Global Investigations Review Names Karen Coppens Among its Top 40 Lawyers Under 40
Dechert LLP national partner Karen Coppens has been included by Global Investigations Review (GIR) in its “40 Under 40” list for 2020. The list, which is produced just once every three years, celebrates the next generation of top investigations specialists from around the world.
Ms. Coppens is an experienced white collar crime and investigations lawyer who advises governments, multinational organizations (including boards and audit committees) and individuals under investigation by authorities including the French Parquet National Financier, French investigating judges, the UK Serious Fraud Office and the UK National Crime Agency (and their international counterparts). She relocated from London to Paris last September to establish Dechert’s white collar crime practice in France.
Ms. Coppens played a key role supporting Airbus’ in-house legal team during an almost four-year investigation which resulted in Airbus reaching what is believed to be the world’s first coordinated settlement agreement with the UK, French and U.S. authorities in January 2020. Sylvie Kandé de Beaupuy, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer at Airbus, quoted in GIR, described Ms. Coppens’ “unique multi-jurisdictional, multicultural and linguistic experience” as being “of great value”, praising her dedication to client needs and her ability to handle stakeholders in challenging circumstances.
Ms. Coppens is regularly recognized for legal excellence. Most recently, she was selected as an honoree in ALM’s Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards 2020, an event hosted by Legal Week, which celebrates the achievements of top women lawyers who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in the past year. She was also part of the team named “Investigations Team of the Year” in C5’s Women in Compliance Awards 2020. Previously, she was named a “Rising Star in Litigation” at Euromoney’s European Women in Business Law Awards 2019 and was recognized in the 2018 “GIR 30” for her contribution to one of the top 30 investigations teams and in the 2018 edition of GIR’s "Women in Investigations," which highlights 100 women from around the world for their accomplishments in white collar crime law.
Ms. Coppens has been instrumental in driving the efforts of the London chapter of Dechert’s Global Women’s Initiative, devising training programs for women and organizing a number of women-focused events and speaking opportunities. She has been widely involved in mentoring initiatives and has been regularly recognized for pro bono and diversity, most recently being identified as a 2019 HERoes 50 “Woman Future Leader."
About Dechert
Dechert is a leading global law firm with 26 offices around the world. We advise on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.
