Overview
Doug Foley represents creditors and debtors in Chapter 11 proceedings nationwide, bringing clients the advantage of his Fellowship in the American College of Bankruptcy, judicial clerk experience, and deep involvement in many of the most significant bankruptcy cases filed in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Doug represents creditors and debtors in Chapter 11 proceedings across the country, handling cases for both large corporations and smaller businesses. He focuses on all aspects of insolvency and debtor-creditor matters, with significant experience in many of the largest Chapter 11 cases filed in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Clients benefit from Doug's deep knowledge of the bankruptcy system. He's a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and served as Regent for the Fourth Circuit and D.C. from 2018-2022. He's also certified in business bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification Standards Committee and is regularly recognized by Chambers USA. His involvement in the bankruptcy community—including his role as past chairperson of the Virginia State Bar Bankruptcy Law Section—keeps him current on developments that affect his clients' cases.
Doug's background as a law clerk gives him practical insight into how bankruptcy courts operate. After law school, he clerked for Chief Judge Loren A. Smith at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and for Chief Judge Douglas O. Tice Jr. at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Virginia. This experience helps him understand how judges approach complex bankruptcy issues and craft arguments accordingly.
Representative Matters
Represented many parties in Chapter 11 cases in various jurisdictions, including debtors, committees, secured lenders, buyers, trustees, trade creditors and landlords in all areas of insolvency and debtor-creditor law
Recognition & Honors
Honors & Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America, 2005–2026
America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, District of Columbia, 2016-2021, 2022; Virginia, 2023, Chambers USA
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell, 2020-2026
Virginia’s Legal Elite; Virginia Business Magazine, 2003–2025
Virginia Super Lawyers; Law & Politics, 2006-2023, 2025
Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers; Law & Politics, 2014-2022
The Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers, 2020, 2022, 2023
Washington, D.C.- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law “Lawyer of the Year”; Best Lawyers in America, 2020
Norfolk – Litigation – Bankruptcy “Lawyer of the Year”; Best Lawyers in America, 2015, 2017
Norfolk – Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights “Lawyer of the Year”; Best Lawyers in America, 2011
Master, Walter Chandler American Inn of Court, Washington, D.C., 2013-2022
Washington, D.C.’s Best Lawyers: Bankruptcy; Washingtonian Magazine, 2019, 2020
Client Service “All-Star,” BTI Consulting, 2018
Inducted into the American College of Bankruptcy Class 22, 2011
Clerked for Hon. Loren A. Smith, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 1993-1994
Clerked for Hon. Douglas O. Tice, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 1992-1993
Press & Publications
News
Community & Professional
Associations
National Association of Certified Mediators (NACM)
American College of Bankruptcy; Board of Directors, 2023-2024
Georgetown University Law Center; Adjunct Professor, Bankruptcy Law, Spring 2023
American Bankruptcy Institute; Board of Directors, 2017-2023
American College of Bankruptcy; Regent (4th Circuit and DC), 2018-2022
American College of Bankruptcy; Fellow, (Class XXII)
Virginia State Bar Bankruptcy Law Section; Board of Governors, Chairperson, 2012-2013
Virginia Bar Association Bankruptcy Law Section Council; Member, 2001-2004
Tidewater Bankruptcy Bar Association; Past President, 2002-2003
Leadership Hampton Roads; Member, Class of 2000
Credentials
Education
University of Mary Washington; B.A., cum laude, 1988
George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School; J.D., with distinction, 1992
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
North Carolina State and Federal Courts
Virginia State and Federal Courts
