Guo Wengui / Miles Guo — bankruptcy case · ORDER · ECF #3139

UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION

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In re: :

HO WAN KWOK, et al., :

Debtors.1 :

MONTHLY FEE STATEMENT OF PRAGER DREIFUSS AG FOR COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES FOR PERIOD FROM JANUARY 17, 2024 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2024

In accordance with the Order Establishing Procedures for Interim Compensation and

Reimbursement of Expenses for Retained Professionals, dated August 18, 2023 [Docket No.

2094] (the "Interim Compensation Order"),2 Prager Dreifuss AG ("Prager Dreifuss") hereby

submits this monthly statement (the "Monthly Fee Statement") seeking compensation for

services rendered and reimbursement of expenses incurred as Swiss law counsel to Luc A.

Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the "Trustee") appointed in the chapter 11 case

of Ho Wan Kwok, for the period from January 17, 2024 through and including March 31, 2024

(the "Fee Period"). By this Monthly Fee Statement, Prager Dreifuss respectfully requests

payment of 80% of all fees and 100% of all expenses actually and necessarily incurred for

1 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).

2 Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Interim Compensation Order.

services rendered during the Fee Period, in the amounts of CHF 38,483.00 and CHF 962.05, respectively.3

1. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a timekeeper summary that includes the name, hours, rate, and total fees earned for each Prager Dreifuss individual who provided services during the Fee Period.

2. Attached hereto as Exhibit B are Prager Dreifuss' fee statements for services provided during the Fee Period.

3. Notice of this Monthly Fee Statement will be given by email on the Notice Parties: (i) Luc A. Despins, as chapter 11 trustee for the estate of Ho Wan Kwok (lucdespins@paulhastings.com); (ii) Counsel for the Trustee, (x) Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166 (Attn: G. Alexander Bongartz (alexbongartz@paulhastings.com) and Douglass Barron (douglassbarron@paulhastings.com)) and (y) Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C., 195 Church Street, 13th Floor, New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (Attn: Douglas S. Skalka (dskalka@npmlaw.com) and Patrick R. Linsey (plinsey@npmlaw.com)); (iii) the Office of The United States Trustee, Giaimo Federal Building, 150 Court Street, Room 302, New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (Attn: Holley L. Claiborn (holley.l.claiborn@usdoj.gov)); (iv) counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Pullman & Comley, LLC, 850 Main Street, 8th Floor, PO Box 7006, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06601-7006 (Attn: Irve J. Goldman (igoldman@pullcom.com); and (v) counsel for Pacific

3 In accordance with Prager Dreifuss' retention order [Docket No. 3034], (a) Prager Dreifuss is authorized to charge a flat fee for disbursements in an amount equal to 2% of the total fees charged and (b) 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.

Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund L.P., O'Melveny & Myers LLP, 7 Times Square, New York, New York 10036 (Attn: Peter Friedman (pfriedman@omm.com) and Stuart M. Sarnoff (ssarnoff@omm.com) (collectively, the "Notice Parties").

4. Objections to this Monthly Fee Statement, if any, must be filed with the Court and served upon (i) Prager Dreifuss (Attn: Daniel Hayek (daniel.hayek@prager-dreifuss.com) and (ii) the Notice Parties by email no later than May 16, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. (prevailing Eastern Time) (the "Objection Deadline"), setting forth the nature of the objection and the specific amount of fees or expenses at issue.

5. If no objections to this Monthly Fee Statement are filed and received on or before the Objection Deadline, the estate shall promptly pay Prager Dreifuss 80% of the fees and 100% of the expenses identified in this Monthly Fee Statement.

6. To the extent that an objection to this Monthly Fee Statement is filed and received on or before the Objection Deadline, the estate shall withhold payment of that portion of this Monthly Fee Statement to which the objection is directed and promptly pay the remainder of the fees and expenses in the percentages set forth above. To the extent such an objection is not resolved, it shall be preserved and scheduled for consideration at the next interim fee application hearing.

Daniel Hayek PRAGER DREIFUSS AG Mühlebachstrasse 6 CH-8008 Zürich UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION

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In re: :

HO WAN KWOK, et al.,1 : :

Debtors. :

The undersigned hereby certifies that on April 25, 2024, the foregoing Monthly Fee Statement was electronically filed. In addition, a copy of the Monthly Fee Statement was served by email on the Notice Parties. Parties may access this filing through the Court's CM/ECF system.

Dated: April 25, 2024 By: /s/ G. Alexander Bongartz

New York, New York G. Alexander Bongartz (admitted pro hac vice) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6000 alexbongartz@paulhastings.com

1 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).

Paul Hastings LLP Mr. Luc Despins 200 Park Avenue New York NY 10166 United States of America

Fees for services rendered between January 1, 2024 and January 31, 2024 in the matter of Ho Wan Kwok, et al., as per the attached details.

Disbursements 2% (in lieu of itemized minor disbursements) CHF 223.40

Terms of payment 30 days net VAT No. CHE-115.724.136 MWST

Please arrange for payment under reference of the above invoice number to our following account:

Prager Dreifuss AG ▪ Zürich, Bern, Brüssel ▪ www.prager-dreifuss.com

Invoice period: January 17, 2024 – January 31, 2024

17.01.2024 Call with Mr Bongartz re engagement MMA 0.00% 0.60 18.01.2024 rev. material received for conlict check and ammend it HA 0.00% 1.00 18.01.2024 rev. engagement letter mark-up by Paul Hastings etc. HA 0.00% 0.70 18.01.2024 rev. and amend engagement letter Paul Hastings MMA 0.00% 0.50 18.01.2024 conf HA re conflict check MMA 0.00% 0.30 19.01.2024 E-Mails re. Engagement Letter, E-Mail to Alex HA 0.00% 0.10 22.01.2024 Team Conf. re: legal path and instructions HA 0.00% 0.50 22.01.2024 Team conf re new assignment MMA 0.00% 0.50 22.01.2024 review of documents and law re assignment MMA 0.00% 1.40 22.01.2024 draft email to Trustee re queries MMA 0.00% 0.50 22.01.2024 Team Call re new assignment ANZ 0.00% 0.50 22.01.2024 Preparation email re additional questions regarding the documents already provided ANZ 0.00% 0.20 22.01.2024 rev. email re engagement letter and care package re ANZ 0.00% 0.30 22.01.2024 Study excel list re transactions ANZ 0.00% 0.50

22.01.2024 Team conf re new assignment GJ 0.00% 0.50 22.01.2024 review and amend email to Trustee re queries GJ 0.00% 0.30 25.01.2024 inital rev. e-mail, Alex HA 0.00% 0.10 25.01.2024 first review document received HA 0.00% 1.30 26.01.2024 Review of e-mail regarding answers to various questions and delivery of various documents ANZ 0.00% 0.20 26.01.2024 Review Document Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing

26.01.2024 Review Document Order Granting Appointment of

26.01.2024 Review Document Complaint against various defendants ANZ 0.00% 0.85 26.01.2024 rev. documents and legal research re MMA 0.00% 1.80 26.01.2024 Review Document Protective Order ANZ 0.00% 0.20 26.01.2024 Review Document ANZ 0.00% 0.80 29.01.2024 E-mails to Luc HA 0.00% 0.10

29.01.2024 rev. documents and legal research re MMA 0.00% 1.20

31.01.2024 Review Document Lamp Capital Complaint ANZ 0.00% 2.00

30.01.2024 prep. call Luc/Alex re strategy and next steps MMA 0.00% 0.10 30.01.2024 Conf. Call Luc, Alex and MMA HA 0.00% 0.50 30.01.2024 call Luc/Alex re strategy and next steps MMA 0.00% 0.50 30.01.2024 instruction email BSH re legal research Supreme Court decisions re recognition chapter 11 in Switzerland MMA 0.00% 0.20 29.01.2024 email Alex Bongarzt re Protective Order Addendum MMA 0.00% 0.10 29.01.2024 conf HA re Protective Order Addendum MMA 0.00% 0.20

Paul Hastings LLP Mr. Luc Despins 200 Park Avenue New York NY 10166 United States of America

Fees for services rendered between February 1, 2024 and February 29, 2024 in the matter of Ho Wan Kwok, et al., as per the attached details.

Disbursements 2% (in lieu of itemized minor disbursements) CHF 434.80

Terms of payment 30 days net VAT No. CHE-115.724.136 MWST

Please arrange for payment under reference of the above invoice number to our following account:

Prager Dreifuss AG ▪ Zürich, Bern, Brüssel ▪ www.prager-dreifuss.com

Invoice period: February 1, 2024 – February 29, 2024

01.02.2024 Recherche betreffend Anerkennung BSH 0.00% 3.30 01.02.2024 rev. case law re recognition Chapter 11 Switzerland MMA 0.00% 0.50

01.02.2024 Conf. Mark, Björn re: case law and model application HA 0.00% 0.60 01.02.2024 conf HA and BSH re recognition Chapter 11 Switzerland MMA 0.00% 0.20 02.02.2024 Suche von einschlägigen BGE und Anerkennung von amerikanischen Konkursdekreten BSH 0.00% 1.90 02.02.2024 rev. case law and amend template application re recognition foreign bankruptcy decree MMA 0.00% 1.10 02.02.2024 rev. E-Mails Luc and Alex re: HA 0.00% 0.50 02.02.2024 conf HA/BSH case law and template application re recognition foreign bankruptcy decree MMA 0.00% 0.20 02.02.2024 draft email to Luc re case law and template application re recognition foreign bankruptcy decree MMA 0.00% 0.20

05.02.2024 Conf. on Swiss Proceedings w. GJ and MMA HA 0.00% 0.50 05.02.2024 Call Luc re: Zivilgericht Basel HA 0.00% 0.40 05.02.2024 rev. documents on Swiss conciliation proceedings MMA 0.00% 0.60 05.02.2024 conf HA/GJ re documents on Swiss conciliation

05.02.2024 Call Luc re Swiss conciliation proceedings MMA 0.00% 0.30 05.02.2024 conf MAA/GJ re documents on Swiss conciliation

08.02.2024 Call conciliation authority re concilation proceedings and

08.02.2024 draft letter to conciliation authority re PoA and document

09.02.2024 rev. draft retention application MMA 0.00% 0.60 09.02.2024 call Alex re retention application MMA 0.00% 0.20 09.02.2024 call Alex re conciliation proceedings MMA 0.00% 0.10 09.02.2024 conf ELO re recognition of bankruptcy in Switzerland MMA 0.00% 0.30 09.02.2024 Sign Lt to Zivilgericht HA 0.00% 0.20

09.02.2024 Call Alex re: application to bankruptcy court HA 0.00% 0.40

12.02.2024 Call re Recognition application ANZ 0.00% 0.50 12.02.2024 Call Luc and Alex HA 0.00% 0.50 12.02.2024 prep. call rev. submission, HA 0.00% 0.50 12.02.2024 conf HA re recognition application MMA 0.00% 0.20 12.02.2024 call Luc re recognition application MMA 0.00% 0.50 12.02.2024 review and comment on recognition application MMA 0.00% 0.40 12.02.2024 conf ELO re instruction recognition application MMA 0.00% 0.30 13.02.2024 studies on recognition of chapter 11 bankruptcy

13.02.2024 work on instructions for US legal opinion for recognition application Switzerland MMA 0.00% 2.20 15.02.2024 rev. docs received from Alex, E-Mail re: answer HA 0.00% 0.70 15.02.2024 rol and email re service of process Lausanne MMA 0.00% 2.00 15.02.2024 Finalize retention application MMA 0.00% 0.30 15.02.2024 rev. document and emails re hearing conciliation

16.02.2024 rev. full file in Zivilgericht Basel HA 0.00% 2.10 16.02.2024 rol and email re service of process Lausanne MMA 0.00% 0.30 19.02.2024 conf HA regarding conciliation hearing in Basel GJ 0.00% 0.30 21.02.2024 emails Lalive re call conciliation proceeding Basel MMA 0.00% 0.20 22.02.2024 Call Lalive re: Basel Proceeings HA 0.00% 0.60 22.02.2024 Call Alex re: engagement etc., report about Lalive call HA 0.00% 0.70 22.02.2024 Call Lalive re: Basel concilation Proceedings MMA 0.00% 0.60 22.02.2024 Call Alex re: engagement etc., report about Lalive call MMA 0.00% 0.70 26.02.2024 Comments E-Mail to US Trustee Office., chekc insurance HA 0.00% 1.00 28.02.2024 review the whole court file received from the Conciliation Authority of the City of Basel (Switzerland) in re Ho Wan Kwok and Ace Decade vs. UBS AG; review of law

29.02.2024 emails Lalive re concilation proceedings Basel MMA 0.00% 0.40 29.02.2024 Meeting Luc Despins re recognition application Switzerland and Swiss proceedings MMA 0.00% 1.70 29.02.2024 rev. e-mail Lalive re: Swiss Proceedings HA 0.00% 0.50 29.02.2024 Meeting Luc Despins and Alex Bongartz in NYC re: recognition and Swiss Proceedings etc. HA 0.00% 1.70 29.02.2024 Conf. GJ re: proceedings in Basel Zivilgericht and

Paul Hastings LLP Mr. Luc Despins 200 Park Avenue New York NY 10166 United States of America

Fees for services rendered between March 1, 2024 and March 31, 2024 in the matter of Ho Wan Kwok, et al., as per the attached details.

Disbursements 2% (in lieu of itemized minor disbursements) CHF 303.85

Terms of payment 30 days net VAT No. CHE-115.724.136 MWST

Please arrange for payment under reference of the above invoice number to our following account:

Prager Dreifuss AG ▪ Zürich, Bern, Brüssel ▪ www.prager-dreifuss.com

Invoice period: March 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024

04.03.2024 rev. and comment on legal opinion Trustee for recognition application Switzerland MMA 0.00% 4.20 05.03.2024 call Alex re engagement MMA 0.00% 0.30 05.03.2024 rev. Conf. Mark to prepm call HA 0.00% 0.50 05.03.2024 Call Alex, re. resonse of Trustee for Bankurptcy Court on

06.03.2024 Finalize comments on draft legal opinion for recognition applicaiton and email Alex MMA 0.00% 0.50 08.03.2024 internal emails and emails Alex re retention application

13.03.2024 prep. call re: reognition etc. HA 0.00% 0.50

15.03.2024 rev. comments trustee on legal opinion for recognition application Switzerland, emails re same MMA 0.00% 1.40 15.03.2024 rev. information on Swiss assets MMA 0.00% 0.30 18.03.2024 rev. order of district court, scheduled hearing etc. HA 0.00% 1.00

18.03.2024 rev. order Court in Basel re conciliation hearing, conf HA MMA 0.00% 0.60 19.03.2024 rev. orders etc., call HA 0.00% 1.10 19.03.2024 E-Mail to Luc Despins and Alex re: order of Zivilgericht HA 0.00% 1.00 19.03.2024 call and email Alex re recognition application MMA 0.00% 0.50 19.03.2024 rev. and amend legal opinion for recognition application MMA 0.00% 1.00 19.03.2024 Call Alex re: Legal Opinion etc. HA 0.00% 0.50 20.03.2024 rev. update re Swiss assets MMA 0.00% 0.20 21.03.2024 work on recognition application MMA 0.00% 2.80

22.03.2024 emails, rev. of documents and rol re MMA 0.00% 1.80 25.03.2024 Legal Research on ANZ 0.00% 2.50

28.03.2024 prep, call and debrief Luc and Alex re MMA 0.00% 1.20