Wim Dejonghe

Wim Dejonghe is a Belgian lawyer who co-headed Allen & Overy's global corporate practice and held senior leadership roles at the international firm for 16 years. He served as Global Managing Partner from 2008–2016, then as Global Senior Partner from 2016–2024. He was named Management Partner of the Year at the Legal Business Awards in September 2024, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the M&A Awards Belgium 2024.

During his tenure as Managing Partner, Dejonghe played a central role in restructuring the partnership and expanding A&O's international office network during the financial crisis, putting the firm on a path of consistent growth. He led the merger talks in 2023–24 with Shearman & Sterling to create a partnership that combines two of the world's most prestigious law firms. The historic merger was approved in October 2023 with more than 99% support from partners at each firm, creating A&O Shearman with close to 4,000 lawyers across 48 offices and combined revenues of approximately $3.5 billion.

Dejonghe joined Allen & Overy as a partner in 2001 after being a partner at Loeff Claeys Verbeke since 1993, and was Managing Partner of the Belgian offices from 1996 until his election as Global Managing Partner in May 2008. He holds a Licentiate degree in Law from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (1979–1984). Dejonghe co-wrote the book "M&A in Belgium", the only in-depth and comprehensive legal guide to Belgian M&A transactions.

Career history

• 2024–present: Board memberships and advisory roles including International Polar Foundation and Lazard Benelux
• May 2024–April 2025: Partner at A&O Shearman
• May 2016–April 2024: Global Senior Partner at Allen & Overy
• 2008–2016: Global Managing Partner at Allen & Overy
• 1996–2008: Managing Partner, Belgium offices of Loeff Claeys Verbeke and Allen & Overy
• 1993–1995: Partner at Loeff Claeys Verbeke (Antwerp)
• 1989–1993: Associate at Loeff Claeys Verbeke (New York, Barcelona, Brussels)

What Wim Dejonghe could bring to his current advisory roles: Dejonghe brings deep M&A expertise, cross-border specialization, and longstanding connections in Belgian and international markets to his roles. Known as entrepreneurial and charismatic, he has contributed thought leadership in corporate governance and M&A trends through publications and speaking engagements. His experience orchestrating one of the largest legal services mergers in history positions him to advise financial institutions and law firms navigating complex cross-border transactions and strategic combinations.