Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has enhanced its US finance capability in London with the hire of a new partner from Shearman & Sterling.

Gabrielle Wong, a New York qualified lawyer and IFLR1000 Leading lawyer, advises on bank lending and debt capital markets matters including secured loans, US private placements and high yield debt work.

She has been based in London since 1996 when she moved from Shearman's New York office.

Her work experience includes advising the likes of Towergate and Bakkavor on financing and bond issues and acting for Advent International on the financing of the acquisition of Oberthur Technologies.

The hire is welcome news for the firm who lost significant US capital markets experience in September 2015 with the departure of Steve Thierbach and Chris Haynes to Gibson Dunn & Crutcher.