{"id":"court_ctb_569_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":569,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"UNKNOWN","filed_date":null,"title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION |              | A SALA BAS BASS AND AND BALL","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"### UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION\n\n|              | A SALA BAS BASS AND AND BALL BAR BASS BASS BASS BASS BASS BALL BASS BALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CLASS FOR CLASS AND CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CLASS |                           |\n|--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|\n|              |                                                                                                                                                                               |                           |\n| In re:       |                                                                                                                                                                               | Chapter 11                |\n|              |                                                                                                                                                                               |                           |\n| HO WAN KWOK, |                                                                                                                                                                               | : Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n|              |                                                                                                                                                                               |                           |\n| Debtor.      |                                                                                                                                                                               |                           |\n|              |                                                                                                                                                                               |                           |\n|              | 1                                                                                                                                                                             |                           |\n\n# 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 NEUBERT, PEPE, & MONTEITH, P.C., AS LOCAL AND CONFLICTS COUNSEL TO THE CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE\n\nMr. Luc A. Despins, in his capacity as the Chapter 11 Trustee (the \"Chapter 11 Trustee\") appointed in the above-captioned chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\") of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), pursuant to sections 327, 328, and 330 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\"), Rules 2014 and 2016 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\"), and Rules 2014-1 and 2016-1 of the Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Local Bankruptcy Rules\") for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Court\"), respectfully requests (the \"Application\") that the Court authorize his employment of the law firm of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. (\"NPM\") as his local counsel and, to the extent necessary, conflicts counsel with respect to this Chapter 11 Case. In support of this Application, the Chapter 11 Trustee states the following:\n\n#### RELIEF REQUESTED\n\n1. By this Application, the Chapter 11 Trustee seeks entry of an order, substantially in the form of the proposed order filed herewith (the \"Proposed Order\"), authorizing and approving the retention and employment of NPM as the Chapter 11 Trustee's local counsel and, to the extent necessary, conflicts counsel effective as of July 8, 2022.\n\n2. Patrick R. Linsey in Support of Application of Chapter 11 Trustee for Entry of Order, Pursuant to Sections 327, 328, and 330 of the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rules 2014 and Local Bankruptcy Rules 2014-1 and 2016-1, Authorizing and Approving Retention and Employment of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. as Local and Conflicts Counsel to the Chapter 11 Trustee (the \"Linsey Declaration\"), attached as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein by reference.\n\n### JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND STATUTORY BASES\n\n3. The Court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 and the Standing Order of Reference from the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (as amended). This is a core proceeding within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b).\n\n4. Venue in this District is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409.\n\n5. 330 of the Bankruptcy Code, and, to the extent applicable, Bankruptcy Rules 2014 and 2016, and Local Bankruptcy Rules 2014-1 and 2016-1.\n\n### BACKGROUND\n\n6. On 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. Unsecured Creditors (the \"Committee\") in the Debtor's Chapter 11 Case.\n\n8. On June 15, 2022, the Court entered a memorandum of decision and order (Docket 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 Chapter 11 Trustee [Docket No. 514].\n\n9. On July 8, 2022, the Court entered an order granting the appointment of Luc A. Despins as the Chapter 11 Trustee in the Chapter 11 Case [Docket No. 523].\n\n10. On July 12, 2022, the Chapter 11 Trustee filed his 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 and Approving Retention and Employment of Paul Hastings LLP as Counsel to the Chapter 11 Trustee (the \"PH Retention App.\") [Docket No. 539], thereby requesting that the Court approve the Chapter 11 Trustee's retention of Paul Hastings LLP (\"Paul Hastings\") as his lead counsel.\n\n### THE FIRM'S QUALIFICATIONS\n\n11. NPM maintains offices in New Haven, Hartford, and Fairfield, Connecticut, and White Plains, New York. NPM was founded in 1993 and has a widely diversified general and corporate practice. The firm currently employs 36 lawyers, who are assisted by six paralegals.\n\n12. The Chapter 11 Trustee selected NPM as his local counsel and (if necessary) conflicts counsel, because of NPM's expertise in financial reorganizations, bankruptcy, investigations, corporate, and commercial litigation matters. NPM is well suited for the type of representation required by the Chapter 11 Trustee. Its insolvency practice includes ten attorneys. NPM has substantial resources and expertise in the areas of the law that may arise in this case.\n\n13. NPM has specific and relevant experience in the representation of chapter 11 trustees, post-confirmation liquidating trustees, and creditor committees, including within and in connection with cases in this Court. NPM is also experienced in serving as local counsel, and, in so doing, working cooperatively with lead counsel by assisting in compliance with local rules and procedures, attending to routine and administrative matters as they arise, and otherwise providing services as may be required by lead counsel and in the best interests of its clients, all in a manner that promotes efficiency and avoids any unnecessary duplication of efforts by counsel. Considering the foregoing, NPM is also equipped to provide services as conflicts counsel to the extent that the need arises.\n\n### THE ANTICIPATED SERVICES\n\n14. The Chapter 11 Trustee anticipates that NPM will render general legal services, as local counsel and, if needed, as conflicts counsel, as needed throughout the course of the Chapter 11 Case, including bankruptcy, litigation, investigations, real estate, tax, and other matters. In particular, the Chapter 11 Trustee has requested that NPM perform, as local counsel/conflicts counsel, among others, the following legal services:\n\n(a) advising the Chapter 11 Trustee as to his rights, powers, and duties as chapter 11 trustee in the Chapter 11 Case;\n\n(b) advising the Chapter 11 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\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\n(d) preparing on behalf of the Chapter 11 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\n(e) advising the Chapter 11 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\n(f) advising the Chapter 11 Trustee with respect to, and assisting in the negotiation and documentation of, financing agreements and related transactions:\n\n(g) reviewing the nature and validity of any liens asserted against the Debtor's property and advising the Chapter 11 Trustee concerning the enforceability of such liens;\n\n(h) advising and assisting the Chapter 11 Trustee in connection with any potential asset sales and property dispositions;\n\n(i) advising the Chapter 11 Trustee concerning executory contract and unexpired lease assumptions, assignments, and rejections;\n\n(i) advising the Chapter 11 Trustee in connection with the formulation, negotiation, and promulgation of a plan or plans of reorganization, and related transactional documents;\n\n(k) assisting the Chapter 11 Trustee in reviewing, estimating, and resolving claims asserted against the Debtor's estate; and\n\nnegotiating with parties-in-interest. (1)\n\n15. The Chapter 11 Trustee requests to employ NPM to render legal the foregoing services as conflicts counsel with respect to this Chapter 11 Case, to the extent that any matters arise as to which Paul Hastings may not be able to provide such services as the result of an actual or perceived conflict of interest.\n\n16. To avoid any duplication of effort and to provide services to the Chapter 11 Trustee in the most efficient and cost-effective manner, NPM will coordinate with Paul Hastings regarding their respective responsibilities in the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n## COMPENSATION OF PROFESSIONALS\n\n17. NPM intends to apply to the Court for compensation for professional services rendered and for reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with this Chapter 11 Case pursuant to sections 330 and 331 of the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rule 2016, Local Bankruptcy Rule 2016-1, and any other applicable rules with respect to this Chapter 11\n\nCase. NPM will charge the Chapter 11 Trustee for its legal services on an hourly basis at its regularly applicable hourly rates in connection with the services required in this Chapter 11 Case.\n\n18. At present, the 2022 hourly rates of NPM are \\$140.00 - \\$165.00 for paralegal work; \\$165.00 - \\$350.00 for associates and counsel; and up to \\$450.00 for principals of the firm. NPM's hourly rates are subject to periodic adjustments to reflect economic and other conditions.1 It is anticipated that NPM's services will primarily be provided by Douglas S. Skalka, whose hourly rate is \\$450.00, Lucas B. Rocklin, whose hourly rate is \\$400.00, and Patrick R. Linsey, whose hourly rate is \\$350.00.\n\n19. NPM will also bill for out-of-pocket expenses made on behalf of the Chapter 11 Trustee, including photocopying, postage and package deliveries, court fees, transcripts, witness fees, service fees, travel expenses, and computer-aided research, in accordance with practices in this District.\n\n#### NPM IS DISINTERESTED\n\n20. To the best of the Chapter 11 Trustee's knowledge in reliance upon the Linsey Declaration, and except as disclosed therein, NPM does not have any relationships with the Debtor. its creditors, or any other party-in-interest, their respective attorneys and accountants, the United States Trustee, or any person employed in the Office of the United States Trustee.\n\n<sup>1</sup> NPM's hourly rates are typically revised at the end of each calendar year to reflect experience, seniority, and standing. These step increases do not constitute \"rate increases\" (as the term is used in the Guidelines for Reviewing Applications for Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses Filed Under 11 U.S.C. § 330 by Attorneys in Larger Chapter 11 Cases Effective as of November 1, 2013) (the \"U.S. Trustee Guidelines\"). As set forth in the Proposed Order, NPM will provide ten business days' notice to the Debtor, the Assistant United States Trustee for the District of Connecticut (the \"U.S. Trustee\"), and counsel to the Committee and any other official committee, before implementing periodic increases, and shall file any such notice with the Court.\n\n21. 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 NPM 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 (ii) 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 relationship to, connection with, or interest in the Debtor, or for any other reason. Therefore, the Chapter 11 Trustee believes that NPM is a \"disinterested person\" within the meaning of section 101(14) of the Bankruptcy Code, as modified by section 1107(b).\n\n22. Based on the Linsey Declaration, the Chapter 11 Trustee believes that NPM does not represent any adverse interest to unsecured creditors in connection with these cases.\n\n## BASIS FOR THE RELIEF REQUESTED, NOTICE, AND NO PRIOR REQUEST FOR RELIEF REQUESTED HEREBY\n\n23. The Chapter 11 Trustee requests to retain and employ NPM as his attorneys, serving in capacity as local counsel and (if necessary) conflicts counsel, pursuant to section 327(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, which provides that a trustee, subject to the approval of the Court, may employ professional persons \"that do not hold or represent an interest adverse to the estate, and that are disinterested persons, to represent or assist the trustee in carrying out the trustee's duties under this title.\"\n\n24. Juder 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\n\nreasonable 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\n25. Bankruptcy Rule 2014(a) provides that an application for retention include:\n\nspecific facts showing the necessity for the employment, the name of the [firm] to be employed, the reasons for the selection, the professional services to be rendered, any proposed arrangement for compensation, and, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, all of the [firm's] connections with the debtor, creditors, any other party in interest, their respective attorneys and accountants, the United States trustee.\n\n26. The Chapter 11 Trustee requires the services of local counsel to exercise his responsibilities. Local counsel will coordinate with and assist the Chapter 11 Trustee and its proposed lead counsel, Paul Hastings, in complying with local rules and procedures, attending to routine and administrative matters as they arise, and otherwise providing services as may be required by lead counsel and in the best interests of its clients. The Chapter 11 Trustee's counsel will endeavor to avoid the duplication of efforts and provide services as efficiently as possible.\n\n27. Accordingly, the employment of NPM as the Chapter 11 Trustee's local counsel and conflicts counsel, upon the terms set forth herein and in the Proposed Order, is reasonable and in the best interest of the Debtor's estate.\n\n28. Local Bankruptcy Rule 2014-1 provides that if \"an application to employ a professional is filed within thirty (30) days after the commencement of services provided by that professional, the application shall be deemed contemporaneously filed unless the Court orders otherwise.\" Accordingly, the Chapter 11 Trustee requests authority to retain and employ NPM effective July 8, 2022, which was the date that the Chapter 11 Trustee selected NPM as his local counsel and on which NPM began providing services to the Chapter 11 Trustee.\n\n29. Notice of this Application has been given to the United States Trustee, the Debtor, the Committee, and, by electronic filing utilizing the Court's electronic filing (\"CM/ECF\") system, to all appearing parties who utilize the CM/ECF system.\n\n30. No previous application for the relief requested herein has been made to this or any other Court.\n\n### CONCLUSION\n\nWHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, Luc A. Despins, the Chapter 11 Trustee, requests that the Court enter an Order, substantially in the form of the Proposed Order filed herewith, granting the Application, and authorizing the Chapter 11 Trustee's employment of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C., as his local counsel and conflicts counsel, and order such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.\n\nDated: July 19, 2022\n\nChapter 11 Trustee in Chapter 11 Case of Ho Wan Kwok\n\nLuc A. Despins","body_zh":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION（美国康涅狄格州破产法院布里奇波特分院）\n\nA SALA BAS BASS AND AND BALL BAR BASS BASS BASS BASS BASS BALL BASS BALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CLASS FOR CLASS AND CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL CLASS\n\n关于：第 11 章\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵），：案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n\n债务人。\n\n第 11 章受托人依据《美国破产法》第 327 条、第 328 条和第 330 条、《联邦破产程序规则》第 2014 条和第 2016 条以及《地方破产规则》第 2014-1 条和第 2016-1 条请求作出授权并批准聘用 NEUBERT, PEPE, & MONTEITH, P.C. 担任第 11 章受托人地方律师及利益冲突律师的裁定的申请\n\nLuc A. Despins 先生以在上述标题项下 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（下称「债务人」）的第 11 章案件（下称「第 11 章案件」）中获任命的第 11 章受托人（下称「第 11 章受托人」）的身份，依据《美国法典》第 11 篇（下称「《破产法》」）第 327 条、第 328 条和第 330 条、《联邦破产程序规则》（下称「《破产规则》」）第 2014 条和第 2016 条以及 United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格州破产法院）（下称「本法院」）的《地方破产程序规则》（下称「《地方破产规则》」）第 2014-1 条和第 2016-1 条，谨此请求（下称「本申请」）本法院授权其就本第 11 章案件聘用 Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. 律师事务所（下称「NPM」）担任其地方律师，并在必要范围内担任利益冲突律师。为支持本申请，第 11 章受托人陈述如下：\n请求的救济\n\n1. 通过本申请，第 11 章受托人请求作出实质上采用随附提交的拟议裁定（下称「拟议裁定」）形式的裁定，授权并批准自 2022年7月8日 起生效聘用 NPM 担任第 11 章受托人的地方律师，并在必要范围内担任利益冲突律师。\n\n2. 随附于附件 A 并通过援引纳入本申请的《Patrick R. Linsey 支持第 11 章受托人依据〈破产法〉第 327 条、第 328 条和第 330 条、〈破产规则〉第 2014 条以及〈地方破产规则〉第 2014-1 条和第 2016-1 条请求作出授权并批准聘用 Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. 担任第 11 章受托人地方律师及利益冲突律师的裁定的申请的声明》（下称「《Linsey 声明》」）。\n管辖权、审判地和法律依据\n\n3. 本法院依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 和 1334 以及 United States District Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区联邦地方法院）的常设移送裁定（经修订）对本事项拥有管辖权。本案属于 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) 含义范围内的核心程序。\n\n4. 依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 和 1409，本审判区的审判地是适当的。\n\n5. 依据《破产法》第 327 条、第 328 条和第 330 条，并在适用范围内依据《破产规则》第 2014 条和第 2016 条以及《地方破产规则》第 2014-1 条和第 2016-1 条。\n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》第 11 章寻求救济的自愿破产申请。\n\n7. 无担保债权人委员会（下称「委员会」）在债务人的第 11 章案件中成立。\n\n8. 2022年6月15日，本法院作出一项判决备忘录和裁定 [案卷编号 465]（下称「受托人裁定」），指示 United States Trustee（联邦破产受托人）在第 11 章案件中任命一名第 11 章受托人。依据受托人裁定，联邦破产受托人选定 Luc A. Despins 担任第 11 章受托人 [案卷编号 514]。\n\n9. 2022年7月8日，本法院作出准予在第 11 章案件中任命 Luc A. Despins 担任第 11 章受托人的裁定 [案卷编号 523]。\n\n10. 2022年7月12日，第 11 章受托人提交了《第 11 章受托人依据〈破产法〉第 327 条、第 328 条和第 330 条以及〈破产规则〉第 2014 条和第 2016 条请求作出授权并批准聘用 Paul Hastings LLP 担任第 11 章受托人律师的裁定的申请》（下称「《PH 聘用申请》」）[案卷编号 539]，从而请求本法院批准第 11 章受托人聘用 Paul Hastings LLP（普衡律师事务所，下称「Paul Hastings」）担任其首席律师。\n该律所的资质\n\n11. NPM 在康涅狄格州纽黑文、哈特福德和费尔菲尔德以及纽约州白原市设有办事处。NPM 成立于 1993 年，拥有广泛多元的综合与公司法律业务。该所目前拥有 36 名律师，并由 6 名律师助理提供协助。\n\n12. 第 11 章受托人选择 NPM 担任其地方律师及（如必要）利益冲突律师，是鉴于 NPM 在财务重组、破产、调查、公司和商业诉讼事项方面的专业专长。NPM 非常适合第 11 章受托人所要求的代理工作类型。其破产重组业务团队包括 10 名律师。NPM 在本案可能涉及的法律领域拥有充足的资源和专业专长。\n\n13. NPM 在代理第 11 章受托人、确认后清算受托人以及债权人委员会方面拥有具体且相关的经验，包括在本法院审理的案件中以及与本法院案件相关的事务中。NPM 在担任地方律师方面亦富有经验，并在此过程中与首席律师通力合作，协助遵守地方规则和程序，处理出现的日常及行政事务，并以其他方式根据首席律师的要求以及为了其客户的最大利益提供服务，一切均以提高效率并避免律师不必要的重复劳动的方式进行。鉴于上述情况，NPM 亦有能力在需要时提供利益冲突律师服务。\n预期服务\n\n14. 第 11 章受托人预计 NPM 将在第 11 章案件全程中根据需要作为地方律师以及在需要时作为利益冲突律师提供一般法律服务，包括破产、诉讼、调查、房地产、税务及其他事项。特别是，第 11 章受托人已请求 NPM 作为地方律师/利益冲突律师履行（其中包括）以下法律服务：\n\n(a) 就第 11 章受托人在第 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法律意见；\n\n(b) 就第 11 章受托人对债务人破产财产的调查向其提供法律意见，包括为债务人破产财产的利益提起收取和追回财产的任何诉讼：\n\n(c) 提起、进行和/或继续进行为维护债务人破产财产所享有的权利、保护债务人破产财产的资产或以其他方式推动完成第 11 章案件之目标所必需和适当的诉讼；\n\n(d) 代表第 11 章受托人起草必需和适当的申请书、动议、拟议裁定、其他诉状、通知、财产明细表和其他文件，并审查在第 11 章案件中已提交和待提交的财务及其他报告；\n\n(e) 就其他当事方在第 11 章案件中可能提交的申请书、动议、其他诉状、通知和其他文件向第 11 章受托人提供法律意见，并准备答复文件；\n\n(f) 就融资协议及相关交易向第 11 章受托人提供法律意见，并协助进行谈判和文件起草：\n\n(g) 审查针对债务人财产主张的任何留置权的性质和有效性，并就此类留置权的可执行性向第 11 章受托人提供法律意见；\n\n(h) 就任何潜在的资产出售和财产处置向第 11 章受托人提供法律意见和协助；\n\n(i) 就待履行合同和未到期租赁的承担、转让和拒绝履行向第 11 章受托人提供法律意见；\n\n(j) 就一项或多项重组计划及相关交易文件的制定、谈判和颁布向第 11 章受托人提供法律意见；\n\n(k) 协助第 11 章受托人审查、评估和解决针对债务人破产财产主张的债权；以及\n\n(l) 与利害关系方进行谈判。\n\n15. 第 11 章受托人请求聘用 NPM 就本第 11 章案件作为利益冲突律师提供上述法律服务，其适用范围涵盖因实际或潜在的利益冲突导致 Paul Hastings 可能无法提供此类服务的任何事项。\n\n16. 为避免任何重复劳动并以最高效、最具成本效益的方式向第 11 章受托人提供服务，NPM 将就其各自在第 11 章案件中的职责与 Paul Hastings 进行协调。\n专业人员的报酬\n\n17. NPM 拟依据《破产法》第 330 条和第 331 条、《破产规则》第 2016 条、《地方破产规则》第 2016-1 条以及就本第 11 章案件适用的任何其他规则，向本法院申请因在本第 11 章案件中提供专业服务而获得的报酬以及对所发生费用的报销。NPM 将就本第 11 章案件中所需的服务，按其通常适用的费率以小时为基础向第 11 章受托人收取法律服务费。\n\n18. 目前，NPM 的 2022 年小时费率为：律师助理工作每小时 $140.00 至 $165.00；初中级律师和法律顾问每小时 $165.00 至 $350.00；律所合伙人/负责人最高每小时 $450.00。NPM 的小时费率会根据经济和其他状况进行定期调整。1 预计 NPM 的服务将主要由小时费率为 $450.00 的 Douglas S. Skalka、小时费率为 $400.00 的 Lucas B. Rocklin 以及小时费率为 $350.00 的 Patrick R. Linsey 提供。\n\n19. NPM 亦将按照本审判区的惯例，收取代表第 11 章受托人支付的实报实销自付费用，包括复印费、邮资和包裹投递费、法院规费、庭审记录费、证人费、送达费、差旅费和计算机辅助法律检索费。\nNPM 具有无利害关系性\n\n20. 据第 11 章受托人基于对《Linsey 声明》的信赖所知，除其中披露的内容外，NPM 与债务人、其债权人或任何其他利害关系方、其各自的律师和会计师、联邦破产受托人或受雇于联邦破产受托人办公室的任何人员均无任何关系。\n\n1 NPM 的小时费率通常在每个日历年年底进行调整，以反映工作经验、资历和级别。这些常规晋升调整并不构成“费率增加”（如 2013年11月1日 生效的《关于审查律师在较大第 11 章案件中依据 11 U.S.C. § 330 提交的报酬和费用报销申请的指引》（下称「《联邦破产受托人指引》」）中所使用的术语）。如拟议裁定所规定，NPM 在实施定期调整之前，将提前十个工作日向债务人、康涅狄格区助理联邦破产受托人（下称「联邦破产受托人」）以及委员会和任何其他官方委员会的律师发出通知，并应向本法院提交任何此类通知。\n\n21. 与债务人、其债权人、美国受托人（U.S. Trustee）、美国受托人办公室雇用的任何人员、或在第11章案件（Chapter 11 Case）中具有实际或潜在利益的任何其他当事人或其各自的律师或会计师均无关联；且(b) NPM及其任何律师均未(i)作为债务人或其关联方的债权人、权益证券持有人或内部人，(ii)在申请日（Petition Date）前两年内担任债务人或其关联方的董事、高级职员或雇员，或(iii)因与债务人有任何直接关系、关联或在债务人处的利益，或因任何其他原因，而具有任何对债务人破产财产或任何类别的债权人或权益证券持有人的利益构成重大不利的利益。因此，第11章受托人（Chapter 11 Trustee）认为，NPM属于经《破产法》（Bankruptcy Code）第1107(b)条修改后的第101(14)条含义内的“无利害关系人”。\n\n22. 根据Linsey声明（Linsey Declaration），第11章受托人认为，NPM就本案而言并未代表任何对无担保债权人不利的利益。\n\n所请求救济的依据、通知以及此前未曾就此请求救济\n\n23. 第11章受托人请求依据《破产法》第327(a)条聘用并雇用NPM作为其律师，担任当地代理律师及（如必要）利益冲突特别代理律师（conflicts counsel），该法条规定受托人经法院批准，可以雇用“不持有或不代表对破产财产不利的利益，且为无利害关系人，以代表或协助受托人履行本篇项下受托人职责的专业人员”。\n\n24. 根据《破产法》第328(a)条，经破产法院批准，受托人可根据《破产法》第327(a)条“按任何合理的聘用条款和条件，包括按预付聘金、按小时计费、按固定或比例收费、或按风险代理收费的方式”雇用专业人员。11 U.S.C. § 328(a)。\n\n25. 《破产规则》（Bankruptcy Rule）第2014(a)条规定，聘用申请须包含：\n\n说明聘用必要性的具体事实、拟聘用[律所]的名称、选择理由、将提供的专业服务、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、任何其他利益方、其各自的律师和会计师、美国受托人的所有关联。\n\n26. 第11章受托人需要当地代理律师的服务来履行其职责。当地代理律师将与第11章受托人及其拟任主要代理律师Paul Hastings（普衡律师事务所）进行协调并协助其遵守当地规则和程序，处理随之出现的日常及行政事务，并以其他方式根据主要代理律师的要求及为了其客户的最大利益提供服务。第11章受托人的律师将努力避免重复工作，并尽可能高效地提供服务。\n\n27. 因此，按照本申请和随附的拟议裁定（Proposed Order）中所述的条款，聘用NPM作为第11章受托人的当地代理律师和利益冲突特别代理律师，是合理的且符合债务人破产财产的最大利益。\n\n28. 《地方破产规则》（Local Bankruptcy Rule）第2014-1条规定，如果“雇用专业人员的申请是在该专业人员开始提供服务后三十（30）天内提交的，则除非法院另有命令，否则该申请应被视为同时提交。”因此，第11章受托人请求授权自2022年7月8日起聘用并雇用NPM，该日期是第11章受托人选定NPM作为其当地代理律师且NPM开始向第11章受托人提供服务的日期。\n\n29. 本申请的通知已送达美国受托人、债务人、委员会（Committee），并通过使用法院电子案件归档（“CM/ECF”）系统的电子方式送达给所有使用CM/ECF系统的出庭当事人。\n\n30. 此前未曾向本法院或任何其他法院提出过本申请所请求之救济的申请。\n\n结论\n\n据此，基于前述理由，第11章受托人Luc A. Despins请求法院作出一项大体上与随本申请一同提交的拟议裁定格式相同的裁定，准予本申请，并授权第11章受托人雇用Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.作为其当地代理律师和利益冲突特别代理律师，并命令法院认为公正和适当的其他及进一步救济。\n\n日期：2022年7月19日\n\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵）第11章案件的第11章受托人\n\nLuc A. Despins","key_entities":["Paul Hastings","Despins","CIPA","Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Je"],"ecf_references":[],"word_count":2570,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 13:24:33"}