Karen Seward

Allen & Overy

Energetic, empathetic and thoroughly down to earth, Allen & Overy (A&O) global litigation head Karen Seward is the firm’s most gifted communicator since David Morley. With a laser-sharp understanding of the magic circle firm’s strategic options, she has also been challenging lazy thinking around workplace dynamics, diversity and differentiation among elite law firms.

Although the managing partner role eluded her early in 2020, Seward has plenty to be getting on with this year, both strategically in growing the disputes business and personally, where her stellar boardroom advisory practice has been in increasing demand.

Over the past year Seward has been occupied in fine-tuning the balance within the global disputes business to cater for post-Covid growth in litigation, arbitration and regulatory investigations, with a particular focus on existing corporate connections and new relationships with private capital and funds. That has meant some smart targeting of lateral talent but also nurturing the internal pipeline. A&O’s global disputes practice is in strong hands for 2021 and beyond.