Hogan Lovells named Chris Donoho practice area leader for the firm’s global Business Restructuring and Insolvency practice. Donoho succeeds Stephen Foster of the London office.

Donoho has been with Hogan Lovells for nearly a decade, and since 2015, has served the firm’s New York office as administrative partner. He spends much of his time protecting the rights of creditors in restructurings, frequently on behalf of investment funds or banks. He also has considerable experience in representing companies facing distress, either in or out of court, including his current work with Orexigen Therapeutics in its Chapter 11 proceeding in Delaware.

Donoho has played a leading role in several award-winning deals including his representation of the Kodak Pension Plan in the Eastman Kodak Company Chapter 11. He recently co-lead the representation of the Official Committees of Unsecured Creditors of Abengoa and also represented the private equity sponsor in a new value plan in the RMH bankruptcy in Delaware.

Foster, who led the practice for over 8 years, will return to his practice full time after a successful tenure as practice lead. His significant experience in all aspects of restructuring and insolvency, including strategic planning and advisory work, distressed M&A transactions, debt/equity swaps, debt sales, and formal insolvency processes will continue to be a valued resource for the firm and practice.

Donoho takes over a practice that has grown over the past year with several high-profile additions across the country. Last April, a three partner team led by Richard Wynne that included Bennett Spiegel and Erin Brady joined the firm’s Los Angeles office. The New York office recently saw the addition of debt capital markets partner Stuart Morrissy and partner Douglas Taber, GE Capital’s former Lead Executive Counsel, Restructuring & Banking.