{"id":"court_ctb_539_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":539,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":"2022-07-07","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,                                           | :<br>:      | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n| Debtor.1                                               | :<br>:<br>: |                         |\n| ------------------------------------------------------ | x           |                         |\n\n# **APPLICATION OF CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE FOR ENTRY OF ORDER, PURSUANT TO BANKRUPTCY CODE SECTIONS 327, 328, AND 330 AND BANKRUPTCY RULES 2014 AND 2016, AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING RETENTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF PAUL HASTINGS LLP AS COUNSEL TO CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE**\n\nMr. Luc A. Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") appointed in the chapter 11 case of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), respectfully states as follows in support of this application (the \"Application\"):\n\n## **RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n1. By this Application, the Trustee seeks entry of an order, substantially in the form attached hereto as **Exhibit A** (the \"Proposed Order\"), authorizing and approving the retention of Paul Hastings LLP (\"Paul Hastings\") as the Trustee's counsel effective as of the date of his appointment, *i.e.*, July 8, 2022. The Trustee also requests, pursuant to section 327(d) of the Bankruptcy Code, that he be authorized to act as one of the attorneys for the Debtor's estate.\n\n2. In support of this Application, the Trustee submits the *Declaration of Nicholas A. Bassett in Support of Application of Chapter 11 Trustee for Entry of Order, Pursuant to Bankruptcy Code Sections 327, 328, and 330 and Bankruptcy Rule 2014 and 2016, Authorizing*\n\n<sup>1</sup> Although the Debtor's legal name is Ho Wan Kwok, he is also known as Guo Wengui, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok, as well as numerous other aliases. The last four digits of the Debtor's taxpayer identification number are 9595.\n\n*and Approving Retention and Employment of Paul Hastings LLP as Counsel to Chapter 11 Trustee* (the \"Bassett Declaration\"), attached hereto as **Exhibit B**, which is incorporated by reference. In addition, this Application incorporates by reference the *Declaration of Disinterestedness of Luc A. Despins*, dated July 7, 2022 [ECF No. 515-1], as supplemented on July 12, 2022 [ECF No. 538] (the \"Despins Declaration\").\n\n### **JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND STATUTORY BASES**\n\n3. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (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, 328, and 330 of title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\"), and, to the extent applicable, 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 Practice and Procedure for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Local Rules\").\n\n#### **BACKGROUND**\n\n6. On February 15, 2022 (the \"Petition Date\"), the Debtor filed with the Court a voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.\n\n7. On March 21, 2022, the United States Trustee appointed an Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (\"Committee\") in the Debtor's chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\"). No examiner has been appointed in the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n8. On June 15, 2022, the Court entered a memorandum of decision and order [ECF No. 465] (the \"Trustee Order\") directing the United States Trustee to appoint a chapter 11 trustee in the Chapter 11 Case. Pursuant to the Trustee Order, the United States Trustee selected Luc A. Despins as the Trustee.\n\n9. On July 8, 2022, the Court entered an order granting the appointment of Luc A. Despins as the Trustee in the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n#### **PAUL HASTINGS' QUALIFICATIONS**\n\n10. The Trustee seeks to retain Paul Hastings as his attorneys because of Paul Hastings' extensive experience and recognized expertise in the field of financial restructuring and bankruptcy and other relevant practice areas. As one of the largest law firms in the world, with a national and an international practice, Paul Hastings has substantial experience in virtually all aspects of the law that may arise in the Chapter 11 Case, including bankruptcy, litigation, investigations, real estate, securities, and tax expertise, both in a domestic and international context.\n\n11. Paul Hastings' Financial Restructuring Group is capable of providing an array of services to assist the bankruptcy estate and its creditors in maximizing values and ultimate recoveries in a broad range of challenging circumstances. In roles ranging from debtor's counsel to committee counsel, Paul Hastings' lawyers have played a significant role in many of the largest and most complex cases under the Bankruptcy Code, including, among many others, the chapter 11 cases of Enron, Lehman Brothers, Refco, Eagle Hospitality, Cred, Semi-Tech (a/k/a Singer); Safety-Kleen; AbitibiBowater; Adelphia Communications; Aerosoles, ALCO Stores; Allegiance Telecom; Alta Mesa; American Airlines; Atlas Energy; Calpine Corporation; Castex Energy Partners; Chisholm Oil & Gas; Circuit City Stores; CIT Group; Comdisco; Dictaphone;\n\nEducation Holdings 1; FairPoint Communications; Fruit of the Loom; Furniture Brands International; General Growth Properties; GT Advanced Technologies; Hostess Brands; Innkeepers USA; Kmart; Magna Entertainment; Mark IV Industries; McLeod USA; Molycorp; National Steel; NewPage; One Aviation; OneWeb Global Limited; Pioneer Energy Services; Reddy Ice; Sabine Oil & Gas Corporation; SandRidge Energy; Six Flags; Spansion; The Clare; United Airlines; US Airways; Vanguard Natural Resources; Velti; Visteon Corporation; Washington Mutual; WorldCom; and Zenith Electronics. Paul Hastings' lawyers also play a lead role as counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in Puerto Rico's cases under Title III of PROMESA.\n\n12. Of particular note, Paul Hastings lawyers also have extensive experience in complex bankruptcy litigation and international investigations, including as a result of their representations of the official committee of unsecured creditors in the Refco chapter 11 cases, the official committee of unsecured creditors in the Enron chapter 11 cases, the debtors in the Eagle Hospitality Group chapter 11 cases, the debtors in the Cred chapter 11 cases (the first cryptocurrency chapter 11 cases), the debtors in the Interlogic Outsourcing chapter 11 cases, as well as ad hoc groups of convertible noteholders in connection with their pursuit of assets of China Medical Technologies and American Oriental Bioengineering. In addition, Paul Hastings attorneys previously represented James L. Garrity, Jr. (now Hon. James L. Garrity, Jr., United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of New York), as the chapter 11 trustee in the case of GSC Group (f/k/a Greenwich Street Capital), as well as James Hassett, as chapter 11 trustee in the case of CIS Corp.\n\n13. In addition, it is in the best interest of the Debtor's estate that the Trustee also be authorized to act as one of the attorneys for the Debtor's estate.2 Mr. Despins is the Co-chair of Paul Hastings Financial Restructuring Group. Mr. Despins is a bankruptcy practitioner with over 35 years of experience representing debtors and creditors, including many of the debtors, committees, and creditors identified above, including Enron, Lehman Brothers, Refco, Eagle Hospitality, Semi-Tech (a/k/a Singer), Safety-Kleen, and the chapter 11 trustee in the case of CIS Corp.\n\n14. Accordingly, the Trustee submits that Paul Hastings' retention as bankruptcy counsel, including authorizing him to act as one of the attorneys for the Debtor's estate pursuant to section 327(d) of the Bankruptcy Code, is necessary and in the best interest of the Debtor's estates. Paul Hastings is both well-qualified and uniquely able to represent the Trustee in the Chapter 11 Case in an efficient and effective manner, including because the Trustee is also a partner of Paul Hastings and thus is intimately familiar with the experiences and expertise of Paul Hastings' attorneys.\n\n#### **SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED**\n\n15. The Trustee anticipates that Paul Hastings will render general legal services as needed throughout the course of the Chapter 11 Case, including bankruptcy, litigation, investigations, real estate, and tax-related advice. In particular, the Trustee has requested that Paul Hastings perform, among others, the following legal services:\n\n> (a) advising the Trustee as to his rights, powers, and duties as chapter 11 trustee in the Chapter 11 Case;\n\n<sup>2</sup> The Trustee will separately track his time spent as chapter 11 trustee and his time spent as one of the attorneys for the Debtor's estate.\n\n- (b) advising the Trustee as to his 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- (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- (d) preparing on behalf of the Trustee 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- (e) advising the Trustee 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- (f) advising and assisting the Trustee in connection with any potential asset sales and property dispositions;\n- (g) advising the Trustee concerning executory contract and unexpired lease assumptions, assignments, and rejections;\n- (h) advising the Trustee in connection with the formulation, negotiation, and promulgation of a plan or plans of reorganization, and related transactional documents;\n- (i) assisting the Trustee in reviewing, estimating, and resolving claims asserted against the Debtor's estate; and\n- (j) negotiating with parties in interest.\n\nIt is necessary and essential that the Trustee employs attorneys to render the foregoing\n\nprofessional services. Paul Hastings has substantial expertise in all of these areas.\n\n16. By separate application, the Trustee will seek to retain Neubert, Pepe & Monteith,\n\nP.C. to serve as local Connecticut counsel. In order to avoid any duplication of effort and\n\nprovide services to the Trustee in the most efficient and cost-effective manner, Paul Hastings\n\nwill coordinate with local counsel regarding their respective responsibilities in the Chapter 11\n\nCase.\n\n### **PROFESSIONAL COMPENSATION**\n\n17. Paul Hastings intends to apply for compensation for professional services rendered on an hourly basis and reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with the Chapter 11 Case, subject to the Court's approval . The hourly rates and corresponding rate structure Paul Hastings will use in the Chapter 11 Case are generally the same as the hourly rates and corresponding rate structure that Paul Hastings uses in other restructuring matters (with the exception of Puerto Rico's Title III cases), as well as similar complex transactional and litigation matters whether in court or otherwise, regardless of whether a fee application is required and regardless of the location of the chapter 11 cases. Paul Hastings' rates and rate structure reflect that such restructuring and other complex matters such as the present representation typically are national and international in scope and involve great complexity, high stakes, and severe time pressures.\n\n18. Paul Hastings operates in a national marketplace for legal services in which rates are driven by multiple factors relating to the individual lawyer, his or her area of specialization, the firm's expertise, performance, and reputation, the nature of the work involved, and other factors. Currently, Paul Hastings' customary hourly rate ranges in the United States are as follows:\n\n| Timekeeper Category | U.S. Hourly Rate Range |\n|---------------------|------------------------|\n| Partners            | \\$1,310 – \\$1,935      |\n| Of Counsel          | \\$1,335 – \\$1,860      |\n| Associates          | \\$755 – \\$1,230        |\n| Paralegals          | \\$250 – \\$565          |\n\n19. Paul Hastings' hourly rates are set at a level designed to compensate it fairly for the work of its attorneys and paraprofessionals and to cover fixed and routine expenses. Hourly rates vary with the experience and seniority of the individuals assigned. Paul Hastings' hourly\n\nrates are subject to periodic adjustments to reflect economic and other conditions.3 So long as Paul Hastings charges its regular hourly rates in effect at the time, the Trustee consents to Paul Hastings' annual and other periodic rate increases. In addition, in determining the level of compensation to be paid to Paul Hastings and its reasonableness, the Trustee compared Paul Hastings' hourly rates with the range of rates charged by other top firms in other large, complex, and international matters.\n\n20. The Trustee submits that Paul Hastings' hourly rates are reasonable, comparable to Paul Hastings' 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, Paul Hastings 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 Paul Hastings and the Trustee are successful in recovering assets for the benefit of the Debtor's estate and its creditors).\n\n21. 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 rates charged by Paul Hastings (which Paul Hastings would be charging here) for engagements where compensation is not contingent on assets being brought into the estate.\n\n<sup>3</sup> For example, like many of its peer law firms, Paul Hastings adjusts the hourly billing rate of attorneys and paraprofessionals in the form of: (i) step increases historically awarded in the ordinary course on the basis of advancing seniority and promotion and (ii) periodic increases within each attorney's and paraprofessional's current level of seniority. The 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, Paul Hastings will provide ten business days' notice to the Debtors, the Assistant United States Trustee for the District of Connecticut (the \"U.S. Trustee\"), and counsel to any official committee before implementing periodic increases, and shall file any such notice with the Court.\n\n22. It is Paul Hastings' policy to charge its clients in all areas of practice for all expenses incurred in connection with a client's matter. The expenses charged to clients include, among other things, photocopying, witness fees, travel expenses, filing and recording fees, long distance telephone calls, postage, express mail and messenger charges, computerized legal research charges and other computer services, expenses for \"working meals,\" and telecopier charges. Paul Hastings will charge the Trustee for these expenses in a manner and at rates consistent with charges generally made to its other clients.\n\n23. To ensure compliance with applicable deadlines in the Chapter 11 Case, from time to time the firm utilizes the services of overtime assistants. Paul Hastings charges fees for such administrative services that arise out of business necessity.\n\n#### **PAUL HASTINGS' DISINTERESTEDNESS**\n\n24. The Despins Declaration discloses Paul Hastings' connections to the Debtor and potential parties in interest in the Chapter 11 Case and are incorporated in this Application by reference. In reliance on the Despins Declaration, and except as set forth therein, the Trustee believes that: (a) Paul Hastings 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 Chapter 11 Case or their respective attorneys or accountants; and (b) neither Paul Hastings 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, the Trustee believes that Paul Hastings is a \"disinterested\n\nperson\" within the meaning of section 101(14) of the Bankruptcy Code, as modified by section 1107(b).\n\n25. Paul Hastings will review its files periodically during the pendency of the Chapter 11 Case to ensure that no conflicts or other disqualifying circumstances exist or arise. If any new relevant facts or relationships are discovered or arise, Paul Hastings will use reasonable efforts to identify such further developments and will promptly file a supplemental declaration, as required by Bankruptcy Rule 2014(a).\n\n## **BASIS FOR RELIEF**\n\n26. The Trustee seeks to retain Paul Hastings as his attorneys pursuant to section 327(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, which provides that a trustee, subject to court approval 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 in possession] in carrying out [its] duties under this title.\" In addition, pursuant to section 327(d) of the Bankruptcy Code, the Court \"may authorize the trustee to act as attorney . . . for the estate if such authorization is in the best interest of the estate.\"\n\n27. 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 fixed or percentage fee basis, or on a contingent fee basis.\" 11 U.S.C. § 328(a).\n\n28. Bankruptcy Rule 2014(a) requests 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\n\nStates trustee, or any person employed in the office of the United States trustee.\n\n29. As required by Bankruptcy Rule 2014(a), this Application, along with the Bassett Declaration and the Despins Declaration, sets forth: (a) the specific facts establishing the Trustee's need to employ Paul Hastings as counsel in the Chapter 11 Case and the reasons for the Trustee's selection of Paul Hastings, including that it is in the best interest of the estate that he be authorized to act as one of the attorneys for the Debtor's estate; (b) the professional services to be rendered by Paul Hastings; (c) Paul Hastings' compensation and the reasonableness thereof; and (d) to the best of the Trustee's knowledge, Paul Hastings' connection, if any, to certain parties in interest in the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n30. Finally, the Trustee requests that the retention of Paul Hastings be authorized and approved effective as of the date of the Trustee's appointment, *i.e.*, July 8, 2022, which was also the date on which Paul Hastings began providing services to the Trustee. In accordance with Local Rule 2014-1(b)(1), this Application is deemed contemporaneously filed with the commencement of such services because this Application was filed within thirty (30) days after the commencement of services.\n\n31. The Trustee submits that for all of the reasons stated in this Application, the Bassett Declaration, and the Despins Declaration the proposed retention of Paul Hastings as the Trustee's bankruptcy and restructuring counsel in the Chapter 11 Case falls squarely within the scope of sections 327(a) and (d) and is warranted. Accordingly, the Trustee respectfully requests that the Court authorize the retention of Paul Hastings as counsel to the Trustee.\n\n## **NO PRIOR REQUEST**\n\n32. The Trustee has not previously sought the relief requested herein from this or any other court.","body_zh":"美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院（United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut）布里奇波特分部（Bridgeport Division）\n\n------------------------------------------------------ x\n\n案件：\n第 11 章\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵），\n案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。1\n\n------------------------------------------------------ x\n\n第 11 章破产受托人依据《破产法典》第 327、328 和 330 条以及《破产程序规则》第 2014 和 2016 条请求作出裁定授权并批准聘请及雇用 PAUL HASTINGS LLP 作为第 11 章破产受托人法律顾问的申请书\n\n在 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（下称“债务人”）的第 11 章破产案件中获任命的第 11 章破产受托人（下称“受托人”）Luc A. Despins 先生，为支持本申请书（下称“本申请”），谨陈述如下：\n\n请求的救济\n\n1. 通过本申请，受托人请求作出基本符合本申请所附附件 A 格式的裁定（下称“拟议裁定”），授权并批准自其获任命之日（即 2022 年 7 月 8 日）起聘请 Paul Hastings LLP（普衡律师事务所，下称“Paul Hastings”）作为受托人的法律顾问。受托人亦依据《破产法典》第 327(d) 条请求授权其担任债务人破产财产的律师之一。\n\n2. 为支持本申请，受托人提交了《Nicholas A. Bassett 支持第 11 章破产受托人依据〈破产法典〉第 327、328 和 330 条以及〈破产程序规则〉第 2014 和 2016 条请求作出裁定授权并批准聘请及雇用 Paul Hastings LLP 作为第 11 章破产受托人法律顾问的申请书的声明》（下称“Bassett 声明”），作为附件 B 附于本申请之后并作为其组成部分并入本文。此外，本申请通过引用并入了 2022 年 7 月 7 日的《Luc A. Despins 利害关系声明》[ECF No. 515-1]，以及于 2022 年 7 月 12 日补充提交的声明 [ECF No. 538]（下称“Despins 声明”）。\n\n1 尽管债务人的法定姓名为 Ho Wan Kwok，但其亦被称为 Guo Wengui、Miles Guo 和 Miles Kwok，以及其他诸多化名。债务人纳税人识别号的后四位数字为 9595。\n\n管辖权、管辖地及法定依据\n\n3. 依据《美国法典》第 28 编（28 U.S.C.）第 157 条和第 1334 条以及康涅狄格区联邦地区法院（United States District Court for the District of Connecticut）的常设移交命令（经修订），美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院（下称“本法院”）对本事项拥有管辖权。依 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) 之含义，本案属于核心程序。\n\n4. 依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 和 1409，本司法区管辖地适当。\n\n5. 本申请请求的救济之法定依据为《美国法典》第 11 编（下称“《破产法典》”）第 327、328 和 330 条，以及在适用范围内的《联邦破产程序规则》（下称“《破产程序规则》”）第 2014 和 2016 条，以及《美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院破产执业与程序地方规则》（下称“《地方规则》”）第 2014-1 和 2016-1 条。\n\n背景\n\n6. 2022 年 2 月 15 日（下称“申请日”），债务人向本法院提交了依据《破产法典》第 11 章寻求救济的自愿申请。\n\n7. 2022 年 3 月 21 日，美国破产受托人（United States Trustee）在债务人的第 11 章案件（下称“第 11 章案件”）中任命了无担保债权人官方委员会（Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors，下称“委员会”）。本第 11 章案件中未任命审查人。\n\n8. 2022 年 6 月 15 日，本法院作出一项判决备忘录及裁定 [ECF No. 465]（下称“受托人裁定”），指示美国破产受托人在第 11 章案件中任命一名第 11 章破产受托人。依据受托人裁定，美国破产受托人选任 Luc A. Despins 担任受托人。\n\n9. 2022 年 7 月 8 日，本法院作出裁定，准予任命 Luc A. Despins 担任第 11 章案件中的受托人。\n\nPAUL HASTINGS 的资质\n\n10. 受托人寻求聘请 Paul Hastings 作为其代理律师，系基于 Paul Hastings 在财务重组与破产领域及其他相关执业领域拥有广泛经验与公认专长。作为全球规模最大的律师事务所之一，凭借其全国性和国际性业务网络，Paul Hastings 在第 11 章案件中可能涉及的几乎所有法律领域均拥有深厚经验，包括破产、诉讼、调查、房地产、证券以及税务等领域的国内与国际专长。\n\n11. Paul Hastings 的财务重组业务组有能力提供全方位服务，协助破产财产及其债权人在各类具有挑战性的情形下实现价值最大化与最终追偿。从债务人法律顾问到委员会法律顾问，Paul Hastings 的律师在《破产法典》下诸多规模最大、最复杂的案件中发挥了重要作用，其中包括但不限于以下公司的第 11 章破产案件：Enron（安然）、Lehman Brothers（雷曼兄弟）、Refco（瑞富）、Eagle Hospitality、Cred、Semi-Tech（又名 Singer/胜家）；Safety-Kleen；AbitibiBowater；Adelphia Communications；Aerosoles、ALCO Stores；Allegiance Telecom；Alta Mesa；American Airlines（美国航空）；Atlas Energy；Calpine Corporation；Castex Energy Partners；Chisholm Oil & Gas；Circuit City Stores；CIT Group；Comdisco；Dictaphone；Education Holdings 1；FairPoint Communications；Fruit of the Loom；Furniture Brands International；General Growth Properties；GT Advanced Technologies；Hostess Brands；Innkeepers USA；Kmart；Magna Entertainment；Mark IV Industries；McLeod USA；Molycorp；National Steel；NewPage；One Aviation；OneWeb Global Limited；Pioneer Energy Services；Reddy Ice；Sabine Oil & Gas Corporation；SandRidge Energy；Six Flags；Spansion；The Clare；United Airlines（联合航空）；US Airways（全美航空）；Vanguard Natural Resources；Velti；Visteon Corporation；Washington Mutual（华盛顿互惠）；WorldCom（世通）；以及 Zenith Electronics。Paul Hastings 的律师还在波多黎各依据《波多黎各监督、管理和经济稳定法》（PROMESA）第三编进行的破产程序中，担任无担保债权人官方委员会的首席法律顾问。\n\n12. 尤为值得一提的是，Paul Hastings 的律师在复杂破产诉讼和国际调查方面亦具备广泛经验，包括代表过 Refco 第 11 章案件中的无担保债权人官方委员会、Enron 第 11 章案件中的无担保债权人官方委员会、Eagle Hospitality Group 第 11 章案件中的债务人、Cred 第 11 章案件（首例加密货币第 11 章案件）中的债务人、Interlogic Outsourcing 第 11 章案件中的债务人，以及在可转换票据持有人特别委员会追索 China Medical Technologies（中国医疗技术）和 American Oriental Bioengineering（美东生物）资产的事务中担任代表。此外，Paul Hastings 的律师此前曾代表 James L. Garrity, Jr.（现为纽约南区联邦破产法院法官 James L. Garrity, Jr. 阁下）处理 GSC Group（前身为 Greenwich Street Capital）案中的第 11 章破产受托人事务，并曾代表 CIS Corp. 案中的第 11 章破产受托人 James Hassett。\n\n13. 此外，授权受托人同时担任债务人破产财产的律师之一，符合债务人破产财产的最佳利益。2 Despins 先生是 Paul Hastings 财务重组业务组的联席主席。Despins 先生是一名拥有超过 35 年执业经验的破产法专业律师，曾代表债务人和债权人，包括上述诸多债务人、委员会和债权人，如 Enron、Lehman Brothers、Refco、Eagle Hospitality、Semi-Tech（又名 Singer）、Safety-Kleen，以及 CIS Corp. 案中的第 11 章破产受托人。\n\n14. 因此，受托人认为，聘请 Paul Hastings 担任破产法律顾问，包括依据《破产法典》第 327(d) 条授权其本人担任债务人破产财产的律师之一，是必要的，且符合债务人破产财产的最佳利益。Paul Hastings 既具备充分资质，又具有独特能力以高效且有效的方式在第 11 章案件中代表受托人，原因亦包括受托人本人系 Paul Hastings 的合伙人，因而对 Paul Hastings 律师的经验和专业能力极为熟悉。\n\n拟提供的服务\n\n15. 受托人预计 Paul Hastings 将在整个第 11 章案件过程中根据需要提供全面法律服务，包括破产、诉讼、调查、房地产及税务相关咨询。具体而言，受托人已要求 Paul Hastings 提供包括但不限于以下各项法律服务：\n\n(a) 就受托人在第 11 章案件中作为第 11 章破产受托人的权利、权力和职责向受托人提供法律意见；\n\n2 受托人将分别记录其作为第 11 章破产受托人所花费的时间以及其作为债务人破产财产律师之一所花费的时间。\n\n(b) 就受托人对债务人破产财产的调查向受托人提供法律意见，包括为债务人破产财产的利益提起追索和收回财产的任何诉讼；\n\n(c) 提起、进行和/或继续进行必要且适当的诉讼，以主张债务人破产财产所拥有的权利、保护债务人破产财产的资产，或以其他方式推进完成第 11 章案件的目标；\n\n(d) 代表受托人准备必要且适当的申请书、动议、拟议裁定、其他诉状、通知、财产清单和其他文件，并审查在第 11 章案件中已提交和将要提交的财务及其他报告；\n\n(e) 就第 11 章案件中其他各方可能提交的申请书、动议、其他诉状、通知和其他法律文书向受托人提供法律意见并准备答复；\n\n(f) 就任何潜在的资产出售和财产处置向受托人提供法律意见和协助；\n\n(g) 就待履行合同及未到期租约的承担、转让和拒绝履行向受托人提供法律意见；\n\n(h) 就重组计划的制定、谈判和公布以及相关交易文件向受托人提供法律意见；\n\n(i) 协助受托人审查、评估和解决针对债务人破产财产提出的债权主张；以及\n\n(j) 与利害关系各方进行谈判。\n\n受托人雇用律师提供上述专业服务是必要且不可或缺的。Paul Hastings 在所有这些领域均拥有深厚的专业专长。\n\n16. 受托人将通过单独申请，寻求聘请 Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. 担任康涅狄格州本地法律顾问。为避免任何重复工作，并以最高效、最具成本效益的方式向受托人提供服务，Paul Hastings 将与本地法律顾问就其各自在第 11 章案件中的职责进行协调。\n\n专业报酬\n\n17. 在获得本法院批准的前提下，Paul Hastings 拟针对所提供的专业服务按小时收费申请报酬，并申请报销与第 11 章案件相关的已发生费用。Paul Hastings 在第 11 章案件中将采用的小时费率和相应费率结构，大体上与 Paul Hastings 在其他重组事项（波多黎各 PROMESA 第三编案件除外）以及类似的复杂交易和诉讼事项（无论是否在法院审理）中所采用的小时费率和相应费率结构相同，不论是否需要提交费用申请，亦不论第 11 章案件的审理地在何处。Paul Hastings 的费率和费率结构反映了此类重组及其他复杂事项（如本代理事项）通常具有全国性和国际性范围，且涉及高度复杂性、巨大利益关切以及极度紧迫的时间压力。\n\n18. Paul Hastings（普衡律师事务所）在全国法律服务市场中执业，在该市场中，费率受与个别律师、其专业领域、律所专长、业绩与声誉、所涉工作的性质以及其他因素相关的多重因素驱动。目前，Paul Hastings 在美国的常规小时费率范围如下：\n\n计费人员类别　美国小时费率范围\n\n合伙人　$1,310 – $1,935\n特聘顾问（Of Counsel）　$1,335 – $1,860\n专职律师（Associates）　$755 – $1,230\n律师助理（Paralegals）　$250 – $565\n\n19. Paul Hastings 的小时费率设定水平旨在公平补偿其律师和专业辅助人员的工作，并支付固定和日常开支。小时费率随被指派人员的经验和资历而有所不同。Paul Hastings 的小时费率会根据经济和其他状况定期进行调整。3 只要 Paul Hastings 按照当时生效的常规小时费率收费，受托人（Trustee）同意 Paul Hastings 进行年度及其他定期费率上调。此外，在确定向 Paul Hastings 支付的报酬水平及其合理性时，受托人将 Paul Hastings 的小时费率与其他顶级律所在其他大型、复杂及跨国事项中收取的费率范围进行了比较。\n\n20. 受托人认为，Paul Hastings 的小时费率是合理的，与 Paul Hastings 承接非破产业务的小时费率相当，并处于提供同类服务且具备相当技能的专业人士所收取的费率范围之内。在债务人（Debtor）破产财产目前没有资产用于支付专业人员费用的情况下，尤其如此。因此，就所有实际目的而言，Paul Hastings 是在风险代理（contingency）的基础上被聘用——即其报酬将取决于最终是否有资产纳入债务人破产财产（这反过来又将取决于 Paul Hastings 和受托人为债务人破产财产及其债权人的利益追回资产的成功程度）。\n\n21. 根据本人的经验，在没有破产财产资产可用于资助受托人法律顾问报酬的典型风险代理收费安排中，其费用将远远超过 Paul Hastings 在报酬不取决于资产是否纳入破产财产的业务中所收取的小时费率（即 Paul Hastings 在本案中所收取的小时费率）。\n\n3 例如，与其许多同行律所一样，Paul Hastings 调整律师和专业辅助人员小时计费费率的形式包括：(i) 基于资历提升和晋升而历来在正常业务过程中给予的阶梯式上调，以及 (ii) 在每位律师和专业辅助人员当前资历级别内的定期上调。阶梯式上调不构成“费率上调”（如《2013年11月1日生效的关于审查律师在较大型第11章案件中依据 11 U.S.C. § 330 提交的报酬与费用补偿申请的指引》（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）（简称“美国受托人指引”/“U.S. Trustee Guidelines”）中该词的用法）。如拟议命令（Proposed Order）所述，Paul Hastings 将在实施定期上调前向债务人、美国康涅狄格区助理联邦受托人（Assistant United States Trustee for the District of Connecticut）（简称“美国联邦受托人”/“U.S. Trustee”）以及任何官方委员会的法律顾问提供十个工作日的通知，并应向法院提交任何此类通知。\n\n22. Paul Hastings 的政策是在所有执业领域均就与客户事项相关的各项实际支出向客户收取费用。向客户收取的支出包括但不限于复印费、证人费、差旅费、立案和登记费、长途电话费、邮资、特快专递和信使费、计算机法律检索费及其他计算机服务费、“工作餐”费用以及传真费。Paul Hastings 将按与其通常向其他客户收费一致的方式和费率向受托人收取这些支出。\n\n23. 为确保遵守第11章案件（Chapter 11 Case）中适用的各项期限，律所会不时使用加班助理的服务。Paul Hastings 就此类出于业务必要性而产生的行政服务收取费用。\n\nPAUL HASTINGS 的无利害关系性（DISINTERESTEDNESS）\n\n24. Despins 声明（Despins Declaration）披露了 Paul Hastings 与债务人及第11章案件中潜在利害关系方的关联，并通过援引纳入本申请（Application）。依据 Despins 声明，且除其中所述之外，受托人认为：(a) Paul Hastings 与债务人、其债权人、美国联邦受托人、美国联邦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其各自的律师或会计师均无关联；且 (b) Paul Hastings 及其任何律师均不 (i) 是债务人或其关联方的债权人、股权证券持有人或内部人（insider），(ii) 在申请日（Petition Date）前两年内曾是债务人或其关联方的董事、高级职员或雇员，或 (iii) 因与债务人的任何直接或间接关系、关联或在其中的利益，或因任何其他原因，而拥有对债务人破产财产或任何类别债权人或股权证券持有人的利益构成重大不利的任何利益。因此，受托人认为，Paul Hastings 属于《破产法典》（Bankruptcy Code）第101(14)条（经第1107(b)条修正）含义范围内的“无利害关系人”（disinterested person）。\n\n25. Paul Hastings 将在第11章案件审理期间定期审查其卷宗，以确保不存在或未出现任何利益冲突或其他导致丧失资格的情形。如果发现或出现任何新的相关事实或关系，Paul Hastings 将尽合理努力确定此类进一步发展，并将根据《联邦破产诉讼规则》（Bankruptcy Rule）第2014(a)条的要求及时提交补充声明。\n\n寻求救济的依据（BASIS FOR RELIEF）\n\n26. 受托人依据《破产法典》第327(a)条寻求聘用 Paul Hastings 作为其律师，该条规定，受托人经法院批准，可以聘用“不持有或不代表对破产财产不利的利益，且属于无利害关系人的专业人员，以代表或协助[占有中债务人]履行其在本编项下的职责”。此外，依据《破产法典》第327(d)条，如果“符合破产财产的最佳利益，法院可授权受托人担任破产财产的律师……”。\n\n27. 根据《破产法典》第328(a)条，经破产法院批准，受托人可根据《破产法典》第327(a)条“按任何合理的聘用条款和条件聘用专业人员，包括按预付聘用费（retainer）、按小时计费、按固定或百分比收费、或按风险代理费（contingent fee）计费”。11 U.S.C. § 328(a)。\n\n28. 《破产诉讼规则》第2014(a)条要求聘用申请应包括：\n\n说明聘用必要性的具体事实、拟聘用[律所]的名称、选择的原因、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、其各自的律师和会计师、美国联邦受托人或美国联邦受托人办公室雇用的任何人员的所有关联。\n\n29. 按照《破产诉讼规则》第2014(a)条的要求，本申请连同 Bassett 声明（Bassett Declaration）和 Despins 声明阐明了：(a) 确立受托人需要在第11章案件中聘用 Paul Hastings 作为法律顾问的具体事实，以及受托人选择 Paul Hastings 的原因，包括授权其担任债务人破产财产的律师之一符合破产财产的最佳利益；(b) Paul Hastings 拟提供的专业服务；(c) Paul Hastings 的报酬及其合理性；以及 (d) 据受托人所知，Paul Hastings 与第11章案件中某些利害关系方的关联（若有）。\n\n30. 最后，受托人请求自受托人获任命之日（即 2022年7月8日，该日亦是 Paul Hastings 开始向受托人提供服务的日期）起授权并批准对 Paul Hastings 的聘用。根据《本地诉讼规则》（Local Rule）第2014-1(b)(1)条，由于本申请是在开始提供服务后三十（30）日内提交的，因此本申请视为与开始提供该等服务同时提交。\n\n31. 受托人认为，基于本申请、Bassett 声明和 Despins 声明中所述的全部理由，拟聘用 Paul Hastings 作为受托人在第11章案件中的破产与重组法律顾问完全符合第327(a)和(d)条的范围，且是正当合理的。因此，受托人谨请法院授权聘用 Paul Hastings 作为受托人的法律顾问。\n\n此前未提出过请求（NO PRIOR REQUEST）\n\n32. 受托人此前未曾向本法院或任何其他法院请求过本文所申请的救济。","key_entities":["Paul Hastings","Despins","Kwok","Je","Ho Wan Kwok","Guo","RICO","Miles Guo","CIPA"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":465,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":515,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":538,"court":"CTB"}],"word_count":3333,"status":"published","published_at":"2022-07-07 00:00:00","created_at":"2022-07-07","updated_at":"2026-08-23 13:40:26"}