Verified profile

Kelechi Okengwu

Attorney | Problem Solver

Kelechi Okengwu's profile photo
LocationNew YorkNew York, United States
Current roleAssociateBaker McKenzie LLP · since Jan 2023
Government service1yrU.S. District Court

About

Kelechi Okengwu is an associate in Baker McKenzie's Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice Group. She has drafted pre-trial briefs, dispositive motions, witness examinations, motions for injunctive relief and various discovery documents. Kelechi has managed discovery for clients. She has also appeared before court in federal actions. Prior to joining the Firm, Kelechi clerked for The Honorable Marcia G. Cooke of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Roles

Jan 2023–Present
Current role

Associate

Baker McKenzie LLP

New York, New York

Civil LitigationSecurities LawLegal InvestigatorWhite Collar CrimeArtificial Intelligence Appellate Litigation

Kelechi focuses her practice on a broad range of internal and government investigations as well as high-stakes and 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.

Oct 2020–Dec 2022
Former role

Associate

Herbert Smith Freehills

New York, New York

Legal Officers and Practitioners
Feb 2019–Aug 2020
Former role

Judicial Law Clark

U.S. District Court

(appointed)Florida Southern District

Law ClerkResearchLegal Assistance
Jul 2017–Jan 2018
Former role

Secondment Counsel

KfW

Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany

Corporate Counsel
Sep 2015–Feb 2019
Former role

Complex Commercial Litigation Associate

Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP

New York, New York

Real Estate AttorneyCivil LitigationSecurities LawIntellectual Property AttorneyReal Estate LawIntellectual Property

Practice Areas
- Complex Financial Products Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Securities Litigation
- Real Estate Litigation
- Intellectual Property

May 2014–Jul 2014
Former role

Summer Associate

Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP

New York, New York

Legal Officers and Practitioners

Representative matters

Legal

July 2025

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 US sanctions compliance.

Recognition

Honors

National Black Lawyers' Top 40 under 40

National Black Lawyers

October 2024

Link

Marquis Top Lawyers

Marquis

May 2025

Link

Marquis Who’s Who

Marquis Who’s Who

April 2025

Link

Publications & speeches

The Perils of the Nonexistent Arbitral Institution

ALM, Law.com

July 2024

Contributor

Fact vs. Fiction: Dissecting True Crime Narratives

IPE

April 2025

Speaker

Justice Served? Reexamining 6 High-Profile True Crime Cases

National Business Institute

March 2025

Speaker

Baker McKenzie Trade Secrets Webinar and Video Chat Series

Baker McKenzie LLP

May 2024

Speaker