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Overview
Introduction
Karl advises senior executives and boards on matters involving corporate governance, internal controls, and corporate investigations.
For more than 50 years, Karl Ege has been an acknowledged leader in corporate, securities, and investment law. He advises the Ashurst Perkins Coie's investment and financial services clients and emerging companies and assists with the firm's efforts in Asia, the European Union, and Latin America.
Prior to joining Ashurst Perkins Coie, Karl spent more than 15 years as chief legal officer for Russell Investments Group. While in that role, he had global responsibility for Russell's legal, compliance, internal audit, and risk management functions and was instrumental in developing the company's international business.
Karl has served in a variety of leadership capacities at the American Bar Association (ABA), including as a founder and chair of the Mergers & Acquisitions Committee. He is a former chair of the ABA Business Law Section and was the liaison to the ABA Task Force on Financial Markets Regulatory Reform. Karl is also a former chair of the ABA Corporate Laws Committee, drafters of the Model Business Corporation Act.
Education & credentials
- Cornell Law School, J.D., with distinction, Order of the Coif, Managing Editor, Cornell Law Review, 1972
- Syracuse University, M.B.A., 1970
- Princeton University, B.S., Chemical Engineering, with honors, 1965
- Washington
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- 20 - 20 Investment Association, Director, 1994-2015; Vice Chair, 2006-2015
- Russell Trust Company, Chairman, 2007-2008
- Russell Investment Group, Board of Directors, 1992-1998; Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, 1992-2007; Vice Chairman, 2006-2008
- Bogle & Gates PLLC, Associate, 1972-1977; Partner, 1978-1991
- United States Marine Corps, Captain, 1965-1969
Professional recognition
American College of Governance Counsel, Fellow, 2015-present
Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Corporate Law; Securities / Capital Markets Law, 1983-1991, 2016-2026
Listed in Who’s Who Legal: M&A and Governance, 2015-2017
"Jane T. Russell Heart and Soul Award," 2005
Impact
- American Bar Association Section of Business Law Chair, 2008-2009 Council Member, 1996-2000 The Business Lawyer, Editor-in-Chief, 2006-2007 Membership Committee, Chair, 1999-2002 Corporate Laws Committee, 1983-1989, 2009-present; Chair, 2013-2016 Mergers & Acquisitions Committee, 1986-present; Chair, 1991-1995 Corporate Governance Committee, 1988-present Special Investigative Committee, 2003 Standing Committee on Audit, 2010-2014 Standing Committee on Technology and Information Systems, Chair, 2003-2006 Board of Governors Investment Subcommittee, 2012-2014
- Pacific Council on International Policy, Member, 2002-2012
- APEC Business Advisory Council, Alternate Member, 2006-2008
- Washington Council on International Trade, Chair, 1998-1999
- National Center for APEC, Board of Governors, 1994-2009
- Japan-America Society, Board Member, 1996-1999
- The Conference Board, Council of Chief Legal Officers, 1995-2001
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Trustee, 2001-2006, 2007-2016 International Committee, Chair, 2007-2009 Executive Committee, 2008-2016 Finance Committee, 2008-2014; Chair, 2009-2014
- Seattle Opera, Trustee, 1994-2011; Treasurer, 1994-2001
- Seattle Rotary Club, Member, 1992-present; President, 2004-2005
- Cornell Law School Advisory Council, 1994-2011
- The Rainier Club, Board of Trustees, 2006-2013 Vice President - Operations, 2007-2009 Secretary, 2009-2010 President, 2011-2012