Susan Poll Klaessy and Adrienne Walker Named Chair and Vice Chair of Foley’s Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations Practice

Foley & Lardner LLP partner Susan Poll Klaessy was appointed chair of the firm’s global Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations Practice Group. Partner Adrienne Walker will serve as vice chair, supporting the continued growth and strategic direction of the practice.

Poll Klaessy brings deep experience in bankruptcy and insolvency matters, debtors’ and creditors’ rights, fiduciary liability and compliance, corporate governance matters, and complex business disputes for both distressed and healthy companies dealing with special situations. Representing debtors, creditors, and other stakeholders in restructurings, liquidations, and other distressed situations, she has led high‑stakes corporate turnarounds across a wide range of industries. Her leadership of the team representing Telephone USA Investments in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings earned recognition as the 2025 Divestiture of the Year at The M&A Advisor Turnaround Awards. To learn more about her perspective on the current restructuring landscape and the challenges she sees for today’s business leaders and changing economy, listen to her recent appearance on The M&A Advisor podcast.

Walker deploys a strategic and efficient approach to maximize clients’ interests and recoveries in the face of business uncertainty and financial distress, focusing her practice on business restructuring, workouts, and bankruptcy litigation. She guides a broad array of stakeholders, particularly in the health care and life sciences, manufacturing, and education sectors, through bankruptcy, receiverships, assignments for the benefit of creditors and out of court workouts and restructurings.

“Susan is an exceptional lawyer and a thoughtful, collaborative leader. I am confident she will build on the practice group’s strong foundation while continuing to elevate our client service and market presence,” former chair Geoffrey Goodman said of the leadership transition. “I am equally pleased to see Adrienne step into the vice chair role, as her judgment and restructuring experience will be a tremendous asset to our growing team.”

With more than 60 restructuring professionals firmwide, Foley’s Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations Practice is among the largest and most robust in the nation, representing myriad debtor and creditor constituencies. Foley’s nationally recognized practice emphasizes practical solutions tailored to specific business needs. Coupling business acumen and industry knowledge, Foley delivers thoughtful legal advice whether in a complex Chapter 11, an out-of-court workout, state insolvency framework, creditors’ rights litigation, strategic acquisition, or divestiture.