Nationally Recognized Employment Attorney Is First Woman to Lead a Major Delaware Law Firm

Kathleen Furey McDonough is the new chair of Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP’s executive committee, effective January 1. She is the first woman to be elected chair in Potter Anderson’s 192-year history as well as the first woman to lead a major Delaware law firm.

A 33-year veteran of Potter Anderson, McDonough is the longtime leader of the firm’s labor and employment practice. She has served as member-at-large on the firm’s executive committee since 2015 and as chair-elect since January 2017.

As counselor to many of the largest employers in Delaware, McDonough brings a talent-focused perspective to her new role. “Organizations rise and fall on the talent of their people,” she commented. “Our exceptional attorneys and staff have made Potter Anderson a go-to firm for clients. As the legal industry and our clients’ businesses evolve at an ever-growing pace, there are tremendous opportunities for innovation. I am excited about working with everyone at Potter Anderson to make this great firm even greater.”

McDonough succeeds corporate transactions partner Michael Tumas who has served in various firm leadership roles for more than 15 years, including as chair since 2015. About the transition, McDonough stated, “I am proud of what we accomplished under Michael’s leadership of the executive committee and am honored to succeed him as chair. He brought to firm management the same unwavering commitment that makes him such a successful corporate lawyer.”

The recipient of the Delaware State Bar Association’s annual Community Service Award in 2017, McDonough is highly regarded among peers and clients for her longstanding service and leadership roles in numerous business, civic and charitable organizations. She is a member of the board and the Executive Committee of Christiana Care Health System and a board member and former board chair of the Delaware Community Foundation.

McDonough received an A.B. from Saint Joseph’s University in 1979 and a J.D. from Temple University School of Law in 1985.

Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP — potteranderson.com — is one of the largest and most highly regarded Delaware law firms, providing specialized legal services to regional, national and international clients. With nearly 100 attorneys, the firm’s practice is centered on corporate law, corporate litigation, intellectual property, commercial litigation, restructuring/bankruptcy, healthcare, and labor and employment.