Kelechi Okengwu
Biography
Kelechi Okengwu is an associate in Baker McKenzie's Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice Group. Prior to joining the Firm, Kelechi worked at another international law firm, and previously clerked for The Honorable Marcia G. Cooke of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Practice Focus
Kelechi focuses her practice on a broad range of internal and government investigations as well as high-stakes complex commercial litigation disputes in federal and state courts. She routinely represents high-profile individuals and multinational corporations facing exposure to civil and criminal liability, whether in a single jurisdiction or across many. Her litigation matters involve securities transactions, breach of contracts, and investigations. Kelechi also advises clients on the design and implementation of compliance programs and performs due diligence on high-risk business transactions. She has also represented clients in putative class actions.
Representative Legal Matters
Prior to joining the Firm, Kelechi handled the following matters:
- Defended a Fortune 500 company in proceedings relating to FCPA violations.
- Defended an international company in a multimillion dollar breach of contract dispute against a Fortune 500 company pending in Western District of New York.
- Defended a global billion-dollar real estate company in a contract dispute.
- Defended a former CFO at Fortune 500 company in an internal investigation conducted by the company’s board committee.
- Provided legal advice to various Fortune 500 companies and global enterprises relating to U.S. sanctions compliance.
Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Bar Association, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Inns of Courts - Member
- National Black Lawyers' Top 40 under 40
Admissions
- New York
- Florida
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York~United States
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York~United States
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York~United States
Education
- Washington University School of Law (JD)
- George Washington University (BA)
Languages
- English
- Spanish