{"id":"court_ctb_539_2","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":539,"sub_number":2,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":"2022-07-12","title":"EXHIBIT B Bassett Declaration","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"Case 22-50073 Doc 539-2 Filed 07/12/22 Entered 07/12/22 16:51:32 Page 1 of 11\n\n## **EXHIBIT B**\n\n**Bassett Declaration**\n\n# **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>: |                         |\n| ------------------------------------------------------ | :<br>x |                         |\n\n# **DECLARATION OF NICHOLAS A. BASSETT IN SUPPORT OF CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE'S APPLICATION FOR ENTRY OF AN 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\nPursuant to Rule 2014(a) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy\n\nRules\"), I, Nicholas A. Bassett, declare that the following is true to the best of my knowledge,\n\ninformation, and belief:\n\n1. I am an attorney admitted and in good standing to practice in the State of New\n\nYork. My application for admission *pro hac vice* to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the\n\nDistrict of Connecticut (the \"Court\") was filed on July 11, 2022 [ECF No. 533].\n\n2. I am a partner with the law firm of Paul Hastings LLP (\"Paul Hastings\"), located\n\nat, among other offices worldwide, 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York, 10166, and am duly authorized to make this declaration (this \"Declaration\") on behalf of Paul Hastings. I submit this Declaration in support of the *Application of Chapter 11 Trustee for Entry of an Order, Pursuant to Bankruptcy Code Sections 327, 328, and 330 and Bankruptcy Rule 2014 and*\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*2016, Authorizing and Approving the Retention and Employment of Paul Hastings LLP as Counsel to Chapter 11 Trustee* (the \"Application\")<sup>2</sup> submitted by Mr. 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\").\n\n3. The facts set forth in this Declaration are based upon my personal knowledge, discussions with other Paul Hastings attorneys, and the firm's client/matter records that were reviewed by me or other Paul Hastings attorneys. To the extent any information disclosed in this Declaration requires amendment or modification upon completion of Paul Hastings' further review or as additional information becomes available, a supplemental declaration will be submitted to the Court reflecting such amended or modified information.\n\n#### **PAUL HASTINGS' QUALIFICATIONS**\n\n4. Paul Hastings is particularly qualified to serve as the Trustee's counsel in this chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\"). Paul Hastings is one of the largest law firms in the world, with a national and an international practice, and 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.\n\n5. 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;\n\n<sup>2</sup> Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Application.\n\nAllegiance Telecom; Alta Mesa; American Airlines; 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; 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\n6. 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\n7. In addition, Mr. Luc A. Despins is the Co-chair of Paul Hastings Financial Restructuring Group and a partner in the Corporate practice of Paul Hastings. 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\n8. 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\n9. Paul Hastings will render general legal services as needed throughout the course of the Chapter 11 Case, including bankruptcy, litigation, investigations, real estate, and taxrelated 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- (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\n## **COMPENSATION OF PAUL HASTINGS**\n\n10. Paul Hastings will apply for compensation for professional services rendered on an hourly basis and reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, 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 similar matters (with the exception of Puerto Rico's Title III cases), as well as other 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\n11. 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,\n\nthe firm's expertise, performance, and reputation, the nature of the work involved, and other factors. Paul Hastings' current 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\n12. 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. I believe these rates are reasonable and commensurate with the hourly rates of other firms of similar size and expertise. Paul Hastings' hourly rates are subject to periodic adjustments to reflect economic and other conditions.3\n\n13. 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\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 U.S. Trustee Guidelines)*.* As set forth in the Proposed Order, Paul Hastings will provide ten business days' notice to the Debtors, the U.S. Trustee, and counsel to any official committee before implementing periodic increases, and shall file any such notice with the Court.\n\n14. 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\n15. Paul Hastings has agreed to accept as compensation for its services in the Chapter 11 Case such sums as may be allowed by this Court, based upon the time spent and services rendered, the difficulties encountered, and other appropriate factors.\n\n16. Paul Hastings currently charges \\$0.08 per page for standard black and white duplication and \\$0.50 per page for standard color copies in its offices in the United States. Paul Hastings does not charge its clients for incoming facsimile transmissions. Because Paul Hastings believes that on-line legal research (*e.g.*, LEXIS and WESTLAW) is far more cost-efficient than manual research using hardbound volumes, Paul Hastings encourages computerized legal research even though it is not a profit center for Paul Hastings.\n\n17. Paul Hastings will apply for compensation for professional services rendered and reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with the Chapter 11 Case. Further, even though Appendix B of the U.S. Trustee Guidelines does not apply in this Chapter 11 Case because it only applies if the debtor's petition lists \\$50 million or more in assets and \\$50 million or more in liabilities, Paul Hastings also intends to make a reasonable effort to comply with the U.S. Trustee's requests for information and additional disclosures set forth in the U.S. Trustee Guidelines in connection with the interim and final fee applications to be filed by Paul Hastings in the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n18. Paul Hastings has not received any promises as to payment or compensation in connection with the Chapter 11 Case other than in accordance with the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and as disclosed herein. Moreover, Paul Hastings has not agreed to share any\n\nof its compensation from the Debtor and/or his estate with any other person, other than the partners, of counsel, associates, and staff employed by Paul Hastings as permitted by section 504 of the Bankruptcy Code. The proposed retention of Paul Hastings is not prohibited by Bankruptcy Rule 5002.\n\n#### **PAUL HASTINGS' CONFLICTS CHECK**\n\n19. The Despins Declaration, which was prepared in connection with, and attached to, the U.S. Trustee's *Application for Order Approving Appointment of a Chapter 11 Trustee* [ECF No. 515], sets forth Paul Hastings' conflict review procedures and the steps performed to identify not only the Trustee's but also Paul Hastings' connections to potential parties in interest in the Chapter 11 Case. For a description of Paul Hastings' connections to potential parties in interest in the Chapter 11 case, I refer to the Despins Declaration.\n\n## **STATEMENT REGARDING U.S. TRUSTEE GUIDELINES**\n\n20. Paul Hastings does not believe that Appendix B of the U.S. Trustee Guidelines applies in this Chapter 11 Case because the debtor's petition does not list \\$50 million or more in assets and \\$50 million or more in liabilities. In particular, the Debtor estimated the value of his assets between \\$50,001 and \\$100,000. Nevertheless, Paul Hastings intends to make a reasonable effort to comply with the U.S. Trustee's requests for information and additional disclosures set forth in the U.S. Trustee Guidelines in connection with the interim and final fee applications to be filed by Paul Hastings in the Chapter 11 Case, but reserves all rights as to their relevance and substantive legal effect in connection with the Application or any application for compensation in the Chapter 11 Cases. Paul Hastings provides the following response to the request for information set forth in Paragraph D.1. of the U.S. Trustee Guidelines.\n\n> Question: Did you agree to any variations from, or alternatives to, your standard or customary billing arrangements for this engagement?\n\n| 11 |  |\n|----|--|\n|----|--|\n\n| Response: | No. Paul Hastings and the Trustee have not agreed to any<br>variations from, or alternatives to, Paul Hastings' standard billing<br>arrangements for this engagement. That said, as discussed above,<br>as a practical matter, Paul Hastings will only be compensated if<br>and to the extent that there are assets in the Debtor's estate.                              |\n|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|\n| Question: | Do any of the professionals included in this engagement vary their<br>rate based on the geographic location of the bankruptcy case?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |\n| Response: | No.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |\n| Question: | If you represented the client in the 12 months prepetition, disclose<br>your billing rates and material financial terms for the prepetition<br>engagement, including any adjustments during the 12 months<br>prepetition. If your billing rates and material financial terms have<br>changed postpetition, explain the difference and the reasons for the<br>difference. |\n| Response: | Paul Hastings did not represent the Trustee in the 12 months<br>prepetition.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n| Question: | Has your client approved your prospective budget and staffing<br>plan, and, if so, for what budget period?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |\n| Response: | The Trustee and Paul Hastings are working together on a budget<br>and staffing plan for the period from July 8, 2022 through<br>September 30, 2022.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |\n\n[*Remainder of page intentionally left blank.*]\n\nI declare under penalty of perjury that, to the best of my knowledge and after reasonable\n\ninquiry, the foregoing is true and correct.\n\nExecuted this 12th day of July 2022\n\n*/s/ Nicholas A. Bassett*\n\nNicholas A. Bassett","body_zh":"Case 22-50073 Doc 539-2 Filed 07/12/22 Entered 07/12/22 16:51:32 Page 1 of 11\n证物 B\n\nBassett 声明书\nUNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION（美国康涅狄格区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， :\n: 案号 22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。1 :\n\nx\nNICHOLAS A. BASSETT 支持第 11 章受托人根据《破产法典》第 327、328 及 330 条以及《破产程序规则》第 2014 及 2016 条提起的申请以做出授权并批准聘用及任用 PAUL HASTINGS LLP 作为第 11 章受托人法律顾问的命令的声明书\n\n根据 Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure（《联邦破产程序规则》）（下称“《破产规则》”）第 2014(a) 条，我，Nicholas A. Bassett，据我所知、所悉及所信声明以下内容真实无误：\n\n1. 我是获准在纽约州执业且信誉良好的律师。我向 United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区破产法院）（下称“本法院”）申请特别出庭许可（pro hac vice）的申请已于 2022 年 7 月 11 日提交 [ECF No. 533]。\n\n2. 我是 Paul Hastings LLP（普衡律师事务所）（下称“Paul Hastings”）的合伙人，该所在全球多处设有办事处，其中包括位于 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York, 10166 的办事处，我已获得正式授权代表 Paul Hastings 作出本声明书（下称“本声明书”）。我提交本声明书，以支持 Luc A. Despins 先生以在 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（下称“债务人”）的第 11 章案件中被任命的第 11 章受托人（下称“受托人”）身份提交的《第 11 章受托人根据〈破产法典〉第 327、328 及 330 条以及〈破产规则〉第 2014 及\n\n1 尽管债务人的法定姓名是 Ho Wan Kwok，但他也以 Guo Wengui（郭文贵）、Miles Guo 和 Miles Kwok 以及许多其他化名而闻名。债务人纳税人识别号的最后四位数字是 9595。\n\n2016 条申请做出授权并批准聘用及任用 Paul Hastings LLP 作为第 11 章受托人法律顾问的命令的申请》（下称“《申请》”）2。\n\n3. 本声明书中所陈述的事实基于我的个人知悉、与其他 Paul Hastings 律师的讨论，以及由我或其他 Paul Hastings 律师审阅的本所客户/案件记录。如果在本声明书中披露的任何信息在 Paul Hastings 进一步审阅完成或获得更多信息后需要修订或修改，将向本法院提交一份补充声明书以反映此类修订或修改的信息。\nPAUL HASTINGS 的资质\n\n4. Paul Hastings 极具资格在本第 11 章案件（下称“第 11 章案件”）中担任受托人的法律顾问。Paul Hastings 是全球最大的律师事务所之一，拥有全美及国际业务网络，并在第 11 章案件中可能出现的几乎所有法律领域都拥有丰富的经验，包括破产、诉讼、调查、房地产、证券和税务方面的专业知识。\n\n5. Paul Hastings 的财务重组业务组有能力提供一系列服务，协助破产财产及其债权人在各种具有挑战性的情况下实现价值和最终受偿的最大化。在从债务人法律顾问到委员会法律顾问的各种角色中，Paul Hastings 的律师在《破产法典》下许多规模最大、最复杂的案件中发挥了重要作用，其中包括但不限于以下实体的第 11 章案件：Enron、Lehman Brothers（雷曼兄弟）、Refco、Eagle Hospitality、Cred、Semi-Tech（又名 Singer）、Safety-Kleen、AbitibiBowater、Adelphia Communications、Aerosoles、ALCO Stores、\n\n2 本文中使用但未作定义的具有首字母大写的术语具有《申请》中所规定的含义。\n\nAllegiance 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、WorldCom 以及 Zenith Electronics。Paul Hastings 的律师还在波多黎各根据 PROMESA（《波多黎各监督、管理和经济稳定法》）第三章提起的案件中担任无担保债权人官方委员会的牵头法律顾问。\n\n6. 尤为值得注意的是，Paul Hastings 的律师在复杂的破产诉讼和国际调查方面也拥有广泛的经验，包括曾代表 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（首起加密货币第 11 章案件）中的债务人、Interlogic Outsourcing 第 11 章案件中的债务人，以及代表可转换票据持有人特设小组追索 China Medical Technologies（中国医疗技术）和 American Oriental Bioengineering（美东生物）的资产。此外，Paul Hastings 的律师此前曾代表 James L. Garrity, Jr.（现任 United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York（美国纽约南区破产法院）法官 James L. Garrity, Jr. 阁下）担任 GSC Group（前称 Greenwich Street Capital）案件中的第 11 章受托人，并代表 James Hassett 担任 CIS Corp. 案件中的第 11 章受托人。\n\n7. 此外，Luc A. Despins 先生是 Paul Hastings 财务重组业务组的联席主席，也是 Paul Hastings 公司业务部的合伙人。Despins 先生是一名拥有超过 35 年代表债务人和债权人经验的破产从业律师，曾代表上述众多债务人、委员会和债权人，包括 Enron、Lehman Brothers、Refco、Eagle Hospitality、Semi-Tech（又名 Singer）、Safety-Kleen，以及 CIS Corp. 案件中的第 11 章受托人。\n\n8. Paul Hastings 具备充分的资质并拥有独特的能力，能够高效且有力地在第 11 章案件中代表受托人，原因之一在于受托人本身也是 Paul Hastings 的合伙人，因此非常熟悉 Paul Hastings 律师的经验和专业特长。\n拟提供的服务\n\n9. 在第 11 章案件的整个过程中，Paul Hastings 将根据需要提供一般法律服务，包括破产、诉讼、调查、房地产和税务相关的咨询建议。受托人特别要求 Paul Hastings 履行以下法律服务等：\n\n- (a) 就受托人在第 11 章案件中作为第 11 章受托人的权利、权力和职责向其提供建议；\n- (b) 就受托人对债务人财产的调查向其提供建议，包括提起任何旨在为债务人财产利益收取和追回财产的诉讼行为；\n- (c) 提起、进行和/或继续进行必要且适当的诉讼，以主张债务人财产享有的权利、保护债务人财产的资产，或以其他方式推进完成第 11 章案件的目标；\n- (d) 代表受托人准备必要且适当的申请、动议、拟议命令、其他诉答文书、通知、明细表和其他文件，并审阅在第 11 章案件中已提交和将要提交的财务报告及其他报告；\n- (e) 就其他各方可能在第 11 章案件中提交的申请、动议、其他诉答文书、通知和其他文件向受托人提供建议并准备答复；\n- (f) 就任何潜在的资产出售和财产处置向受托人提供建议并协助受托人；\n- (g) 就待履行合同和未到期租约的承担、转让和拒绝向受托人提供建议；\n- (h) 就重组计划的制定、谈判和颁布以及相关交易文件向受托人提供建议；\n- (i) 协助受托人审阅、评估和解决针对债务人财产提出的主张；以及\n- (j) 与利害关系方进行谈判。\nPAUL HASTINGS 的报酬\n\n10. Paul Hastings 将按小时费率就所提供的专业服务申请报酬，并就与第 11 章案件相关的已发生费用申请补偿，但须经本法院批准。Paul Hastings 在第 11 章案件中将使用的小时费率和相应的费率结构，与 Paul Hastings 在类似事项（波多黎各第三章案件除外）以及其他复杂的交易和诉讼事项（无论是否在法院审理）中所使用的小时费率和相应费率结构基本相同，无论是否需要提交费用申请，也无论第 11 章案件所在地为何处。Paul Hastings 的费率和费率结构反映了此类重组以及诸如本代理事项等其他复杂事项通常具有全美和国际范围，且涉及极高的复杂性、高风险以及紧迫的时间压力。\n\n11. Paul Hastings 在全美法律服务市场中运营，该市场中的费率受多种因素驱动，这些因素涉及个别律师、其专业领域、\n\n本所的专业知识、业绩和声誉、所涉工作的性质以及其他因素。Paul Hastings 目前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顾问律师　$1,335 – $1,860\n专职律师　$755 – $1,230\n律师助理　$250 – $565\n\n12. Paul Hastings 的小时费率设定水平旨在对其律师和辅助专业人员的工作给予公平的报酬，并涵盖固定和日常支出。小时费率因指派人员的经验和资历而异。我认为这些费率是合理的，并与具有类似规模和专业知识的其他律所的小时费率相称。Paul Hastings 的小时费率会根据经济和其他状况定期进行调整。3\n\n13. Paul Hastings 在所有业务领域的政策是向其客户收取与客户事项相关的所有已发生费用。向客户收取的费用包括但不限于：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、计算机法律检索费和其他计算机服务费、“工作餐”费用以及传真费。Paul Hastings 将以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费用。\n\n3 例如，与许多同业律所一样，Paul Hastings 通过以下形式调整律师和辅助专业人员的按小时计费费率：(i) 基于资历提升和晋升而历史上在正常业务过程中授予的阶梯式增长，以及 (ii) 在每位律师和辅助专业人员当前资历级别内的定期增长。阶梯式增长不构成“费率增长”（依《美国受托人指引》中使用该词之含义）。如《拟议命令》中所述，Paul Hastings 将在实施定期增长前向债务人、美国受托人以及任何官方委员会的法律顾问提供十个工作日的通知，并应向本法院提交任何此类通知。\n\n14. 为确保遵守第11章案件（Chapter 11 Case）中的适用截止期限，本律所不时使用加班助理的服务。Paul Hastings（普衡律师事务所）对出于业务需要而产生的此类行政管理服务收取费用。\n\n15. Paul Hastings 已同意接受由本法院根据所耗费的时间、提供的服务、遇到的困难以及其他适当因素所允许的金额，作为其在第11章案件中提供服务的报酬。\n\n16. Paul Hastings 目前在其位于美国的各办事处对标准黑白复印收取每页 $0.08，对标准彩色复印收取每页 $0.50。Paul Hastings 不向其客户收取接收传真的费用。由于 Paul Hastings 认为在线法律检索（例如 LEXIS 和 WESTLAW）远比使用精装书卷进行人工检索更具成本效益，因此即使计算机化法律检索不是 Paul Hastings 的盈利中心，Paul Hastings 仍鼓励使用计算机化法律检索。\n\n17. Paul Hastings 将申请获得就第11章案件所提供专业服务的报酬以及所发生费用的报销。此外，尽管《美国受托人指引》（U.S. Trustee Guidelines）附录B不适用于本第11章案件（因为其仅在债务人的申请书列明 5000 万美元或以上的资产以及 5000 万美元或以上的负债时方适用），Paul Hastings 亦打算尽合理努力，配合《美国受托人指引》中规定的美国受托人关于 Paul Hastings 将在第11章案件中提交的中期和最终报酬申请所要求提供的信息及额外披露。\n\n18. 除依据《破产法典》（Bankruptcy Code）的规定以及在此披露的内容外，Paul Hastings 未收到任何与第11章案件相关的付款或报酬承诺。此外，除《破产法典》第 504 条所允许的受雇于 Paul Hastings 的合伙人、法律顾问（of counsel）、专职律师及员工外，Paul Hastings 未同意与任何其他人分享其从债务人和/或其破产财产中获得的任何报酬。《破产规则》（Bankruptcy Rule）第 5002 条并不禁止拟议对 Paul Hastings 的聘用。\n\nPAUL HASTINGS 的利益冲突核查\n\n19. 针对美国受托人关于批准任命第11章受托人的命令申请 [ECF No. 515] 所编制并附于该申请的《Despins 声明》（Despins Declaration），载明了 Paul Hastings 的利益冲突审查程序，以及不仅用以查明受托人、而且用以查明 Paul Hastings 与第11章案件中潜在利害关系方的关联所执行的步骤。关于 Paul Hastings 与第11章案件中潜在利害关系方关联的说明，参见《Despins 声明》。\n\n关于《美国受托人指引》的声明\n\n20. Paul Hastings 认为《美国受托人指引》附录B不适用于本第11章案件，因为债务人的申请书未列明 5000 万美元或以上的资产以及 5000 万美元或以上的负债。具体而言，债务人估计其资产价值在 $50,001 至 $100,000 之间。尽管如此，Paul Hastings 打算尽合理努力，配合《美国受托人指引》中规定的美国受托人关于 Paul Hastings 将在第11章案件中提交的中期和最终报酬申请所要求提供的信息及额外披露，但就其在申请或第11章案件中的任何报酬申请方面的相关性和实质性法律效力保留所有权利。Paul Hastings 就《美国受托人指引》第 D.1. 段中提出的信息要求提供以下答复。\n\n问题：您是否就本次聘用同意了任何偏离或替代您标准或惯常计费安排的情况？\n答复：否。Paul Hastings 与受托人并未同意就本次聘用作出任何偏离或替代 Paul Hastings 标准计费安排的安排。话虽如此，如上所述，在实际操作中，Paul Hastings 仅在债务人破产财产中有资产且以此为限的情况下才会获得报酬。\n\n问题：包含在本次聘用中的专业人员中，是否有任何人根据破产案件的地理位置而改变其费率？\n答复：否。\n\n问题：如果您在申请前12个月内代表过该客户，请披露您在申请前聘用中的计费费率和重大财务条款，包括申请前12个月内的任何调整。如果您的计费费率和重大财务条款在申请后发生变化，请说明差异及产生差异的原因。\n答复：Paul Hastings 在申请前12个月内未代表过受托人。\n\n问题：您的客户是否批准了您预期的预算和人员配置计划？如果是，批准的预算期间是多久？\n答复：受托人与 Paul Hastings 正共同制定 2022年7月8日至 2022年9月30日期间的预算和人员配置计划。\n\n[本页其余部分有意留白。]\n\n我谨在受伪证罪处罚的原则下声明，据我所知并在合理调查后，上述内容真实且正确。\n\n签署于 2022年7月12日\n\n/s/ Nicholas A. Bassett\n\nNicholas A. Bassett","key_entities":["Paul Hastings","Despins","Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Je","Guo","RICO","Miles Guo"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":515,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":533,"court":"CTB"}],"word_count":2711,"status":"published","published_at":"2022-07-12 00:00:00","created_at":"2022-07-12","updated_at":"2026-08-23 13:32:41"}