Title: Associate Attorney
Company: Baker McKenzie
Location: New York, New York, United States
Kelechi E. Okengwu, associate attorney at Baker McKenzie, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in law.
Ms. Okengwu is a distinguished associate attorney and litigator affiliated with Baker McKenzie in New York City, where she has been contributing her expertise in commercial litigation since 2023. With a decade of experience in the legal profession, she has honed her skills in advising clients on litigation exposure and potential claims, and interpreting complex contracts. Her work often involves intricate cases, such as handling contractor issues based in Mexico with litigation proceedings in New York. Ms. Okengwu’s dedication to her work is evident through her meticulous approach to identifying indemnification obligations and advising on possible defenses for clients facing lawsuits.
Before joining Baker McKenzie, Ms. Okengwu was an associate attorney at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, a London-based firm, from 2020 to 2022. During this time, she focused on developing her litigation skills and expanding her professional network.
Ms. Okengwu’s tenure as a judicial law clerk at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida from 2019 to 2020 was marked by significant achievements, including collaborating with a federal judge on a high-profile lawsuit involving detainees’ rights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Okengwu’s advocacy for improved protocols and procedures led to a published opinion that garnered media attention and positively impacted many lives.
From 2015 to 2019, Ms. Okengwu was a complex commercial litigation associate at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP in New York City. Her role included a secondment as counsel at KfW in Germany from 2017 to 2018, which saw her gain valuable international experience. Ms. Okengwu’s career began as a summer associate at Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP in 2014, laying the foundation for her future success in litigation.
Outside of her legal career, Ms. Okengwu is passionate about fashion and entrepreneurship. She founded Angelina Swann, a brand specializing in geles or headpieces, which has achieved notable success by participating in prestigious events like New York Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week. Ms. Okengwu envisions Angelina Swann becoming a well-established brand with a dedicated fan base actively promoting and purchasing its products.
Ms. Okengwu’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Business Administration with a dual concentration in international business and marketing from The George Washington University in 2010 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Washington University in St. Louis, earned in 2015. Her education has been instrumental in shaping her analytical skills and strategic thinking, which have been crucial in her legal career.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ms. Okengwu is actively involved in civic organizations. She volunteers with Read Ahead and previously served as the co-chair of scholarship and outreach for the Association of Black Women Attorneys from 2018 to 2020. She was also a regional board member for Read to a Child between 2019 and 2020.
Ms. Okengwu’s contributions have been recognized with accolades such as being named to the National Black Lawyers Association’s 40 Under 40 list in 2024. She attributes much of her success to her faith and values the support of her family, particularly her parents and younger brother. This strong family foundation provides Ms. Okengwu with encouragement and inspiration as she continues to pursue excellence both professionally and personally.
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