{"id":"court_ctb_3034_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":3034,"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>:      | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM)                  |\n| Debtors.1                                                   | :<br>:<br>: | Jointly Administered<br>Re: ECF No. 2931 |\n| ------------------------------------------------------<br>x |             |                                          |\n\n## **AMENDED ORDER (A) GRANTING APPLICATION OF CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE 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 PRAGER DREIFUSS AG AS SWISS LAW COUNSEL**\n\nUpon the application (the \"Application\")2 of Chapter 11 Trustee Luc A. Despins (the\n\n\"Chapter 11 Trustee\") in the above-captioned chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\"), (a) for authority to retain and employ Prager Dreifuss AG (\"Prager Dreifuss\") as counsel in Switzerland to the Chapter 11 Trustee, effective as of January 17, 2024, 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 the Engagement Letter; and upon consideration of the Application and 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 otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Application or the Hayek Declaration.\n\nHayek 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 the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut; 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 Hayek Declaration, and the record of any hearing on the Application before this Court establish just cause for the relief granted herein, (iii) Prager Dreifuss 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) Prager Dreifuss and its employees do 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 the objection of the United States Trustee being overruled; and it appearing that no other or further notice need be given; and a hearing having been held on March 19, 2024; and after due deliberation and sufficient cause appearing therefor, it is hereby\n\n## ORDERED THAT:\n\n1. The Application is granted as set forth herein.\n\n2. The Chapter 11 Trustee is authorized to retain and employ Prager Dreifuss as his Swiss law counsel effective as of January 17, 2024 on the terms set forth in the Application, the Engagement Letter, and the Hayek Declaration.\n\n3. Prager Dreifuss is authorized to act as the Chapter 11 Trustee's lawyers and to perform those services described in the Application.\n\n2\n\n4. The Estate shall be responsible for Prager Dreifuss' compensation and reimbursement of expenses with respect to the engagement.\n\n5. The allowance of any compensation to be paid to Prager Dreifuss shall be determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in sections 330 and 331 of the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rule 2016, Local Bankruptcy Rule 2016-1, and the Interim Compensation Order.\n\n6. Allowance of any compensation for Prager Dreifuss shall be limited to the extent of services actually performed as Swiss law counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee Luc A. Despins, 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. Notwithstanding Section 4.1 of the Engagement Letter to the contrary, Prager Dreifuss shall also be entitled to (a) a flat fee for disbursements in an amount equal to 2% of total fees charged and (b) reimbursement of reasonable and documented travel expenses (if any).\n\n7. Prager Dreifuss is authorized to invoice its fees and expenses in Swiss Francs (CHF) and to have such fees and expenses paid in Swiss Francs (CHF), subject to the terms of the Interim Compensation Order. The payment in Swiss Francs (CHF) shall be converted from US Dollars into Swiss Francs (CHF) at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of payment.\n\n8. For the avoidance of doubt, all matters related to the payment and allowance of Prager Dreifuss' fees and expenses shall be decided by the Bankruptcy Court in accordance with the Bankruptcy Code. All other disputes that may arise out of the Chapter 11 Trustee's engagement are to be governed by Swiss law and to be determined by arbitration in accordance with section 11 of the Engagement Letter.\n\n3\n\n9. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9 of the Engagement Letter, in addition to claims for gross negligence and willful intent, the exclusion of liability in Section 9 of the Engagement Letter shall also not exclude negligence claims for malpractice, subject to a maximum amount of \\$5,000,000.\n\n10. Prager Dreifuss shall provide no less than ten business days' notice to the Chapter 11 Trustee, 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\n11. The Chapter 11 Trustee is authorized and empowered to take all actions necessary to effectuate the relief granted in this Order.\n\n12. The requirements of the Local Bankruptcy Rules are satisfied by the contents of the Application.\n\n13. To the extent the Application, the Engagement Letter, and the Hayek Declaration are inconsistent with this Order, the terms of this Order shall govern.\n\n14. The terms and conditions of this Order shall be immediately effective and enforceable upon its entry.\n\n15. This Court shall retain jurisdiction with respect to all matters arising from or related to the implementation, interpretation, and enforcement of this Order.\n\nDated at Bridgeport, Connecticut this 21st day of March, 2024.\n\n4","body_zh":"United States Bankruptcy Court District of Connecticut Bridgeport Division（美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院布里奇波特分院）\n\n------------------------------------------------------　x\n\n关于：\n第 11 章\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵）等人，\n案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。1\n联合审理\n涉及：ECF No. 2931\n\nx\n修订命令：(A) 根据《破产法典》第 327、328 和 330 条、《联邦破产程序规则》第 2014 和 2016 条以及《本地破产程序规则》第 2014-1 和 2016-1 条，批准第 11 章受托人请求作出命令以授权并批准聘请 Prager Dreifuss AG 作为瑞士法法律顾问的申请\n\n鉴于上述标题所示第 11 章案件（以下简称“第 11 章案件”）中的第 11 章受托人 Luc A. Despins（以下简称“第 11 章受托人”）提出申请（以下简称“《申请》”）2，(a) 依据《美国法典》第 11 编（以下简称“《破产法典》”）第 327、328 和 330 条、《Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure（联邦破产程序规则）》（以下简称“《破产规则》”）第 2014 和 2016 条，以及《Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院破产程序本地规则）》（以下简称“《本地破产规则》”）第 2014-1 和 2016-1 条，请求获得授权自 2024年1月17日起聘用 Prager Dreifuss AG（以下简称“Prager Dreifuss”）担任第 11 章受托人的瑞士法律顾问，以上各项均在《申请》及《聘用函》中有更完整的载明；并经审阅《申请》及\n\n1 本第 11 章案件中的债务人包括 Ho Wan Kwok（亦称为郭文贵、Miles Guo 和 Miles Kwok，以及其他众多化名）（税务识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（税务识别号后四位：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, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok（仅用于接收通知和通讯）。\n\n2 本文中已大写但未另行定义的术语，具有《申请》或《Hayek 声明》中所规定的含义。\n\nHayek 声明；且本法院具有根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 及 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《常规移送命令》审理本《申请》及其中请求之救济的管辖权；且根据 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)，审理本《申请》及其中请求之救济属于核心程序；且根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 及 1409，本法院管辖地适当；且本法院认定：(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人的最大利益，(ii) 《申请》和《Hayek 声明》中所陈述的法律和事实依据，以及本法院关于本《申请》之任何听证的记录，构成了作出本命令所授予救济的正当理由，(iii) Prager Dreifuss 系《破产法典》第 101(14) 条所定义且符合《破产法典》第 327(a) 条要求的“无利害关系人”，以及 (iv) Prager Dreifuss 及其雇员未持有亦未代表与债务人破产财产相冲突的利益；且在特定情况下已就本《申请》给予了正当且充分的通知，且 United States Trustee（美国联邦破产受托人）的异议已被驳回；且看来无需再给予其他或进一步的通知；且已于 2024年3月19日 举行了听证会；经审慎研议并因显有充分理由，特此\n裁定如下：\n\n1. 本《申请》按本文所述予以批准。\n\n2. 授权第 11 章受托人自 2024年1月17日起，按照《申请》、《聘用函》和《Hayek 声明》中规定的条款，聘请并雇用 Prager Dreifuss 作为其瑞士法法律顾问。\n\n3. 授权 Prager Dreifuss 担任第 11 章受托人的律师，并履行《申请》中所述的各项服务。\n\n4. 破产财产应负责支付 Prager Dreifuss 就此聘约应得的报酬并报销相关费用。\n\n5. 应向 Prager Dreifuss 支付的任何报酬之准许额度，应根据《破产法典》第 330 和 331 条、《破产规则》第 2016 条、《本地破产规则》第 2016-1 条及《临时报酬命令》中规定的程序予以确定。\n\n6. 对 Prager Dreifuss 任何报酬的准许应限于其作为第 11 章受托人 Luc A. Despins 的瑞士法法律顾问实际提供服务的范围内，且不得包括其履行通常由第 11 章受托人在没有律师协助下自行履行的任何受托人职责的报酬。尽管《聘用函》第 4.1 条有相反规定，Prager Dreifuss 亦有权获得 (a) 金额相当于所收取总费用 2% 的固定代垫杂费，以及 (b) 合理且有凭证支持的差旅费用的报销（如有）。\n\n7. 授权 Prager Dreifuss 以瑞士法郎（CHF）开具其费用与开支发票，并以瑞士法郎（CHF）收取该等费用与开支，但须受《临时报酬命令》条款的约束。以瑞士法郎（CHF）支付的款项应在支付当日按当时通行的汇率从美元折算为瑞士法郎（CHF）。\n\n8. 为免生疑义，所有与支付和准许 Prager Dreifuss 的费用及开支相关的事项，均应由破产法院根据《破产法典》作出裁决。因第 11 章受托人的聘任而可能产生的所有其他争议，均应适用瑞士法，并根据《聘用函》第 11 条通过仲裁予以裁决。\n\n9. 尽管《聘用函》第 9 条有任何相反规定，除重大过失和故意企图的索赔外，《聘用函》第 9 条中的免责条款亦不得免除因执业不当导致的过失索赔，但最高限额为 $5,000,000。\n\n10. Prager Dreifuss 在实施其收费费率的任何上调之前，应提前不少于十个工作日通知第 11 章受托人、美国联邦破产受托人以及任何官方委员会的法律顾问，并将该通知提交法院备案。\n\n11. 授权并赋权第 11 章受托人采取一切必要行动以落实本命令所授予的救济。\n\n12. 《申请》的内容符合《本地破产规则》的要求。\n\n13. 若《申请》、《聘用函》和《Hayek 声明》与本命令有不一致之处，以本命令的条款为准。\n\n14. 本命令的条款和条件在本命令作出后立即生效并具有执行力。\n\n15. 本法院保留对因本命令的执行、解释和实施而引起的或与之相关的所有事项的管辖权。\n\n日期：2024年3月21日 于康涅狄格州布里奇波特。","key_entities":["Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Despins","Je","Guo","Miles Guo","Paul Hastings"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":2931,"court":"CTB"}],"word_count":1175,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 12:46:54"}