Lorraine McGowen is a lead restructuring partner with over 30 years of experience representing clients across the United States and internationally. She is known for her entrepreneurial enthusiasm and passion for innovation, helping clients maximize recoveries or reduce exposure. Her clients include financial institutions, syndicated lender groups, creditor committees, investors, and acquirers from the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Africa.
She regularly works with auditors, government regulators, and investment bankers, developing and implementing mediation and litigation strategies. Lorraine also negotiates reorganization plans and complex corporate and finance documents. Her recent engagements include representing Toyota, one of the largest creditors with over $7 billion in claims, in the global restructuring of Takata Corporation; advising financial institutions in Puerto Rico’s $72 billion restructuring; and representing several PPA counterparties in the PG&E bankruptcy case.
Colleagues and clients describe Lorraine as “tireless,” “driven, determined, dedicated and devoted,” and “a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional, multi-successful person on so many levels.” She is a member of Orrick’s Management Committee and has completed two terms on the firm’s 11-member Board of Directors. She also co-leads Orrick’s Automotive Technology & Mobility group and its global Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Initiative.
A leading advocate for diversity and inclusion, Lorraine develops programs for both the legal profession and the broader community. Her recognitions include being named a 2019 Rainmaker by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), one of Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Black Lawyers (2018 and 2015), and recipient of Legal Outreach’s Pipeline to Diversity 2017 Champion Award and the New York City Bar Association Diversity and Inclusion 2012 Champion Award. She has also been recognized by IFLR 1000 Rankings as a leading lawyer in the U.S. and was selected by DirectWomen as a 2016 Board Institute member.
Lorraine is a frequent speaker and author on bankruptcy, insolvency, and diversity and inclusion. Her community involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession and on advisory committees for Legal Outreach and the Vance Center for International Justice of the New York City Bar Association.
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