Chinwe Odimba-Chapman

Clifford Chance

For junior partners wanting to make a mark quickly, look to Clifford Chance’s Chinwe Odimba-Chapman for inspiration. At the age of 41, Odimba-Chapman was appointed as the firm’s first global head for talent, a position that has also propelled her to its executive leadership group. She works closely with chief people officer Grant Eldred, and the pair have wasted no time in devising a new people and talent strategy that is set to be unveiled this year. As the magic circle seeks to retain a competitive edge, Odimba-Chapman’s findings could be key in reshaping how the firm looks at recruitment, changing perceptions and generational shifts.

The employment lawyer (and reverse mentor to senior partner Jeroen Ouwehand) has kept busy with a practice that spans both contentious and non-contentious work. Advising on a slew of M&A transactions, Odimba-Chapman is also the lawyer to call for Clifford Chance’s largest clients. Looking after the employment needs of Permira, CVC, Morgan Stanley and EasyJet is just part-and-parcel of Odimba-Chapman’s fee-earning responsibilities and new leadership duties.