In a move heralded in Sullivan & Cromwell quarters as emblematic of the firm's role in helping women crack the glass ceiling, Goldman Sachs Group on Tuesday announced that Karen Seymour, an S&C partner, is joining the investment-banking firm as co-general counsel and partner.

Starting in late January, Seymour, 56, will share with former S&C partner and existing Goldman Sachs GC Gregory Palm, 69, responsibility for all legal matters for the investment banking firm's operations worldwide.

Seymour welcomes her new role and described it as an opportunity that “I wouldn't have even dreamed of as a goofy junior associate.”

But since her early days practicing law, Seymour has gained a wealth of experience in management, government and private practice. At S&C, Seymour served on the firm's management committee, and as co-managing partner of its litigation group. She has developed commercial litigation and white-collar criminal defense practices and defended individuals and institutions against allegations related to securities fraud, insider trading, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, among other things.

In 2015, she led the negotiations for BNP Paribas with the federal government leading to an $8.9 billion settlement over allegations related to the bank's violations of sanctions against Sudan, Cuba and Iran.

Seymour also served two stints as a Manhattan federal prosecutor, serving as chief of the criminal division for the Southern District of New York and as lead trial counsel prosecuting and convicting Martha Stewart on obstruction of justice charges.

She was working at the prosecutor's office in 1993, when Mary Jo White, now senior chair of Debevoise & Plimpton, broke a glass ceiling and became the first woman to win the U.S. attorney role for the Southern District of New York.

“Those kind of moves inspire hopefully everyone, but in particular junior women. They help us all dream big,” Seymour said about White's appointment.

At S&C, a steady movement of its women partners to positions of power in the business world represents a source of pride and also strengthens the firm's relationships with financial services industry clients. In 2012, JPMorgan Chase tapped Stacey Friedman, a former S&C litigation and regulatory partner, as its GC.

Both JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs have assigned Friedman and Seymour respectively broad leadership roles. Friedman serves on JPMorgan's operating committee, and Seymour will serve as a member of Goldman Sachs' management committee.

“We are very proud that two of the world's leading financial institutions will have general counsels who were successful women partners at our firm,” said Joe Shenker, S&C chairman.