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- Panama Papers update: progress and impediments| Sequor Law
Edward H. Davis Jr. and Andres H. Sandoval assess the Panama Papers leak’s impact on transparency and why asset recovery lags due to evidentiary challenges and litigation hurdles. Panama Papers update: progress and impediments Open Legal Insights Open November 10, 2017 7 minutes read Sequor Law Scandalous revelations of suspicious financial activity exposed by the Panama Papers have toppled political leaders, induced regulatory reforms and prompted greater cooperation from Panama itself towards international efforts to combat tax evasion. But Edward H Davis Jr and Andres H Sandoval would like to see more headway in the area of asset recovery. In April 2016 the Suddeutsche Zeitung released the ground-breaking publication covering the ‘Panama Papers’ – a massive leak of 11.5 million documents from the Panamanian Mossack Fonseca firm and its affiliates, formerly the world’s fourth-largest provider of offshore incorporation services. Shortly thereafter, due largely to the efforts of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), limited information extracted from the Panama Papers was digitised and disseminated to the public in the searchable Offshore Leaks Database maintained on the ICIJ’s website. [1] The impact of the Panama Papers leak in the political, journalistic, investigative and financial arenas is plain to see. However, well over a year later, the Panama Papers fervour is only now creeping into the asset recovery arena. That it has taken this long to arrive is frustrating, but perhaps predictable in light of evidentiary concerns and the inherent difficulty in commencing litigation. Regardless, this signals the next step in combating tax evasion, corruption, fraud and money laundering in the wake of the historic leak. Facts and figures The global effect and pervasiveness of the Panama Papers leak is unrivalled. The 11.5 million leaked documents, dating back nearly 40 years, contain information on more than 214,000 offshore entities, in more than 200 jurisdictions, created by Mossack Fonseca. Major financial institutions alone drove the creation of nearly 15,600 offshore entities. Of these financial institutions, HSBC and its affiliates were responsible for the creation of more than 2,300 offshore corporate vehicles. Others, such as Banque J Safra, UBS AG and Societe Generale, were not far behind. The Panama Papers also exposed 140 politicians from over 50 countries to charges of bribery and corruption for allegedly improper ties to offshore corporate vehicles in no fewer than 21 financial havens. As a result, 14 current and former heads of state as well as over 30 current and former politicians or public figures have come under scrutiny by governmental bodies. Several top government and corporate officials have cracked under the pressure, including, notably, the former Prime Minister of Iceland, Sigmundur Davia Gunnlaugsson, who resigned just days after the initial media coverage of the Panama Papers leak. Other political figures have been faced with high- profile investigations, including Argentina’s Mauricio Macri, Ukraine’s Petro Poroshenko and Pakistan’s former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif. These investigations are bearing fruit. In late July 2017, Pakistan’s Supreme Court deemed Sharif unfit to be a member of parliament for reasons of dishonesty and corruption. The Supreme Court’s decision is the culmination of months of proceedings sparked by the Panama Papers leak, which linked Sharif’s family members to purchases of luxury real estate in London through offshore corporate vehicles. Further, on 31 July 2017, the National Accountability Bureau, Pakistan’s top anti-corruption unit, announced it would file formal corruption charges against Sharif, his children, son-in-law and the former Pakistani Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar. Beneficial effects Among the seemingly more positive effects, the Panama Papers leak has fuelled a global push towards transparency and accessibility of information regarding the ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) of opaque offshore entities and accounts. Just weeks after the leak, the United States executive administration under former President Barack Obama announced it would implement regulatory reform to increase financial transparency and combat tax evasion, corruption and money laundering. Among the various measures, in May 2016, the US Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) promulgated new rules on customer due diligence requirements, which require financial institutions to identify any natural person beneficially owning more than 25% of, or otherwise controlling, the institution’s legal entity customers. Similar initiatives are being pushed in the United Kingdom, Germany and others in the G20 group. Only time will tell if these initiatives prove to be effective or are just window dressing. Cleaning the backyard The Panama Papers leak has also exerted pressure on countries previously resistant to increased financial transparency – namely, Panama. In 2016, Panama’s Vice President Isabel de Saint Malo pledged Panama’s willingness to sign the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters – an agreement developed jointly by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) and the Council of Europe to combat tax evasion through the automatic sharing of residents’ financial information. Holding fast to that pledge, on 3 March 2017, Panama deposited with the OECD its instrument of ratification of the Convention, which came into force in Panama on 1 July 2017. Panama has also signed an information-sharing treaty with Mexico and continues its negotiation of similar agreements with Spain, Italy, Germany, the UK and Switzerland. As of 12 June 2017, the OECD reports 112 jurisdictions currently participating in the Convention. Delayed Recovery Where the Panama Papers have had much less impact than was originally hoped for is in the asset recovery arena. Following the leak, early commentators predicated litigation in the financial havens themselves, such as the British Virgin Islands, Jersey, Hong Kong and Panama, as well as financial centres that may house assets or UBOs, such as Switzerland, the UK and the US. However, now over one year later, this litigation has largely yet to be seen. This is disappointing in light of estimates that as much as 8% of the world’s financial wealth (approximately US$7.6 trillion) is held in financial havens. Further, according to Gabriel Zucman, economist, professor and author of The Hidden Wealth of Nations, as much as 80% of that hidden wealth is not reported to the tax authorities of any country. Equally astounding, the Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative – a partnership between the World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to promote international efforts to end financial havens for corrupt funds and prevent the laundering of the proceedings of corruption – estimates that up to US$40 billion per year is stolen by corrupt public officials around the world. Those most affected by this hidden wealth are the citizens of the governments susceptible to tax evasion, corruption and the illicit diversion of funds, as well as the victims of fraud where the opaque corporate structures are used to hide the proceeds of these crimes. As a result, these jurisdictions often suffer from undeveloped infrastructure, failing health facilities and inadequate educational institutions. While it may be no less important to investigate and expose the corrupt actors that prey on these governments, there must also be a focus on and concerted effort to recover the value that has been secreted in financial havens and often elsewhere. A Start There may be signs of change, however. On 14 July 2017, the US Department of Justice commenced a civil forfeiture proceeding against approximately US$144 million in assets – primarily, a luxury yacht and Manhattan real estate-allegedly representing the proceeds of corruption, bribery and money laundering. The allegations concern prominent businessmen Kolawole Akanni Aluko and Olajide Omokore, and Nigeria’s former Minister for Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke. The US alleges in part that Aluko and Omokore purchased, luxury real estate in London and high-end furniture for Alison-Madueke’s benefit and, in return, Alison-Madueke used her influence to steer lucrative state oil contracts to companies ultimately owned or controlled by Aluko and Omokore. The ICIJ’s Will Fitzgibbon first reported in July 2016 on the links between Aluko, Omokore and Alison-Madueke as detailed in the Panama Papers. This led to investigations in Nigeria, the UK and elsewhere. Evidence and privilege concerns So, what is the reason for the tardy arrival of the Panama Papers’ impact in the asset recovery arena? Firstly, a lack of competent evidence. The ICIJ’s Offshore Leaks Database largely, if not entirely, lacks source documentation. The same is true of the ICIJ’s database for the ‘Swiss Leaks’ and the ‘Luxembourg Leaks’ in previous years (other than documents expressly approved by Luxembourg authorities). Similarly, it is unclear to what extent, if at all, the Panamanian authorities have disseminated to the public or shared with authorities of other countries the documents seized from Mossack Fonseca’s offices following the initial leak. While there may be legitimate reasons for restricting the disclosure of source documentation, the availability of only extracted and secondary information poses hearsay, trustworthiness and other evidentiary problems for authorities, asset recovery professionals and victims in constructing asset recovery cases. More must be done to allow access to this critical information. Secondly, it is an open issue as to whether information taken from the Panama Papers is privileged or protected. Additionally, the issue is complicated by the possible application of foreign law, making it difficult to know which privilege rules apply. Though exceptions to privilege may exist, such as the crime-fraud exception under US law or the iniquity exception under English law, this issue must be weighed carefully. Rather, a best practice would be to treat the Offshore Leaks Database as an important tool in the investigative toolbox and a springboard to pursue additional disclosure in the appropriate jurisdiction. In this respect, emerging asset tracing techniques in recent years can assist greatly in closing the fence around intricate offshore structures. With respect to the US, these techniques include pursuing disclosure proceedings in aid of foreign litigation under 28 USC § 1782, the subpoenaing of information from banks in order to trace the flow of monies through different jurisdictions, and seeking recognition of foreign bankruptcy proceedings under the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency. By using the Model Law, foreign bankruptcy trustees can gain access to US-style discovery and broad turnover powers of assets within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Whatever the reason for the delay, the fervour to see positive change prompted by the Panama Papers must now enter the next phase: concerted efforts to pursue – on behalf of the victims of tax evasion, corruption, fraud and money laundering – the vast hidden wealth that has been secreted through the use of opaque offshore corporate vehicles. Such efforts are long overdue. Click to view the full article. Notes: Panama Papers Website Edward H. Davis Jr (+1 305 372 8282, Ext. 228, edavis@ sequorlaw.com) is a founding shareholder of Sequor Law. Davis was recognised as the Asset Recovery Lawyer of the Year by Who’s Who Legal in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. With nearly 30 years of experience, he focuses his practice on asset recovery, financial fraud and the pursuit of misappropriated assets throughout the world on behalf of the victims of fraud. Davis is also a leading member of the ICC Commercial Crimes Services FraudNet Network. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Giovanni Angles| Sequor Law
Get to know Sequor Law's Giovanni Angles, an international arbitration specialist with extensive ICSID, ICC, and ICDR experience who shares his journey into cross-border dispute resolution. Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Giovanni Angles Open Attorney Spotlight Open June 2, 2025 3 minutes read Sequor Law 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? When I was a kid, my dad used a memorable analogy to explain the law—he compared it to the rules of a game. Just as understanding a game’s rules helps you play it more effectively, learning the rules that govern the real world equips you to navigate it. A legal career, then, allows you to master the framework that shapes society itself. Now that I’m older, it does sound a bit Machiavellian, but I think he meant well. 2. Why did you choose the areas of law that you practice? I chose litigation early on and never looked back. I knew I wanted to be a disputes lawyer, and every early experience in trial advocacy and summer clerkships reinforced that belief. But international arbitration chose me, almost by accident. Before I knew it, I was representing investors in ICSID proceedings and commercial parties in ICC and ICDR business disputes. Over the years, I’ve come to relish the unique nuances that make cross-border disputes so interesting. 3. What skills do you draw upon when it comes to your specific practice areas? The main skills that are part of every good litigator’s toolkit: The ability to read and absorb information for long stretches, ruthlessly efficient writing, and simplifying complex topics to fine tune a message for a certain audience. In international arbitration, that audience can vary by cultural background and legal tradition. 4. What is the most rewarding part about your job? Two things come to mind. For everyday moments, the most rewarding part of my job is working alongside my colleagues, particularly during the “crunch times” before a substantive filing or a final hearing. The other rewarding part is more elusive—that electrifying moment when we uncover a “black swan.” That is, a hidden fact, piece of evidence, or arcane procedural move during trial prep that can reshape our strategy. It happens with relentless digging and expansive thinking, and often helps us forge a path to victory in our client’s favor. 5. Tell us about a mentor who made an impact on your career. I’ve been blessed with quite a few mentors who have helped my career in innumerable ways. One of the earliest ones was Richard Signore, my high school English teacher and theater program director who got me hooked on acting in front of a live audience and channeling the crowd’s energy into my performance—skills I tap into when addressing a jury or arbitral tribunal. Another was John Campbell, my adjunct undergraduate constitutional law professor. He encouraged me to aim high, and gave me a taste of what law school would be like, years before the real thing. He only taught for a couple of semesters, and he insisted I didn’t cause him to quit teaching. 6. If you weren’t practicing law, what would you be doing? Hard to settle on one thing. Probably teaching American history. 7. What might people be surprised to learn about you? I play on two different ice hockey teams in my spare time. It’s a great workout, and it sure beats golf. Sorry to my friends who golf, but you know I’m right. 8. What is a good book or article you read recently? My most recent read is Stolen Focus by Johann Hari, an eye-opening look at our problematic “attention crisis” caused by smartphones, societal pressures, and lots of other hidden environmental factors. These forces are ever-present, and the harm (individual and collective) is worse than you think. The book has helped me reclaim my lost time and re-hone my ability to deep focus. I highly recommend it. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- University of Miami names Sequor of counsel as first bankruptcy chair| Sequor Law
University of Miami names Sequor Law's Of Counsel Andrew Dawson as the first holder of the Judge A. Jay Cristol Endowed Chair in Bankruptcy, honoring his leadership in cross-border insolvency. University of Miami names Sequor of counsel as first bankruptcy chair Open Awards & Recognition Open March 6, 2020 3 minutes read Sequor Law A lawyer at Sequor Law will be the first to hold a new bankruptcy chair donated to the University of Miami by the Southern District of Florida bankruptcy court’s Chief Judge Emeritus Jay Cristol . Of counsel Andrew Dawson will be awarded the Judge A Cristol Endowed Chair in Bankruptcy at a ceremony on 6 March, which will take place at the university where he is already a professor and a vice dean. Judge Cristol, a University of Miami School of Law alumni himself, created the bankruptcy chair in 2016 to recognise faculty members for achievements in bankruptcy law. In a statement, Sequor Law called Dawson a “leader” and highlighted his research focus in cross-border insolvency and labour law. “Drew is truly deserving of this award and we are honoured to count his expertise among our ranks at Sequor Law. He is an outstanding example of our firm’s unsurpassed leadership in the practice, and demonstrates a relentless pursuit of success through his many invaluable contributions on behalf of our clients,” founding shareholder Ed Davis said in the statement. Dawson has worked at the University of Miami as a professor of law for the past nine years and currently also holds the title of vice dean of academic affairs. He regularly appears as a presenter and a panellist at conferences held by the Southeastern Association of Law Schools, the Hispanic National Bar Association and the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), taking part in the latter’s Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11 between 2012 and 2014. Dawson has also contributed to the study of cross-border insolvency under the UNCITRAL Model Law. He lays claim to producing the first empirical study of Chapter 15 following its adoption in 2005. The study, entitled “Offshore Bankruptcies”, was published in in 2009. His most recent publication in the Chicago-Kent Law Review hones in on the topic of modularity in understanding how to apply the UNCITRAL Model Law, according to his resume. The concept – which suggests the Model Law should be understood as a “modular” system that divides complex cases into a hierarchy of components – was intended to resolve questions over the cross-border recognition of judgments following the UK Supreme Court’s 2012 decision, where it refused to enforce a US bankruptcy court’s ruling against a person who had not submitted to UK courts. Dawson received his BA from Massachusetts-based Williams College and completed his JD at Harvard Law School. While at Harvard, he received an ABI Medal of Excellence, awarded to the student with the highest grade on a participating law school bankruptcy course. Early in his career, Dawson clerked for Judge Jane Roth at the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and for Judge Peter Walsh at the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. His first role in academia was at Harvard as a Kauffman Legal Fellow, awarded for research on the public sector, during which he researched bankruptcy law and corporate reoganisations. During the fellowship he had the opportunity to edit Chapter 11-related research by former Harvard bankruptcy professor turned-senator and US Presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren. The bankruptcy chair is Judge Cristol’s second major donation to the University of Miami. In 2012, he named the school’s pro bono bankruptcy clinic after his late wife Eleanor. To view the original article, click here. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- Service of Process Abroad: No International Agreement?| Sequor Law
Explore how Rule 4(f) international service of process provides options for serving defendants abroad without an international agreement. Learn more about Rule 4(f) international service of process strategies. Service of Process Abroad: No International Agreement? Open Legal Insights Open May 23, 2022 2 minutes read Sequor Law Serving a defendant outside the United States can quickly become one of the most procedurally complex stages of a case—particularly when the destination country is not a signatory to the Hague Service Convention or any other applicable international service treaty . But the absence of a treaty does not leave litigants without options. In their article for ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE Magazine (Issue 9) , Sequor Law Shareholder Leyza Blanco , Attorney Juan Mendoza , and Attorney Alejandro Rodriguez Vanzetti examine how Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(f) provides workable mechanisms for effecting service abroad even when no international agreement governs. The authors take a practical, court-centered approach to Rule 4(f) , explaining how its structure allows litigants to pursue several avenues depending on the circumstances. While treaty-based service under Rule 4(f)(1) is often the first consideration, the analysis does not end there. The article discusses how courts interpret Rule 4(f)(2) and 4(f)(3) , particularly in jurisdictions where no international agreement applies or where traditional channels are ineffective. Emphasis is placed on due process, judicial discretion, and the requirement that any proposed method be reasonably calculated to provide notice. Importantly, the article highlights how courts assess whether a proposed method is affirmatively prohibited by foreign law, how alternative service has evolved in response to modern realities, and what evidentiary support judges expect when litigants seek court-directed service. Rather than treating service abroad as a rigid procedural obstacle, the authors frame it as a strategic issue—one that requires careful analysis of the rule, the foreign jurisdiction, and the factual record before the court. For practitioners confronting cross-border defendants in commercial litigation , fraud matters , or enforcement proceedings, this piece offers a grounded examination of the available procedural tools and the considerations that can influence a court’s decision. To explore the full discussion and case analysis, we invite you to read the complete article in the T4 Fire magazine PDF (pages 48–50). Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- Leyza B. Florin Inducted to the 32nd Class of The American College of Bankruptcy| Sequor Law
Sequor Law Shareholder Leyza B. Florin is inducted to the 32nd Class of The American College of Bankruptcy, recognized for professional excellence in bankruptcy and insolvency practice. Leyza B. Florin Inducted to the 32nd Class of The American College of Bankruptcy Open Awards & Recognition Open November 9, 2021 1 minute read Sequor Law Congratulations to Shareholder Leyza B. Florin for her induction to the 32nd Class of The American College of Bankruptcy and being honored and recognized for her professional excellence and her exceptional contributions to the bankruptcy and insolvency practice. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- Tyneside jeweller failed to disclose US assets, joint trustees say| Sequor Law
A Florida court grants emergency Chapter 15 relief to Grant Thornton trustees after UK jeweller Darren McCormick failed to disclose his US property portfolio in his British bankruptcy. Tyneside jeweller failed to disclose US assets, joint trustees say Open In the News Open November 20, 2019 2 minutes read Sequor Law A Florida court has recognised a British jeweller’s bankruptcy after his joint trustees Grant Thornton found he had lied about his US property portfolio before an English court. In an order on 15 November Judge Catherine McEwen , at the US Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, granted emergency relief to Grant Thornton partner Nicholas Wood and director Colin Diss , who were appointed as joint trustees of Darren McCormick in May this year. McCormick is a jewellery distributor based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a city in the UK’s north-east England region. He is the director and shareholder of locally incorporated company Darren McCormick Jewellery. Hong Kong-based watch company Zero Time Product Design International filed for a petition for McCormick’s bankruptcy in December 2018, after he failed to pay a debt he owed to them. McCormick failed to appear at the bankruptcy hearing and in April 2019 District Judge Michelle Temple, in the County Court of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, declared him bankrupt. The court appointed Diss and Wood the following month. In their petition before the Florida court the trustees said McCormick had transferred £83,000 (US$107,000) from two UK pension funds to his US bank account in Florida in January. In a signed declaration before the Newcastle court in July, McCormick said the withdrawals from the pension funds were, “to fund a dental cosmetic treatment and cell injection therapy” he had been receiving in the US and denied owning property in the US. But an investigation by the joint trustees found that he in fact owns a property in Rockwood, Tennessee, and had recently owned two in St Petersburg, Florida. One of the properties McCormick had owned in Florida, which he claimed he sold for US$236,000, had in fact been sold for US$255,000. It found he had sold the second to DMJ Trading, a Florida company he owned, for US$10. Diss told the court the third property was valued at US$349,600. The joint trustees deduced that McCormick had lied about his US property assets to thwart their ability to realise his US assets. Based on these findings the joint trustees said “we know that the Debtor’s sworn declaration, stating that he owned no property in the United States, is false”. In March, after McCormick learned that bankruptcy proceedings were pending against him, he transferred ownership of his primary residence in Newcastle to his ex-wife, although he continued to live in the property rent-free with her permission. McCormick then transferred £14,000 (US$18,000) from his US bank account to another one of his creditors American Express. Diss told the court he had later transferred his controlling interest in two companies to a third party “for no apparent consideration”. He said that following Chapter 15 recognition he expected to be able to identify additional assets belonging to McCormick in the US. In the US Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Florida Tampa Division In Darren Bernard McCormick [Case 8:19-bk-10768-CPM] Counsel to Foreign Representative Sequor Law Shareholder Leyza B. Florin in Miami Joint trustees and foreign representatives Grant Thornton Director of asset and recovery team Colin Diss and partner Nicholas Wood in London County Court at Newcastle Upon Tyne District Judge Michelle Temple To view the original article, click here. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- Recoup From A Ponzi Past?| Sequor Law
This article covers Woodbridge Group’s Chapter 11 filing, SEC allegations of a billion-dollar Ponzi scheme involving Robert H. Shapiro, and the unusual restructuring attempt to repay creditors. Recoup From A Ponzi Past? Open In the News Open February 18, 2018 5 minutes read Sequor Law Law: After bankruptcy, lawsuit, Woodbridge tries a turnaround. By Helen Floersh Woodbridge Group of Cos. in December made headlines from Southern California to South Florida after it filed for Chapter 11 protection and was subsequently sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly running a billion-dollar Ponzi scheme. Woodbridge founder Robert H. Shapiro is alleged to have squandered investor money, paying big returns to old investors using fresh money from new investors, in classic Ponzi-scheme fashion. He enjoyed a lavish life, too, the SEC claimed, blowing millions on limousine service, fine wine and big parties attended by such prominent Republicans as Karl Rove. Law: New Board Plans to Restructure Woodbridge But what’s happened since is unusual. Ponzi schemes usually collapse upon being exposed. But management at the real estate investment firm – situated in a two-story office building on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks – appear set to overhaul its operations and try to make good with its creditors. The company announced early last month that it had cut all ties with Shapiro (not to be confused with renowned Los Angeles attorney Robert L. Shapiro, cofounder of LegalZoom.com Inc. in Glendale). As part of a deal reached with federal regulators Jan. 24 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del., the company has appointed a new board of directors to hunt for a chief executive who will spearhead a strategy to recoup the $1.2 billion Woodbridge raised from more than 8,400 investors. Meanwhile, the SEC has called off its request for a receiver. “This board will guide Woodbridge through a fair and transparent restructuring process focused on maximizing recoveries for investors,” Woodbridge said in an e-mail to the Business Journal. “After conducting a comprehensive review of assets and operations, this board will begin developing a plan of reorganization, which will determine how creditor recoveries are managed and what Woodbridge might look like after the restructuring process is completed.” Former management Woodbridge investors in the past were told that the company was putting their money into high-interest loans made to luxury real estate developers. The borrowers were actually shell companies owned and operated by Shapiro, the SEC alleged in its Dec. 22 complaint. “Shapiro promised investors they would be repaid from the high rates of interest (earned) on loans the companies were purportedly making to third-party borrowers,” the SEC wrote. He allegedly used teams of internal and external sales agents to sell the securities to investors, at least 2,600 of whom were South Florida-based retirees who invested in Woodbridge using money from their Individual Retirement Accounts, the SEC alleged. They were guaranteed monthly interest and dividends from the so-called “hard money” loans Woodbridge was making. Woodbridge claimed it generated between 11 and 15 percent annual interest for short-term financing, 5 to 10 percent of which was returned to investors, according to the SEC. In addition, investors were told they would see gains from the sale of real estate properties purchased and developed by the company, the SEC said. In reality, only about $14 million in interest was paid to Woodbridge by third-party borrowers, the SEC claimed. Roughly $103 million of new investors’ money was used to pay monthly interest and dividends to existing investors, with another $265 million paid as principal. At the time of the lawsuit, $961 million in principal remained due, the SEC said. “The claimed interest payments from the purported third-party ‘property owners’ … did not exist,” the lawsuit stated. “Payments …derived almost exclusively from funds Woodbridge received from other investors.” However, some purchases were, in fact, made. The real estate to which the Woodbridge loans referred included nearly 200 properties, most of them in Aspen, Colo. and Los Angeles, none of which investors had any say in choosing. The L.A. purchases were conducted through the company’s subsidiary Mercer Vine and included the historic Owlwood estate in Holmby Hills, which once belonged to Sonny Bono and Cher, as well as several other luxury properties, news reports said. Others were vacant lots “that have sat undeveloped for years,” the SEC claimed. Meanwhile, Shapiro spent upwards of $21 million in investors’ money on himself and his family, the SEC said, including $34,000 on limousine services and $600,000 on political contributions. A local newspaper in Aspen detailed the events he threw with prominent Republican politicians, including former White House Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff Rove along with current Energy Secretary Rick Perry. Other expenses included $1.4 million on luxury retail items and $1.2 million in alimony, SEC documents said. “Shapiro treated himself to an exorbitant lifestyle, at the investors’ expense,” the SEC said. Restructuring Shapiro resigned from Woodbridge Dec. 1, according to company documents. Through a transition services agreement between an LLC Shapiro established in September and Woodbridge, he named himself as a “consultant” to the firm at a monthly fee of $175,000. The agreement was terminated by the start of the year; Woodbridge said in a Jan. 2 press release that it had removed him from all matters involving the company. Woodbridge had appointed Lawrence Perkins of L.A. management consultancy Sierra-Constellation Partners to steer the company through bankruptcy as its chief restructuring officer, but on Jan. 19 announced that he had resigned as Woodbridge seeks out a new chief executive with “homebuilding experience.” As part of the agreement reached Jan. 23 in bankruptcy court, the company has appointed a trio of directors – Richard Nevins, M. Freddie Reiss and Michael Goldberg to oversee the search. Nevins is an attorney from Riverside, while Reiss most recently served as senior managing director in the corporate finance division of business advisory firm FTI consulting’s L.A. offices. Goldberg is the co-chair of the fraud and recovery practice group at the Fort Lauderdale, Fla. offices of Akerman, a Nevada-based law firm. Reorganization: Investors Wait for SEC Inquiry The company also has formed committees to represent investors’ interests, according to a release from the SEC. In turn, the SEC has withdrawn its request for a court-ordered trustee and a receivership for Woodbridge’s assets. Investors will have to wait until bankruptcy proceedings are further along to know whether they will be able to recover much of their money. The company’s ability to emerge from the scandal unscathed will depend on both on their willingness to remain patient while the company restructures itself as well as what the SEC finds during its ongoing investigation, explained Arnie Lacayo , a Miami attorney at the firm Sequor Law and who is unconnected to Woodbridge but who reviewed the case at the Business Journal’s request. He noted the fact that the company declared bankruptcy voluntarily before being sued by the SEC may complicate the matter. “(These kinds of cases) don’t normally involve bankruptcy where the business can be reorganized, though it does happen,” Lacayo said. “You have these very powerful forces that are clashing (the SEC and the federal bankrupt- cy court) as to what should happen next.” An attorney for Shapiro could not be reached, though his legal representative previously told the Wall Street Journal that Shapiro “denies any allegation of wrongdoing and looks forward to defending himself in a court of law.” The SEC declined to comment apart from its remarks in public materials. For now, it remains to be seen whether Woodbridge will have to sell off its assets or be able to continue operations. Lacayo said the SEC could move to shut down the enterprise if it is proven that it was primarily run as a Ponzi scheme. “(Woodbridge) will need to show that investments were made over time and that there was independence by the people charged with running the company.” he explained. “Investigators will get at those facts pretty quickly.” To view full article, click here. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- Emergency Measures in Insolvency Legislation in Response to the COVID-19 Crisis| Sequor Law
Sequor Law's Cristina Vicens examines US emergency measures in insolvency and restructuring legislation enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the CARES Act and bankruptcy reforms. Emergency Measures in Insolvency Legislation in Response to the COVID-19 Crisis Open Legal Insights Open December 15, 2020 3 minutes read Sequor Law by Cristina Vicens , Sequor Law, P.A., Miami, Florida What emergency measures in insolvency or restructuring legislation has the United States adopted to help businesses cope with the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic? In March 2020, the U.S. Congress swiftly passed a series of stimulus packages to help stabilise the economy after COVID-19 forced many businesses to shut down and caused millions of Americans to become unemployed. The third (and latest) of these stimulus packages, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136), was a US$2 trillion stimulus packages passed on 25 March 2020. The CARES Act directs financial assistance to individual tax payers, expands unemployment benefits to persons that normally would not have qualified for unemployment benefits, provides for federal grants, loans, and other assistance for small businesses and other businesses disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and establishes a US$150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund to make payments to states, tribal governments, and local governments as they respond to the public health emergency. Specifically, with regard to insolvency or restructuring legislation adopted to help businesses cope with the economic crisis, the CARES Act provides for several amendments to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. First, it increases the debt ceiling for businesses to be eligible to file under the small business provisions of Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code from US$2,725,625 to US$ 7,500,000. The Small Business Reorganisation Act (“SBRA”), which took effect on 19 February 2020, just a few weeks before the national shutdown, provides a streamlined path through Chapter 11 for small business debtors. This increased threshold will potentially allow more businesses with access to the SBRA to survive. After one year, however, the debt ceiling increase reverts to US$2,725,625. Second, for a period of one year, the CARES Act amends the definition of “income” under Chapters 7 and 13 to exclude COVID-19 related payments from the federal government. Third, applicable to individuals rather than businesses, it clarifies that the calculation of disposable income under Chapter 13 does not include COVID-19 related payments; and, lastly, permits individuals and families in Chapter 13 proceedings to seek payment plan modifications in response to COVID-19 related financial hardship, including extending payments for up to seven years after their initial payment was due. In addition, the CARES Act provides the authority to the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to make loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) through the commercial banking market. The PPP is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their employees on the payroll and allows loans to be forgiven if all employees of a business are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the loan proceeds are used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. While the CARES Act does not prohibit PPP loans or grants to be provided to Chapter 11 debtors, the SBA has taken the position that it does, creating uncertainty for companies operating under Chapter 11 protection and leading to litigation. [See Perspectives on COVID-19 Relief Funding and the Reopening of America, ABI Journal, July 2020, at 8.] Further, small business owners are able to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”) and receive an advance of up to US$10,000, designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Relevantly, the loan advance does not have to be repaid and recipients do not have to be approved for the loan in order to receive the Emergency Measures in Insolvency Legislation in Response to the COVID-19 Crisis AIJA Insolvency Commission 2020 68 advance. Contrary to the PPP loans, the SBA administers the EIDL program directly and not through the commercial banking market. Click here to read the full summary (page 67). Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- Sequor Law Promotes Attorney Juan J. Mendoza to Counsel| Sequor Law
Sequor Law promotes Juan J. Mendoza to Counsel, recognizing his expertise in asset recovery, cross-border insolvency, and complex international litigation across multiple jurisdictions. Sequor Law Promotes Attorney Juan J. Mendoza to Counsel Open Firm News Open September 12, 2023 2 minutes read Sequor Law September 12, 2023, Miami, Florida- Sequor Law, a distinguished Miami-based law firm specializing in asset recovery, financial fraud, insolvency, and financial services litigation, both domestically and cross-border, proudly announces the promotion of Attorney Juan J. Mendoza to the position of Counsel, effective immediately. “We are excited to recognize Juan’s hard work, dedication, and significant contributions to the firm by promoting him to Counsel,” says Founding Shareholder Edward H. Davis, Jr. “Juan’s expertise in asset recovery, cross-border insolvency and complex litigation across multiple jurisdictions has been an indispensable asset to the firm and our clients. This promotion is well-deserved and exemplifies Sequor Law’s commitment to nurturing and rewarding top-tier talent.” Juan Mendoza, who joined the firm several years ago, has excelled in cases involving international litigation, cross-border insolvency, fraud and asset recovery, and has been instrumental in the firm’s successes in a variety of fora. His commendable experience and skill in navigating legal issues in multiple jurisdictions have helped secure outstanding results for the firm’s clients. “Juan’s commitment to delivering exceptional service, paired with his ability to adapt and excel in fast-paced, complex legal environments, is truly exemplary,” remarks Founding Shareholder Gregory Grossman . “He consistently exhibits high levels of professionalism and legal acumen, qualities that not only benefit our clients but also contribute positively to our firm’s reputation as a leader in international legal services.” Juan’s background and qualifications are a testament to his aptitude and dedication to the field. Juan is an alumnus of the NCBJ 2022 NextGen Program, the Fellowship program of the Florida Bar Business Law section and currently serves as the Membership Committee Chair. He is an active member of AIJA, contributing his efforts through the Insolvency and Litigation Commissions. Prior to joining Sequor Law, Juan served as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert L. Jones, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Texas. Juan received his JD from Emory University School of Law and is admitted to the State Bar of Florida, Georgia and Texas. The promotion of Juan Mendoza to Counsel underscores Sequor Law’s ongoing commitment to professional development and excellence. His work ethic, combined with his legal talent, will continue to be an invaluable asset to the firm and its esteemed clientele. ****** Sequor Law is a Miami-based international law firm representing financial institutions, sovereign governments and state-owned enterprises, public and non-public companies, insolvency practitioners and individual clients in the areas of asset recovery, financial Fraud, Insolvency and financial services litigation. More information is available at www.sequorlaw.com . Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- Sequor Law’s Summer Series Podcasts| Sequor Law
Sequor Law's Summer Series Podcasts feature distinguished attorneys and experts discussing cross-border insolvency, cryptocurrency recovery, financial fraud, and asset tracing topics. Sequor Law’s Summer Series Podcasts Open Events & Speaking Open August 17, 2021 2 minutes read Sequor Law In this series, our distinguished Sequor Law attorneys sit down with other subject-matter experts to discuss cutting-edge legal issues, from the recovery of cryptocurrency to the psychology behind financial fraud to uncovering nominees and other aiders and abettors. See below our upcoming podcasts for the month of August. Hot Topics in Cross Border Insolvency with Sequor Counsel Nyana Abreu Miller August 19, 2021 12PM EST Expert Guest Speakers: Sarah Murray, Head of Dispute Resolution, Stevens & Bolton (UK) Felipe Vieira, Attorney, Duarte Forssell Advogados (Brazil) In this podcast episode, three lawyers specializing in cross-border insolvency and litigation discuss recent developments in the United States, Great Britain, and Brazil. A Brazilian lawyer will discuss Brazil’s recent implementation of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency. An English solicitor will look at remedies available in the English courts to support efforts to recover assets, in accordance with the principles in the Model Law and more generally through Mareva/freezing injunctions and Norwich Pharmacal Orders. A U.S. lawyer will address the treatment of corporate groups in cross-border cases and recent decisions of interest arising under the Model Law. Click here to register The Effect of the General Data Protection Regulation on Discovery with Sequor Attorney Amanda Finley August 25, 2021 4PM EST This podcast episode will discuss the case law regarding the GDPR as interpreted under U.S. law. It will address the various approaches that U.S. courts have taken in response to objections to discovery based on the GDPR. Finally, it will address practical actions that both plaintiff and defense counsel may take in order to resolve these disputes effectively. Click here to register The Tangled Web They Weave: Detangling the Web of Nominees, Aiders and Abettors with Sequor Attorney Carolina Goncalves and Director of Investigations Barbara Miranda August 31, 2021 2PM EST Expert Guest Speaker: Julieta LaMalfa, Director of Disputes, Compliance & Investigations, Stout (US) The use of nominees, aiders and abettors to transfer and hide assets is common throughout all jurisdictions. Moreover, each jurisdiction has different levels of public records and information available to identify the ultimate beneficial owners of assets as well as laws related to piercing through these facades to ultimately access the assets of the debtor. With this in mind, this podcast is meant to give an introduction into the types of nominees, aiders and abettors, how to identify them, the availability of records reflecting ultimate beneficial ownership in various jurisdictions, and potential legal tools to use once you have sufficient evidence to show a judge that these individuals and/or entities are in fact nominees, aiders and/or abettors of the debtor. Click here to register Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- Virtual September CLE Luncheon| Sequor Law
Sequor Law's Daniel Coyle and Juan Mendoza present at a virtual CLE on emerging Chapter 15 issues and comparative enactments of the UNCITRAL Model Law in the UK and Brazil. Virtual September CLE Luncheon Open Events & Speaking Open September 14, 2021 1 minute read Sequor Law Emerging Issues in Chapter 15 and Comparative Enactments of the Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency Daniel Coyle and Juan Mendoza of Sequor Law, along with colleagues Edward Comey-Law Clerk to Hon. Michael Williamson, Lucianna Lima-Duarte Foressell Advogados and Sarah Murray-Stevens & Bolton will provide a unique perspective on the enactment of the Model Law in the UK and Brazil and discuss some ways in which those enactments differ from the Model Law and how these laws tie into Chapter 15 under section 1508. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- Sequor Law’s Latest Rankings and Recognitions| Sequor Law
Sequor Law earns top rankings in 2021 Chambers USA for asset recovery and bankruptcy litigation, with attorneys recognized as Global Elite Thought Leaders. Sequor Law’s Latest Rankings and Recognitions Open Awards & Recognition Open July 1, 2021 2 minutes read Sequor Law Sequor Law continues to earn national and global recognition for its work in high-stakes Asset Recovery , Bankruptcy Litigation , and cross-border disputes. In the 2021 Chambers USA and Litigation Support Guides, the firm ranked among the top firms in Band 2 for both Bankruptcy Litigation and Global-Wide Asset Tracing & Recovery. These rankings are based on extensive independent research, including client and peer interviews. The message from the market is consistent. Sequor delivers results in complex, international matters where precision and strategy matter most. Chambers also recognized individual shareholders for leadership in their respective fields. Edward H. Davis Jr. earned Band 2 recognition for Global-Wide Asset Tracing & Recovery. Gregory S. Grossman was ranked in Bankruptcy Litigation. Leyza F. Blanco received Band 2 distinctions in Bankruptcy Litigation and Bankruptcy/Restructuring in Florida. These rankings reinforce Sequor’s standing in International Litigation , restructuring disputes, and recovery actions spanning multiple jurisdictions. The firm’s reputation extends beyond Chambers. Who’s Who Legal named Edward H. Davis Jr. and Arnoldo B. Lacayo as Global Elite Thought Leaders in Asset Recovery, a distinction reserved for a small percentage of practitioners worldwide. Sequor’s forensic and investigative capabilities were also recognized, with professionals such as Bob Lindquist and Barbara Miranda acknowledged as leading experts in the recovery space. This combination of litigation strategy and financial investigation is central to Sequor’s model in global fraud and enforcement matters. Sequor attorneys were further recognized by Super Lawyers, including Edward H. Davis Jr. , Gregory S. Grossman , Leyza F. Blanco , and Arnoldo B. Lacayo , along with Rising Stars across international and creditor-debtor rights practice areas. These honors reflect sustained excellence in Creditors’ Rights , complex insolvency litigation, and cross-border recovery efforts. Beyond rankings, Sequor continues to lead thought leadership in Cross-Border Insolvency . Counsel Nyana Abreu Miller contributed to international education initiatives and co-authored analysis on Brazil’s implementation of the UNCITRAL Model Law, underscoring the firm’s global reach. Attorneys such as Juan J. Mendoza also remain active in asset recovery and Section 1782 evidence-gathering proceedings. For clients confronting fraud, corruption, insolvency disputes, or international enforcement challenges, these recognitions signal more than accolades. They confirm depth of experience, global connectivity, and a results-driven approach. To view the full rankings and learn more about Sequor Law’s recognized attorneys and practice strengths, read the complete announcement here . Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..











