Overview

Christine A. Okike is a restructuring partner in the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. She represents debtors, creditors, equity holders, sponsors, investors, sellers, and purchasers in all stages of complex restructuring transactions, including prepackaged, prearranged and traditional Chapter 11 cases, out-of-court workouts, distressed acquisitions and cross-border proceedings. Christine has a broad range of experience across a number of industries, including cryptocurrency, automotive, sports, entertainment, retail, energy, real estate, financial services, technology, transportation, travel, health care, media and telecommunications.

Most recently, Law360 selected Christine as one of six “Bankruptcy MVPs” for 2022. Corporate Counsel selected Christine as an honoree in the “Collaborative Leadership” category as part of the 2022 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards. The Deal also selected Christine as one of its 2022 “Top Women in Dealmaking.” Christine was selected by Global Restructuring Review in its 2022 "40 Under 40" list of the world's top young restructuring professionals and Savoy recognized Christine as one of its 2022 “Most Influential Black Lawyers.” The New York Law Journal also honored Christine in 2022 at its New York Legal Awards for “Best Diversity Initiative.”

Christine was named as one of Crain’s New York Business’ 2021 “Notable Women in Law,” as well as an “Emerging Leader” by The M&A Advisor in 2019 and “Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyer” by Turnarounds & Workouts in 2018. In 2017, Christine was inducted into the International Insolvency Institute NextGen Leadership Program and selected as an "Emerging Leader" in the American Bankruptcy Institute’s inaugural 40 Under 40 initiative. Christine was admitted as a new member to The International Insolvency Institute (III) in 2023.

Christine serves as co-chair of Kirkland’s Firmwide Diversity and Inclusion Committee and is a member of the New York Office Recruiting Committee.

Christine represents a number of nonprofit organizations and individuals on a pro bono basis and sits on the board of directors of Lawyers Alliance for New York and the advisory board of Legal Outreach.

More

Thought Leadership

Speaking Engagements

Guest Lecturer, “Distressed M&A,” University of Michigan Law School, March 2023

Panelist, “Crypto in Crisis,” The Wharton School, Initiative on Financial Policy & Regulation, January 2023

Facilitator, “Crypto & Bankruptcy,” 2022 Stanford Crypto Policy Conference, November 2022

Moderator, “The Role of a Bankruptcy Judge,” 2022 National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, October 2022

Panelist, “Bankruptcy & Reorganizations 2022: Turning It Around - Hot Topics in Contested Plan Issues,” Practising Law Institute, May 2022

Guest Lecturer, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School/Wharton School - JD/MBA Capstone Program, April 2022

Moderator, “The Evolution of the Distressed Investing Market,” 2022 Wharton Restructuring and Distressed Investing Conference, February 2022

Panelist, “Nuts & Bolts of Corporate Bankruptcy – Basic Ethical Considerations in Corporate Bankruptcy,” Practising Law Institute, December 2021

Panelist, “Clearing the Last Hurdle in Chapter 11 – Evolving Confirmation Issues That May Trip the Unwary,” New York City Bar Association, June 2021

Panelist, “Chapter 15 at 15,” New York City Bar Association, May 2021

Recognition

“Bankruptcy MVP,” Law360, 2022

“Collaborative Leadership Honoree - Women, Influence & Power in Law,” Corporate Counsel, 2022

“Best Diversity Initiative,” New York Law Journal, 2022

“Top Women in Dealmaking,” The Deal, 2022

“40 Under 40,” Global Restructuring Review, 2022

“Most Influential Black Lawyers,” Savoy, 2022

“Notable Women in Law,” Crain’s New York Business, 2021

“Emerging Leader,” The M&A Advisor, 2019

“Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyer,” Turnarounds & Workouts, 2018

“NextGen Leadership Program,” International Insolvency Institute, 2017

“40 Under 40 - Emerging Leader,” American Bankruptcy Institute, 2017

Memberships & Affiliations

Member, The International Insolvency Institute

Member, Law360’s 2022 Bankruptcy Editorial Advisory Board

Member, National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges 2023 Education Committee

Member, New York City Bar Association Committee on Bankruptcy and Corporate Reorganization

Member, American Bankruptcy Institute

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • New York
  • California

Courts

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

Education

  • Columbia Law SchoolJ.D.2008
  • Brown UniversityB.A.2005