{"id":"court_ctb_2247_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":2247,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":null,"title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION | -------------------------------------------","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| ----------------------------------------------------------- | x           |                         |\n|-------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------------------|\n| In re:                                                      | :<br>:      | Chapter 11              |\n| HO WAN KWOK et al.,                                         | :<br>:<br>: | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n| Debtors.1                                                   | :<br>:      | Jointly Administered    |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------- | x           |                         |\n\n### **MOTION OF CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE, PURSUANT TO BANKRUPTCY RULE 9019, REGARDING SETTLEMENT WITH CASPER FIRM**\n\nLuc A. Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") appointed in the chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\") of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\" or \"Kwok\"), hereby submits this motion (the \"Motion\"), pursuant to Rule 9019(a) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\") and Rule 9019-1(a) of the Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure for the United States Bankruptcy Court District of Connecticut (the \"Local Rules\"), for entry of an order, substantially in the form attached hereto as **Exhibit A** (the \"Proposed Order\") approving and setting forth the terms of the settlement agreement (the \"Settlement Agreement\")<sup>2</sup> reached between (a) the Trustee and (b) the Casper Firm, LLC (the \"Casper Firm\" and, together with the Trustee, the \"Parties\"). 3 In support of this Motion, the Trustee respectfully represents as follows:\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 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<sup>2</sup> Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Settlement Agreement.\n\n<sup>3</sup> References herein to the \"Parties\" and the \"Trustee,\" include the respective attorneys, advisors, and/or professionals of the Parties, as applicable.\n\n#### **PRELIMINARY STATEMENT**\n\n1. The Trustee has reached an agreement to resolve a potential dispute between the Parties in connection with the Retainer. Both Parties have indicated that they have claims with regard to the Retainer. By agreeing to this settlement agreement, the chapter 11 estate of the Debtor (the \"Estate\") will obtain funds for the benefit of creditors, without the cost and uncertainty of litigation. This proposed settlement creates value for creditors and is clearly in the Estate's best interests. Accordingly, the Motion should be granted.\n\n#### **JURISDICTION AND VENUE**\n\n2. This Court has jurisdiction to consider the Motion 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. 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 bases for the relief requested herein are Bankruptcy Rule 9019(a) and Local Rule 9019-1(a).\n\n#### **BACKGROUND**\n\n5. On February 15, 2022 (the \"Petition Date\"), the Individual Debtor filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Court\") a voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.\n\n6. On June 15, 2022, the Court entered a memorandum of decision and order (the \"Trustee Order\") directing the United States Trustee to appoint a chapter 11 trustee in the Individual Debtor's chapter 11 case. Pursuant to the Trustee Order, the United States Trustee selected Luc A. Despins as the Trustee, and on July 8, 2022, the Court entered an order granting the appointment of Luc A. Despins as the Trustee in the Individual Debtor's chapter 11 case.\n\n7. Beginning in 2019, the Casper Firm provided legal services to Kwok in connection with a lawsuit filed by Kwok against Clark Hill PLC captioned *Wengui v. Clark Hill PLC et al* (Case No. 1:2019-cv-03195) (the \"Lawsuit\").\n\n8. On May 4, 2023, the Court issued its *Order Pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019 Approving Settlement Agreement With Clark Hill PLC* [Docket No. 1756], which approved a settlement agreement between the Trustee and Clark Hill PLC settling the Lawsuit.\n\n9. In connection with the legal service provided by the Caper Firm, the Casper Firm was provided with a retainer in the amount of \\$100,000 (the \"Retainer\").\n\n### **SETTLEMENT**\n\n10. Over the past few months, counsel for the Trustee and counsel for the Casper Firm engaged in good faith discussions with respect to the Retainer. As a result of these discussions, and after multiple rounds of proposals and counterproposals, the Parties reached the Settlement Agreement, attached as Exhibit 1 to the Proposed Order, in order to resolve any potential disputes or litigation that might have arisen in connection with the Retainer. The salient provisions of the Settlement Agreement provide for the following: 4\n\n- a. the Casper Firm shall (i) pay the Estate \\$48,750 USD from the Retainer (the \"Settlement Payment\"), after which it may (ii) draw down, retain, and apply the remaining \\$51,250 USD in funds in the Retainer (the \"Retainer Payment\") to its invoices as the sole and final payment for any and all services rendered and expenses incurred by the Casper Firm for Kwok, the Trustee, or the Estate;\n- b. subject to the Bankruptcy Court's approval of the Settlement Agreement, the Parties agree to the releases set forth in more detail in the Settlement Agreement § 4, which, among other things, provide that:\n\t- i. the Trustee and the Estate (the \"Estate Releasees\") hereby unconditionally, absolutely and irrevocably release and discharge the\n\n<sup>4</sup> To the extent of any inconsistencies between the summary description of the Settlement Agreement in this Motion and the terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement as set forth in the Proposed Order, the terms of the Settlement Agreement as set forth in the Proposed Order shall control.\n\nCasper Firm, its attorneys, accountants, advisors, representatives or agents, of all claims which the Estate Releasees now have or ever had against any of the Casper Firm, its attorneys, accountants, advisors, representatives or agents arising from the Retainer, Lawsuit and the Settlement Payment; provided, however, that this release is not a general release of the Casper Firm by the Estate Releasees, rather is a limited release of only claims arising from the Retainer, Lawsuit and the Settlement Payment, and; further provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed or construed to be a release, waiver or discharge of the terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement; and\n\nii. the Casper Firm hereby unconditionally, absolutely, and irrevocably releases and discharges the Estate Releasees of all claims which the Casper Firm, its attorneys, accountants, advisors, representatives or agents, now has or ever had against any of the Estate Releasees, their attorneys, accountants, advisors, representatives or agents, including, without limitation, relating to the Retainer, the Retainer Payment, the Settlement Payment, the Lawsuit, the Individual Debtor, or the Estate, based upon or by reason of any manner, cause or thing whatsoever on or at any time prior to the date of this Agreement, it being the intention of the Casper Firm to reserve nothing whatsoever hereunder and to assure the Estate Releasees, their attorneys, accountants, advisors, representatives or agents, and each of them, their peace and freedom from each and every of the released claims of whatever character and description; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed or construed to be a release, waiver or discharge of the terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement.\n\n## **RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n11. By this Motion, the Trustee seeks entry of an order pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule\n\n9019(a) approving the Settlement Agreement in its entirety and authorizing the Parties to enter\n\ninto and implement the Settlement Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof.\n\n## **BASIS FOR THE RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n### **I. Standard for Approving the Settlement Agreement**\n\n12. To approve a compromise and settlement under Bankruptcy Rule 9019, a\n\nbankruptcy court should find that the compromise and settlement is fair and equitable,\n\nreasonable, and in the best interests of the debtor's estate. *See, e.g.*, *Air Line Pilots Ass'n, Int'l v.*\n\n*Am. Nat'l Bank & Tr. Co. of Chi. (In re Ionosphere Clubs, Inc.),* 156 B.R. 414, 426 (S.D.N.Y. 1993.), *aff'd*, 17 F.3d 600 (2d Cir. 1994) (citations omitted); *In re Enron Corp.,* No. 02 Civ. 8489(AKH), 2003 WL 230838, at \\*2 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. Jan. 31, 2003). The decision to approve a particular settlement lies within the sound discretion of the bankruptcy court. *See Nellis v. Shugrue*, 165 B.R. 115, 122-23 (S.D.N.Y. 1994).\n\n13. Importantly, the \"settlement need not be the best that the debtor could have obtained.\" *In re Adelphia Commc'ns Corp.*, 327 B.R. 143, 159 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2005) (citing *In re Penn Cent. Transp. Co.*, 596 F.2d 1102, 1114 (3d Cir. 1979)). Instead, the court needs only \"canvass the issues and see whether the settlement falls below the lowest point in the range of reasonableness.\" *Id.* (citing *In re W.T. Grant Co.*, 699 F.2d 599, 608 (2d Cir. 1983)).In deciding whether a particular settlement falls within the \"range of reasonableness,\" courts consider the following factors:\n\n> (1) the balance between the litigation's possibility of success and the settlement's future benefits; (2) the likelihood of complex and protracted litigation, \"with its attendant expense, inconvenience, and delay\" . . . ; (3) the \"paramount interests of the creditors,\" including each affected class's relative benefits \"and the degree to which creditors either do not object to or affirmatively support the proposed settlement\"; (4) whether other parties in interest support the settlement; (5) the \"competency and experience of counsel\" supporting, and \"[t]he experience and knowledge of the bankruptcy court judge\" reviewing, the settlement; (6) \"the nature and breadth of releases to be obtained by officers and directors\"; and (7) \"the extent to which the settlement is the product of arm's length bargaining.\"\n\n*Motorola, Inc. v. Official Comm. of Unsecured Creditors* (*In re Iridium Operating LLC*), 478\n\nF.3d 452, 462 (2d Cir. 2007) (\"*Iridium*\").\n\n#### **II. Settlement Agreement Should Be Approved**\n\n14. The Settlement Agreement is a positive outcome for the Estate and, by extension,\n\nthe creditors of the Estate, and it is a fair and reasonable compromise under the circumstances\n\nand in light of the applicable *Iridium* factors.\n\n15. The benefits to the Estate from the Settlement Agreement are the return of funds to the Estate without potential litigation that might exceed the total value of the funds or, indeed, the Retainer, while expediting the return of funds to the estate, by avoiding the delay arising from litigation and potential appeals.\n\n16. The settlement is reasonable given the claims and defenses asserted by both sides, and given that the Trustee's releases are narrowly circumscribed.\n\n17. The Settlement Agreement easily meets all the relevant *Iridium* factors, providing immediate and future benefits to the estates and their creditors. The Settlement Agreement was reached between the Trustee and the Casper Firm, with each side assisted by experienced counsel and negotiating at arms' length.\n\n18. Put simply, the Settlement Agreement is a positive development for the chapter 11 estate, and the Trustee believes the Settlement Agreement satisfies Bankruptcy Rule 9019 and should be approved.\n\n#### **NOTICE**\n\n19. Notice of this Motion will be given to (i) the United States Trustee; (ii) the Debtor; (iii) the official committee of unsecured creditors; (iv) the Casper Firm; (v) by electronic filing utilizing the Court's electronic filing (\"CM/ECF\") system, to all appearing parties who utilize the CM/ECF system; and (vi) any party who requested notice in these chapter 11 cases, but is unable to accept electronic filing as indicated on the Notice of Electronic Filing. The Trustee submits that, under the circumstances, no other or further notice is required.\n\n6\n\n### **NO PREVIOUS REQUEST**\n\n20. No previous request for the relief sought herein has been made by the Trustee to this or any other court.\n\n[*Remainder of page intentionally left blank*.]\n\nWHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, the Trustee respectfully requests entry of the\n\nProposed Order granting the relief requested in the Motion and such other relief as is just and\n\nproper.\n\nDated: October 6, 2023 LUC A. DESPINS,\n\nNew Haven, Connecticut CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE\n\nBy: */s/ Patrick R. Linsey*\n\nPatrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n*and*\n\nNicholas A. Bassett *(pro hac vice* pending) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n*and*\n\nAvram E. Luft *(pro hac vice* pending) Douglass Barron (*pro hac vice* pending) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 aviluft@paulhastings.com\n\n*Counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee*\n\n# **EXHIBIT A**\n\n**Proposed Order**\n\n# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| ----------------------------------------------------------- | x |                         |\n|-------------------------------------------------------------|---|-------------------------|\n|                                                             | : |                         |\n| In re:                                                      | : | Chapter 11              |\n|                                                             | : |                         |\n| HO WAN KWOK et al.,                                         | : | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n|                                                             | : |                         |\n| Debtors.1                                                   | : | Jointly Administered    |\n|                                                             | : |                         |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------- | x |                         |\n\n## **[PROPOSED] ORDER APPROVING, PURSUANT TO BANKRUPTCY RULE 9019, MOTION OF CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE REGARDING SETTLEMENT WITH CASPER FIRM**\n\nUpon the Motion,<sup>2</sup> of Luc A. Despins, in his capacity as the Chapter 11 Trustee (the \"Trustee\") appointed in the above-captioned chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\") of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), for entry of an order, approving a settlement agreement between the Trustee and the Casper Firm, LLC (the \"Casper Firm\" and, together with the Trustee, the \"Parties\"), as more fully described in the Motion; and the Court having jurisdiction to consider the Motion and the relief requested therein in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334; and this matter is a core proceeding within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2); and due and sufficient notice having been given under the particular circumstances and it appears that no other or further notice need be provided; and the relief requested being a reasonable exercise of the Trustee's sound business judgment consistent with their duties and in the best interests of the\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 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<sup>2</sup> Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Order have the meanings set forth in the Motion.\n\nTrustee, the Debtor's estate and creditors; and after due deliberation and sufficient cause appearing therefor, it is **ORDERED THAT**:\n\n1. The Motion is GRANTED.\n\n2. All objections to the Motion, if any, that have not been withdrawn, waived or settled, and all reservations of rights included therein, are overruled.\n\n3. The settlement agreement, attached hereto as **Exhibit 1** (the \"Settlement Agreement\"), is approved pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019.\n\n4. The Trustee is authorized, pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019, to execute, deliver, implement, and fully perform any and all obligations, instruments, documents and papers and to take any and all actions reasonably necessary or appropriate to consummate the settlement reflected in the Settlement Agreement and to perform any and all obligations contemplated therein immediately upon entry of this Order.\n\n5. This Order shall be effective and enforceable immediately upon entry pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 6004(h).\n\n6. This Court shall retain jurisdiction to hear and determine all matters arising from or related to this Order and to the Settlement Agreement.\n\n2\n\n### **EXHIBIT 1**\n\n**Settlement Agreement**\n\n### SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT\n\nThis Settlement Agreement (the \"Settlement Agreement\" or \"Agreement\"), is entered into by and among (i) Luc A. Despins in his capacity as chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") appointed in the chapter 11 case of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Individual Debtor\" or \"Kwok\")\n(ii) the Case of Ho Van Kwok (the \"Individual Debtor\" or \"Kwok\"), and (ii) the Casper Firm, LLC (the \"Casper Firm\" and, together with the Trustee, the \"Parties\"),\n\nWHEREAS, on February 15, 2022 (the \"Petition Date\"), the Individual Debtor filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Connecticut Bankruptcy Court\") a voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code;\n\nWHEREAS, on June 15, 2022, the Court entered a memorandum of decision and order (the \"Trustee Order\") directing the United States Trustee to appoint a chapter 11 trustee in the Individual Debtor's chapter 11 case;\n\nWHEREAS, pursuant to the Trustee Order, the United States Trustee selected Luc A. Despins as the Trustee, and on July 8, 2022, the Court entered an order granting the appointing the appointiment of Luc A. Despins as the Trustee in the Individual Debtor's chapter 1 case;\n\nWHEREAS, beginning prior to the Petition Date, the Casper Firm provided legal services to Kwok in connection with a lawsuit filed by Kwok against Clark Hill PLC captioned legal services\nClark Hill PIC et al Case No 100105 Clark Hill PLC captioned Wengui v Clark Hill PLC et al (Case No. 1:2019-cv-03195) (the \"Lawsuit\");\n\nWHEREAS the Trustee and Clark Hill PLC ultimately settled the Lawsuit;\n\nWHEREAS, in connection with the legal services to be provided by the Casper Firm, the Casper Firm was provided with a retainer by Kwok in the amount of \\$100,000 (the \"Retainer\").\n\nWHEREAS, the Trustee has asserted claims against the Casper Firm and demanded the return of the Retainer. The Casper Firm has asserted claims against the Retainer and defenses to the Trustee's claims; and\n\nWHEREAS, the Parties have engaged in arms'-length negotiations and have each separately concluded that the execution and performance by them of this Settlement Agreement will avoid potential litigation in connection with the Retainer, while affording them each a substantial and valuable benefit if the settlement while anording them\n\n# AGREEMENT\n\nNOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and of the mutual agreements, covenants, and releases set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and adequacy of which is acknowledged by the Parties, the Parties, the Parties hereby agree as follows:\n\n1. Agreement and are incorporated herein by reference, evidencing the intent of the Patties in executing this Settlement Agreement, and describing the circumstances surrounding its execution. Accordingly, this Settlement Agreement shall be construed in the light thereof.\n\n2. Consideration. In consideration for the releases and other terms set forth in this Agreement, and in full and final satisfaction of the respective claims, the Casper Firm (i) shall return to the Trustee on behalf of the Individual Debtor's estate (the \"Estate\") \\$48.750 USD from the Retainer (the \"Settlement Payment\"), after which it may (ii) draw down, retain, and apply the remaining \\$51,250 USD in funds in the Retainer (the \"Retainer Payment\") to its invoices as the sole and final payment for any and all services rendered and expenses incurred by the Casper Firm for Kwok, the Trustee, or the Estate.\n\n3. Timing. The Settlement Payment shall be made to the Trustee, within five (5) days after the date on which the Settlement Order is entered by the Bankruptcy Court, by wire transfer pursuant to instructions to be provided by the Trustee. The Retainer Payment shall be made contemporaneous with the Settlement Payment.\n\n4. Effectiveness of this Settlement Agreement. Within seven (7) business days following execution of this Agreement, the Trustee shall submit to the Bankruptcy Court a Settlement Motion requesting entry of a Settlement Order, in a form that is mutually agreeable to the Parties, which shall, among other things, provide that the Bankruptcy Court retains jurisdiction to enforce the Agreement and Settlement Order and to address any violations thereof. The Settlement Agreement shall be effective upon the Bankruptcy Court entering the Settlement Order. The Trustee shall use good faith efforts to secure approval of the Settlement Order. If this Agreement is not approved by the Bankruptcy Court, the Casper Firm will not proceed with the Retainer Payment absent further order of the Bankruptcy Court.\n\n- 5. Releases.\n\t- (a) Payment and the Bankruptcy Court's approval of this Agreement, the Trustee and the Estate (the \"Estate Releasees\") hereby unconditionally, absolutely and irrevocably release and discharge the Casper Firm, its attorneys, accountants, advisors, representatives or agents, of all claims which the Estate Releasees now have or ever had against any of the Casper Firm, its attorneys, accountants, advisors, representatives or agents arising from the Retainer, Lawsuit and the Settlement Payment; provided, however, that this release is not a general release of the Casper Firm by the Estate Releasees, rather is a limited release of only claims arising from the Retainer, Lawsuit and the Settlement Payment, and; further provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed or construed to be a release, waiver or discharge of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Estate Releasees acknowledge that the Estate Releasees may discover facts after the Effective Date different from, or in addition to, those which they now know or believe to be true. The Estate Releasees, their attorneys, accountants, advisors, representatives or agents, agree that the releases contained in this paragraph shall be and remain effective in all respects notwithstanding the future discovery of such different or additional facts.\n\n| If to the Trustee:     | Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate<br>of Ho Wan Kwok<br>Nicholas A. Bassett<br>Avram E. Luft<br>Paul Hastings LLP<br>200 Park Avenue,<br>New York, NY 10166<br>Tel: (212) 318-6001<br>lucdespins(a)paulhastings.com<br>nicholasbassett(a)paulhastings.com<br>aviluft(a)paulhastings.com |\n|------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|\n| with a copy to:        | Patrick R. Linsey<br>Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.<br>195 Church Street, 13th Floor<br>New Haven, Connecticut 06510<br>Tel: (203) 781-2847<br>plinsey@mpmlaw.com                                                                                                                              |\n| If to the Casper Firm: | Gary Leibowitz<br>Irving Walker<br>Cole Schotz P.C.<br>1201 Wills Street<br>Suite 320<br>Baltimore, MD 21231<br>Tel: (410) 528-2971<br>GLeibowitz(@coleschotz.com<br>I Walker(a)coleschotz.com                                                                                                 |\n\n7. Entire Agreement. This Settlement Agreement constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter.\n\n8. Successor and Assigns. This Settlement Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.\n\n9. of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns (and, to the extent provided herein, affiliates) and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Settlement Agreement.\n\n10. Headings. The headings in this Settlement Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Settlement Agreement.\n\n11. Amendment and Modification: Waiver. No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the party so waiving. Except as otherwise set forth in this Settlement Agreement, no failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any rights, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Settlement Agreement shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege,\n\n12. Severability. If any term or provision of this Settlement Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Settlement Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unentorceable, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Settlement Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable maner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.\n\n13. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Settlement Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties will be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York as applied to agreements entered into and to be performed entirely within New York between New York residents, without regard to conflicts of law principles. All actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Settlement Agreement or the facts and circumstances leading to its execution, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be heard and determined in the Connecticut Bankruptcy Court, or if the Chapter 11 Cases are closed, in the United States Dails apply of II the Southern District of New York (\"SDNY\"). The parties hereby (a) submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Connecticut Bankruptcy Court or SDNY, as applicable, for the purpose of any action action action arising out of or relating to this Settlement Agreement or the facts and circumstances leading to its execution, whether in contract, tort of otherwise, brought by any party herefo, and (b) irrevocably waive, and shall not to assert by way of motion, defense, or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named court, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the action is improper, or that this Settlement Agreement may not be enforced in or by the Connectiout Bankruptcy Court or SDNY, as applicable.\n\n14. J. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any legal action arising out of or relating to this Settlement Agreement. Each party to this Settlement Agreement certifies and acknowledges that (a) no representative of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not seek to enforce the foregoing waver in the event of a legal action; (b) such party has considered the implications of this waiver; (c) such party makes this waiver volunterily; and (d) such party has been induced to enter into this Settlement Agreement by , among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this section.\n\n1 5. Counterparts. This Settlement Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Settlement Agreement delivered by facsimile, e-mail or\n\nother means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Settlement Agreement,\n\n16. No Strict Construction. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Settlement Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Settlement Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Settlement Agreement.\n\n17. Authority. The individuals who sign this Settlement Agreement on behalf of the Trustee and the Casper Firm respectively have been duly authorized to sign this Settlement Agreement and to bind the respective entity to the terms and conditions of this Settlement Agreement.\n\nIN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Settlement Agreement on the date specified below.\n\n> LUC A. DESPINS, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE ESTATE OF HO WAN KWOK\n\nBy: Name: UC DESPINS Title: Trees Date: 10/4/2023\n\n|                                 | THE CASPER FIRM, LLC     |\n|---------------------------------|--------------------------|\n| By:<br>Name:<br>Title:<br>Date: | a 5 2<br>ADACE<br>4.21.2 |","body_zh":"美国康涅狄格州联邦地区破产法院布里奇波特分庭\n\n-----------------------------------------------------------　x\n\n关于：　:\n:　第11章\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，　:\n:\n:　案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。1　:\n:　合并管理\n-----------------------------------------------------------　x\n第11章受托人根据破产规则第9019条就与CASPER FIRM达成和解所提出的动议\n\nLuc A. Despins 以其在 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（以下简称“债务人”或“Kwok”）第11章案件（以下简称“第11章案件”）中获任命的第11章受托人（以下简称“受托人”）身份，特此根据《联邦破产程序规则》（以下简称“破产规则”）第9019(a)条及《美国康涅狄格州联邦地区破产法院破产程序地方法规》（以下简称“地方法规”）第9019-1(a)条，提交本动议（以下简称“本动议”），请求作出与本动议所附附件A所示格式大致相同的裁定（以下简称“拟议裁定”），批准并载明受托人与 Casper Firm, LLC（以下简称“Casper Firm”，与受托人合称“双方当事人”）之间达成的和解协议（以下简称“和解协议”）2的条款。3 为支持本动议，受托人谨陈述如下：\n\n1 本第11章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（亦称 Guo Wengui、Miles Guo 和 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。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，收件人：Luc A. Despins，作为 Ho Wan Kwok 遗产的受托人（仅用于通知和通信）。\n\n2 本文中使用但未定义的首字母大写术语，应具有和解协议中规定的含义。\n\n3 本文对“双方当事人”和“受托人”的提述，视情况包括双方当事人各自的律师、顾问和/或专业人士。\n初步陈述\n\n1. 受托人已就双方当事人之间与预付聘用费有关的潜在争议达成解决协议。双方当事人均表示其就该预付聘用费享有请求权。通过同意本和解协议，债务人的第11章遗产（以下简称“遗产”）将为债权人的利益取得资金，而无需承担诉讼的成本和不确定性。该拟议和解为债权人创造价值，且显然符合遗产的最佳利益。因此，应准许本动议。\n管辖权和审判地\n\n2. 本院依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 以及 United States District Court for the District of Connecticut（康涅狄格州联邦地区法院）的移交常设命令，对审理本动议具有管辖权。本案属于 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) 所称的核心程序。\n\n3. 根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409，本地区的审判地适格。\n\n4. 本文所请求救济的依据为破产规则第9019(a)条及地方法规第9019-1(a)条。\n背景\n\n5. 2022年2月15日（以下简称“申请日”），自然人债务人向 United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut（康涅狄格州联邦地区破产法院）（以下简称“本院”）提交了根据《破产法》第11章请求救济的自愿申请。\n\n6. 2022年6月15日，本院作出决定备忘录及裁定（以下简称“受托人裁定”），指示 United States Trustee（美国受托人）在自然人债务人的第11章案件中任命第11章受托人。根据受托人裁定，美国受托人选定 Luc A. Despins 为受托人；2022年7月8日，本院作出裁定，批准任命 Luc A. Despins 为自然人债务人第11章案件的受托人。\n\n7. 自2019年起，Casper Firm 就 Kwok 对 Clark Hill PLC 提起的、案名为 Wengui v. Clark Hill PLC et al (Case No. 1:2019-cv-03195)（以下简称“该诉讼”）的诉讼，为 Kwok 提供法律服务。\n\n8. 2023年5月4日，本院发布其根据破产规则第9019条批准与 Clark Hill PLC 的和解协议的裁定 [Docket No. 1756]，批准了受托人与 Clark Hill PLC 之间解决该诉讼的和解协议。\n\n9. 就 Casper Firm 提供的法律服务而言，Casper Firm 获得金额为 $100,000 的预付聘用费（以下简称“预付聘用费”）。\n和解\n\n10. 在过去数月中，受托人的律师与 Casper Firm 的律师就该预付聘用费进行了善意磋商。经该等磋商及多轮提议与反提议后，双方当事人达成和解协议，该协议作为拟议裁定的附件1附后，以解决可能因预付聘用费而产生的任何潜在争议或诉讼。和解协议的主要条款规定如下：4\n\na. Casper Firm 应：(i) 从预付聘用费中向遗产支付 $48,750 USD（以下简称“和解付款”）；此后，其可 (ii) 提取、保留并将预付聘用费中剩余的 $51,250 USD 资金（以下简称“预付聘用费付款”）用于支付其发票，作为 Casper Firm 为 Kwok、受托人或遗产所提供的一切服务及发生的一切费用的唯一且最终付款；\n\nb. 在破产法院批准和解协议的前提下，双方当事人同意作出和解协议第4条中更详尽规定的免责，其中包括：\n\ni. 受托人及遗产（以下简称“遗产被免责方”）特此无条件、绝对且不可撤销地免除并解除 Casper Firm、其律师、会计师、顾问、代表或代理人就遗产被免责方现时或曾经对 Casper Firm、其律师、会计师、顾问、代表或代理人中的任何一方享有的、因预付聘用费、该诉讼和和解付款而产生的一切请求权；\n\n4 如本动议中对和解协议的摘要性说明与拟议裁定所载和解协议的条款和条件存在任何不一致，应以拟议裁定所载和解协议的条款为准。\n\n但前提是，该免责并非遗产被免责方对 Casper Firm 作出的一般性免责，而仅限于因预付聘用费、该诉讼和和解付款而产生的请求权；并且进一步规定，本段任何内容均不得被视为或解释为对和解协议条款和条件的免责、放弃或解除；以及\n\nii. Casper Firm 特此无条件、绝对且不可撤销地免除并解除遗产被免责方就 Casper Firm、其律师、会计师、顾问、代表或代理人现时或曾经对遗产被免责方、其律师、会计师、顾问、代表或代理人中的任何一方享有的一切请求权，包括但不限于与预付聘用费、预付聘用费付款、和解付款、该诉讼、自然人债务人或遗产有关的请求权，无论该等请求权基于本协议日期之前任何时间发生的任何方式、事由或事项；Casper Firm 的意图是在本协议项下不保留任何事项，并确保遗产被免责方、其律师、会计师、顾问、代表或代理人，以及其中每一方，免受每一项已获免责请求权的任何性质和描述所造成的妨害并享有自由；但前提是，本段任何内容均不得被视为或解释为对和解协议条款和条件的免责、放弃或解除。\n请求的救济\n\n11. 受托人通过本动议请求根据破产规则第9019(a)条作出裁定，完整批准和解协议，并授权双方当事人按照和解协议的条款订立及执行和解协议。\n请求救济的依据\n一、批准和解协议的标准\n\n12. 为根据破产规则第9019条批准和解及和解协议，破产法院应认定该和解及和解协议公平且衡平、合理，并符合债务人遗产的最佳利益。参见，例如，Air Line Pilots Ass'n, Int'l v. Am. Nat'l Bank & Tr. Co. of Chi. (In re Ionosphere Clubs, Inc.), 156 B.R. 414, 426 (S.D.N.Y. 1993.), aff'd, 17 F.3d 600 (2d Cir. 1994) (citations omitted); In re Enron Corp., No. 02 Civ. 8489(AKH), 2003 WL 230838, at *2 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. Jan. 31, 2003)。是否批准某一特定和解，属于破产法院的合理裁量范围。参见 Nellis v. Shugrue, 165 B.R. 115, 122-23 (S.D.N.Y. 1994)。\n\n13. 重要的是，“和解不必是债务人本可获得的最佳和解。”In re Adelphia Commc'ns Corp., 327 B.R. 143, 159 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2005) (citing In re Penn Cent. Transp. Co., 596 F.2d 1102, 1114 (3d Cir. 1979))。相反，法院仅需“审视争点，并判断该和解是否低于合理性范围的最低点。”同上（引用 In re W.T. Grant Co., 699 F.2d 599, 608 (2d Cir. 1983)）。在决定某一特定和解是否属于“合理性范围”时，法院考虑以下因素：\n\n(1) 诉讼胜诉可能性与和解未来利益之间的平衡；(2) 复杂且旷日持久的诉讼的可能性，及其“随之而来的费用、不便和延误”……；(3) “债权人的首要利益”，包括每一受影响类别的相对利益，以及“债权人不反对或积极支持拟议和解的程度”；(4) 其他利害关系方是否支持和解；(5) 支持和解的律师的“能力和经验”，以及审查和解的“破产法院法官的经验和知识”；(6) “将由高级管理人员和董事获得的免责的性质和范围”；以及 (7) “该和解在何种程度上是独立交易谈判的结果”。\n\nMotorola, Inc. v. Official Comm. of Unsecured Creditors (In re Iridium Operating LLC), 478 F.3d 452, 462 (2d Cir. 2007) (“Iridium”).\n二、应批准和解协议\n\n14. 和解协议对于遗产及进而对于遗产债权人而言具有积极结果，并且在相关情形下及根据适用的 Iridium 因素，构成公平合理的和解。\n\n15. 和解协议为遗产带来的利益是，在无需进行可能超过资金总价值甚至预付聘用费金额的诉讼的情况下，将资金返还给遗产；同时，通过避免诉讼及可能上诉所导致的延误，加快向遗产返还资金。\n\n16. 鉴于双方提出的请求权和抗辩，以及受托人的免责范围受到严格限制，该和解是合理的。\n\n17. 和解协议毫无疑问地符合所有相关 Iridium 因素，为遗产及其债权人带来即时及未来利益。和解协议由受托人与 Casper Firm 达成，双方均由经验丰富的律师协助，并以独立交易方式进行谈判。\n\n18. 简言之，和解协议是第11章遗产的一项积极进展，受托人认为和解协议符合破产规则第9019条，并应获批准。\n通知\n\n19. 本动议的通知将送达：(i) United States Trustee（美国受托人）；(ii) 债务人；(iii) 无担保债权人官方委员会；(iv) Casper Firm（卡斯珀律师事务所）；(v) 通过本院电子提交（“CM/ECF”）系统进行电子提交，送达所有使用 CM/ECF 系统出庭的当事人；以及 (vi) 任何在本第11章案件中要求接收通知、但如《电子提交通知》所示无法接受电子提交的当事人。受托人主张，在此情形下，无需发出其他或进一步通知。\n\n此前未提出请求\n\n20. 受托人此前未曾向本院或任何其他法院提出寻求本文件所请求救济的请求。\n\n[本页其余部分有意留白。]\n\n因此，基于上述理由，受托人谨请求作出拟议裁定，准许动议中请求的救济以及其他公正且适当的救济。\n\n日期：October 6, 2023　　　　　　　　　LUC A. DESPINS（卢克·A·德斯平斯），\n\nNew Haven, Connecticut　　　　　　　　第11章受托人\n\n签字：/s/ Patrick R. Linsey\n\nPatrick R. Linsey（帕特里克·R·林西）(ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n以及\n\nNicholas A. Bassett（尼古拉斯·A·巴塞特）(pro hac vice 待决) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n以及\n\nAvram E. Luft（阿夫拉姆·E·卢夫特）(pro hac vice 待决) Douglass Barron（道格拉斯·巴伦）(pro hac vice 待决) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 aviluft@paulhastings.com\n\n第11章受托人代理律师\n\n附件A\n\n拟议裁定\n\nUNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION（康涅狄格州联邦破产法院布里奇波特分部）\n\n-----------------------------------------------------------　x\n\n关于：　:　第11章\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，　:　案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n\n债务人。1　:　合并管理\n\n-----------------------------------------------------------　x\n\n[拟议]裁定：根据《破产程序规则》第9019条，批准第11章受托人就与 CASPER FIRM 达成和解所提出的动议\n\n鉴于 Luc A. Despins（卢克·A·德斯平斯）以其作为在上述 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（“债务人”）第11章案件（“第11章案件”）中获任命的第11章受托人（“受托人”）的身份，提出动议2，请求作出裁定，批准受托人与 Casper Firm, LLC（卡斯珀律师事务所有限责任公司）（“Casper Firm”，与受托人合称“双方”）之间的和解协议，具体如动议所进一步说明；且本院根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 对审理该动议及其中请求的救济具有管辖权；且本事项属于 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2) 所指的核心程序；且已在具体情形下给予适当和充分的通知，并且看来无需提供其他或进一步通知；且所请求的救济是受托人在履行其职责并符合受托人、债务人遗产及债权人最佳利益时，对其合理商业判断的适当行使；且经适当审议并有充分理由，现命令如下：\n\n1. 准许该动议。\n\n2. 对该动议提出的所有异议（如有），凡未被撤回、放弃或和解者，以及其中载明的所有权利保留，均予驳回。\n\n3. 兹根据《破产程序规则》第9019条批准作为附件1附于本裁定的和解协议（“和解协议”）。\n\n4. 受托人获授权，根据《破产程序规则》第9019条，在本裁定作出后立即签署、交付、实施及完全履行任何及所有义务、文书、文件及书面材料，并采取为完成和解协议所反映的和解以及履行其中所设想的任何及所有义务而合理必要或适当的任何及所有行动。\n\n5. 根据《破产程序规则》第6004(h)条，本裁定应自作出之时起立即生效并可执行。\n\n6. 本院应保留管辖权，以审理并裁决因本裁定及和解协议产生或与之有关的所有事项。\n\n附件1\n\n和解协议\n\n和解协议\n\n本和解协议（“和解协议”或“本协议”）由以下各方签订：(i) Luc A. Despins（卢克·A·德斯平斯），其作为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（“个人债务人”或“Kwok”）第11章案件中获任命的第11章受托人（“受托人”）的身份；(ii) Ho Wan Kwok 案件（“个人债务人”或“Kwok”）；及 (ii) Casper Firm, LLC（卡斯珀律师事务所有限责任公司）（“Casper Firm”，与受托人合称“双方”），\n\n鉴于，February 15, 2022（“申请日”），个人债务人向 United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut（康涅狄格州联邦破产法院）（“康涅狄格州破产法院”）提交了根据《破产法》第11章寻求救济的自愿申请；\n\n鉴于，June 15, 2022，本院作出决定备忘录及裁定（“受托人裁定”），指示 United States Trustee（美国受托人）在个人债务人的第11章案件中任命一名第11章受托人；\n\n鉴于，根据受托人裁定，美国受托人选定 Luc A. Despins（卢克·A·德斯平斯）为受托人，且 July 8, 2022，本院作出裁定，批准任命 Luc A. Despins 为个人债务人第11章案件的受托人；\n\n鉴于，在申请日之前开始，Casper Firm 就 Kwok 对 Clark Hill PLC（克拉克·希尔专业有限公司）提起的、题为 Wengui v Clark Hill PLC et al (Case No. 1:2019-cv-03195)（“该诉讼”）的诉讼，为 Kwok 提供法律服务；\n\n鉴于，受托人与 Clark Hill PLC 最终就该诉讼达成和解；\n\n鉴于，就 Casper Firm 将提供的法律服务，Kwok 向 Casper Firm 提供了金额为 $100,000 的预付费（“预付费”）。\n\n鉴于，受托人已向 Casper Firm 主张权利并要求返还预付费。Casper Firm 已就预付费主张权利并对受托人的权利主张提出抗辩；以及\n\n鉴于，双方已进行公平交易谈判，并各自独立认定，其签署及履行本和解协议将避免与预付费有关的潜在诉讼，同时在和解获准时向各方提供实质且有价值的利益。\n\n因此，鉴于上述陈述以及本协议所载的相互协议、承诺和豁免，并鉴于其他良好且有价值的对价，双方确认该等对价的充分性及适足性，双方特此约定如下：\n\n1. 上述陈述构成本和解协议的一部分，并通过援引纳入本协议，表明双方签署本和解协议的意图，并说明其签署的相关情形。因此，本和解协议应据此解释。\n\n2. 对价。作为对本协议所载豁免及其他条款的对价，并为全面及最终解决各自的权利主张，Casper Firm 应：(i) 从预付费中向受托人返还 $48,750 USD（“和解付款”），供个人债务人的遗产（“遗产”）使用；此后，其可 (ii) 提取、保留并将预付费中剩余的 $51,250 USD（“预付费付款”）用于支付其发票，作为 Casper Firm 为 Kwok、受托人或遗产提供的一切服务及发生的一切费用的唯一及最终付款。\n\n3. 时间安排。和解付款应于破产法院作出和解裁定之日起五（5）日内，按照受托人将提供的指示，以电汇方式支付给受托人。预付费付款应与和解付款同时支付。\n\n4. 本和解协议的生效。于本协议签署后七（7）个工作日内，受托人应向破产法院提交和解动议，请求作出双方均可接受形式的和解裁定。该裁定应规定，除其他事项外，破产法院保留执行本协议和和解裁定以及处理任何违反行为的管辖权。本和解协议应于破产法院作出和解裁定后生效。受托人应本着诚信尽力促成和解裁定的批准。如本协议未获破产法院批准，则 Casper Firm 在无破产法院进一步裁定的情况下不得进行预付费付款。\n\n5. 豁免。\n\n(a) 在支付和解付款且破产法院批准本协议后，受托人和遗产（“遗产豁免方”）特此无条件、绝对且不可撤销地豁免并免除 Casper Firm、其律师、会计师、顾问、代表或代理人的一切责任，就遗产豁免方现有或曾有的因预付费、该诉讼及和解付款而对 Casper Firm、其律师、会计师、顾问、代表或代理人提出的所有权利主张而言；但前提是，该豁免并非遗产豁免方对 Casper Firm 的一般性豁免，而仅是对因预付费、该诉讼及和解付款产生的权利主张的有限豁免；且进一步规定，本段任何内容均不得视为或解释为对本协议条款和条件的豁免、放弃或免除。遗产豁免方确认，遗产豁免方可能在生效日后发现与其目前所知或相信为真实的事实不同或额外的事实。遗产豁免方及其律师、会计师、顾问、代表或代理人同意，尽管日后发现该等不同或额外事实，本段所载豁免在各方面仍应保持有效。\n\n如送达受托人：　Luc A. Despins，作为 Ho Wan Kwok 遗产的受托人\nNicholas A. Bassett\nAvram E. Luft\nPaul Hastings LLP\n200 Park Avenue,\nNew York, NY 10166\n电话：(212) 318-6001\nlucdespins(a)paulhastings.com\nnicholasbassett(a)paulhastings.com\naviluft(a)paulhastings.com\n\n副本送达：　Patrick R. Linsey\nNeubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.\n195 Church Street, 13th Floor\nNew Haven, Connecticut 06510\n电话：(203) 781-2847\nplinsey@mpmlaw.com\n\n如送达 Casper Firm：　Gary Leibowitz（加里·莱博维茨）\nIrving Walker（欧文·沃克）\nCole Schotz P.C.（科尔·肖茨专业公司）\n1201 Wills Street\nSuite 320\nBaltimore, MD 21231\n电话：(410) 528-2971\nGLeibowitz(@coleschotz.com\nI Walker(a)coleschotz.com\n\n7. 完整协议。本和解协议构成双方就本协议所涉事项达成的唯一且完整的协议，并取代双方此前及同时就该等事项达成的一切书面及口头谅解和协议。\n\n8. 继承人及受让人。本和解协议对双方及其各自的继承人和受让人均具有约束力，并应使其受益。\n\n9. 本和解协议仅为各方及其各自的继承人和受让人（以及在本文规定的范围内，关联方）的利益而设，本文任何明示或默示的内容均无意或不得基于本和解协议或因本和解协议而向任何其他人士授予任何性质的法律或衡平权利、利益或救济。\n\n10. 标题。本和解协议中的标题仅供参考，不影响对本和解协议的解释。\n\n11. 修订和修改；弃权。任何一方对本协议任何条款的弃权，除非以书面明确载明并由作出该弃权的一方签署，否则不生效。除非本和解协议另有规定，未行使或延迟行使本和解协议项下产生的任何权利、救济、权力或特权，不构成或不应被解释为对其的弃权；任何一次或部分行使本协议项下的任何权利、救济、权力或特权，亦不排除对其作出任何其他或进一步行使，或行使任何其他权利、救济、权力或特权。\n\n12. 可分割性。如本和解协议的任何条款或规定在任何司法管辖区无效、违法或不可执行，该等无效、违法或不可执行不影响本和解协议的任何其他条款或规定，也不使该等条款或规定在任何其他司法管辖区无效或不可执行。一旦确定任何条款或其他规定无效、违法或不可执行，各方应本着诚信原则协商修改本和解协议，以在双方均可接受的方式尽可能接近地实现各方的原始意图，从而使本协议拟议的交易在最大可能范围内按原拟定方式完成。\n\n13. 管辖法律；接受管辖。本和解协议以及各方的权利和义务应受纽约州法律管辖，并依照适用于纽约居民之间在纽约州内订立并完全履行之协议的纽约州法律进行解释和执行，而不考虑法律冲突原则。因本和解协议或导致其签署的事实和情况引起或与之有关的所有诉讼和程序，无论基于合同、侵权或其他原因，均应由 Connecticut Bankruptcy Court（康涅狄格州破产法院）审理和裁定；如 Chapter 11 Cases 已结案，则应由 United States District Court for the Southern District of New York（纽约南区联邦地区法院）（“SDNY”）审理和裁定。各方特此：(a) 就任何一方因本和解协议或导致其签署的事实和情况引起或与之有关、无论基于合同、侵权或其他原因提起的任何诉讼，接受 Connecticut Bankruptcy Court 或 SDNY（视情况而定）的专属管辖；及 (b) 不可撤销地放弃，并不得在任何该等诉讼中通过动议、抗辩或其他方式主张其不受上述法院的人身管辖、其财产免受或不受扣押或执行、该诉讼在不方便法院提起、该诉讼的审判地不当，或本和解协议不得在 Connecticut Bankruptcy Court 或 SDNY（视情况而定）执行或由其执行。\n\n14. J. 放弃陪审团审判。各方不可撤销且无条件地放弃其就因本和解协议引起或与之有关的任何法律诉讼享有陪审团审判的任何权利。本和解协议各方证明并确认：(a) 任何其他一方的代表均未明示或以其他方式表示，该其他方不会在发生法律诉讼时寻求执行上述弃权；(b) 该方已考虑该弃权的影响；(c) 该方自愿作出该弃权；及 (d) 除其他事项外，该方是因本节中的相互弃权和证明而签订本和解协议。\n\n15. 副本。本和解协议可签署多份副本，每份均应视为正本，但所有副本共同构成同一份协议。通过传真、电子邮件或其他电子传输方式交付的本和解协议签署副本，应视为与交付本和解协议签署正本具有同等法律效力。\n\n16. 不作严格解释。各方共同参与了本和解协议的谈判和起草。如出现歧义或关于意图或解释的问题，本和解协议应视为由各方共同起草而进行解释，且不得因本和解协议任何条款的起草人身份而产生有利于或不利于任何一方的推定或举证责任。\n\n17. 授权。分别代表受托人和 Casper Firm, LLC（卡斯珀律师事务所，有限责任公司）签署本和解协议的个人，已获正式授权签署本和解协议，并使相应实体受本和解协议条款和条件的约束。\n\n兹证明，各方已于下述日期签署本和解协议。\n\nLUC A. DESPINS（卢克·A·德斯平斯），作为 HO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）财产的受托人\n\n签署人：\n姓名：LUC DESPINS\n职务：受托人\n日期：10/4/2023\n\nTHE CASPER FIRM, LLC（卡斯珀律师事务所，有限责任公司）\n\n签署人：\n姓名：\n职务：\n日期：4.21.2","key_entities":["Kwok","Despins","Ho Wan Kwok","Je","Paul Hastings","Guo","Miles Guo","CIPA"],"ecf_references":[],"word_count":4642,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 18:42:01"}