{"id":"court_ctb_1247_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":1247,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":null,"title":"|  | UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT<br>DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT<br>BRIDGEPORT DIVISION |  |  |","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"|  | UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT<br>DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT<br>BRIDGEPORT DIVISION |  |  |\n|--|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|--|\n|  |                                                                                  |  |  |\n|  | ______________________________________x                                          |  |  |\n|  | :                                                                                |  |  |\n|  |                                                                                  |  |  |\n\n| In re:                                  | :      | CHAPTER 11                 |\n|-----------------------------------------|--------|----------------------------|\n| HO WAN KWOK, et al.,                    | :<br>: | CASE NO. 22-50073<br>(JAM) |\n| Debtors.1                               | :<br>: | Jointly Administered       |\n| ______________________________________x |        |                            |\n\n# **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 HARNEY WESTWOOD AND RIEGELS LP, AS ITS BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COUNSEL**\n\nGenever Holdings Corporation, debtor and debtor-in-possession (the \"Debtor\") in the above-captioned jointly administered 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 Harney Westwood and Riegels LP (\"Harneys\") as its British Virgin Islands (\"BVI\") counsel with respect to the Debtor's Chapter 11 Case. In support of this Application, the Debtor states the following:\n\n<span id=\"page-0-0\"></span> <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 Harneys as the Debtor's BVI counsel effective as of November 21, 2022.\n\n2. In support of this Application, the Debtor submits the *Declaration of George Weston in Support of Application of Chapter 11 Trustee 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 Harneys as Debtor's BVI Counsel* (the \"Weston Declaration\"), attached as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein by reference.\n\n#### Jurisdiction, Venue, And Statutory Bases\n\n3. 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\n4. Venue in this District is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409.\n\n5. 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\n6. On October 11, 2022 (the \"Petition Date\"), the Debtor filed with the Court a voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Debtor is a BVI entity established in 2015. The Debtor's Director is a director of Harney's Corporate Services Limited (\"Harneys Corporate\"). Harneys Corporate is a fiduciary services firm which is affiliated with\n\nHarneys.\n\n7. On November 17, 2022, the Court entered an order authorizing and approving the retention of Neubert, Pepe, & Monteith, P.C. (\"NPM\") as the Debtor's bankruptcy counsel (ECF No. 1107).\n\n#### The Firm's Qualifications\n\n8. Harneys is a global offshore law firm that maintains an office in the British Virgin Islands. Harneys was founded in 1960 and has a widely diversified practice including dispute resolution, corporate and commercial law, private wealth, funds, banking and finance and regulatory and tax. The BVI Dispute Resolution Department currently employs 21 lawyers, who are assisted by six paralegals.\n\n9. The Debtor selected Harneys as its BVI counsel because of Harney's expertise in insolvency, restructuring, fraud, arbitration, bankruptcy, investigations, corporate crimes and fraud, corporate and commercial litigation matters. Harneys is well suited for the type of representation required by the Debtor. Harneys has substantial resources and expertise in the areas of the law that may arise in this case.\n\n10. Harneys has specific and relevant experience in the representation of liquidators and trustees and has provided advice on complex and litigious (and potentially litigious) issues that arise in the course of the administration of trusts and regularly appear before the British Virgin Islands courts. Harneys has experience with liaising and working cooperatively with overseas lead counsel by assisting with compliance with BVI rules and procedures, attending to routine and administrative matters as they arise, and otherwise providing services as may be required by lead counsel and in the best interests of its clients, all in a manner that promotes efficiency and avoids any unnecessary duplication of efforts by counsel.\n\n11. By Order of this Court dated October 3, 2022 (ECF No. 909), Harneys has been retained as BVI Counsel for Luc A. Despins, as the Chapter 11 Trustee (the \"Chapter 11 Trustee\") appointed in the chapter 11 case of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Individual Debtor\"). Harneys has provided services to the Chapter 11 Trustee in connection with the transfer of the Individual Debtor's shares in the Debtor to the Chapter 11 Trustee in accordance with this Court's *Order, Pursuant to Bankruptcy Code Sections 363, 521, 541, 1108, and 1505, (A) Confirming that Chapter 11 Trustee Holds All of Debtor's Economic and Corporate Governance Rights in Debtor Controlled Entities, (B) Authorizing Chapter 11 Trustee to Act in any Foreign Country on Behalf of Estate, and (C) Granting Related Relief* (ECF No. 717) (the \"Corporate Governance Order\"). Pursuant to its proposed Retention by the Debtor, Harneys will advise the Debtor with respect to its obligations under BVI law, as well as taking all necessary steps related to Genever (BVI) before BVI courts. Harneys will continue to advise the Chapter 11 Trustee in relation to the collection of other assets of the Individual Debtor.\n\n#### The Anticipated Services\n\n12. The Debtor anticipates that Harneys will render general legal services, as BVI counsel, as needed throughout the course of the Chapter 11 Case, including bankruptcy, litigation, investigations, real estate, tax, and other matters.\n\n13. Th Debtor requests to employ Harneys to render general legal services as BVI counsel with respect to this Chapter 11 Case.\n\n14. To avoid any duplication of effort and to provide services to the Debtor in the most efficient and cost-effective manner, Harneys will coordinate with NPM regarding their respective responsibilities in the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n#### Compensation of Professionals\n\n15. Harneys 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. Harneys 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\n16. At present, the 2022 hourly rates of Harneys are \\$150.00 - \\$275.00 for paralegal work; \\$400.00 - \\$800.00 for associates and counsel; and up to \\$1050.00 for partners of the firm. Harney's hourly rates are subject to periodic adjustments to reflect economic and other conditions.[2](#page-4-0) It is anticipated that Harneys services will primarily be provided by George Weston, whose hourly rate is \\$850, Olga Osadchaya whose hourly rate is \\$800 and Gerrard Tin, whose hourly rate is \\$475.00.\n\n17. Harneys will also bill for out-of-pocket expenses made on behalf of the Debtor, including photocopying, filing fees and international couriers, in accordance with practices in this District.\n\n### Harneys is Disinterested\n\n18. To the best of the Debtor's knowledge in reliance upon the Weston Declaration, and except as disclosed therein, Harneys does not have any relationships with the Debtor, its creditors, or any other party-in-interest, their respective attorneys and accountants, the United\n\n<span id=\"page-4-0\"></span> <sup>2</sup> Harneys 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, Harneys 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 any other official committee, before implementing periodic increases, and shall file any such notice with the Court.\n\nStates 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) other than its roles as BVI counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee, Harneys has no connection with the Debtor, its 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 Chapter 11 Case or their respective attorneys or accountants; and (b) neither Harneys 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 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, the Debtor believes that Harneys 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 Weston Declaration, the Chapter 11 Trustee believes that Harneys 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 Harneys as its attorneys, serving in capacity as BVI counsel pursuant to section 327(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, which provides that a trustee, 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 trustee in carrying out the trustee's duties under this title.\"\n\n22. Under section 328(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, with bankruptcy court approval, a trustee 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\n\nfixed 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 BVI counsel to exercise its responsibilities. Harneys will coordinate with and assist the Debtor and its bankruptcy counsel, Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C., in complying with BVI rules and procedures, attending to routine and administrative matters as they arise, and otherwise providing services as may be required by lead counsel and in the best interests of its clients. The Debtor's BVI counsel will endeavor to avoid the duplication of efforts and provide services as efficiently as possible.\n\n25. Accordingly, the employment of Harneys as the Debtor's BVI 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\n26. The Debtor submits that Harneys' hourly rates are reasonable, comparable to Harneys' hourly rates for non-bankruptcy engagements, and within the range of rates charged by comparably skilled professionals who offer the same services. This is especially true under the circumstances here where the Debtor' estate currently has no assets to pay professional fees. As a result, Harneys 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 Harneys and the Trustee are successful in recovering assets for the benefit of the Debtor's estate and its creditors).\n\n27. Based on my experience, a typical contingency fee arrangement where no estate assets are available to fund the compensation of counsel to the trustee would far exceed the hourly\n\nrates charged by Harneys (which Harneys would be charging here) for engagements where compensation is not contingent on assets being brought into the estate.\n\n28. 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 Harneys effective November 21, 2022, which was the date that the Debtor selected Harneys as BVI counsel and on which Harneys began providing services to the Debtor.\n\n29. Notice of this Application has been given to the United States Trustee and, by electronic filing utilizing the Court's electronic filing (\"CM/ECF\") system, to all appearing parties who utilize the CM/ECF system.\n\n30. 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 filed herewith, granting the Application, and authorizing the Debtor's employment of Harneys, as its BVI counsel, and order such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.\n\n15\n\nDated: December \\_\\_, 2022 GENEVER HOLDINGS CORPORATION,\n\nBy:\n\nClaire Abrehart, Director\n\n| UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT          |\n|-----------------------------------------|\n| DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT                 |\n| BRIDGEPORT DIVISION                     |\n| ______________________________________x |\n\n| In re:                                  | :<br>: | CHAPTER 11                 |\n|-----------------------------------------|--------|----------------------------|\n| HO WAN KWOK, et al.,                    | :<br>: | CASE NO. 22-50073<br>(JAM) |\n| Debtors.1                               | :<br>: | Jointly Administered       |\n| ______________________________________x |        |                            |\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 HARNEY WESTWOOD AND RIEGELS LP, AS DEBTOR'S BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COUNSEL**\n\nUpon the Application of Genever Holdings Corporation (the \"Debtor\") in the abovecaptioned chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\"), for authority to retain and employ Harney Westwood and Riegels LP (\"Harneys\") as its British Virgin Islands (\"BVI\") counsel, effective as of November 21, 2022 (the \"Application\"), and upon the Declaration of George Weston (the \"Weston 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 Weston 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\n\n<span id=\"page-8-0\"></span> <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\nReference from the 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 Weston Declaration, and upon the record of any hearing on the Application before this Court establish just cause for the relief granted herein, (iii) Harneys 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) Harneys 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 Harneys as its BVI attorneys effective as of November 21, 2022 on the terms set forth in the Application and the Weston Declaration.\n\n3. Harneys is authorized to act as Debtor's BVI counsel and to perform those services described in the Application.\n\n4. The Debtor's estate shall be responsible for Harneys compensation and reimbursement of expenses in the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n5. The allowance of any compensation to be paid to Harneys shall be determined in\n\naccordance 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. Allowance of any compensation for Harneys shall be limited to the extent of services actually performed, and expenses actually incurred, as attorney for the Debtor, and shall not include compensation for the performance of any of the trustee duties that are generally performed by a Chapter 11 trustee without the assistance of an attorney.\n\n7. Harneys 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\n8. The Debtor and Harneys are authorized and empowered to take all actions necessary to effectuate the relief granted in this Order.\n\n9. The requirements of the Local Bankruptcy Rules are satisfied by the contents of the Application.\n\n10. To the extent the Application and the Weston Declaration are inconsistent with this Order, the terms of this Order shall govern.\n\n11. The terms and conditions of this Order shall be immediately effective and enforceable upon its entry.\n\n12. 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","body_zh":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT\nDISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT（康涅狄格区美国破产法院）\nBRIDGEPORT DIVISION（布里奇波特分院）\n\n关于：第 11 章\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等人，案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。1 联合审理\n\n债务人依据《破产法典》第 327 条、第 328 条和第 330 条、《联邦破产程序规则》第 2014 条和第 2016 条以及《地方破产程序规则》第 2014-1 条和第 2016-1 条提请下达授权并批准聘用 HARNEY WESTWOOD AND RIEGELS LP 作为其英属维尔京群岛法律顾问的裁定的申请\n\n在上述标题所载的联合审理的第 11 章案件（以下简称“第 11 章案件”）中，债务人及占有中债务人 Genever Holdings Corporation（以下简称“债务人”），依据《美国法典》第 11 编（以下简称“《破产法典》”）第 327 条、第 328 条和第 330 条、《联邦破产程序规则》（以下简称“《破产规则》”）第 2014 条和第 2016 条以及康涅狄格区美国破产法院（以下简称“本法院”）《地方破产程序规则》（以下简称“《地方破产规则》”）第 2014-1 条和第 2016-1 条，谨此提出申请（以下简称“本申请”），请求本法院授权其聘用 Harney Westwood and Riegels LP（以下简称“Harneys”）律师事务所作为其就债务人第 11 章案件的英属维尔京群岛（以下简称“BVI”）法律顾问。为支持本申请，债务人陈述如下：\n\n1 这些第 11 章案件中的债务人包括 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，亦称 Guo Wengui、Miles Guo、Miles Kwok 以及众多其他化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税人识别号后四位：8202）以及 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 和 Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财团受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于接收通知和联络之目的）。\n\n所请求的救济\n\n1. 通过本申请，债务人请求下达一项裁定，其形式实质上与随本申请提交的拟议裁定（以下简称“《拟议裁定》”）一致，授权并批准自 2022 年 11 月 21 日起聘用 Harneys 作为债务人的 BVI 法律顾问。\n\n2. 为支持本申请，债务人提交了作为附件 A 附于此处的《George Weston 支持第 11 章受托人依据〈破产法典〉第 327 条、第 328 条和第 330 条、〈破产规则〉第 2014 条和第 2016 条以及〈地方破产规则〉第 2014-1 条和第 2016-1 条提请下达授权并批准聘用 Harneys 作为债务人 BVI 法律顾问的裁定之申请的声明》（以下简称“《Weston 声明》”），该声明通过引用纳入本申请。\n\n管辖权、审判地及法定依据\n\n3. 依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 及 1334 以及康涅狄格区美国地方法院的常设移交裁定（经修订），本法院对本案具有管辖权。根据 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) 的定义，本案属于核心程序。\n\n4. 依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 及 1409，本司法管辖区审判地正当。\n\n5. 本文所请求救济的法定依据为《破产法典》第 327(a) 条、第 328(a) 条和第 330 条，以及在适用范围内的《破产规则》第 2014 条和第 2016 条以及《地方破产规则》第 2014-1 条和第 2016-1 条。\n\n背景\n\n6. 2022 年 10 月 11 日（以下简称“申请日”），债务人向本法院提交了根据《破产法典》第 11 章寻求救济的自愿申请。债务人是一家成立于 2015 年的 BVI 实体。债务人的董事是 Harney's Corporate Services Limited（以下简称“Harneys Corporate”）的一名董事。Harneys Corporate 是一家信托服务公司，与 Harneys 存在关联关系。\n\n7. 2022 年 11 月 17 日，本法院下达了一项裁定，授权并批准聘用 Neubert, Pepe, & Monteith, P.C.（以下简称“NPM”）作为债务人的破产法律顾问（ECF No. 1107）。\n\n该事务所的资质\n\n8. Harneys 是一家在英属维尔京群岛设有办事处的全球性离岸律师事务所。Harneys 成立于 1960 年，拥有广泛多元的业务领域，包括争议解决、公司与商法、私人财富、基金、银行与金融以及合规与税务。BVI 争议解决部门目前拥有 21 名律师，并由 6 名律师助理协助工作。\n\n9. 债务人选择 Harneys 作为其 BVI 法律顾问，是由于 Harneys 在破产清算、重组、欺诈、仲裁、破产、调查、公司犯罪与欺诈、公司与商业诉讼事务方面具备专业知识。Harneys 非常适合提供债务人所需的此类代理服务。Harneys 在本案可能涉及的法律领域拥有丰富的资源和专业知识。\n\n10. Harneys 在代理清算人和受托人方面具有具体且相关的经验，曾就信托管理过程中出现的复杂和具诉讼性（及潜在诉讼性）的问题提供法律意见，并经常出庭英属维尔京群岛法院。Harneys 具有与海外主导法律顾问联络并协同合作的经验，其协助遵守 BVI 规则和程序，处理日常和行政性事务，并在其他方面根据主导法律顾问的要求提供符合客户最佳利益的服务，所有这些均以提高效率并避免法律顾问开展任何不必要重复工作的方式进行。\n\n11. 根据本法院 2022 年 10 月 3 日下达的裁定（ECF No. 909），Harneys 已被聘为在 Ho Wan Kwok（以下简称“个人债务人”）第 11 章案件中指定的第 11 章受托人 Luc A. Despins（以下简称“第 11 章受托人”）的 BVI 法律顾问。Harneys 已就个人债务人持有的债务人股份向第 11 章受托人的转让向第 11 章受托人提供了服务，该转让是依据本法院的《依据〈破产法典〉第 363 条、第 521 条、第 541 条、第 1108 条和第 1505 条 (A) 确认第 11 章受托人享有债务人在债务人控制实体中的所有经济与公司治理权利、(B) 授权第 11 章受托人代表破产财团在任何外国行事以及 (C) 给予相关救济的裁定》（ECF No. 717）（以下简称“《公司治理裁定》”）进行的。根据拟议受聘于债务人的安排，Harneys 将就债务人在 BVI 法律下的义务向债务人提供法律意见，并在 BVI 法院采取与 Genever (BVI) 相关的全部必要步骤。Harneys 将继续就追讨个人债务人的其他资产向第 11 章受托人提供法律意见。\n\n预期提供的服务\n\n12. 债务人预计 Harneys 将作为 BVI 法律顾问，在整个第 11 章案件过程中根据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。\n\n13. 债务人请求聘用 Harneys 就本第 11 章案件作为 BVI 法律顾问提供一般法律服务。\n\n14. 为避免任何重复工作，并以最高效和最具成本效益的方式向债务人提供服务，Harneys 将与 NPM 就各自在第 11 章案件中的职责进行协调。\n\n专业人士的报酬\n\n15. Harneys 拟依据《破产法典》第 330 条和第 331 条、《破产规则》第 2016 条、《地方破产规则》第 2016-1 条以及就本第 11 章案件适用的任何其他规则和裁定，向本法院申请获得提供专业服务的报酬以及报销因本第 11 章案件而发生的费用。Harneys 将按其在通常情况下就本第 11 章案件所需服务适用的计费费率，按小时向债务人收取法律服务费用。\n\n16. 目前，Harneys 在 2022 年的小时费率为：律师助理工作每小时 $150.00 至 $275.00；非权益合伙人及法律顾问每小时 $400.00 至 $800.00；事务所合伙人最高每小时 $1050.00。Harneys 的小时费率会根据经济和其他状况进行定期调整。2 预计 Harneys 的服务将主要由 George Weston（小时费率为 $850）、Olga Osadchaya（小时费率为 $800）和 Gerrard Tin（小时费率为 $475.00）提供。\n\n17. Harneys 还将根据本司法管辖区的惯例，收取代表债务人支付的自付费用，包括复印费、立案费和国际快递费。\n\nHarneys 具备无利害关系身份\n\n18. 依据《Weston 声明》，据债务人所知，除该声明中披露的内容外，Harneys 与债务人、其债权人或任何其他利害关系方、他们各自的律师和会计师、联邦破产受托人或联邦破产受托人办公室雇用的任何人员均无任何关联。\n\n2 Harneys 的小时费率通常在每个日历年年末进行修订，以反映经验、资历和级别。这些阶梯式增长不构成“费率上调”（如 2013 年 11 月 1 日生效的《律师在较大规模第 11 章案件中根据 11 U.S.C. § 330 提请报酬与费用报销申请之审查指引》（以下简称“《美国受托人指引》”）中所使用的术语）。如《拟议裁定》中所述，Harneys 在实施定期增长之前，将提前十个工作日向债务人、康涅狄格区助理联邦破产受托人（以下简称“联邦破产受托人”）以及任何其他官方委员会的法律顾问发出通知，并将向本法院提交任何此类通知。\n\n19. 更具体而言，基于上述情况，债务人认为：(a) 除了担任第 11 章受托人的 BVI 法律顾问的角色外，Harneys 与债务人、其债权人、联邦破产受托人、联邦破产受托人办公室雇用的任何人员，或在第 11 章案件中拥有实际或潜在利益的任何其他方或他们各自的律师或会计师均无任何联系；且 (b) Harneys 及其任何律师均 (i) 不是债务人或其关联实体的债权人、股权证券持有人或内部人，(ii) 在申请日前两年内未曾担任债务人或其关联实体的董事、高级管理人员或雇员，或 (iii) 未因与债务人的任何直接或间接关系、联系或在债务人中的权益，或出于任何其他原因，而拥有与债务人破产财团或任何类别的债权人或股权证券持有人的利益存在重大冲突的任何利益。因此，债务人认为，根据《破产法典》第 101(14) 条（经第 1107(b) 条修正）的含义，Harneys 属于“无利害关系人”。\n\n20. 根据《Weston 声明》，第 11 章受托人认为 Harneys 就这些案件而言并未代表任何与无担保债权人相冲突的利益。\n\n所请求救济的依据、通知以及此前未曾就本文所请求救济提出过申请\n\n21. 债务人请求根据《破产法典》第 327(a) 条聘用 Harneys 作为其律师，以 BVI 法律顾问的身份提供服务；该条款规定，经本法院批准，受托人可以聘用“不持有或代表与破产财团相冲突的利益，且属于无利害关系人的专业人士，以代表或协助受托人履行其在本编项下的职责”。\n\n22. 根据《破产法典》第 328(a) 条，经破产法院批准，受托人可以根据《破产法典》第 327(a) 条“在任何合理的聘用条款和条件下聘用专业人士，包括按预付定金、按小时计费、按固定或比例收费，或按风险代理收费”。11 U.S.C. § 328(a)。\n\n23. 《破产规则》第 2014(a) 条规定，聘用申请应包括：\n\n说明聘用必要性的具体事实、拟聘用[律所]的名称、选择理由、拟提供的专业服务、任何拟议的报酬安排，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、他们各自的律师和会计师、以及United States trustee（美国受托人）的所有关联。\n\n24. 债务人需要BVI（British Virgin Islands，英属维尔京群岛）律师的服务以履行其职责。Harneys（衡力斯律所）将与债务人及其破产法律顾问Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.进行协调并提供协助，以遵守BVI规则和程序，处理出现的日常及行政事务，并在其他方面根据首席法律顾问的要求以及为其客户的最佳利益提供服务。债务人的BVI法律顾问将努力避免重复工作，并尽可能高效地提供服务。\n\n25. 因此，按照本申请及拟议裁定书中所述的条款聘用Harneys作为债务人的BVI法律顾问是合理的，且符合债务人破产财产的最佳利益。\n\n26. 债务人认为，Harneys的小时费率是合理的，与其在非破产业务中的小时费率相当，并在提供同类服务的具同等技能的专业人士所收取的费率范围之内。在债务人破产财产目前没有资产支付专业服务费用的情况下尤其如此。因此，出于所有实际目的，Harneys实质上是按风险代理（contingency basis）形式被聘用的——即其报酬将取决于最终是否能为债务人破产财产追回资产（这进而又取决于Harneys与受托人为了债务人破产财产及其债权人的利益成功追回资产的程度）。\n\n27. 根据我的经验，在没有破产财产可用于支付受托人法律顾问报酬的情况下，典型的风险代理费安排将远远超过Harneys收取的（且Harneys在此将收取的小时费率，适用于报酬不以资产被追回归入破产财产为条件的聘用）。\n\n28. Local Bankruptcy Rule（《破产本地规则》）第2014-1条规定，如果“在专业人士开始提供服务后三十（30）天内提交聘用该专业人士的申请，除非法院另有命令，否则该申请应被视为同时提交。”因此，债务人请求获准自2022年11月21日起聘用Harneys，该日期是债务人选定Harneys作为BVI法律顾问且Harneys开始向债务人提供服务的日期。\n\n29. 本申请的通知已送达至美国受托人，并通过使用法院电子立案系统（“CM/ECF”系统）以电子方式提交给所有使用CM/ECF系统的出庭方。\n\n30. 此前未曾向本法院或任何其他法院提出过关于本申请所请求之救济的申请。\n\n结论\n\n综上所述，基于前述理由，债务人请求法院做出实质上与随附提交的拟议裁定书格式一致的裁定，准予本申请，并授权债务人聘用Harneys作为其BVI法律顾问，并命令法院认为公正妥当的此类其他及进一步的救济。\n\n日期：2022年12月__日 GENEVER HOLDINGS CORPORATION（日内瓦控股公司），\n\n签署人：\n\nClaire Abrehart（克莱尔·阿布雷哈特），董事\n\nUNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT（美国破产法院）\n\nDISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT（康涅狄格区）\nBRIDGEPORT DIVISION（布里奇波特分院）\n\n事由： :\n: 第11章\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等， :\n: 案号 22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。1 :\n: 联合审理\n\n根据《破产法典》第327条、第328条和第330条、《破产规则》第2014条和第2016条以及《破产本地规则》第2014-1条和第2016-1条，准予债务人请求作出授权并批准聘用HARNEY WESTWOOD AND RIEGELS LP作为债务人英属维尔京群岛法律顾问之命令的申请的裁定\n\n鉴于，Genever Holdings Corporation（“债务人”）在上述标题所示第11章案件（“第11章案件”）中提交了申请，请求授权自2022年11月21日起聘用Harney Westwood and Riegels LP（“Harneys”）作为其英属维尔京群岛（“BVI”）法律顾问（“本申请”），并根据George Weston（乔治·韦斯顿）的声明（“《Weston声明》”），依据《美国法典》第11编（“《破产法典》”）第327条、第328条和第330条、《联邦破产程序规则》（“《破产规则》”）第2014条和第2016条以及《美国康涅狄格区破产法院破产程序本地规则》（“《破产本地规则》”）第2014-1条和第2016-1条，如本申请中所作之更详细阐述；经审议本申请及《Weston声明》；本法院根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 和 1334 以及United States District Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区联邦地区法院）的移交常规命令（经修订）具有审议本申请及其中所请求救济的管辖权；\n\n 1 这些第11章案件中的债务人是Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，又名Guo Wengui、Miles Guo和Miles Kwok，以及其他众多化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税人识别号后四位：8202）和Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC和Genever Holdings Corporation的邮寄地址为Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins，作为Ho Wan Kwok破产财产受托人（仅用于通知与联络目的）。\n\n审议本申请及其中所请求的救济属于依据 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) 的核心程序；依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 和 1409 本法院审理地点适当；且本法院认定：(i) 本申请中所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佳利益，(ii) 本申请和《Weston声明》中所述的法律与事实依据，以及本法院就本申请举行的任何听证会记录，均构成本裁定所准予救济的正当理由，(iii) Harneys属于《破产法典》第101(14)条所定义且符合《破产法典》第327(a)条所要求的“无利害关系人”，以及 (iv) Harneys未持有或代表与债务人破产财产相冲突的利益；且在特定情况下已发出适当且充分的本申请通知；且看似无需再发出其他或进一步的通知；经本法院进行的所有审理程序；对本申请所请求救济的任何异议均已被撤回或在实体上被驳回；经审慎研议并有充分理由表明，特此裁定如下：\n\n1. 本申请按本裁定书所述予以准予。\n\n2. 授权债务人自2022年11月21日起按本申请及《Weston声明》中所述的条款聘用Harneys作为其BVI律师。\n\n3. 授权Harneys担任债务人的BVI法律顾问，并履行本申请中所述的服务。\n\n4. 债务人破产财产应负责支付Harneys在第11章案件中的报酬及费用补偿。\n\n5. 准予向Harneys支付的任何报酬，应根据《破产法典》第330条和第331条、《破产规则》第2016条以及《破产本地规则》第2016-1条规定的程序确定。\n\n6. 准予Harneys的任何报酬应仅限于其作为债务人律师实际履行的服务及实际发生的费用，且不得包括履行通常由第11章受托人在无需律师协助的情况下履行的任何受托人职责的报酬。\n\n7. Harneys在其收取的费率发生任何上调之前，应提前不少于十个工作日通知债务人、美国受托人以及任何官方委员会的法律顾问，并将该通知提交给法院。\n\n8. 授权并赋权债务人及Harneys采取一切必要行动，以落实本裁定所准予的救济。\n\n9. 本申请的内容符合《破产本地规则》的要求。\n\n10. 如果本申请及《Weston声明》与本裁定存在不一致之处，以本裁定的条款为准。\n\n11. 本裁定的条款及条件应自做出之日起立即生效并具有执行力。\n\n12. 本法院对因本裁定的执行、解释和强制执行而产生或与之相关的所有事项保留管辖权。\n\n附件 A（EXHIBIT A）","key_entities":["Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Guo","Despins","Je","CIPA","Miles Guo","Paul Hastings"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":717,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":909,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":1107,"court":"CTB"}],"word_count":3364,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 13:42:10"}