{"id":"court_ctb_1154_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":1154,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":null,"title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION |                           | x |","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"## **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n|                           | x |                      |\n|---------------------------|---|----------------------|\n|                           | : |                      |\n| In re:                    | : | CHAPTER 11           |\n|                           | : |                      |\n| 1<br>HO WAN KWOK, et al., |   |                      |\n|                           | : |                      |\n| Debtors.                  | : | Jointly Administered |\n|                           | x |                      |\n\n: CASE NO. 22-50073 (JAM) x\n\n# **GENEVER HOLDINGS LLC'S APPLICATION FOR ENTRY OF ORDER, PURSUANT TO BANKRUPTCY CODE SECTIONS 327, 328, AND 330, BANKRUPTCY RULES 2014 AND 2016, AND LOCAL BANKRUPTCY RULES 2014-1 AND 2016-1, AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING RETENTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF NEUBERT, PEPE, & MONTEITH, P.C., AS ITS CO-COUNSEL**\n\nGenever Holdings LLC, debtor and debtor-in-possession (the \"Debtor\") in the abovecaptioned chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\"), pursuant to sections 327, 328, and 330 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\"), Rules 2014 and 2016 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\"), and Rules 2014-1 and 2016-1 of the Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Local Bankruptcy Rules\") for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Court\"), respectfully requests (the \"Application\") that the Court authorize its employment of the law firm of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. (\"NPM\") as its co-counsel with respect to this Chapter 11 Case. In support of this Application, the Debtor states the following:\n\n<sup>1</sup> The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases are Ho Wan Kwok (also known as Guo Wengui, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok, as well as numerous other aliases) (last four digits of tax identification number: 9595), Genever Holdings LLC (last four digits of tax identification number: 8202) and Genever Holdings Corporation. The mailing address for the Trustee, Genever Holdings LLC, and the Genever Holdings Corporation is Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok (solely for purposes of notices and communications).\n\n#### **RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n1. By this Application, the Debtor seeks entry of an order, substantially in the form of the proposed order filed herewith (the \"Proposed Order\"), authorizing and approving the retention and employment of NPM as Debtor's co-counsel effective as of November 7, 2022. In support of this Application, the Debtor submits the *Declaration of Douglas S. Skalka in Support of Genever Holdings LLC's Application for Entry of Order, Pursuant to Sections 327, 328, and 330 of the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rules 2014 and 2016, and Local Bankruptcy Rules 2014-1 and 2016-1, Authorizing and Approving Retention and Employment of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. as Its Co-Counsel* (the \"Skalka Declaration\"), attached as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein by reference.\n\n#### **JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND STATUTORY BASES**\n\n2. The Court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 and the *Standing Order of Reference* from the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (as amended). This is a core proceeding within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b).\n\n3. Venue in this District is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409.\n\n4. The statutory bases for the relief requested herein are sections 327(a), 328(a), and 330 of the Bankruptcy Code, and, to the extent applicable, Bankruptcy Rules 2014 and 2016, and Local Bankruptcy Rules 2014-1 and 2016-1.\n\n#### **BACKGROUND**\n\n5. On October 12, 2020 (the \"Petition Date\"), the Debtor filed a voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (\"SDNY Bankruptcy Court\").\n\n6. By order dated February 8, 2021 and entered by the SDNY Bankruptcy Court, the firm of Goldberg Weprin Finkel Goldstein LLP (\"Goldberg Weprin\") was retained to serve as counsel for the Debtor.\n\n7. By order dated November 3, 2022, the SDNY Bankruptcy Court transferred venue of the Debtor's Chapter 11 Case to this Court.\n\n8. As of the filing of this Application, no creditors committee or trustee has been appointed in the Debtor's Chapter 11 Case.\n\n#### **THE FIRM'S QUALIFICATIONS**\n\n9. NPM maintains offices in New Haven, Hartford, and Fairfield, Connecticut, and White Plains, New York. NPM was founded in 1993 and has a widely diversified general and corporate practice. The firm currently employs 36 lawyers, who are assisted by six paralegals.\n\n10. The Debtor selected NPM as its co-counsel because of NPM's expertise in financial reorganizations, bankruptcy, investigations, and commercial litigation matters. NPM is well suited for the type of representation required by the Debtor. Its insolvency practice includes ten attorneys. NPM has substantial resources and expertise in the areas of the law that may arise in this case.\n\n11. NPM has specific and relevant experience in the representation of debtors, chapter 11 trustees, and creditor committees, including within and in connection with cases in this Court. NPM also has experience in serving as local counsel for Luc Despins, the Debtor's equity holder, in connection with the pending chapter 11 proceedings of the Debtor's affiliate, Ho Wan Kwok, Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) (the \"Kwok Case\"). Moreover, NPM has filed an application to serve as counsel for Genever Holding Corporation, the Debtor's parent company, which application is currently scheduled for a hearing on November 16, 2022 before this Court. As a result of this role, NPM is familiar with the Debtor's corporate structure and the dispute over the ownership of the assets of the Debtor.\n\n## **THE ANTICIPATED SERVICES**\n\n12. The Debtor anticipates that NPM will render general legal services, as its cocounsel, with Goldberg Weprin, to work as needed throughout the course of the Chapter 11 Case, including bankruptcy, litigation, investigations, real estate, tax, and other matters. In particular, the Debtor has requested that NPM perform, among others, the following legal services:\n\n(a) advising the Debtor as to its rights, powers, and duties in the Chapter 11 Case;\n\n(b) advising the Debtor as to its investigation into the property of the Debtor's estate, including the pursuit of any actions to collect and recover property for the benefit of the Debtor's estate;\n\n(c) commencing, conducting, and/or continuing litigation necessary and appropriate to assert rights held by the Debtor's estate, protect assets of the Debtor's estate, or otherwise further the goal of completing the Chapter 11 Case;\n\n(d) preparing on behalf of the Debtor necessary and appropriate applications, motions, proposed orders, other pleadings, notices, schedules, and other documents, and reviewing financial and other reports filed and to be filed in the Chapter 11 Case;\n\n(e) advising the Debtor concerning, and preparing responses to, applications, motions, other pleadings, notices, and other papers that may be filed by other parties in the Chapter 11 Case;\n\n(f) advising the Debtor with respect to, and assisting in the negotiation and documentation of, financing agreements and related transactions;\n\n(g) reviewing the nature and validity of any liens asserted against the Debtor's property and advising the Debtor concerning the enforceability of such liens;\n\n(h) advising and assisting the Debtor in connection with any potential asset sales and property dispositions;\n\n(i) advising the Debtor concerning executory contract and unexpired lease assumptions, assignments, and rejections;\n\n(j) advising the Debtor in connection with the formulation, negotiation, and promulgation of a plan or plans of reorganization, and related transactional documents;\n\n(k) assisting the Debtor in reviewing, estimating, and resolving claims asserted against the Debtor's estate; and\n\n(l) negotiating with parties-in-interest.\n\n#### **COMPENSATION OF PROFESSIONALS**\n\n13. The Debtor anticipates that NPM will work with Goldberg Weprin to provide services in this case in such a manner that there will not be a duplication of effort and there will be a focus on delivering legal services in an efficient and cost-effective manner.\n\n14. NPM intends to apply to the Court for compensation for professional services rendered and for reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with this Chapter 11 Case pursuant to sections 330 and 331 of the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rule 2016, Local Bankruptcy Rule 2016-1, and any other applicable rules and orders with respect to this Chapter 11 Case. NPM will charge the Debtor for its legal services on an hourly basis at its regularly applicable hourly rates in connection with the services required in this Chapter 11 Case.\n\n15. At present, the 2022 hourly rates of NPM are \\$150.00 - \\$175.00 for paralegal work; \\$175.00 - \\$360.00 for associates and counsel; and up to \\$450.00 for principals of the firm. NPM's hourly rates are subject to periodic adjustments to reflect economic and other conditions.<sup>2</sup> It is anticipated that NPM's services will primarily be provided by Douglas S. Skalka, whose hourly rate is \\$450.00, Lucas B. Rocklin, whose hourly rate is \\$400.00, and Patrick R. Linsey, whose hourly rate is \\$350.00.\n\n16. The Debtor submits that NPM's hourly rates are reasonable, comparable to NPM's hourly rates for non-bankruptcy engagements, and within the range of rates charged by comparably\n\n<sup>2</sup> NPM's hourly rates are typically revised at the end of each calendar year to reflect experience, seniority, and standing. These step increases do not constitute \"rate increases\" (as the term is used in the *Guidelines for Reviewing Applications for Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses Filed Under 11 U.S.C. § 330 by Attorneys in Larger Chapter 11 Cases Effective as of November 1, 2013*) (the \"U.S. Trustee Guidelines\"). As set forth in the Proposed Order, NPM will provide ten business days' notice to the Debtor, the Assistant United States Trustee for the District of Connecticut (the \"U.S. Trustee\"), and counsel to the Committee and any other official committee, before implementing periodic increases, and shall file any such notice with the Court.\n\nskilled professionals who offer the same services. This is especially true under the circumstances here where the Debtor's estate currently has no assets to pay professional fees. As a result, NPM is being retained, for all practical purposes, on a contingency basis—*i.e.*, its compensation will depend on whether assets are eventually brought into the Debtor's estate (which, in turn, will depend on the extent to which NPM and the Debtor are successful in recovering assets for the benefit of the Debtor's estate and its creditors).\n\n17. NPM will also bill for out-of-pocket expenses made on behalf of the Debtor, including photocopying, postage and package deliveries, court fees, transcripts, witness fees, service fees, travel expenses, and computer-aided research, in accordance with practices in this District.\n\n#### **NPM IS DISINTERESTED**\n\n18. To the best of the Debtor's knowledge in reliance upon the Skalka Declaration, and except as disclosed therein, NPM does not have any relationships with the Debtor, its creditors, or any other party-in-interest, their respective attorneys and accountants, the United States Trustee, or any person employed in the Office of the United States Trustee.\n\n19. More specifically, upon such basis, the Debtor believes that: (a) NPM has no connection with the Debtor, its creditors, the U.S. Trustee, any person employed in the office of the U.S. Trustee, or a party with an actual or potential interest in the Chapter 11 Case other than its role as local and conflicts counsel for Mr. Despins in the Kwok Case and proposed role as counsel for Genever Holdings Corporation; and (b) neither NPM nor any of its attorneys (i) is a creditor, equity security holder, or insider of the Debtor or its affiliates, (ii) has been, within two years before the Petition Date, a director, officer, or employee of the Debtor or its affiliates, or (iii) has any interest materially adverse to the interests of the Debtor's estate or any class of creditors\n\nor equity security holders by reason of any direct or indirect relationship to, connection with, or interest in the Debtor, or for any other reason. Therefore, the Debtor believes that NPM is a \"disinterested person\" within the meaning of section 101(14) of the Bankruptcy Code, as modified by section 1107(b).\n\n20. Based on the Skalka Declaration, the Debtor believes that NPM does not represent any adverse interest to unsecured creditors in connection with these cases.\n\n## **BASIS FOR THE RELIEF REQUESTED, NOTICE, AND NO PRIOR REQUEST FOR RELIEF REQUESTED HEREBY**\n\n21. The Debtor requests to retain and employ NPM as its co-counsel, pursuant to section 327(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, which provides that a debtor-in-possession, subject to the approval of the Court, may employ professional persons \"that do not hold or represent an interest adverse to the estate, and that are disinterested persons, to represent or assist the [debtor-inpossession] in carrying out the [its] duties under this title.\"<sup>3</sup>\n\n22. Under section 328(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, with bankruptcy court approval, a debtor-in-possession may employ professional persons under section 327(a) of the Bankruptcy Code \"on any reasonable terms and conditions of employment, including on a retainer, on an hourly basis, on a fixed or percentage fee basis, or on a contingent fee basis.\" 11 U.S.C. § 328(a).\n\n23. Bankruptcy Rule 2014(a) provides that an application for retention include:\n\nspecific facts showing the necessity for the employment, the name of the [firm] to be employed, the reasons for the selection, the professional services to be rendered, any proposed arrangement for compensation, and, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, all of the [firm's] connections with the debtor, creditors, any other party in interest, their respective attorneys and accountants, the United States trustee.\n\n24. The Debtor requires the services of counsel to exercise its responsibilities. NPM\n\n<sup>3</sup> A debtor-in-possession has the rights of a trustee to employ counsel pursuant to, *e.g.*, Bankruptcy Code sections 327 and 328. *See* 11 U.S.C. § 1107.\n\nhas agreed to endeavor to avoid the duplication of efforts and provide services as efficiently as possible. Accordingly, the employment of NPM as the Debtor's co-counsel, upon the terms set forth herein and in the Proposed Order, is reasonable and in the best interest of the Debtor's estate.\n\n25. Local Bankruptcy Rule 2014-1 provides that if \"an application to employ a professional is filed within thirty (30) days after the commencement of services provided by that professional, the application shall be deemed contemporaneously filed unless the Court orders otherwise.\" Accordingly, the Debtor requests authority to retain and employ NPM effective November 7, 2022, which was the date that this Chapter 11 Case was transferred to this Court and on which NPM began providing services to the Debtor.\n\n26. No previous application for the relief requested herein has been made to this or any other Court.\n\n#### **CONCLUSION**\n\nWHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, the Debtor requests that the Court enter an Order, substantially in the form of the Proposed Order attached hereto, granting the Application, and authorizing the Debtor's employment of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C., as its co-counsel, and order such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.\n\nDated: November 22, 2022 GENEVER HOLDINGS LLC,\n\nBy: /s/Luc A. Despins Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok\n\n| UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT |\n|--------------------------------|\n| DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT        |\n| BRIDGEPORT DIVISION            |\n\n| ______________________________________x |   |                      |\n|-----------------------------------------|---|----------------------|\n|                                         | : |                      |\n| In re:                                  | : | CHAPTER 11           |\n|                                         | : |                      |\n| 1<br>HO WAN KWOK, et al.,               |   |                      |\n|                                         | : |                      |\n| Debtors.                                | : | Jointly Administered |\n| ______________________________________x |   |                      |\n\n: CASE NO. 22-50073 (JAM)\n\n# **ORDER GRANTING DEBTOR'S APPLICATION FOR ENTRY OF ORDER, PURSUANT TO BANKRUPTCY CODE SECTIONS 327, 328, AND 330, BANKRUPTCY RULES 2014 AND 2016, AND LOCAL BANKRUPTCY RULES 2014-1 AND 2016-1, AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING RETENTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF NEUBERT, PEPE, & MONTEITH, P.C., AS DEBTOR'S CO-COUNSEL**\n\nUpon the Application of Genever Holdings LLC (the \"Debtor\") in the above-captioned chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\"), for authority to retain and employ Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. (\"NPM\") as co-counsel to the Debtor, effective as of November 7, 2022 (the \"Application\"), and upon the Declaration of Douglas S. Skalka (the \"Skalka Declaration\"), pursuant to sections 327, 328, and 330 of title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\"), Rules 2014 and 2016 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\"), and Rules 2014-1 and 2016-1 of the Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Local Bankruptcy Rules\"), all as more fully set forth in the Application; and upon consideration of the Application and the Skalka Declaration; and this Court having jurisdiction to consider the Application and the relief requested therein in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 and the Standing Order of Reference from\n\n<sup>1</sup> The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases are Ho Wan Kwok (also known as Guo Wengui, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok, as well as numerous other aliases) (last four digits of tax identification number: 9595), Genever Holdings LLC (last four digits of tax identification number: 8202) and Genever Holdings Corporation. The mailing address for the Trustee, Genever Holdings LLC, and the Genever Holdings Corporation is Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok (solely for purposes of notices and communications).\n\nthe United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (as amended); and consideration of the Application and the relief requested therein being a core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b); and venue being proper in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409; and the Court having found that (i) the relief requested in the Application is in the best interest of the Debtor's estate, its creditors, and all parties-in-interest, (ii) the legal and factual bases set forth in the Application and the Skalka Declaration, and upon the record of any hearing on the Application before this Court establish just cause for the relief granted herein, (iii) NPM is a \"disinterested person,\" as defined in section 101(14) of the Bankruptcy Code and as required by section 327(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, and (iv) NPM does not hold or represent an interest adverse to the Debtor's estate; and due and sufficient notice of the Application having been given under the particular circumstances; and it appearing that no other or further notice need be given; and upon all of the proceedings had before this Court; and any objections to the relief requested herein having been withdrawn or overruled on the merits; and after due deliberation and sufficient cause appearing therefor, it is hereby ORDERED THAT:\n\n1. The Application is granted as set forth herein.\n\n2. The Debtor is authorized to retain and employ NPM as its attorneys effective as of November 7, 2022 on the terms set forth in the Application and the Skalka Declaration.\n\n3. NPM is authorized to act as Debtor's counsel and to perform those services described in the Application. Specifically, but without limitation, NPM is authorized to render the following legal services, as Debtor's counsel:\n\na. advising the Debtor as to its rights, powers, and duties in the Chapter 11 Case;\n\nb. advising the Debtor as to its investigation into the property of the Debtor's estate, including the pursuit of any actions to collect and recover property for the benefit of the Debtor's estate;\n\nc. commencing, conducting, and/or continuing litigation necessary and appropriate to assert rights held by the Debtor's estate, protect assets of the Debtor's estate, or otherwise further the goal of completing the Chapter 11 Case;\n\nd. preparing on behalf of the Debtor necessary and appropriate applications, motions, proposed orders, other pleadings, notices, schedules, and other documents, and reviewing financial and other reports filed and to be filed in the Chapter 11 Case;\n\ne. advising the Debtor concerning, and preparing responses to, applications, motions, other pleadings, notices, and other papers that may be filed by other parties in the Chapter 11 Case;\n\nf. advising and assisting the Debtor in connection with any potential asset sales and property dispositions;\n\ng. advising the Debtor concerning executory contract and unexpired lease assumptions, assignments, and rejections;\n\nh. advising the Debtor in connection with the formulation, negotiation, and promulgation of a plan or plans of reorganization, and related transactional documents;\n\ni. assisting the Debtor in reviewing, estimating, and resolving claims asserted against the Debtor's estate; and\n\nj. negotiating with parties in interest.\n\n4. The Debtor's estate shall be responsible for NPM's compensation and reimbursement of expenses in the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n5. The allowance of any compensation to be paid to NPM shall be determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in sections 330 and 331 of the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rule 2016, and Local Bankruptcy Rule 2016-1.\n\n6. NPM shall provide no less than ten business days' notice to the Debtor, the United States Trustee, and counsel to any official committee before any increases in the rates it charges are implemented and shall file such notice with the Court.\n\n7. The Debtor and NPM are authorized and empowered to take all actions necessary to effectuate the relief granted in this Order.\n\n8. The requirements of the Local Bankruptcy Rules are satisfied by the contents of the Application.\n\n9. To the extent the Application and the Skalka Declaration are inconsistent with this Order, the terms of this Order shall govern.\n\n10. The terms and conditions of this Order shall be immediately effective and enforceable upon its entry.\n\n11. This Court shall retain jurisdiction with respect to all matters arising from or related to the implementation, interpretation, and enforcement of this Order.\n\n# EXHIBIT A\n\n| UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT<br>DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT<br>BRIDGEPORT DIVISION |        |                            |  |  |\n|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|----------------------------|--|--|\n| ______________________________________x                                          |        |                            |  |  |\n| In re:                                                                           | :<br>: | CHAPTER 11                 |  |  |\n| 1<br>HO WAN KWOK, et al.,                                                        | :<br>: | CASE NO. 22-50073<br>(JAM) |  |  |\n| Debtors.                                                                         | :<br>: | Jointly Administered       |  |  |\n| ______________________________________x                                          |        |                            |  |  |\n\n# **DECLARATION OF DOUGLAS S. SKALKA IN SUPPORT OF GENEVER HOLDINGS LLC'S APPLICATION FOR ENTRY OF ORDER, PURSUANT TO BANKRUPTCY CODE SECTIONS 327, 328, AND 330, BANKRUPTCY RULES 2014 AND 2016, AND LOCAL BANKRUPTCY RULES 2014-1 AND 2016-1, AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING RETENTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF NEUBERT, PEPE, & MONTEITH, P.C., AS ITS CO-COUNSEL**\n\nI, Douglas S. Skalka, being duly sworn, do depose and say:\n\n1. I am a principal of the law firm of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. (\"NPM\"), which maintains its principal office at 195 Church Street, 13th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510, and I make this declaration in support of Genever Holdings LLC's (the \"Debtor\") *Application for Entry of Order, Pursuant to Sections 327, 328, and 330 of the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rules 2014 and 2016, and Local Bankruptcy Rules 2014-1 and 2016-1, Authorizing and Approving Retention and Employment of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. as Its Co-Counsel* in the above-captioned chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\").\n\n2. NPM maintains offices in New Haven, Hartford, and Fairfield, Connecticut, and White Plains, New York. NPM was founded in 1993 and has a widely diversified general and corporate practice. The firm currently employs 36 lawyers, who are assisted by six paralegals.\n\n<sup>1</sup> The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases are Ho Wan Kwok (also known as Guo Wengui, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok, as well as numerous other aliases) (last four digits of tax identification number: 9595), Genever Holdings LLC (last four digits of tax identification number: 8202) and Genever Holdings Corporation. The mailing address for the Trustee, Genever Holdings LLC, and the Genever Holdings Corporation is Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok (solely for purposes of notices and communications).\n\n3. NPM has expertise in practice areas including financial reorganizations, bankruptcy, investigations, corporate, and commercial litigation matters. NPM is well suited for the type of representation required by the Debtor. Its insolvency practice includes ten attorneys. NPM has substantial resources and expertise in the areas of the law that may arise in this case.\n\n4. NPM has specific and relevant experience in the representation of chapter 11 trustees, post-confirmation liquidating trustees, and creditor committees, including within and in connection with cases in this Court.\n\n5. NPM intends to apply to the Court for compensation for professional services rendered and for reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with this Chapter 11 Case pursuant to sections 330 and 331 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\"), Rule 2016 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\"), Rule 2016-1 of the Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Local Bankruptcy Rules\"), and any other applicable rules and orders with respect to this Chapter 11 Case. NPM will charge the Debtor for its legal services on an hourly basis at its regularly applicable hourly rates in connection with the services required in this Chapter 11 Case.\n\n6. At present, the 2022 hourly rates of NPM are \\$150.00 - \\$175.00 for paralegal work; \\$175.00 - \\$350.00 for associates and counsel; and up to \\$450.00 for principals of the firm. NPM's hourly rates are subject to periodic adjustments to reflect economic and other conditions.<sup>2</sup> It is anticipated that NPM's services will primarily be provided by Douglas S. Skalka, whose hourly\n\n<sup>2</sup> NPM's hourly rates are typically revised at the end of each calendar year to reflect experience, seniority, and standing. These step increases do not constitute \"rate increases\" (as the term is used in the *Guidelines for Reviewing Applications for Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses Filed Under 11 U.S.C. § 330 by Attorneys in Larger Chapter 11 Cases Effective as of November 1, 2013*) (the \"U.S. Trustee Guidelines\"). As set forth in the Proposed Order, NPM will provide ten business days' notice to the Debtor, the Assistant United States Trustee for the District of Connecticut (the \"U.S. Trustee\"), and counsel to the Committee and any other official committee, before implementing periodic increases, and shall file any such notice with the Court.\n\nrate is \\$450.00, Lucas B. Rocklin, whose hourly rate is \\$400.00, and Patrick R. Linsey, whose hourly rate is \\$350.00.\n\n7. NPM will also bill for out-of-pocket expenses made on behalf of the Debtor, including photocopying, postage and package deliveries, court fees, transcripts, witness fees, service fees, travel expenses, and computer-aided research, in accordance with practices in this District.\n\n8. To the best of my knowledge and belief after due inquiry, neither I, nor NPM, nor any member or associate thereof, represents professionally, or has any connection with, the Debtor, his creditors, any other party-in-interest, their respective attorneys and accountants, the United States Trustee, or any person employed in the Office of the United States Trustee, other than as disclosed herein.\n\n9. NPM maintains a computer database (the \"Database\") containing, *inter alia*, the names of all NPM's current and former clients and, with respect to any engagement, adverse and related persons. I caused to be submitted to, and checked against, the Database all of the following names: (a) the Debtor; (b) creditors as set forth on the List of Creditors in this Chapter 11 Case, (c) Luc A. Despins, the Chapter 11 Trustee (\"Mr. Despins\" or the \"Chapter 11 Trustee\") in the pending bankruptcy case of Ho Wan Kwok, Case No. 22-50073 (the \"Kwok Case\"), (d) all parties appearing in this Chapter 11 Case, (e) creditors as set forth on the List of Creditors in the Genever Holdings Corporation (\"Genever BVI\") bankruptcy proceedings, Case No. 22-50542 (\"Genever BVI Case\"), and (f) the following potentially interested or adverse parties: (i) Golden Spring (New York) Ltd; (ii) Hing Ch Ngok; (iii) Qiang Guo; (iv) Mei Gui; (v) HK International Funds Investments (USA) Limited, LLC; (vi) Bravo Luck Limited; (vii) Lamp Capital LLC; (viii) The Sherry-Netherland, Inc.; (ix) Goldberg Weprin Finkel Goldstein LLP; (x) Honorable Melanie L. Cyganowski; and (xi) Sotheby's International Realty ((a) through (f), the \"Potentially Interested\n\nParties\").\n\n10. NPM has no relationship or connection with the Potentially Interested Parties, or, to the best of my knowledge, with any other creditor of the Debtor, except that (i) NPM is serving as local counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee in the Kwok Case; prior to its retention by the Chapter 11 Trustee, NPM had not provided any legal services to Mr. Despins; (ii) NPM is serving as counsel for Genever BVI in the Genever BVI Case; and (iii) one of NPM's attorneys, Mark I. Fishman (\"Mr. Fishman\"), was contacted in or around March and April 2022 by counsel for Rui Ma and Weican Meng and by counsel for Rong Zhang, Xiodan Wang, and Chong Shen Rap, and I, was contacted in or around June 2022 by a candidate for the chapter 11 trustee position in the Kwok Case (whose appointment was not approved by the Court) (the foregoing, collectively, the \"Consulted Persons\") to discuss potential engagements to represent the Consulted Persons with respect to the Kwok Case, *provided however*, that the Consulted Persons never retained or engaged NPM, NPM did not represent the Consulted Persons or charge them fees, the Consulted Persons never paid NPM fees, and I am not aware of NPM having received any information that would interfere with its representation of the Debtor (including, were such to occur, in a capacity adverse to the Consulted Persons). See Conn. R.P.C. 1.18. To date and currently, Mr. Fishman is not one of NPM's attorneys providing services to the Chapter 11 Trustee. In addition, Patrick R. Linsey was previously an attorney at Zeisler & Zeisler, P.C. (\"Z&Z\"), which firm is counsel to certain parties-in-interest in the Kwok Case, including, as of July 14, 2022, the Debtor. Mr. Linsey has not worked at Z&Z since March 2020. Mr. Linsey is not aware that the Debtor or any parties-ininterest were clients of Z&Z when he was an attorney at the firm, and he never worked on any matters for or, to the best of his knowledge, relating to, Mr. Kwok or any parties-in-interest in the Kwok Case, while employed at Z&Z.\n\n11. While NPM has made a diligent effort to ascertain the identity of any connections or potential conflicts with interested parties, to the extent that any additional information comes to light, NPM will review, disclose, and resolve any conflict or adverse interests that may appear.\n\n12. Based on the foregoing, insofar as I have been able to ascertain based on the information currently available to me: (a) NPM has no connection with the Debtor, his creditors, the U.S. Trustee, any person employed in the office of the U.S. Trustee, or any other party with an actual or potential interest in the Debtor or its respective attorneys or accountants; and (b) neither NPM nor any of its attorneys (i) is a creditor, equity security holder, or insider of the Debtor or his affiliates, (ii) has been, within two years before the Petition Date, a director, officer, or employee of the Debtor or his affiliates, or (iii) has any interest materially adverse to the interests of the Debtor's estate or any class of creditors or equity security holders by reason of any direct or indirect relationship to, connection with, or interest in the Debtor, or for any other reason. Therefore, I believe that NPM is a \"disinterested person\" within the meaning of section 101(14) of the Bankruptcy Code, as modified by section 1107(b).\n\n13. NPM will apply to the Court for compensation under Bankruptcy Code §§ 330 and 331, Rules 2014 and 2016 of the Bankruptcy Rules, and Rules 2014-1 and 2016-1 of the Local Bankruptcy Rules.\n\n14. NPM does not believe that Appendix B of the U.S. Trustee Guidelines (the \"Larger Case Guidelines\") applies in this Chapter 11 Case, because the Debtor's petition does not list \\$50 million or more in assets and \\$50 million or more in liabilities. In particular, the Debtor estimated the value of his assets between \\$10,000,001 and \\$50 million. Nevertheless, NPM intends to make a reasonable effort to comply with the U.S. Trustee's requests for information and additional disclosures set forth in the Larger Case Guidelines in connection with the interim and final fee applications to be filed by NPM in the Chapter 11 Case, but reserves all rights as to their relevance\n\nand substantive legal effect in connection with the Application or any application for compensation\n\nin the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n15. In the interest of providing maximum disclosure, and notwithstanding NPM's position concerning the inapplicability of the Larger Case Guidelines, NPM provides the following response to the request for information set forth in Paragraph D.1. of the Larger Case Guidelines:\n\nQuestion: Did you agree to any variations from, or alternatives to, your standard or customary billing arrangements for this engagement?\n\nAnswer: No. That said, as discussed in the Application, as a practical matter, NPM will only be compensated if and to the extent that there are assets in the Debtor's estate.\n\nQuestion: Do any of the professionals included in this engagement vary their rate based on the geographic location of the bankruptcy case? Answer: No.\n\nQuestion: If you represented the client in the 12 months prepetition, disclose your billing rates and material financial terms for the prepetition engagement, including any adjustments during the 12 months prepetition. If your billing rates\n\nand material financial terms have changed postpetition, explain the difference and the reasons for the difference.\n\nAnswer: N/A. NPM has not previously represented the Debtor.\n\nQuestion: Has your client approved your prospective budget and staffing plan, and, if so, for what budget period?\n\nAnswer: The Debtor and NPM are discussing staffing and a budget for this Chapter 11 Case for the period from October 11, 2022 through December 31, 2022.\n\n16. NPM has neither shared nor agreed to share with any other person compensation\n\nreceived in these cases, except as is permitted by §504(b)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code.\n\nPursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1746, I declare under penalty of perjury that the above statements\n\nare true and correct.\n\nDated: November 22, 2022, at New Haven, Connecticut\n\n/s/Douglas S. Skalka Douglas S. Skalka\n\n## **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n|                           | x |                            |\n|---------------------------|---|----------------------------|\n|                           | : |                            |\n| In re:                    | : | CHAPTER 11                 |\n|                           | : |                            |\n| 1<br>HO WAN KWOK, et al., | : | CASE NO. 22-50073<br>(JAM) |\n|                           | : |                            |\n| Debtors.                  | : | Jointly Administered       |\n|                           | x |                            |\n\n## **CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE**\n\nThe undersigned hereby certifies that on November 23, 2022 the foregoing Application was filed electronically. Notice of this filing will be sent by e-mail to all parties by operation of the Court's electronic filing system or by mail to anyone unable to accept electronic filing pursuant to the Notice of Electronic Filing. Parties may access this filing through the Court's system.\n\nDated: November 23, 2022 LUC A. DESPINS,\n\nNew Haven, Connecticut CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE\n\nBy: /s/Douglas S. Skalka Douglas S. Skalka (ct00616) Patrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 821-2000 dskalka@npmlaw.com plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n<sup>1</sup> The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases are Ho Wan Kwok (also known as Guo Wengui, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok, as well as numerous other aliases) (last four digits of tax identification number: 9595), Genever Holdings LLC (last four digits of tax identification number: 8202) and Genever Holdings Corporation. The mailing address for the Trustee, Genever Holdings LLC, and the Genever Holdings Corporation is Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok (solely for purposes of notices and communications).","body_zh":"美国破产法院 康涅狄格地区 布里奇波特分院\n\nx\n\n关于：　：　第 11 章\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，\n\n债务人。　：　合并管理\nx\n\n：案件编号 22-50073 (JAM) x\nGENEVER HOLDINGS LLC（Genever 控股有限责任公司）根据《破产法》第 327、328 及 330 条、《破产规则》第 2014 及 2016 条以及《地方法院破产规则》第 2014-1 及 2016-1 条申请作出裁定，授权并批准聘任 NEUBERT, PEPE, & MONTEITH, P.C.（诺伊伯特、佩佩与蒙蒂思律师事务所）担任其共同法律顾问\n\nGenever Holdings LLC，作为上述第 11 章案件（以下简称“第 11 章案件”）中的债务人及自行管理中的债务人（以下简称“债务人”），依据《美国法典》第 11 编第 327、328 及 330 条（以下简称“破产法”）、《联邦破产程序规则》第 2014 及 2016 条（以下简称“破产规则”），以及美国康涅狄格地区破产法院（以下简称“法院”）《地方法院破产程序规则》第 2014-1 及 2016-1 条（以下简称“地方法院破产规则”），谨此申请（以下简称“本申请”）法院授权其聘任 Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.（以下简称“NPM”）担任本第 11 章案件中的共同法律顾问。为支持本申请，债务人陈述如下：\n\n1 本第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（亦称 Guo Wengui、Miles Guo 及 Miles Kwok，以及众多其他别名）（税务识别号码后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（税务识别号码后四位：8202）及 Genever Holdings Corporation（Genever 控股公司）。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 及 Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为：Paul Hastings LLP（保罗·黑斯廷斯律师事务所），200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166，转交 Luc A. Despins（卢克·A·德斯平斯），作为 Ho Wan Kwok 遗产的受托人（仅用于通知及通信目的）。\n\n请求的救济\n\n1. 通过本申请，债务人请求作出一项裁定，其形式实质上与随附提交的拟议裁定（以下简称“拟议裁定”）一致，授权并批准自 November 7, 2022 起聘任 NPM 担任债务人的共同法律顾问。为支持本申请，债务人提交随附为附件 A 的《Douglas S. Skalka（道格拉斯·S·斯卡尔卡）声明，支持 Genever Holdings LLC 根据《破产法》第 327、328 及 330 条、《破产规则》第 2014 及 2016 条以及《地方法院破产规则》第 2014-1 及 2016-1 条申请作出裁定，授权并批准聘任 Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. 担任其共同法律顾问》（以下简称“Skalka 声明”），该声明通过援引纳入本文。\n\n管辖权、审判地及法定依据\n\n2. 法院依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 和 1334，以及美国康涅狄格地区联邦地区法院作出的移送常设命令（经修订），对本事项具有管辖权。本事项属于 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) 所称的核心程序。\n\n3. 依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 和 1409，本地区为适当审判地。\n\n4. 本文所请求救济的法定依据为《破产法》第 327(a)、328(a) 及 330 条，以及在适用范围内，《破产规则》第 2014 及 2016 条和《地方法院破产规则》第 2014-1 及 2016-1 条。\n\n背景\n\n5. 于 October 12, 2020（以下简称“申请日”），债务人向 United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York（纽约南区美国破产法院，以下简称“SDNY 破产法院”）提交了根据《破产法》第 11 章请求救济的自愿申请。\n\n6. 根据 SDNY 破产法院于 February 8, 2021 作出并录入的裁定，Goldberg Weprin Finkel Goldstein LLP（戈德堡·韦普林·芬克尔·戈德斯坦律师事务所，以下简称“Goldberg Weprin”）获聘担任债务人的法律顾问。\n\n7. 根据 SDNY 破产法院于 November 3, 2022 作出的裁定，债务人的第 11 章案件审判地已移送至本法院。\n\n8. 截至提交本申请之日，债务人的第 11 章案件中尚未任命债权人委员会或受托人。\n\n该律师事务所的资质\n\n9. NPM 在 Connecticut（康涅狄格州）的 New Haven（纽黑文）、Hartford（哈特福德）及 Fairfield（费尔菲尔德），以及 New York（纽约州）的 White Plains（白原市）设有办事处。NPM 成立于 1993 年，拥有广泛多元化的综合及公司业务执业领域。该所目前聘有 36 名律师，并由六名律师助理协助。\n\n10. 债务人选择 NPM 担任其共同法律顾问，是因为 NPM 在财务重组、破产、调查及商事诉讼事项方面具备专长。NPM 非常适合提供债务人所需类型的代理服务。其破产业务团队包括十名律师。NPM 在本案可能涉及的法律领域拥有丰富资源及专业能力。\n\n11. NPM 在代理债务人、第 11 章受托人及债权人委员会方面具有具体且相关的经验，包括在本法院审理的案件中及与该等案件有关的经验。NPM 亦具有担任 Luc Despins（债务人的股权持有人）当地法律顾问的经验，该服务涉及债务人关联方 Ho Wan Kwok 正在进行的第 11 章程序，案件编号 22-50073 (JAM)（以下简称“Kwok 案件”）。此外，NPM 已提交申请，拟担任债务人母公司 Genever Holdings Corporation 的法律顾问；该申请目前定于 November 16, 2022 在本法院举行听证。由于该等角色，NPM 熟悉债务人的公司架构以及有关债务人资产所有权的争议。\n\n预期服务\n\n12. 债务人预期 NPM 将与 Goldberg Weprin 共同作为其法律顾问，在第 11 章案件过程中按需要提供一般法律服务，包括破产、诉讼、调查、房地产、税务及其他事项。具体而言，债务人已请求 NPM 提供包括但不限于下列法律服务：\n\n(a) 就债务人在第 11 章案件中的权利、权力及义务向债务人提供意见；\n\n(b) 就债务人对债务人遗产财产进行的调查向债务人提供意见，包括为债务人遗产利益而追索及收回财产的任何诉讼；\n\n(c) 提起、进行及／或继续为主张债务人遗产享有的权利、保护债务人遗产资产，或以其他方式推进完成第 11 章案件目标所必要且适当的诉讼；\n\n(d) 代表债务人准备必要且适当的申请、动议、拟议裁定、其他诉状、通知、清单及其他文件，并审阅在第 11 章案件中已提交及将提交的财务及其他报告；\n\n(e) 就其他当事人可能在第 11 章案件中提交的申请、动议、其他诉状、通知及其他文件向债务人提供意见，并准备答复；\n\n(f) 就融资协议及相关交易向债务人提供意见，并协助谈判及制作相关文件；\n\n(g) 审查针对债务人财产主张的任何留置权的性质及有效性，并就该等留置权的可执行性向债务人提供意见；\n\n(h) 就任何潜在资产出售及财产处分向债务人提供意见并协助债务人；\n\n(i) 就待履行合同及未届满租赁的承接、转让及拒绝向债务人提供意见；\n\n(j) 就重组计划或多项重组计划的拟定、谈判及公布，以及相关交易文件，向债务人提供意见；\n\n(k) 协助债务人审查、估算及解决针对债务人遗产提出的债权；以及\n\n(l) 与利害关系方进行谈判。\n\n专业人员报酬\n\n13. 债务人预期 NPM 将与 Goldberg Weprin 合作，以在本案中提供服务，避免重复劳动，并着重以高效且具成本效益的方式提供法律服务。\n\n14. NPM 拟依据《破产法》第 330 及 331 条、《破产规则》第 2016 条、《地方法院破产规则》第 2016-1 条，以及与本第 11 章案件有关的任何其他适用规则和裁定，就其在本第 11 章案件中提供的专业服务向法院申请报酬，并申请偿还所发生的费用。NPM 将就本第 11 章案件所需服务，按其通常适用的小时费率向债务人收取法律服务费用。\n\n15. 目前，NPM 2022 年的小时费率为：律师助理工作 \\$150.00 - \\$175.00；初级律师及法律顾问 \\$175.00 - \\$360.00；以及该所主要负责人最高 \\$450.00。NPM 的小时费率会定期调整，以反映经济及其他状况。2 预计 NPM 的服务将主要由 Douglas S. Skalka 提供，其小时费率为 \\$450.00；Lucas B. Rocklin（卢卡斯·B·洛克林）提供，其小时费率为 \\$400.00；以及 Patrick R. Linsey（帕特里克·R·林赛）提供，其小时费率为 \\$350.00。\n\n16. 债务人主张，NPM 的小时费率合理，与 NPM 就非破产委托事项收取的小时费率相当，且处于提供相同服务的具备相当技能的专业人员所收取费率的范围内。在本案情形下尤其如此，因为债务人遗产目前没有资产支付专业服务费用。因此，就一切实际目的而言，NPM 是按风险代理基础获聘的——即，其报酬将取决于资产最终是否被纳入债务人遗产（而这又将取决于 NPM 与债务人在为债务人遗产及其债权人的利益收回资产方面取得成功的程度）。\n\n2 NPM 的小时费率通常在每个日历年年末予以修订，以反映经验、资历及声望。这些阶梯式增加不构成《自 November 1, 2013 起生效的〈根据 11 U.S.C. § 330 对大型第 11 章案件中律师提交的报酬及费用偿还申请进行审查的指引〉》（以下简称“美国受托人指引”）中所称的“费率上涨”。如拟议裁定所述，NPM 将在实施定期增加前十个工作日向债务人、United States Trustee for the District of Connecticut（康涅狄格地区助理美国受托人，以下简称“美国受托人”）、委员会的法律顾问及任何其他正式委员会发出通知，并应向法院提交该等通知。\n\n17. NPM 还将按照本地区的惯例，就其代表债务人支付的实际支出开具账单，包括复印、邮资及包裹递送、法院费用、庭审记录、证人费用、送达费用、差旅费用及计算机辅助研究费用。\n\nNPM 无利害关系\n\n18. 据债务人所知，并依赖于 Skalka 声明，且除其中披露者外，NPM 与债务人、其债权人或任何其他利害关系方、其各自的律师和会计师、美国受托人，或美国受托人办公室雇用的任何人员均不存在任何关系。\n\n19. 更具体而言，基于上述依据，债务人相信：(a) 除 NPM 在 Kwok 案件中担任 Despins 先生的当地法律顾问及利益冲突法律顾问，以及其拟担任 Genever Holdings Corporation 法律顾问的角色外，NPM 与债务人、其债权人、美国受托人、美国受托人办公室雇用的任何人员，或在第 11 章案件中具有实际或潜在利益的任何一方均无关联；以及 (b) NPM 及其任何律师均未：(i) 担任债务人或其关联方的债权人、股权证券持有人或内部人，(ii) 在申请日前两年内担任债务人或其关联方的董事、高级管理人员或雇员，或 (iii) 对债务人遗产利益或任何类别债权人的利益具有实质性不利的任何利益\n\n或因其与债务人之间的任何直接或间接关系、联系或利害关系，或因任何其他理由，而代表任何股权证券持有人。因此，债务人认为，NPM 在经第 1107(b) 条修正的《破产法典》第 101(14) 条所指含义内属于“无利害关系人”。\n\n20. 根据 Skalka 声明，债务人认为，NPM 就本案并不代表无担保债权人的任何不利利益。\n\n所请求救济的依据、通知及此前未提出所请求救济\n\n21. 债务人根据《破产法典》第 327(a) 条请求聘任 NPM 作为其共同法律顾问。该条规定，经法院批准，占有财产的债务人可以聘用“不持有或代表对破产财产不利的利益，且为无利害关系人”的专业人员，以代表或协助该“占有财产的债务人”履行其根据本法典承担的职责。3\n\n22. 根据《破产法典》第 328(a) 条，经破产法院批准，占有财产的债务人可根据《破产法典》第 327(a) 条，以“任何合理的聘用条款和条件”聘用专业人员，包括按预付聘金、按小时计费、按固定费用或百分比费用计费，或按风险代理费用计费。11 U.S.C. § 328(a)。\n\n23. 《破产规则》第 2014(a) 条规定，聘任申请应包括：\n\n载明聘用必要性的具体事实、拟聘用的［律所］名称、选择该律所的理由、将提供的专业服务、拟议的任何报酬安排，以及据申请人所知，该［律所］与债务人、债权人、任何其他利害关系方、其各自律师和会计师以及美国受托人之间的所有关系。\n\n24. 债务人需要法律顾问的服务以履行其职责。NPM 已同意尽力避免重复劳动，并尽可能高效地提供服务。因此，按照本文件及拟议命令中规定的条款聘任 NPM 作为债务人的共同法律顾问，属合理之举，且符合债务人破产财产的最大利益。\n\n3 占有财产的债务人享有受托人根据例如《破产法典》第 327 条和第 328 条聘用法律顾问的权利。见 11 U.S.C. § 1107。\n\n25. 地方破产规则第 2014-1 条规定，如“聘用专业人员的申请在该专业人员开始提供服务后三十（30）日内提交，除非法院另有命令，该申请应视为同时提交。”因此，债务人请求授权其自 2022 年 11 月 7 日起聘任 NPM，该日为本第 11 章案件移送至本法院之日，亦为 NPM 开始向债务人提供服务之日。\n\n26. 此前未曾向本法院或任何其他法院提出过本文件所请求救济的申请。\n\n结论\n\n因此，基于上述理由，债务人请求法院作出一项命令，其形式实质上应与随附的拟议命令相同，准予本申请，并授权债务人聘任 Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. 作为其共同法律顾问，并作出法院认为公正且适当的其他及进一步救济。\n\n日期：2022 年 11 月 22 日　GENEVER HOLDINGS LLC，\n\n签署人：/s/Luc A. Despins　Luc A. Despins，作为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）破产财产的第 11 章受托人\n\n美国破产法院\n\n康涅狄格州联邦地区\n布里奇波特分院\n\n关于：　：　第 11 章\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，\n\n债务人。　：　合并管理\n\n：案号 22-50073 (JAM)\n\n准予债务人根据《破产法典》第 327、328 及 330 条、《破产规则》第 2014 及 2016 条以及地方破产规则第 2014-1 及 2016-1 条提出的申请，并授权及批准聘任 NEUBERT, PEPE, & MONTEITH, P.C. 作为债务人共同法律顾问的命令\n\n兹就 Genever Holdings LLC（“债务人”）在上述第 11 章案件（“第 11 章案件”）中提出的申请，即请求授权其自 2022 年 11 月 7 日起聘任 Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.（“NPM”）作为债务人的共同法律顾问（“申请”）；并就 Douglas S. Skalka（“Skalka”）的声明（“Skalka 声明”）；依据《美国法典》第 11 编（“破产法典”）第 327、328 及 330 条、《联邦破产程序规则》（“破产规则”）第 2014 及 2016 条，以及康涅狄格州联邦地区美国破产法院地方破产程序规则（“地方破产规则”）第 2014-1 及 2016-1 条，详见该申请；并经审议该申请及 Skalka 声明；且本法院依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 和 1334 以及康涅狄格州联邦地区美国联邦地区法院（经修正）的案件移送常设命令，对审议该申请及其中所请求的救济具有管辖权；且依据 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)，审议该申请及其中所请求的救济构成核心程序；且依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 和 1409，本法院为适当审理地点；且法院已认定：(i) 申请中请求的救济符合债务人破产财产、其债权人及所有利害关系方的最大利益，(ii) 申请及 Skalka 声明中所述的法律和事实依据，以及本法院就该申请举行的任何听证会记录，均确立了准予本命令所载救济的正当理由，(iii) NPM 符合《破产法典》第 101(14) 条的定义及《破产法典》第 327(a) 条的要求，属于“无利害关系人”，以及 (iv) NPM 不持有或代表对债务人破产财产不利的利益；且已在具体情形下就该申请给予适当和充分的通知；且显然无需给予其他或进一步通知；且经本法院进行的所有程序；且对本文件所请求救济提出的任何异议已被撤回或经实体审理后驳回；且经适当审议并显示存在充分理由，特此命令：\n\n1. 按照本命令所载内容，准予该申请。\n\n2. 授权债务人自 2022 年 11 月 7 日起，按照申请及 Skalka 声明中规定的条款聘任 NPM 作为其律师。\n\n3. 授权 NPM 担任债务人的法律顾问，并提供申请中所述服务。具体而言，但不限于此，授权 NPM 作为债务人的法律顾问提供下列法律服务：\n\na. 就债务人在第 11 章案件中的权利、权限和职责向债务人提供意见；\n\nb. 就债务人对债务人破产财产的调查向债务人提供意见，包括为债务人破产财产的利益提起任何追收和收回财产的诉讼；\n\nc. 提起、进行和／或继续为主张债务人破产财产持有的权利、保护债务人破产财产的资产，或以其他方式推进完成第 11 章案件目标所必需且适当的诉讼；\n\nd. 代表债务人准备必要且适当的申请、动议、拟议命令、其他诉状、通知、清单及其他文件，并审阅已在及将于第 11 章案件中提交的财务及其他报告；\n\ne. 就其他当事人可能在第 11 章案件中提交的申请、动议、其他诉状、通知及其他文件向债务人提供意见，并准备答复；\n\nf. 就任何潜在资产出售及财产处置向债务人提供意见并协助债务人；\n\ng. 就待履行合同和未到期租约的承接、转让及拒绝向债务人提供意见；\n\nh. 就一项或多项重组计划及相关交易文件的制定、谈判和公布向债务人提供意见；\n\ni. 协助债务人审查、估算及解决对债务人破产财产提出的债权；以及\n\nj. 与利害关系方进行谈判。\n\n4. 债务人破产财产应负责 NPM 在第 11 章案件中的报酬及费用偿还。\n\n5. 向 NPM 支付的任何报酬之核准，应依照《破产法典》第 330 及 331 条、《破产规则》第 2016 条及地方破产规则第 2016-1 条规定的程序确定。\n\n6. 在实施其收费标准的任何提高前，NPM 应至少提前十个营业日向债务人、美国受托人及任何正式委员会的法律顾问发出通知，并应向法院提交该通知。\n\n7. 授权并赋予债务人及 NPM 采取实现本命令所准予救济所必需的一切行动的权限。\n\n8. 申请的内容已满足地方破产规则的要求。\n\n9. 如申请及 Skalka 声明与本命令不一致，应以本命令的条款为准。\n\n10. 本命令的条款和条件应于其登记后立即生效并可执行。\n\n11. 本法院应保留对因实施、解释及执行本命令而产生或与之相关的一切事项的管辖权。\n\n附件 A\n\n美国破产法院\n康涅狄格州联邦地区\n布里奇波特分院\n\n关于：　：\n：　第 11 章\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，　：\n：　案号 22-50073\n(JAM)\n债务人。　：\n：　合并管理\n\nDOUGLAS S. SKALKA 为支持 GENEVER HOLDINGS LLC 根据《破产法典》第 327、328 及 330 条、《破产规则》第 2014 及 2016 条以及地方破产规则第 2014-1 及 2016-1 条提出的申请而作出的声明；该申请请求作出命令，授权及批准聘任 NEUBERT, PEPE, & MONTEITH, P.C. 作为其共同法律顾问\n\n本人 Douglas S. Skalka，经依法宣誓后，声明并陈述如下：\n\n1. 本人系 Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.（“NPM”）律师事务所的负责人之一，该所主要办公地址为 195 Church Street, 13th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510。本人作出本声明，以支持 Genever Holdings LLC（“债务人”）在上述第 11 章案件（“第 11 章案件”）中提出的《根据《破产法典》第 327、328 及 330 条、《破产规则》第 2014 及 2016 条以及地方破产规则第 2014-1 及 2016-1 条请求作出命令，授权及批准聘任 Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. 作为其共同法律顾问的申请》。\n\n2. NPM 在康涅狄格州纽黑文、哈特福德和费尔菲尔德，以及纽约州白原市设有办事处。NPM 成立于 1993 年，拥有广泛多元化的综合及公司业务。该所目前雇用 36 名律师，并由六名律师助理协助。\n\n1 本第11章案件中的债务人是Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（亦称Guo Wengui、Miles Guo及Miles Kwok，以及众多其他别名）（税务识别号码后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（杰尼弗控股有限责任公司）（税务识别号码后四位：8202）以及Genever Holdings Corporation（杰尼弗控股公司）。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC和Genever Holdings Corporation的邮寄地址为：Paul Hastings LLP（保罗·黑斯廷斯律师事务所），200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166，转交作为Ho Wan Kwok遗产受托人的Luc A. Despins（卢克·A·德斯平斯）（仅限用于通知和通信）。\n\n3. NPM在包括财务重组、破产、调查、公司及商事诉讼事项等业务领域具有专业经验。NPM非常适合提供债务人所需类型的代理服务。其破产清算业务团队包括十名律师。NPM在本案可能涉及的法律领域拥有大量资源和专业知识。\n\n4. NPM在代理第11章受托人、确认后清算受托人及债权人委员会方面具有具体且相关的经验，包括在本院审理的案件中及与该等案件相关的代理经验。\n\n5. NPM拟根据United States Code（美国法典）Title 11（《破产法典》）第330条和第331条、Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure（《联邦破产程序规则》）Rule 2016、Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格州联邦破产法院《当地破产程序规则》）Rule 2016-1，以及与本第11章案件有关的任何其他适用规则和命令，向本院申请就其在本第11章案件中提供的专业服务获得报酬，并偿还其发生的费用。NPM将按照其通常适用的小时费率，就本第11章案件所需服务按小时向债务人收取法律服务费。\n\n6. 目前，NPM的2022年小时费率为：辅助法律人员工作\\$150.00 - \\$175.00；律师助理和顾问律师\\$175.00 - \\$350.00；律所负责人最高\\$450.00。NPM的小时费率会定期调整，以反映经济及其他状况。预计NPM的服务将主要由Douglas S. Skalka（道格拉斯·S·斯卡尔卡）提供，其小时费率为\\$450.00；Lucas B. Rocklin（卢卡斯·B·罗克林）提供，其小时费率为\\$400.00；以及Patrick R. Linsey（帕特里克·R·林赛）提供，其小时费率为\\$350.00。\n\n2 NPM的小时费率通常于每一日历年度末修订，以反映经验、资历和地位。该等逐级增加不构成“费率上涨”（按《Guidelines for Reviewing Applications for Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses Filed Under 11 U.S.C. § 330 by Attorneys in Larger Chapter 11 Cases Effective as of November 1, 2013》（“U.S. Trustee Guidelines”）中该术语的含义）。如拟议命令所载，NPM将在实施定期上涨前十个营业日向债务人、Assistant United States Trustee for the District of Connecticut（康涅狄格州地区助理美国受托人）（“U.S. Trustee”）以及委员会和任何其他正式委员会的律师发出通知，并应向本院提交任何该等通知。\n\n7. NPM还将依照本地区的惯例，就代表债务人支付的实付费用收费，包括复印、邮资和包裹递送、法院费用、庭审记录、证人费用、送达费用、差旅费用及计算机辅助研究费用。\n\n8. 据我在适当查询后所知和所信，除本文件所披露者外，我本人、NPM及其任何成员或关联人员，均未以专业身份代理债务人、其债权人、任何其他利害关系方、其各自的律师和会计师、美国受托人或任何受雇于美国受托人办公室的人员，亦与其不存在任何关联关系。\n\n9. NPM维护一个计算机数据库（“数据库”），其中包含NPM所有现有和前客户的名称，以及就任何委托事项而言的对立方和关联方名称等。我已使下列所有名称提交至数据库并与数据库进行核对：(a) 债务人；(b) 本第11章案件债权人名单所列债权人；(c) Ho Wan Kwok未决破产案件，即Case No. 22-50073（“Kwok Case”）中的第11章受托人Luc A. Despins（“Mr. Despins”或“Chapter 11 Trustee”）；(d) 本第11章案件中出庭的所有当事人；(e) Genever Holdings Corporation（“Genever BVI”）破产程序，即Case No. 22-50542（“Genever BVI Case”）的债权人名单所列债权人；以及(f) 下列可能具有利害关系或对立关系的当事人：(i) Golden Spring (New York) Ltd；(ii) Hing Ch Ngok；(iii) Qiang Guo；(iv) Mei Gui；(v) HK International Funds Investments (USA) Limited, LLC；(vi) Bravo Luck Limited；(vii) Lamp Capital LLC；(viii) The Sherry-Netherland, Inc.；(ix) Goldberg Weprin Finkel Goldstein LLP；(x) Honorable Melanie L. Cyganowski（梅拉妮·L·西加诺夫斯基法官）；以及(xi) Sotheby's International Realty（苏富比国际地产）（(a)至(f)，统称为“Potentially Interested Parties（潜在利害关系方）”）。\n\n10. NPM与潜在利害关系方，或据我所知与债务人的任何其他债权人，均不存在任何关系或关联，但以下情况除外：(i) NPM担任Kwok Case中第11章受托人的当地律师；在获第11章受托人聘任之前，NPM未曾向Mr. Despins提供任何法律服务；(ii) NPM担任Genever BVI Case中Genever BVI的律师；以及(iii) NPM的一名律师Mark I. Fishman（马克·I·菲什曼）（“Mr. Fishman”）于2022年3月和4月前后，曾受到Rui Ma（马睿）和Weican Meng（孟未灿）的律师，以及Rong Zhang（张荣）、Xiodan Wang（王小丹）和Chong Shen Rap的律师联系，而我于2022年6月前后曾受到Kwok Case中一名第11章受托人职位候选人联系（其任命未获本院批准）（前述人士统称为“Consulted Persons（咨询人士）”），以讨论可能受聘就Kwok Case代理咨询人士；但条件是，咨询人士从未聘请或委托NPM，NPM未代理咨询人士或向其收取费用，咨询人士从未向NPM支付费用，并且我不知道NPM曾收到任何会妨碍其代理债务人的信息（包括如发生该情况时，以与咨询人士对立的身份代理）。见Conn. R.P.C. 1.18。截至目前及现时，Mr. Fishman并非NPM中向第11章受托人提供服务的律师之一。此外，Patrick R. Linsey曾任职于Zeisler & Zeisler, P.C.（“Z&Z”），该律所担任Kwok Case中某些利害关系方的律师，包括截至July 14, 2022的债务人。Mr. Linsey自March 2020起未再任职于Z&Z。Mr. Linsey不知道债务人或任何利害关系方在其担任该律所律师期间是否为Z&Z的客户，且其在受雇于Z&Z期间，从未就Mr. Kwok或Kwok Case中的任何利害关系方办理任何事项，亦未办理据其所知与其有关的任何事项。\n\n11. 虽然NPM已尽力查明其与利害关系方之间的任何关联或潜在利益冲突，但如出现任何额外信息，NPM将审查、披露并解决可能出现的任何利益冲突或对立利益。\n\n12. 基于前述事项，依我根据目前可获得的信息所能查明的范围：(a) NPM与债务人、其债权人、U.S. Trustee、受雇于U.S. Trustee办公室的任何人员、任何其他对债务人具有现实或潜在利益的当事人，或其各自的律师或会计师，均不存在任何关联；以及(b) NPM及其任何律师均(i)不是债务人或其关联方的债权人、股权证券持有人或内部人，(ii)在申请日之前两年内未曾担任债务人或其关联方的董事、高级职员或雇员，亦未(iii)因与债务人的任何直接或间接关系、关联或利益，或因任何其他原因，而持有对债务人遗产、任何类别债权人或股权证券持有人利益具有重大对立性的任何利益。因此，我相信，经第1107(b)条修正后，NPM属于《破产法典》第101(14)条含义内的“无利害关系人士”。\n\n13. NPM将根据《破产法典》§§ 330和331、《破产程序规则》Rules 2014和2016，以及《当地破产程序规则》Rules 2014-1和2016-1，向本院申请报酬。\n\n14. NPM认为，U.S. Trustee Guidelines附录B（“Larger Case Guidelines”）不适用于本第11章案件，因为债务人的申请书未列示\\$50 million或以上的资产及\\$50 million或以上的负债。具体而言，债务人估计其资产价值介于\\$10,000,001和\\$50 million之间。尽管如此，NPM拟就其将在本第11章案件中提交的中期和最终费用申请，作出合理努力，以遵守Larger Case Guidelines中规定的U.S. Trustee的信息请求及额外披露要求，但保留与本申请或本第11章案件中任何报酬申请相关的、关于其相关性及实体法律效力的一切权利。\n\n15. 为提供最大限度的披露，并且尽管NPM就Larger Case Guidelines不适用所持立场，NPM就Larger Case Guidelines第D.1段所载信息请求作出以下答复：\n\n问题：对于本次委托，您是否同意对您的标准或惯常计费安排作出任何变更或采用任何替代安排？\n\n答复：否。尽管如此，如本申请所述，作为实际事项，NPM仅在债务人遗产中存在资产且以该等资产为限的情况下获得报酬。\n\n问题：本次委托中包含的任何专业人士是否根据破产案件的地理位置调整其费率？答复：否。\n\n问题：如果您在申请前12个月内代理过客户，请披露申请前委托的计费费率和重大财务条款，包括申请前12个月内作出的任何调整。如果您的计费费率和重大财务条款在申请后发生变化，请说明差异及其原因。\n\n答复：不适用。NPM此前未曾代理债务人。\n\n问题：您的客户是否已批准您拟定的预算和人员配置计划，如是，适用于何一预算期间？\n\n答复：债务人和NPM正在讨论本第11章案件自October 11, 2022至December 31, 2022期间的人员配置和预算。\n\n16. 除《破产法典》§504(b)(1)允许者外，NPM未与任何其他人士分享或同意分享在本案中获得的报酬。\n\n根据28 U.S.C. § 1746，本人谨在伪证处罚下声明，上述陈述真实且正确。\n\n日期：November 22, 2022，于New Haven, Connecticut\n\n/s/Douglas S. Skalka Douglas S. Skalka\n美国康涅狄格州联邦破产法院布里奇波特分院\n\nx\n\n关于：　：　第11章\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，　：　CASE NO. 22-50073\n(JAM)\n\n债务人。　：　合并管理\nx\n送达证明\n\n下列签署人特此证明，前述申请已于November 23, 2022以电子方式提交。本院电子提交系统将向所有当事人发送电子邮件通知，或者将根据电子提交通知通过邮件向无法接受电子提交的任何人士发送通知。当事人可通过本院系统查阅本次提交文件。\n\n日期：November 23, 2022　LUC A. DESPINS（卢克·A·德斯平斯），\n\nNew Haven, Connecticut　第11章受托人\n\n代表人：/s/ Douglas S. Skalka（道格拉斯·S·斯卡尔卡） Douglas S. Skalka（ct00616） Patrick R. Linsey（帕特里克·R·林赛）（ct29437） NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C.（纽伯特、佩佩及蒙蒂斯律师事务所） 康涅狄格州纽黑文市Church Street 195号，13层，邮编06510 （203）821-2000 dskalka@npmlaw.com plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n1 本第11章案件中的债务人为Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（又名Guo Wengui、Miles Guo和Miles Kwok，以及众多其他别名）（税务识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（吉尼弗控股有限责任公司）（税务识别号后四位：8202）以及Genever Holdings Corporation（吉尼弗控股公司）。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC和Genever Holdings Corporation的邮寄地址为Paul Hastings LLP（保罗·黑斯廷斯律师事务所），200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166，转交Luc A. Despins（吕克·A·德斯平斯），其作为Ho Wan Kwok遗产的受托人（仅为通知和通信之目的）。","key_entities":["Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Despins","Guo","CIPA","Je","Miles Guo","Paul Hastings","Finkel","Luc Despins"],"ecf_references":[],"word_count":5922,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 19:17:58"}