Karen Seward
Partner
London

Karen Seward
Partner
London
Contact Details
Karen is A&O’s Global Head of Litigation and an Employment law specialist. Whether it is a strategic employment issue, a highly sensitive crisis or risk management problem, or complicated litigation, Karen is the person to know. Karen is routinely called by clients when faced with all manner of crises, including delicate boardroom issues, sensitive management challenges, senior executive exits, whistleblowing allegations and, especially over the last 12 months, issues connected to #MeToo. She is highly regarded by her peers and clients, which span financial institutions, global corporates, blue chip multinationals and law firms.
Qualifications
Professional
Academic
LLB, Law, 1987
Law Society Finals, 1988
News & insights

News: 10 DECEMBER 2019
Artificial intelligence is the most significant risk to businesses globally, according to directors
When asked about global risks affecting their businesses, nearly three fifths (58%) of directors stated that technological advances (artificial intelligence and machine learning) are the most significant threat. This is according to the seventh annual Directors’ Liability report by international law firm Allen & Overy, in conjunction with Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW), the global risk advisory and insurance broker.
Read more
Publications: 27 NOVEMBER 2019
New remuneration for renewable energy in Spain
More favourable treatment seeks to avoid the initiation of new arbitration proceedings and to terminate existing ones
Read more
Publications: 11 NOVEMBER 2019
“Phase 1.5” in Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Reforms
On 17 October 2019, the Australian Government introduced a bill into Parliament to implement the next phase of reforms to the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (“AML/CTF”) laws.
Read more
News: 06 NOVEMBER 2019
Allen & Overy has won ‘Employment, Pensions and Incentives Litigation Team of the Year’ at the Legal Week Commercial Litigation & Arbitration Awards 2019 for their role advising Lloyds Banking Group Pensions Trustees on their landmark GMP equalisation case.
Read more
Qualifications
Professional
Academic
LLB, Law, 1987
Law Society Finals, 1988
Recognition
Karen Seward has ‘a good idea of competing risks and factors when determining strategy, she has worked on a huge number of cases and therefore has a lot of experience’.
Chambers UK 2019 (Employment)
Karen Seward is ‘an impressive individual’ who ‘is the grand master of cutting directly to the heart of an issue.’ Commentators hold her in high regard, with one noting: ‘She is extremely effective. When you're on the other side of her arguments, you can really feel the force of them.’.
Chambers UK 2018 (Employment)