inside was a metallic silver medallion.
(G) – This medallion is a precious gift that very few people have. We give this medallion to very talented friends who are valuable to America. It’s like a badge of honor for countries. I’d like to give you one of these few medallions of honor I’m entitled to.
(S) – (As I stare into his eyes in amazement, my mouth hanging open) Are you sure about this? We don’t even know each other yet, I mean, we just met tonight.
(G) – I’m sure. I wasn’t sure if I was going to give this medallion to you when I put it in my bag tonight. But after spending time with you like this, I’m sure. I want to give it to you with all my sincerity. I hope you achieve the success you desire in life, young man.
(S) – (After taking the medallion from your hand) Thank you very much. It’s a great honor for me to receive this, especially from you. I don’t know what to say.
(G) – (Smiling) You don’t have to say anything. You’ll remember us, too.
(S) – Of course.
At the end of this conversation, everyone at the table laughed. We had a wonderful dinner. Frankly, I still couldn’t hide my surprise.
Valuable quotes from Ginsburg
Although it came to mind many times, I never saw Ruth Bader Ginsburg again. I could have called her and visited her during my numerous visits to the United States. But I didn’t go to Washington, DC, very often, and when I did, I always had to attend to other urgent matters. This is one of the things I’m angry about. During this time, I could have easily visited Ruth Ginsburg in her office. Since we can’t bring back the past, there’s nothing to do.
Now, I’d like to share with you five of my favorite quotes from Ginsburg, one of the symbols of American democracy (there’s even a visual of my favorite quote):
Translation: Fight for what you value. But do it in a way that will inspire others to join you.
“When a thoughtless or unkind word is spoken, it’s best tuned out. Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one’s ability to persuade.”
― Ruth Bader Ginsburg
“So often in life, things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be great, good fortune.”
― Ruth Bader Ginsburg
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”
― Ruth Bader Ginsburg
“When contemplated in its extreme, almost any power looks dangerous.”
― Ruth Bader Ginsburg
You can read Ginsburg’s important quotes at https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3072961 .Ruth_Bader_Ginsburg To understand her accomplishments, you can visit https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/g34111816/ruth-bader -ginsburg-accomplishments/. I am so happy and proud to have met this big-hearted woman, who championed gender equality and fought all forms of discrimination throughout her life. May She Rest In Peace.
Aslı Başgöz
After starting work in the family business in 2001, the first project I tackled was the Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul. I took over the project a few months before the hotel opened. I wrote about these details in my memoirs of my professional life: https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/15-yillik-is-hayatim-ve-gelecege-notlar
Aslı and I crossed paths before the opening. She was the head of the White & Case team we hired during the intense efforts to save the Ritz-Carlton. I remember spending weeks, even months, working together. We worked together on the documentation for the additional loan we received after the 9/11 attacks and the restructuring of our loan after the 2003 bombings. Cem and Deniz, members of the team, continued our friendship for many years. I’d like to share a memory from those days:
A basketball legend in the elevator
We were staying at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, DC, while discussing the restructuring of a loan for OPIC, the US government’s financial institution. I was waiting for Aslı and the rest of the team in the lobby. Aslı came up to me, smiling from ear to ear. Deniz from the team was with her. Then the following conversation took place:
(Aslı) – Do you know who I just saw?
(Serhan) – Who did you see?
(A) – Michael Jordan.
(S) – The basketball player we all know, Michael Jordan?
(A) – Yes. We got off in the same elevator. It turns out he’s staying at this hotel too.
(S) – What’s an athlete like him doing in such a classic hotel?
(A) – I don’t know, but from what I understand, he even has a residence here.
(S) – Yes, that’s true. The residences here are nice, more modern. They also have a very nice gym. Maybe he works out there too. What kind of person is he? (A) – (Aslı and Deniz looked at each other smilingly) Handsome and charismatic.
(S) – I don’t know if he’s handsome, but he’s definitely a basketball legend. Maybe I’ll see him around here (I’ve never met him at the hotel).
(A) – (Jokingly) If we do, I’ll introduce you.
Afterwards, we all laughed, and after Cem arrived, we headed out of the hotel to our meeting that day.
I shared this story to show how much more lively she was than just a good lawyer and a good person.
Her principle of always keeping things tight
She and her team made sure I enjoyed working on the documentation, even when I was working on it, which was really tedious. I even remember a conversation between us one day while we were working on it again:
(Serhan) – (I got bored again and started talking about the documentation while trying to get to the bottom of it.) Aslı, isn’t what you’re saying too much detail? I understand considering every possibility, but here you’re entering a third or fourth dimension. So, it’s like the worst-case scenario. We shouldn’t even think about such a bad possibility.
(Aslı) – Serhan, you’re paying us for this. We need to think about the worst-case scenario, even the worst of the worst.
(S) – I understand, but this is too much.
(A) – Trust me. The tighter you make these agreements, the more comfortable you’ll be in the future.
I’ve experienced a lot of what Aslı was trying to tell me back then, in my own entrepreneurial journey. All the bad things I thought would never happen happened. I remembered Aslı every time I experienced this. I remember thinking to myself, “She was right. These agreements need to be made with the utmost care from the very beginning. These things don’t happen with trusting the other party, especially not in a place like Turkey.”
Always uplifting energy.
Aslı and I also met from time to time. Every time we got together, she’d greet me with her charming smile, and we’d catch up and talk about the past and the future. I remember my energy rising every time I met her, even when we were discussing a challenging issue, and her positive energy boosted my motivation. I last visited Aslı in November of last year, when they moved their office to Büyükdere Street in Levent. Her appearance hadn’t changed at all. She also laughed, saying, “Serhan, don’t you ever change? I still have the face of the young Serhan I knew in the early 2000s.” I went to her again to discuss a challenging issue and ask for support. As always, she welcomed me warmly and, thankfully, went out of her way to help me. When we couldn’t achieve the desired result, she called me and expressed her disappointment. I never doubted her sincerity, and my final words to her were, “Aslı, as always, you did everything you could for me. Just trying was enough for me. Thank you so much.” That was our last meeting. Aslı has trained dozens of lawyers at White&Case. I hope those who grew up with you in Turkey and young lawyers who hear your story will emulate your work ethic, dedication, and vibrant character. Rest in peace, my dear Aslı.
Two unique examples for young lawyers
Today, I’ve shared with you two wonderful legal figures with whom my life intersected. In these times of increasingly dire circumstances and increasing chaos, there’s a great need not only in the legal field, but in every field, for trustworthy, highly ethical, hardworking, compassionate, and ideal-seeking women like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Aslı Başgöz. I hope young women who aspire to pursue legal careers will take their example and join us in the fight against darkness.
Tag: memoir
