---
type: court_doc
id: "court_ctb_3139_0"
court: "CTB"
case_no: "22-50073"
doc_number: 3139
doc_type: "ORDER"
filed_date: "2023-08-18"
lang: "en"
machine_translated: false
url: "https://mubeitech.com/en/court/court_ctb_3139_0"
json_url: "https://mubeitech.com/api/court/court_ctb_3139_0"
---
# Guo Wengui / Miles Guo — bankruptcy case · ORDER · ECF #3139

**Monthly Fee Statement — In re Ho Wan Kwok (Miles Guo / Guo Wengui), CTB 22-50073 ECF #3139 (filed 2023-08-18). Swiss counsel Prager Dreifuss AG requests interim compensation of CHF 38,483.00 in fees (80%) and CHF 962.05 in disbursements (100%) for Swiss legal services rendered to Chapter 11 Trustee Luc A. Despins from January 17, 2024 through March 31, 2024.**


UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION

--------------------------------------------------------------　x

In re:　:
:　Chapter 11
HO WAN KWOK, et al.,　:
:　Case No. 22-50073 (JAM)
Debtors.1　:
:　Jointly Administered

x
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
SERVICES RENDERED AND EXPENSES INCURRED

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.
NOTICE AND OBJECTION PROCEDURES

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.

Dated: April 25, 2024

By: /s/ Daniel Hayek

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

------------------------------------------------------　x

In re:　:
:　Chapter 11
HO WAN KWOK, et al.,1　:
:
:　Case No. 22-50073 (JAM)
Debtors.　:
:　(Jointly Administered)

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

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

Counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee

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).
Exhibit A

Name　Hours　Rate CHF　Amount CHF

Hayek, Daniel　22.30　750.00　16,725.00
Jegher, Gion　6.40　650.00　4,160.00
Meili, Mark　40.75　550.00　22,412.50
Olgiati, Elena　1.00　125.00　125.00
Schilter, Björn　7.95　125.00　993.75
Zehnder, Anik　9.90　375.00　3,687.50
TOTAL　88.30　48,103.75
Exhibit B

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

April 23, 2024
Invoice no. 201334-24-05

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.

Total　CHF　11'394.65

VAT 0% export　CHF　0.00
CHF　11'394.65
Disbursements 2% (in lieu of itemized minor disbursements)　CHF　223.40
Legal Fees　CHF　11'171.25

Terms of payment

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:

Zürcher Kantonalbank, 8001 Zürich

IBAN CH67 0070 0114 8037 7648 0

BIC/SWIFT ZKBKCHZZ80A

Prager Dreifuss AG ▪ Zürich, Bern, Brüssel ▪ www.prager-dreifuss.com
Details of invoice no. 201334-24-05

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

Date　Service　Name　VAT　Hours

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　Study　ANZ　0.00%　0.20
22.01.2024　Study　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
for Bankruptcy　ANZ　0.00%　0.45
26.01.2024　Review Document Order Granting Appointment of
Chapter 11 Trustee　ANZ　0.00%　0.20
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　Conf. MMA　HA　0.00%　0.20
29.01.2024　rev. documents and legal research re　MMA　0.00%　1.20

Total excl. VAT　22.85

31.01.2024　Review Document Lamp Capital Complaint　ANZ　0.00%　2.00
31.01.2024　Search for　BSH　0.00%　2.75
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
Expenses

Total excl. VAT　223.40

23.04.2024　Disbursements　0.00%　223.40
Date　Text　VAT　Amount CHF

Provider　Hours　Rate CHF　Amount CHF

Hayek, Daniel　4.50　750.00　3'375.00
Jegher, Gion　0.80　650.00　520.00
Meili, Mark　7.90　550.00　4'345.00
Schilter, Björn　2.75　125.00　343.75
Zehnder, Anik　6.90　375.00　2'587.50
22.85　488.90　11'171.25

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

April 23, 2024
Invoice no. 201334-24-06

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.

Total　CHF　22'174.80

VAT 0% export　CHF　0.00
CHF　22'174.80
Disbursements 2% (in lieu of itemized minor disbursements)　CHF　434.80
Legal Fees　CHF　21'740.00

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:

Zürcher Kantonalbank, 8001 Zürich

IBAN CH67 0070 0114 8037 7648 0

BIC/SWIFT ZKBKCHZZ80A

Prager Dreifuss AG ▪ Zürich, Bern, Brüssel ▪ www.prager-dreifuss.com
Details of invoice no. 201334-24-06

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

Date　Service　Name　VAT　Hours

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　Call Luc　HA　0.00%　0.30
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　review
review further documents and
emails in this context, in particular
; review　GJ　0.00%　2.00
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
proceedings　MMA　0.00%　0.30
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
proceedings　GJ　0.00%　0.30
08.02.2024　Call conciliation authority re concilation proceedings and
files　MMA　0.00%　0.30
08.02.2024　draft letter to conciliation authority re PoA and document
request　MMA　0.00%　0.30
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
proceedings　ELO　0.00%　1.00
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
proceeding Basel　MMA　0.00%　0.25
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
regarding　GJ　0.00%　3.00
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
termination　HA　0.00%　0.50
Total excl. VAT　39.25

Expenses

Date Text VAT Amount CHF

Total excl. VAT　434.80

23.04.2024　Disbursements　0.00%　434.80

Provider　Hours　Rate CHF　Amount CHF

Hayek, Daniel　11.70　750.00　8'775.00
Jegher, Gion　5.60　650.00　3'640.00
Meili, Mark　15.25　550.00　8'387.50
Olgiati, Elena　1.00　125.00　125.00
Schilter, Björn　5.20　125.00　650.00
Zehnder, Anik　0.50　325.00　162.50
39.25　553.90　21'740.00

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

April 23, 2024
Invoice no. 201334-24-07

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.

Total　CHF　15'496.35

VAT 0% export　CHF　0.00
CHF　15'496.35
Disbursements 2% (in lieu of itemized minor disbursements)　CHF　303.85
Legal Fees　CHF　15'192.50

Terms of payment

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:

Zürcher Kantonalbank, 8001 Zürich

IBAN CH67 0070 0114 8037 7648 0

BIC/SWIFT ZKBKCHZZ80A

Prager Dreifuss AG ▪ Zürich, Bern, Brüssel ▪ www.prager-dreifuss.com
Details of invoice no. 201334-24-07

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

Date　Service　Name　VAT　Hours

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
fee arrangement　HA　0.00%　0.40
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
and liability cap　MMA　0.00%　0.60
13.03.2024　prep. call re: reognition etc.　HA　0.00%　0.50
13.03.2024　prep. call　HA　0.00%　0.40
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　Conf. MMA　HA　0.00%　0.20
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　Call Luc　HA　0.00%　0.30
22.03.2024　Conf. MMA　HA　0.00%　0.20
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
25.03.2024　rol re
, conf HA/ANZ re same　MMA　0.00%　1.50
27.03.2024　rol re
, conf HA re same　MMA　0.00%　0.70
28.03.2024　prep, call and debrief Luc and Alex re　MMA　0.00%　1.20

Total excl. VAT 26.20
Expenses

Total excl. VAT　303.85

23.04.2024　Disbursements　0.00%　303.85
Date　Text　VAT　Amount CHF

Provider　Hours　Rate CHF　Amount CHF

Hayek, Daniel　6.10　750.00　4'575.00
Meili, Mark　17.60　550.00　9'680.00
Zehnder, Anik　2.50　375.00　937.50
26.20　579.85　15'192.50