Kathleen Wong has joined McDermott Will & Emery as a London-based transactional partner, specialising in international corporate finance, particularly in negotiating, structuring and managing complex financing and restructuring transactions.

She has left A&O Shearman after 23 years, having been made a partner in 2016. Wong offers McDermott a global perspective, which she acquired at legacy Allen & Overy, where she worked in key international financial markets, including Singapore, Shanghai and Johannesburg.

“Kathleen brings outstanding international experience on innovative transactions in some of the world’s most complex jurisdictions, making her an invaluable addition as our team grows London as a global hub,” said Harris Siskind, global head of McDermott’s transactions group.

“As a trusted advisor to clients, ranging from funds to major financial institutions and corporates, she adds leadership depth to our finance team in London.”

Wong’s arrival follows the recent hires of fellow restructuring partner Alex Wood, who joined in January 2025 and was formerly head of restructuring at legacy Shearman & Sterling; and finance partners Chris Kandel, who joined in June 2024, and John Burge, who followed Kandel from Morrison & Foerster in August 2024. 

However, it also announced the closure of its Singapore office, ending its presence in Asia, following a string of local partner exits.

“Kathleen is a creative, talented and knowledgeable lawyer with experience in hedge funds, emerging markets and sovereign debt,” added Aymen Mahmoud, managing partner of McDermott’s London office, who also heads the European finance team.

Hailing her “exceptional relationships with key financial institutions,” he said Wong’s arrival was another example of McDermott’s expansive London strategy, commenting: “The addition of Kathleen significantly strengthens our extensive finance capabilities in London – and there is more to come.”

Announcing her news on LinkedIn, Wong stated: “Working around the world, what excites me most is helping teams grow, finding creative solutions, and expanding in new markets. I love the forward-thinking mindset of this incredible team and our shared commitment to being indispensable to clients.” 

Her former firm announced its 2025 partnership promotions last week, with 33 new partners elevated.

McDermott recently announced global revenues in 2024 of $2.23bn, an increase of 16.1% from 2023, when revenue topped $1.921bn, with profit per equity partner reaching $4.58m, an increase of 21.7% from 2023.

Its London financial results saw revenue reach almost $101m, an increase of 8.69% from 2023, following the arrival of senior figures such as dealmaker Graham White, now the firm’s London senior partner, last year.

Last week, A&O Shearman announced its 2025 partnership promotions – its first since the merger that created the transatlantic firm – with 33 new partners elevated. 

The promotions followed previously announced reductions to A&O Shearman’s equity partnership from last September, resulting in over 60 partners exiting, nearly 10% of the total, according to ALM. 

The firm has also carried out targeted lateral recruitment, which saw the arrival last week of Michael Kim from Morgan Stanley, where he was the US head of legal for capital markets, the 16th such hire since last year’s merger.