The Tribune Co. has named David Eldersveld as general counsel, effective immediately. He succeeds Donald Liebentritt, who has been named chief restructuring officer and will now focus exclusively on the company's negotiations with creditors.

The moves come at a time when the company is trying to lift itself out from Chapter 11 protection, which it has been in since 2008.

Eldersveld joined Tribune Co. in 2005 as senior counsel for mergers and acquisitions. Since 2008, he had been senior vice president, deputy general counsel and corporate secretary.