O'Melveny Added Bankruptcy Partner in New York
The firm hired Penelope Jensen to lead restructuring and distressed-asset advisory work for financial institutions.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Corporate Finance
Bankruptcy and restructuring specialist Penelope Jensen joined the New York office of O'Melveny as a partner. She focuses on representing lenders, creditors, and bidders in complex financial distressed-asset sales.
Why it matters
Law firms often bolster restructuring teams during periods of increased corporate insolvency risk to better serve institutional clients. Hiring senior partners with specialized expertise allows firms to capture higher demand for debt-related legal services.
The firm added one new partner specializing in bankruptcy, expanding its capacity to handle restructuring and distressed-asset sales. This move follows a tenure at Linklaters for the incoming partner.
The players
O'Melveny
A global law firm providing legal services to financial institutions, corporate entities, and creditors in high-stakes litigation and transactional matters.
Penelope Jensen
A legal partner specializing in bankruptcy, corporate restructuring, and distressed-asset sales for financial institutions.
Linklaters
An international law firm known for its counsel to financial institutions on corporate, finance, and restructuring transactions.
The details
Penelope Jensen joins O'Melveny to advise lenders and financial institutions on navigating complex bankruptcy proceedings and distressed-asset acquisitions. Her role involves managing the legal intricacies of creditor rights and participating in the bidding processes for assets within insolvent entities. This strategic addition enhances the firm's advisory bench for clients currently navigating volatile debt markets.
Timeline
O'Melveny announced the hire of Penelope Jensen on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Market Landscape
This move follows the established industry pattern of law firms scaling bankruptcy practices to address rising demand for creditor and lender advisory services. It reflects a broader trend of talent migration as firms position themselves for increased corporate restructuring activity.
Operators dealing with debt distress should monitor how shifts in legal representation influence the timelines and outcomes of creditor-led restructuring. Evaluate whether existing counsel has the necessary bandwidth or specific expertise to navigate current bankruptcy trends.
The takeaway
The hiring of a specialized partner signals that the firm is prioritizing restructuring capabilities for its institutional client base. Operators should review their own legal and financial advisors to ensure they possess the specialized experience required for handling potential insolvency events.
Further reading
For more on industry talent moves, visit the Corporate Finance section.
