American Express General Counsel to Join Cleary Gottlieb

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP announced today that Louise Parent, the General Counsel of American Express, will join the firm as Of Counsel next Spring following her retirement from American Express after more than 20 years as General Counsel. Louise will be resident in the firm’s New York office.

“We are both honored and delighted that Louise will join our firm,” said Mark Leddy, Cleary Gottlieb’s managing partner. “Louise has been a longstanding member of American Express’s senior leadership team and has overseen strategic transactions, major litigation, and government inquiries around the world. She has also led the company’s response to dramatic regulatory changes here and abroad and counseled the board of directors and senior management on the wide range of issues that confront a global enterprise like American Express. Louise brings a unique and valuable perspective that will aid the firm in providing the highest quality advice to our clients across the globe.”

When Louise’s planned retirement was announced earlier this year, Ken Chenault, American Express’s CEO, said, “at every turn, she has combined her characteristic grace under pressure with the sound judgment that comes from legal and business acumen that is second to none.”

“It’s an honor to be joining Cleary Gottlieb,” said Ms. Parent. “The firm has excellent lawyers who provide consistently outstanding guidance to the world’s leading companies. I look forward to helping the firm’s clients succeed in a rapidly changing legal and regulatory environment.”

About Cleary Gottlieb

Founded in 1946 by lawyers committed to legal excellence, internationalism, and diversity, Cleary Gottlieb is a leading international law firm with more than 1,200 lawyers around the world.