Lorraine McGowen is a lead restructuring partner with over 30 years of experience representing clients from the US and internationally with entrepreneurial enthusiasm and a true passion for innovation seeking to maximize their recoveries or reduce their exposure.
Lorraine advises financial institutions, syndicated lender groups, creditor committees and other parties from the U.S., Europe, Asia and Africa who seek to maximize recovery or reduce exposure. She also advises investors and acquirers of companies. She interfaces with auditors, government regulators, investment bankers and others, and develops and implements mediation and litigation strategies, and negotiates reorganization plans and complex corporate and finance documents.
Recent engagements include representing Toyota (one of the largest creditors with more than $7 billion in claims) in the highly complex global restructuring of Takata Corporation, one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of automotive safety systems, including airbags; representing financial institutions in connection with Puerto Rico's $72 billion restructuring; and representing several PPA counterparties in the PG&E bankruptcy case. Lorraine is described by colleagues, clients and others as "tireless," "driven, determined, dedicated and devoted" and "a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional, multi-successful person on so many levels."
Lorraine is a member of Orrick's Management Committee and recently completed two terms of service on the firm's 11-member Board of Directors. She also currently co-leads Orrick's Automotive Technology & Mobility group and its global Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Initiative.
As a leading D&I advocate, Lorraine creates programs for the legal profession and the community. She was selected as a 2019 Rainmaker by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) and as one of Savoy Magazine's Most Influential Black Lawyers for 2018 and 2015, and received Legal Outreach's Pipeline to Diversity 2017 Champion Award and the New York City Bar Association Diversity and Inclusion 2012 Champion Award. IFLR 1000 Rankings named Lorraine a leading lawyer in the U.S. She was selected by Direct Women to be a 2016 Board Institute member. She is a frequent speaker and author on bankruptcy and insolvency and diversity and inclusion.
Among her community involvement, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession and on the Advisory Committees for Legal Outreach and the Vance Center for International Justice of the NYCBA.
Practice:
Restructuring
Bankruptcy Litigation
Distressed Assets & Alternative Investments
Municipal Restructuring and Insolvency
Energy & Infrastructure
M&A and Private Equity
Structured Finance
Higher Education and Student Loan Financing
Automotive Technology & Mobility
