Serving the Turkish-American Community with
“I do not just speak Turkish, I understand the Turkish experience in the US.”
Integrity and Proven Expertise
By Sitki Kazanci
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Neal N. Chilingirian, a seasoned attorney, Certified Tax Specialist, and trusted legal advisor to the Turkish-American business community. With a career spanning over two decades, Mr. Chilingirian brings a rare combination of legal acumen, cultural fluency, and a deeply personal commitment to protecting and empowering immigrant entrepreneurs.
Born in Istanbul and educated in some of California’s top institutions, he founded Chilingirian Law Group, APC in 2003 with a mission shaped by his own family’s challenging immigration journey. Today, his Los Angeles-based firm is renowned for its expertise in international tax, business transactions, estate planning, and cross-border legal matters, particularly for clients with ties to Türkiye.
In this candid conversation, Mr. Chilingirian shares the story behind his firm’s founding, his unique approach to serving international clients, and how thoughtful legal counsel can make a transformative difference in people’s lives and businesses.
Thank you for joining us, Mr. Chilingirian. To begin, could you tell us about your background and what inspired you to establish Chilingirian Law Group, APC?
I was born in Istanbul and have fond memories of winters in Şişli and summers on Kınalıada. In 1985, during my 10th-grade year at the Lycée Français Saint-Michel, my family moved to the US—a transition that had a big impact on both my life and career. Once we settled in California, I continued my education and earned a B.A. in Economics/Business with a focus on Accounting from UCLA. From there, I went on to earn my law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law (then known as Hastings), and later a Master’s in Business Taxation from USC.
Early in my career, I worked at global firms like BDO Seidman and Deloitte, as well as the boutique tax law firm Goodson & Wachtel. In 2003, I took the leap and founded my own firm.
My decision to pursue a legal career was shaped by my family’s experience as immigrants in California. Unlike today, when information is readily available online, we arrived with limited knowledge of the U.S. legal and business landscape. Although my parents were highly educated professionals in Türkiye, they ended up purchasing a small sandwich shop in Anaheim shortly after we arrived. The sellers had fraudulently inflated the business’s sales through deceptive practices and sold it at a grossly exaggerated value. Believing the shop could support our family, my parents bought it, inheriting three or four employees. However, we had to let go of those employees, and the burden of running the shop fell entirely on us. For many years, our family labored under harsh conditions and long hours to keep the business afloat.
I worked nearly full-time alongside my parents, often before or after classes, while attending college. It was under those difficult circumstances that I made a personal commitment: I would become a lawyer to protect others from the kind of exploitation we experienced. Ever since, I have regularly provided pro bono counsel to small business owners and continue to serve immigrant communities with as much care and diligence as I can.
Your firm is well-regarded for its expertise in both domestic and international matters, particularly in business transactions involving Türkiye. What drew you to this niche, and how has it shaped your practice?
While working at multinational accounting firms, I developed a strong focus on international taxation and cross-border transactions. My time at a boutique tax law firm broadened my experience to include contracts, domestic and international estate planning, and a wide range of tax matters. When I established my own practice in 2003, my Turkish client base was relatively limited. Over time, however, the enforcement of foreign bank account reporting (FBAR) regulations and associated penalties, particularly their impact on dual U.S.-Turkish citizens, combined with a huge wave of immigration from Türkiye to Los Angeles, reshaped my practice in a big way.
Today, I am one of the most seasoned and long-standing attorneys serving the Turkish community in Los Angeles. I am not only fluent in Turkish, but I am also deeply familiar with the culture, having immigrated at age 17. As the number of Turkish individuals and businesses seeking to establish a presence in Los Angeles has grown, my practice has increasingly focused on serving this community. My cultural background allows me to think like a Turk, while my training and professional experience ensure that I approach every matter with a deep understanding of U.S. legal compliance and best practices.
I assist Turkish and other foreign businesses in structuring their U.S. operations to minimize tax exposure while addressing the practical realities of their commercial goals. We form a wide range of entities, including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and joint ventures, and we provide ongoing legal counsel across all facets of their operations. This includes negotiating and drafting leases, vendor and employment agreements, compliance documentation, distributorship and licensing agreements, as well as contracts for business acquisitions, buy-sell arrangements, and mergers.
Tax law is one of your core specialties. Can you elaborate on your approach to tax planning and controversy, and how your clients, especially international clients, benefit from your services?
I am currently one of fewer than 400 attorneys, out of approximately 200,000 licensed in California, who hold the designation of Certified Tax Specialist. This credential is awarded only to attorneys who undergo a rigorous evaluation process, including a comprehensive examination to demonstrate their expertise. I have maintained this certification for over 20 years. With a background in accounting, I bring dual proficiency in both legal analysis and financial detail.
Over the course of more than 25 years in practice, I have handled a broad range of tax planning and tax controversy matters. In recent years, I have found that my greatest value to international clients lies in pre-immigration tax planning, strategic structuring of U.S. real estate acquisitions to mitigate estate tax exposure, and designing tax-efficient business entities.
For example, many are unaware that once you become a U.S. resident or green card holder, any gain from the sale of real property in Türkiye becomes fully taxable in the United States—even if it is not taxed in Türkiye. Or that a Turkish citizen purchasing real estate in the U.S. may face a 40% estate tax upon death. Or that forming an entity in the wrong state can result in paying up to 10% in unnecessary state and local taxes that could have been entirely avoided with proper planning. These are just a few examples of how advance consultation with a qualified professional who understands both the legal framework and the cultural context can lead to substantial savings and protection.
As managing partner, what leadership principles guide your work, and how do you maintain a high-performing and client-focused team at your firm?
At our firm, leadership begins with integrity, clarity, and a deep sense of responsibility to the people we serve. As managing partner, I believe that consistent honesty, starting from the initial consultation through to the resolution of each matter, is non-negotiable. We do not make unrealistic promises; we give clients a clear, candid assessment of their situation, expected outcomes, timelines, and costs. That transparency builds trust, and trust is the cornerstone of long-term relationships.
We have worked with clients across the spectrum, from multinational multi-billion corporations to first-time small business owners, and we treat each one with the same level of diligence and respect. Many of our clients have stayed with us for decades, often returning for guidance at different stages of their lives and careers. We have become more than just legal advisors; we have become part of their extended support system.
Internally, I emphasize responsiveness, collaboration, and cultural fluency. We make it a point to return every call or email within 24 hours. We encourage a “can-do” mindset and push ourselves to offer legal strategies that are not only technically sound but also practical and easy for clients to implement. My team understands the communities we serve, not just the legal aspects, but also the human, cultural, and emotional dimensions that shape our clients’ decisions. That combination of empathy, discipline, and legal insight is what keeps our practice both high-performing and deeply client-centered.
Are there any standout cases or client successes that reflect the strengths and values of Chilingirian Law Group? What made these moments particularly meaningful in your career?
Estate planning is a significant part of our practice, with a particular focus on the complexities of international matters. We regularly collaborate with affiliated counsel in Türkiye to manage cross-border estates and real property. While we always aim to plan, accounting for family dynamics, jurisdictional conflicts, and potential tax implications, we often find ourselves brought in when there is no estate plan or when existing documents are incomplete or poorly drafted. In those instances, our strength lies in navigating complicated family relationships, multiple beneficiaries, and competing interests, resolving matters efficiently and, whenever possible, outside of litigation.
One recent case stands out: we represented a client in a contentious estate dispute that involved multiple lawyers and accountants on all sides, all of whom negotiated over several days. Through meticulous analysis and strategic positioning, we uncovered and successfully reclassified $8 million in hidden assets to which our client was entitled. Before our involvement, the best offer he received was $600,000. The result not only secured her rightful share but transformed the future of his and his children in a significant way. It is outcomes like these that underscore the value of thoughtful advocacy grounded in both technical skill and human understanding.
With ongoing developments in international tax law and increased global regulatory scrutiny, how do you stay ahead of the curve and ensure your firm delivers cutting-edge solutions?
Although I earned my Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Southern California (USC) in 2000, I often say that I never truly left school. In this field, staying current is not optional —it is essential. My team and I are continually engaged in professional development through advanced coursework, membership in international tax organizations, and regular participation in seminars and conferences, both online and in-person. I genuinely enjoy the intellectual challenge of keeping up with evolving laws, regulations, and global developments in tax and estate planning.
Over the years, I have also had the opportunity to give back by sharing my knowledge. I have delivered presentations and seminars at the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles and at various business and community forums, where I address complex topics in a way that is clear, relevant, and actionable. For me, education is a lifelong commitment.
Looking ahead, what are your strategic goals for the growth of Chilingirian Law Group? Are you planning to expand your services, explore new markets, or launch new initiatives?
Absolutely. As the Turkish business community in the U.S. continues to grow, so does our commitment to supporting its evolving needs —not only in Los Angeles, but also in key markets like New York, Miami, and Türkiye. Our vision is to serve as a trusted legal and cultural bridge for individuals and businesses, whether they are navigating cross-border transactions or building new lives in the United States.
We are actively developing partnerships with legal and tax professionals in Türkiye to provide seamless, coordinated services, while also expanding our digital tools to make our guidance more accessible. Whether a client is investing in real estate, launching a business, or relocating their family, we aim to deliver comprehensive, practical, and culturally informed legal support that is deeply rooted in the realities of immigration, entrepreneurship, and long-term success in the U.S. ■
CHILINGIRIAN LAW GROUP APC
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 960
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Phone: (818) 592-0300
www.nclawgroup.com
