Allen & Overy (“A&O”) today announced the appointment of Karen Seward and Kent Rowey, both partners, to U.S. Co-Chairs, effective May 1, 2023. Karen and Kent will succeed Tim House, who has led the firm’s U.S. practice since 2017.
Karen, A&O’s Global Co-Head of Litigation, joined the firm in 2000. With more than 30 years of legal experience, Karen specializes in litigation, employment law and highly sensitive crisis situations. She is a member of the Executive Committee and has been recognized as an Outstanding Practitioner of the Year by Euromoney Women in Business Law awards and as a Leading Individual by Legal 500 UK for Employment.
Kent joined A&O in 2012 and has more than 36 years of legal experience. Splitting his time between New York and Los Angeles, Kent has long been recognized as one of the leading partners in A&O’s global Projects, Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure practice and has been ranked by Chambers USA as a Band 1 lawyer for many years. Kent was instrumental in A&O’s recent expansion to the West Coast with the hiring of a highly-rated, 19-lawyer U.S. project finance and renewables team.
In their new roles, Karen and Kent will share the responsibilities of continuing to grow A&O’s U.S. business, reinforcing client relationships, and bringing unique perspectives and a team-based approach to drive the firm’s U.S. strategy.
Senior Partner, Wim Dejonghe, commented: “With our globally integrated business model, our U.S. practices have become an invaluable component of our global service offering, with U.S. growth responsible for 50% of the firm’s worldwide growth last year. Our gratitude goes out to Tim for his leadership, commitment, and contributions to the U.S. expansion strategy. We look forward to Karen and Kent’s vision for continuing A&O’s accelerated growth.”
Over the last six years, A&O’s U.S. practice grew from 180 lawyers across two offices to 270 qualified lawyers practicing today across six offices located in the financial, regulatory, technology, life sciences and environmental hubs of the U.S.
In its 2022 America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2022 guide, Chambers and Partners recognized a total of 21 A&O U.S. practice areas and 52 U.S.-based lawyers. Of the 52 U.S.-based lawyer recognitions, six individuals achieved Band 1 rankings, the highest level as determined by market research and client reviews.
Tim House will take on the role of chair of A&O’s Centre for Leadership, Innovation & Change.
