Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alain M. Acanda Open Attorney Spotlight Open January 29, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was inspired to pursue a career in the law after having negative experiences with the law as a child. Growing up I wanted to change the relationship I had with the law and use the legal field to build myself and my community up. 2. Why did you choose the areas of law that you practice? I chose the areas of law I practice because it allows me to take advantage of Miami’s unique position as a hub for the exchange of culture, business, and legal work. Practicing in areas like cross border insolvency and arbitration allows me to gain a broad range of perspectives from clients across the globe. 3. What skills do you draw upon when it comes to your specific practice areas? The skills I draw upon in my practice areas are understanding how all the moving pieces of a case fit together and being flexible in order to deliver results for the client. Being able to understand how these pieces fit together keeps a case moving forward and being flexible permits adapting to changing circumstances in order to still deliver for a client. 4. What is the most rewarding part about your job? The most rewarding part of the job is being able to deliver for a client. 5. Tell us about a mentor who made an impact on your career. A mentor who had an impact on my career was my high school AP European History teacher. He also served as my coach for the international debate club which was where I first became interested in international law which has carried on until today. 6. If you weren’t practicing law, what would you be doing? If I wasn’t practicing law, I’d either be a history professor or restoring classic American cars. 7. What might people be surprised to learn about you? People might be surprised to learn that I love to cook. Whether it be cooking steaks on a grill or making pasta from scratch, I enjoy trying new recipes and making different dishes. 8. What is a good book or article you read recently? A good book I read recently was : Cuba, An American History by Ada Ferrer. It explores the rich shared history between the two nations which can be often overlooked beyond the Castro-regime years. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open 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.. Firm News Apr 11, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Continued Support of Paws4You Rescue In recognition of National Pet Day, Sequor Law is proud to continue its support of Paws4You Rescue, a Miami-based nonprofit... Attorney Spotlight Jan 29, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alain M. Acanda 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was inspired to pursue a career in the law after having negative experiences with the law as.

Sequor Law's Leyza B. Florin chairs the Lawyers Advisory Committee for the Southern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court, linking judges and practitioners to improve bankruptcy practice across the district. Lawyers Advisory Committee Open Awards & Recognition Open September 16, 2019 3 minutes read Sequor Law By: Guest Contributor Leyza B. Florin , Chair Lawyers Advisory Committee The Lawyers Advisory Committee (LAC) for the Southern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court was formed in 2018 to provide a forum for communication, feedback, and resources between the judges and the bar. Its purpose includes regularly soliciting the bar for commentary regarding bankruptcy practice and receiving requests from the court to consider issues arising from the practice of law before the Court. The LAC may recommend changes in the practice and procedures throughout the district and also acts as a liaison between the Court and the practitioners. In addition, the LAC is charged with the development, implementation, and maintenance of bankruptcy-related programs in the district as requested by the Court. To view samples of issues addressed by the LAC, please visit the LAC web page to view meeting minutes. The LAC is only as successful as the bankruptcy bar makes it. We are dependent on you to contact LAC members with any concerns or suggestions that you might have about bankruptcy practice in our district. The success of our bankruptcy practice in the Southern District of Florida is our absolute priority. If you have any recommendations which will improve the Court’s administration of justice, please reach out to a member of the LAC or contact us at LAC@flsb.uscourts.gov . We encourage you to participate by submitting feedback for consideration and assist the LAC in making our bankruptcy practice in the Southern District of Florida the best it can be. BANKRUPTCY RULES AND FORMS ARE AMENDED EFFECTIVE 12/1/19 Amendments to the federal rules and forms scheduled to take effect 12/1/19 and can be reviewed at the U.S. Courts website at these links: Pending Rules and Forms Amendments Pending Changes in Bankruptcy Forms If any of the above amendments necessitate changes in this court’s local rules, local forms, court guidelines, clerk’s instructions or any other local documents, notice will be provided prior to the December 1, 2019, effective date of the bankruptcy rules and forms amendments. COURT GUIDELINES FOR ATTORNEYS FOR CHAPTER 13 DEBTORS AMENDED Please take notice that the “Guidelines for Compensation for Professional Services or Reimbursement of Expenses by Attorneys for Chapter 13 Debtors Pursuant to Local Rule 2016-1(B)(2)(a)” have been amended to reflect an increase in the compensation fee that an attorney may charge without application to the court. The “no-look” fee will increase from $3,500 to $4,500 for all cases filed under or converted to chapter 13 on or after September 1, 2019. A Public Notice and amended “Guidelines” are currently posted on the court website. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE FEDERAL RULES PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD CLOSES FEBRUARY 19, 2020 On August 19, 2019, the Judicial Conference Advisory Committees on Appellate, Bankruptcy, and Civil Rules published proposed amendments to their respective rules and forms and requested that the proposals be circulated to the bar and public for comment. Appellate Rules: 3, 6, 42, and Forms 1 and 2; Bankruptcy Rules: 2005, 3007, 7007.1, and 9036; Civil Rule: 7.1 The proposed amendments, rules committee reports explaining the proposed changes, and instructions on how to submit comments are posted on the U.S. Courts website at: Proposed Amendments Published Comments The public comment period closes on February 19, 2020. If approved, the amendments would become effective December 1, 2021. Click here to read the full article. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open 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.. Firm News Apr 11, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Continued Support of Paws4You Rescue In recognition of National Pet Day, Sequor Law is proud to continue its support of Paws4You Rescue, a Miami-based nonprofit... Attorney Spotlight Jan 29, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alain M. Acanda 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was inspired to pursue a career in the law after having negative experiences with the law as.

An overview of 28 U.S.C. § 1782, one of the most powerful discovery tools available to foreign litigants, allowing evidence gathering in US federal courts for use in international proceedings. Section 1782 Remains One of the Most Powerful Discovery Tools as Appellate Courts Uphold its Use in Aid of Private Commercial Arbitration Open Legal Insights Open June 10, 2020 4 minutes read Sequor Law 28 U.S.C. § 1782, known colloquially as “Section 1782,” is a federal statute that allows foreign litigants and interested persons to request judicial assistance from U.S. federal courts to obtain evidence for use in a proceeding in a foreign or international tribunal. Section 1782 is highly relevant to a wide array of legal practitioners, both within and outside the U.S., as federal courts have concluded that evidence obtained through Section 1782 may be used in civil, criminal, probate, bankruptcy, marital, administrative, and regulatory cases. In short, if your client is not using Section 1782 as part of its litigation strategy, there is a good chance that your client’s opponent is using it to your client’s disadvantage. Section 1782 is an alternative to the slower, and oftentimes cumbersome, cross-border discovery mechanisms such as letters rogatory and diplomatic or consular channels, because it can be pursued directly by the litigant or interested party without the involvement of the foreign court or tribunal or of the governmental authorities making up the traditional channels. Section 1782 was enacted decades ago and was revised extensively in 1964, but its widespread use did not take off until after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2004 ruling in Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. against Intel Corp. , or “Intel” as the seminal decision is widely known. In the Intel case, the Supreme Court clarified the statutory requirements that an applicant has to satisfy to obtain evidence using Section 1782 as well as a number of discretionary factors courts should also consider. If the applicant is successful, it can obtain U.S.-style discovery from persons or entities located where the application is filed (in the form of site inspections, requests for production of documents, or deposition testimony under oath) for use in the foreign proceeding. Typical Section 1782 subpoena targets include businesses (including affiliated companies and subsidiaries), financial institutions, professionals such as lawyers and accountants, brokers, escrow agents, art galleries and auction houses, former employees, and many more. This incredibly powerful tool can also be pursued on an ex parte basis (at least initially) and does not require the applicant to prove that she has exhausted her domestic evidence gathering tools in the foreign case or, significantly, that the evidence will be admissible in the foreign proceeding. One issue that has been contested since Intel was decided is whether Section 1782 can be used in support of a private commercial arbitration (as opposed to treaty-based arbitrations where the use of Section 1782 is clearly supported by the applicable case law). Recently, the Sixth Circuit and Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeals broke with the Second and Fifth Circuits and determined that interested parties may rely on Section 1782 to obtain evidence for use in a privately constituted international arbitration proceeding. In September 2019, the Sixth Circuit analyzed the definition and interpretation of the word “tribunal” at length (relying on the ordinary meaning of the word, several dictionary definitions, the use of the word in legal writing, and an examination of the statute’s text, context and structure) and held that the language of Section 1782 unambiguously “includes private commercial arbitral panels established pursuant to contract and having the authority to issue decisions and bind the parties.” Abdul Latif Jameel Transportation Co. Ltd. v. FedEx Corp. , 939 F.3d 710, 723 (6th Cir. 2019). A few months later, the Fourth Circuit followed. In March 2020, the Fourth Circuit agreed that private arbitral tribunals are “foreign tribunals” within the meaning of Section 1782, and rejected a litany of policy arguments advanced by the respondent. Servotronics, Inc. v. Boeing Co. , 954 F.3d 209 (4th Cir. 2020). Although district court decisions have been deeply divided on the issue since Intel, there is now strong momentum gathering at the appellate level favoring the use of Section 1782 in aid of private commercial arbitration. For example, California district courts had uniformly followed the Second and Fifth Circuits in holding that an applicant may not obtain evidence through Section 1782 for use in a private commercial arbitration—until recently. In February 2020, a federal court in the Northern District of California adopted the reasoning and conclusion of the Sixth Circuit’s decision regarding Section 1782’s application to private international arbitration. HRC-Hainan Holding Company, LLC v. Yihan Hu , No. 19-mc-80277, 2020 WL 906719 (N.D. Cal. Feb. 25, 2020). That case is now on appeal, and the Ninth Circuit is positioned to rule on the issue. In sum, the already powerful Section 1782 has seen its applicability bolstered by two of the highest courts in the U.S. indicating that Section 1782 will remain an indispensable tool in any international lawyer’s toolbox for the foreseeable future. About the authors: Arnie Lacayo ( alacayo@sequorlaw.com ) is a Shareholder and Cristina Vicens ( cvicens@sequorlaw.com ) is an Attorney at Sequor Law. Lacayo and Vicens focus their practices on investigations, financial fraud and corruption-related asset recovery cases, as well as cross-border insolvency. Both Lacayo and Vicens have extensive experience with the Section 1782 statute, including in some of the most-cited cases in the U.S. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open 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.. Firm News Apr 11, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Continued Support of Paws4You Rescue In recognition of National Pet Day, Sequor Law is proud to continue its support of Paws4You Rescue, a Miami-based nonprofit... Attorney Spotlight Jan 29, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alain M. Acanda 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was inspired to pursue a career in the law after having negative experiences with the law as.

Sequor Law's Leyza B. Florin and Christopher Noel analyze the Second Circuit's evolving Section 1782 standard in the Euromepa and Gorsoan cases and its implications for global discovery. Asset recovery column: Euromepa and Gorsoan, oh my Open Legal Insights Open January 5, 2021 7 minutes read Sequor Law Sequor Law shareholder Leyza B. Florin and attorney Christopher Noel discuss the evolving standard to obtain Section 1782 assistance in the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and beyond. The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which includes the states of Connecticut, New York, and Vermont within its jurisdiction, is currently tasked with addressing and deciding how far to extend an ever-narrowing standard applied to proceedings brought pursuant to Section 1782 of the United States Code. In out of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, the Second Circuit has been asked to decide whether an application for judicial assistance to obtain discovery for use in aid of a foreign judgment meets the statutory requirements for relief to be granted pursuant to Section 1782. The ramifications of the Second Circuit’s decision are certain to resonate globally, as New York remains a hotbed for seeking US judicial assistance for foreign tribunals, both because of its geographic proximity to Europe and because of the myriad of global businesses that identify New York as their principal places of business. As many global restructuring and insolvency practitioners are aware, Section 1782 is the product of more than 150 years of effort from the US Congress to provide federal-level court assistance in gathering evidence in the US for use in a foreign tribunal. Generally, whether to grant this assistance is determined by a two-part inquiry: (1) whether a US District Court is to grant relief pursuant to Section 1782; and (2) whether a US District Court grant relief in its broad discretion. At issue before the Second Circuit is one of the statutory prongs examined when a US District Court is deciding whether it is authorised to grant relief –to wit, that the evidence sought must be “for use in a proceeding in a foreign or international tribunal.” The case began with an alleged US$25 million fraud, which caused a Cypriot court to issue a worldwide freezing injunction and asset disclosure order against dozens of defendants, including the Belarusian born, Florida-based socialite Janna Bullock. After Bullock refused to comply with the Cypriot court’s order, Gorsoan, a Cyprus company and fraud victim, sought assistance in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, pursuant to Section 1782. Upon challenge in the Second Circuit, the appellate court affirmed the order granting judicial assistance and Bullock was required to produce the requested discovery. Much to the dismay of Gorsoan, and fellow fraud victim Gazprombank, Bullock failed to produce substantive discovery in response to Gorsoan’s requests. As a result, Gorsoan obtainedleave of court and a court order to take a second deposition of Bullock. At this second, court-supervised deposition, Bullock refused to answer questions by invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Thereafter, Gorsoan led its second application for judicial assistance pursuant to Section 1782, seeking authorisation to subpoena Bullock’s children, mother, and other related persons. The District Court granted that application and Gorsoan’s subsequent motion to compel, which led to Bullock’s intervention and a motion to quash the subpoenas. In January of this year, the Southern District of New York denied Bullock’s defensive motions and granted Gorsoan’s motion to compel related to its subpoenas. Atpresent, the Southern District of New York’s decision remains on appeal at the Second Circuit. However, based upon its own prior precedent in , which broadly held that enforcement of a foreign judgment does not meet the “for use” prong required for Section 1782 relief, the Second Circuit may well further limit Section 1782’s use for obtaining discovery in the United States for use in foreign tribunals. In , the dispute stemmed from an insurance claim for approximately US$20 million in lost or stolen diamonds and other precious jewelry owned by jeweler Esmerian, Inc. and insured by Euromepa. Underlying the Section 1782 proceedings in the United States was a French action wherein the French trial court issued a judgment of approximately US$10 million in favor of Esmerian, which resulted from a finding of equal fault between Esmerian and Euromepa in the loss of the jewelry. Following the French trial court’s ruling, and after perfecting an appeal, Euromepa filed its Section 1782 petition in the Southern District of New York, seeking discovery of Esmerian regarding, among other items, proof of the jewelry’s ownership, proof of the jewelry’s insurance, and proof of the jewelry lost. Ultimately, Euromepa sought this discovery for use in its appeal of the French trial court’s ruling of equal fault among the parties. Upon review, the Southern District of New York denied Euromepa’s application, resulting in an appeal to the Second Circuit. In between appellate argument and the Second Circuit’s decision, the French appellate court favorably amended the French trial court’s judgment in Esmerian’s favor, holding Euromepa wholly liable for the US$20 million loss. As a result, Euromepa immediately sought protection in the French bankruptcy court. The Second Circuit, without addressing the decision of the French appellate court, reversed and remanded the case for further proceedings. Contemporaneously, Euromepa sought review of the French appellate court’s decision with the French Supreme Court, which resulted in an affirmance of the lower appellate court’s opinion. Immediately following the French Supreme Court’s decision, the Southern District of New York dismissed Euromepa’s Section 1782 petition as moot because that decision effectively eliminated all pending proceedings in which Euromepa could use the discovery sought in the United States. Thereafter, Euromepa’s second appeal followed, arguing that the Southern District of New York failed to consider the pending French bankruptcy proceeding and a potential motion to reopen the judgment of the French appellate court, as bases to avoid the Court’s finding of mootness. Upon examination, the Second Circuit found that the French bankruptcy proceeding is not adjudicative within the meaning of Section 1782 because the merits of the dispute between Esmerian and Euromepa have already been adjudicated and would not be considered in the French bankruptcy proceeding, based upon French law. Further, the Second Circuit held that Euromepa’s argument concerning the potential motion to reopen the judgment of the French appellate court was meritless, because its conceded that such a petition was unlikely to be made absent newly discovered evidence. Accordingly, the Second Circuit held that the Southern District of New York did not abuse its discretion in dismissing Euromepa’s Section 1782 petition as moot. Applying this precedent to the appeal, it is entirely possible that theSecond Circuit will again hold that, because the adjudicative function of the foreign tribunal is complete, there is no basis under Statute 1782 to grant relief, thereby foreclosing Gorsoan’s ability to obtain discovery in the United States. All hope is not lost for obtaining discovery in the US, however. While the Second Circuit appears to be gradually narrowing the door for discovery pursuant to Section 1782, the Southern District of New York specifically recognised that “[n]one of the decisions [cited by Bullock in ] established a broad rule that asset discovery can never be adjudicative and is thus always impermissible under § 1782.” (435 F.Supp.3d at 598). Ultimately, the nuance lies in whether the discovery sought pursuant to Section 1782 could have an effect on the merits of the dispute being decided in the foreign tribunal. Moreover, District Courts around the US have sought to further clarify the holding in . For example, in , the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts held that “the court did not universally bar discovery in all bankruptcy proceedings, particularly where issues are being adjudicated.” Further, in , the US District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee held that “had not held that ‘all post-judgment proceedings are not adjudicative’.” Finally, even within theSouthern District of New York, there remains some dispute regarding how far the decision extends: in , the court cited for the limited proposition that Section 1782 discovery “is inappropriate where the merits of a controversy have already been decided by the foreign tribunal.” Ultimately, according to the Southern District of New York in , “adopting the proposed far-reaching rule against asset discovery would be incongruent with § 1782’s ‘underlying policy’ that, ‘[a]bsent specific directions to the contrary from a foreign forum, . . . district courts [should] provide some form of discovery assistance’.” (435 F.Supp.3d 589, 599). At some point later this year, the Second Circuit will likely decide whether Gorsoan will be permitted to obtain the discovery it seeks related to Bullock’s alleged involvement in the US$25 million fraud. At present, proceedings in the Southern District of New York have been stayed by court order, pending resolution of the appeal. Until resolution, and further clarity from the Second Circuit, practitioners should not wait to file their respective applications for judicial assistance pursuant to Section 1782. Instead, non-US practitioners should carefully consider the various jurisdictions where an application for Section 1782 assistance could be filed in the US (any district where the person from whom discovery is sought resides or is found), especially if that location is outside of the Second Circuit’s jurisdiction. Further, there are other litigation tools that counsel in the US may use to otherwise obtain the discovery needed for use in a foreign tribunal when there is already a judgment – one example is domestication of a foreign judgment pursuant to a variety of state laws allowing the enforcement of foreign judgments in the US. Although differing somewhat from state to state, most states have already adopted the Uniform Foreign Money-Judgments Recognition Act (UFMJRA) and have common law decisions that reinforce a foreign party’s ability to both domesticate and enforce foreign judgments within the US. Case references (2d Cir. Case No. 20-680, Filed 21 February 2020) , 154 F.3d 24 (2d Cir. 1998) , No. 15-mc-91509, 2018 WL 474999, at *4 (D. Mass. 2018) , No. 17-mc-5, 2018 WL 3872197, at *12 (M.D. Tenn. Aug. 15,2019) , 190mc-287 (LIS), 2019 WL 2743205, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. July 1,2019) 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 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.. Firm News Apr 11, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Continued Support of Paws4You Rescue In recognition of National Pet Day, Sequor Law is proud to continue its support of Paws4You Rescue, a Miami-based nonprofit... Attorney Spotlight Jan 29, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alain M. Acanda 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was inspired to pursue a career in the law after having negative experiences with the law as.

Sequor Law's Leyza B. Florin, BLS Chair, announces a new CLE Diversity Policy requiring underrepresented group representation on all Florida Bar Business Law Section panels. Business Law Section to Diversify its Education Program Panels Open In the News Open September 8, 2020 2 minutes read Sequor Law By Jim Ash Underscoring its commitment to diversity, the Business Law Section will soon mandate that its CLE program professional panels include members from underrepresented groups. The new BLS “CLE Diversity Policy,” approved by the executive council on September 4, will apply to all CLE programs sponsored or co-sponsored by the section after January 1, according to BLS Chair Leyza B. Florin . The new policy was developed jointly by members of the section’s Inclusion, Mentoring, and Fellowship Committee and The Florida Bar Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Florin said. “Our Inclusion Mentoring Fellowship Committee did extensive work reviewing similar policies for organizations around the U.S. in developing this policy,” Florin said. Under the policy, individual programs with a “faculty” of three or four-panel participants, including the moderator, would require at least one diverse member, and panels with five to eight members, including the moderator, would require at least two diverse members. Panels with nine or more members, including the moderator, would require three diverse members. “The BLS will not sponsor, co-sponsor, or seek CLE accreditation for any program failing to comply with this policy unless an exception or appeal is granted,” the policy states. The policy will be enforced by the IMF Committee. An exception would be granted if “previously confirmed diverse speakers or moderators withdraw or become unable to attend,” and “insufficient time exists to replace them and maintain a diverse panel.” The only other exemption would apply if, “After a diligent search and inquiry, the proponents of the CLE have affirmed they have been unable to obtain the participation of the requisite diverse members of the CLE panel.” To implement the policy, the IMF Committee has been directed to create a “Diverse Speakers Directory.” According to the policy, the directory will include a database of legal experts that “self-identify from a race, ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, disability and multicultural perspective.” Click here to read the original article . Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open 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.. Firm News Apr 11, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Continued Support of Paws4You Rescue In recognition of National Pet Day, Sequor Law is proud to continue its support of Paws4You Rescue, a Miami-based nonprofit... Attorney Spotlight Jan 29, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alain M. Acanda 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was inspired to pursue a career in the law after having negative experiences with the law as.

Attorney Spotlight: Sequor Law Shareholder Fernando J. Menendez Jr. shares insights on bankruptcy strategy, the impact of COVID-19 on businesses, and his approach to the legal industry. Attorney Spotlight: Fernando J. Menendez Jr. Open Attorney Spotlight Open October 7, 2021 3 minutes read Sequor Law On this month’s Attorney Spotlight, we interviewed Sequor Law Shareholder, Fernando J. Menendez Jr. , who provided his insights on the legal industry. What advice would you give to those firms facing bankruptcy due to the pandemic? However unpleasant the prospect of bankruptcy may be, it is important to get advice early. There are undoubtedly abrupt changes in circumstances that may make it necessary for an entity to seek bankruptcy relief with little or no time to prepare, but, to the extent there is even a small window of time to consider the options, make the most of it. In bankruptcy, as in most things, luck favors the prepared. The options in a potential restructuring can vary greatly depending on a variety of factors, including a firm’s capital structure; whether its secured debts have been properly perfected; the status of its executory contracts; its cash flow and pro forma; the nature and status of pending legal actions against it, to name just a few. To what extent has covid-19 affected your work and the nature of disputes you encounter? I would say that the most pronounced change hasn’t been in the nature of the disputes we’ve encountered, but—more practically—in the way we practice. In that regard, we all owe a great debt to our courts, which have responded to the tremendous challenge of this pandemic by making it possible to hold hearings on significant contested matters through Zoom and other video conferencing platforms and, thereby, kept our cases moving forward. Given your tenure as a leading bankruptcy attorney, what is the most important thing you have learned? In solving difficult problems, you have to be creative and keep going back to the drawing board until you’ve found the right answer. Edison said it best: “When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this — you haven’t.” What advice would you give to aspiring bankruptcy lawyers? In everything you do, ask yourself—how would I want someone to do this for me if I was in need of an attorney? How would I want it done for a parent or a sibling? Now, do that! How does Sequor Law distinguish itself from competitors in the market? If I had to use a single word, I would say it’s passion. A passion for what we do; for doing it right; for getting it right; for meeting our client’s objectives. What is specific to Sequor Law? The team at Sequor has a breadth of knowledge and experience that gives us unique advantages in assisting our clients. Specifically, because we routinely act as counsel in domestic and cross-border insolvency cases, and are frequently engaged in commercial litigation and international asset recovery matters, we are able to provide advice that is not only reactive, but proactive. Given our experience and day-to-day work, we have a good sense of where a case is likely to go after a judgment has been obtained, and begin working to anticipate those eventualities well before many others may have considered them. What should clients look for when selecting a bankruptcy attorney or firm? In this age of endless marketing, it’s easy to get distracted by keywords on a website. Obviously, a referral from someone who has worked with the attorney in the area is a good touchstone for assessing experience and expertise. Absent that, you want to focus on whether the attorney seems to truly understand your problem. Have they dealt with something like it before? Are they asking the right questions? Are they raising issues you had not considered? Are they challenging you or just agreeing with everything you say? This last one may take a bit longer to get to, but, in my experience, is quite possibly the best indication that you have the right lawyer. What do you enjoy most about working in bankruptcy? Without question, the fact that it moves fast—at least relative to most standard commercial litigation. Given the exigency of bankruptcy, and the surrounding statutory framework—which is geared towards getting parties to some form of resolution as quickly as possible—you don’t have to wait years before a client’s major issues/claims are resolved. For better or worse, you’ll have your answer (in an ideal world, the right one!) quickly. What is a book or article that you consider a must-read? Collier on Bankruptcy! For those in the mood for something a little more plot-driven, you can’t go wrong with All The Light We Cannot See and The Nickel Boys, both of which are heart-wrenching and amazing. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open 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.. Firm News Apr 11, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Continued Support of Paws4You Rescue In recognition of National Pet Day, Sequor Law is proud to continue its support of Paws4You Rescue, a Miami-based nonprofit... Attorney Spotlight Jan 29, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alain M. Acanda 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was inspired to pursue a career in the law after having negative experiences with the law as.

Latinvex's Latin America's Top 100 Lawyers ranking features Sequor Law among the leading international law firms engaged in Latin American legal matters across 12 practice categories. Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers Open Awards & Recognition Open June 23, 2021 2 minutes read Sequor Law Latinvex singles out the top foreign lawyers in Latin America. BY LATINVEX STAFF The editorial and research staff of Latinvex has selected the leading attorneys from international law firms that are involved in the legal business in Latin America. The ninth annual ranking includes 100 attorneys from 58 law firms — major firms as well as boutique firms — and spans 12 categories, including arbitration & litigation, banking & finance, capital markets, corporate/M&A, energy, FCPA & fraud and project finance. The criteria used was a combination of factors, including recent track record on major deals and business, prominence of firm in Latin America and rankings by third parties such as Chambers and Partners, Legal 500 and Refinitiv. Latinvex used data from our annual survey of international firms as well as publicly-available information. This year, 14 attorneyswere new compared with last year’s list. Keywords: Allen & Overy, Arent Fox, Arnold & Porter, Baker Botts, Beveridge & Diamond, Brown & Rudnick, Cassels Brock, Chaffetz Lindsey, Cleary Gottlieb, Conyers, Covington & Burling, Crowell & Moring, Davis Polk, Debevoise & Plimpton, Diaz Reus, Foley Hoag, Freshfields, Fridman Fels & Soto, Gowling WLG, Haynes and Boone, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hogan Lovells, Holland & Knight, Hughes Hubbard, Hunton Andrews Kurth, Jenner & Block, Jones Day, K&L Gates, Latham & Watkins, Littler Mendelson, Mayer Brown, McDermott Will & Emery, Milbank, Miller & Chevalier, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, Morrisson & Foerster, Nelson Mullins, Paul Hastings, Proskauer Rose, Quinn Emanuel, Reed Smith, Ropes & Gray, Sequor Law , Shearman & Sterling, Sheppard Mullin, Sidley Austin, Simpson Thacher, Skadden, Squire Patton Boggs, Sullivan & Cromwell, Thompson & Knight, Vinson & Elkins, Wasserman West, White & Case, Willkie, Wilson Sonsini, Winston & Strawn and Winston Legal Group. To see 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 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.. Firm News Apr 11, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Continued Support of Paws4You Rescue In recognition of National Pet Day, Sequor Law is proud to continue its support of Paws4You Rescue, a Miami-based nonprofit... Attorney Spotlight Jan 29, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alain M. Acanda 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was inspired to pursue a career in the law after having negative experiences with the law as.

Hong Kong liquidators of Dingway Investment Limited obtain pre-recognition emergency discovery relief in Miami's Bankruptcy Court under Chapter 15 regarding a disputed Miami property. Dingway case in GRR Open In the News Open February 8, 2022 6 minutes read Sequor Law Hong Kong liquidators obtain pre-recognition discovery relief in Miami A Hong Kong headquartered, British Virgin Islands-incorporated company’s provisional liquidators have obtained emergency relief in the US to conduct discovery on a property it used to own in Miami, which they allege has been wrongfully transferred at least three times in the last three years. On 3 February, Chief Bankruptcy Judge Laurel M Isicoff in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, granted an emergency motion allowing the liquidators of Dingway Investment Limited, Teneo’s Russel Crumpler in the BVI and KPMG’s Fergal Power in Hong Kong, to conduct proposed discovery under federal and local bankruptcy rules in the US, before they are formally recognised under Chapter 15. The pair submitted a recognition petition before the Miami court on 27 January, just three days after a Hong Kong court opened a winding-up petition against Dingway at the request of its majority shareholder, Hong Kong-based China City Construction International (China City). China City itself has also been in a creditor’s voluntary liquidation in Hong Kong since January 2019, and is currently being managed by KPMG’s global head of restructuring services Patrick Cowley and partner Lui Yee Man as liquidators. Cowley, Lui and KPMG director Christopher Ball are also currently sitting as three of Dingway’s five directors. In a declaration supporting Dingway’s Chapter 15 application, Crumpler explains that Dingway was incorporated in 2014 to indirectly purchase a “substantial” vacant land site in Miami’s Brickell Financial District through three intermediate Delaware companies. At the time of the purchase, an entity called China City Construction & Development Co (CCCDHK) funded the US$86.7 million purchase price for the property, in return for an equivalent reduction to a US$204 million debt it owned to China City. The latter then passed the funds down the structure to the titleholder of the Miami property by way of a series of shareholder loans. In October 2015, an entity called Champ Prestige took a 45% interest in Dingway for just over US$40 million, leaving China City with the remaining 55%. Three years later, CCDHK brought an unsuccessful claim against China City in the Hong Kong High Court, arguing that China City had always held its shares in Dingway and the US$40 million that Champ Prestige had paid for its interest, on trust for CCCDHK. It sought an order for China City to transfer the legal ownership of its shares and the money to CCDHK, but the court declined to grant the relief and CCCDHK discontinued the proceedings in December 2019. Crumpler notes in his declaration that investigations by China City’s liquidators, Cowley and Lui, suggest CCCDHK and China City are ultimately controlled by the same people associated with a mainland Chinese company called China City Development Academy (CCDA). CCDA indirectly held an interest in China City until April 2016 and obtained an indirect interest in CCCDHK in July of the same year. Despite one ownership interest ceasing before the other commenced, the same people seemed to exert a measure of control over both entities at all material times, China City’s liquidators claimed. In particular, City City’s liquidators told Crumpler that an individual named Zeng Yuqi seemed to be a common director of China City and CCCDHK between February and September 2018, while another director of CCCDHK, Sze Wai Suen, was an authorised signatory for certain China City accounts as late as September 2016, among other things. Crumpler claims that Zeng, acting as a “rogue director” and without authorisation from Dingway’s board or shareholders, signed an agreement in October 2019 to transfer its interests in the Delaware ownership structure and the Miami property to CCCDHK, for no consideration. He says Sze signed the agreement on CCCDHK’s behalf. The provisional liquidator claims CCCDHK then sold the Delaware structure and Miami property to a Californian entity in November 2019 for US$70 million, with Sze as signatory again. Crumpler says Champ Prestige, as Dingway’s minority shareholder, was initially prepared to cooperate with China City’s liquidators to try to retrieve its interest in the Miami property. But in March 2020, Cowley and Lui learned that Champ Prestige itself had been sold to CCCDHK for US$44 million. Finally, on 30 December last year, Crumpler notes Cowley and Lui found out through an online news article that the Miami property had been sold again – this time for US$103 million to an entity belonging to Miami real estate investment firm Mast Capital and Boston private equity group Rockpoint. The news article in the South Florida Business Journal reported that the property had been “seized” following “a legal battle with the previous owner”. Submitted at the same time as their Chapter 15 application, Crumpler and Power asked the Miami district court for emergency provisional relief so they could investigate the latest transaction with Mast Capital and Rockpoint. Specifically, they asked permission to issue and serve pre-recognition subpoenas for the production of documents on the two new acquirors and three Delaware entities they used to effectuate the sales, as well as two other Mast Capital companies that may have been involved in the sale. Crumpler and Power argued that the proposed discovery was limited and targeted to obtaining information regarding the location of the closing proceeds for the sale. They said they needed relief on an emergency basis to preserve the status quo of Dingway’s estate and prevent “further dissipation” of the Miami property’s proceeds of sale. Granting the provisional relief, Judge Isicoff noted it was “narrowly tailored in scope and duration” and reflected that there were no parties in opposition. The judge also said the “threatened injury” to Dingway’s estate outweighed “whatever damage the requested relief may cause an opposing party”. Champ Prestige proceedings Crumpler explains in his declaration that Champ Prestige originally brought an action in a Miami-Dade County court against China City and the Delaware entity that was the Miami property’s direct owner in June 2019, claiming the majority shareholder had breached its obligations under the sale and purchase agreement through which Champ Prestige had acquired its 45% interest in Dingway. Among other things, Champ Prestige sought to impose and foreclose on an equitable lien on the property, and in December 2019 it secured a temporary injunction from the Miami-Dade court enjoining the land’s disposition. The injunction was expanded in February 2020 to also prevent any indirect dispositions or the sale of any interests in the three Delaware holding companies. But after CCCDHK acquired Champ Prestige it voluntarily dismissed the Miami-Dade action and removed the lis pendens over the property. Crumpler has also recorded that Champ Prestige filed a winding-up petition against Dingway and China City in Hong Kong back in February 2018, but no steps had been taken in the petition since March 2020, when Mr Justice Harris dismissed an application from China City to strike it out on jurisdictional grounds. Crumpler explains in his declaration that Cowley and Lui, as China City’s liquidators, had wanted to try to recover its interest in Dingway and its ultimate 55% interest in the Miami property, but had been unable to take action due to lack of funding, and because of CCCDHK’s action in Hong Kong and the Miami-Dade proceedings. When the Hong Kong court placed Dingway in liquidation, it issued a proprietary injunction against CCCDHK in respect of the US$70 million for the November 2019 sale of the property. It also issued a mareva injunction restraining CCCDHK, Zeng and Sze from dealing with assets of up to US$103 million. The court was due to hold an inter partes hearing in Hong Kong to address Crumpler and Power’s continuing appointment as joint provisional liquidators and the injunctions on 4 February. GRR was unable to ascertain the outcome of that hearing by press time. After they have obtained evidence in aid of their asset recovery efforts, Crumpler and Power intend to file actions and proprietary claims in the US, including claims against third parties in the US that may have damaged Dingway or owe it money. The provisional liquidators have retained Sequor Law partners Fernando Menendez and Gregory Grossman as US counsel. The Chapter 15 bankruptcy court has scheduled a full recognition hearing on 23 February. In the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida Chief Bankruptcy Judge Laurel M Isicoff Counsel to joint provisional liquidators of Dingway Investment Limited Sequor Law Partners Fernando Menendez and Gregory Grossman in Miami In the Hong Kong Court of First Instance In the matter of Dingway Investment Limited Mr Justice Peter Ng Joint provisional liquidators of Dingway Teneo Senior managing director Russel Crumpler in the British Virgin Islands KPMG Partner Fergal Power in Hong Kong Counsel to petitioner China City (in creditors’ voluntary liquidation) and then to joint provisional liquidators Tanner De Witt Senior associate Veronica Chan in Hong Kong Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open 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.. Firm News Apr 11, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Continued Support of Paws4You Rescue In recognition of National Pet Day, Sequor Law is proud to continue its support of Paws4You Rescue, a Miami-based nonprofit... Attorney Spotlight Jan 29, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alain M. Acanda 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was inspired to pursue a career in the law after having negative experiences with the law as.

Get to know Sequor Law Attorney Alejandro Rodriguez Vanzetti, a Miami-raised international law specialist who shares his passion for cross-border asset recovery and Latin American legal matters. Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alejandro Rodriguez Vanzetti Open Attorney Spotlight Open July 22, 2025 2 minutes read Sequor Law 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? In college, I found myself drawn to international politics and law, especially as they relate to Latin America. Growing up in Miami, I was always exposed to these conversations, but studying them at an academic level gave me a deeper appreciation for the region’s complexities. Over time, I realized I wanted a career where I could combine these interests with my passion for writing, one where I could make a meaningful impact. Cliché aside, law felt like the natural path: a way to advocate for others while shaping real outcomes in people’s lives. 2. Why did you choose the areas of law that you practice? In a previous role before law school, I was introduced to evidence gathering and asset recovery and was immediately drawn to the work. What captivated me most was the cross-border nature of these cases—collaborating across jurisdictions (often with foreign-trained lawyers) and learning the legal frameworks of other countries. The shared goal of securing critical evidence for foreign proceedings and recovering assets for victims of fraud made the work feel both challenging and meaningful. 3. What skills do you draw upon when it comes to your specific practice areas? I often draw on the persistence I developed early in my career, those moments when I had to go above and beyond. Whether it was crafting a seemingly impossible argument or navigating an unfamiliar area of law, I learned to dig deep and push through challenges. That mindset—doing whatever it takes to reach the right outcome—continues to guide my approach today. 4. What is the most rewarding part about your job? Two parts: Contributing to developing areas of the law that have a global impact and finding creative solutions to complex problems. That combination is what makes this work so fulfilling. 5. Tell us about a mentor who made an impact on your career. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had many mentors. What they all had in common was their belief in my potential, often seeing something in me that I hadn’t yet recognized in myself. Most recently, Magistrate Judge Lisette M. Reid, my former boss, did just that: trusting my abilities while consistently challenging me to grow and learn. 6. If you weren’t practicing law, what would you be doing? I’d likely be working in journalism. 7. What might people be surprised to learn about you? I can recite the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence. For some reason it has stuck with me ever since 7th grade civics class! 8. What is a good book or article you read recently? An article by Yves Klein published by Chambers and Partners on tracing the evolution of asset recovery over the years titled “International Asset Tracing and Recovery at 25: Where Do We Stand?” Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open 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.. Firm News Apr 11, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Continued Support of Paws4You Rescue In recognition of National Pet Day, Sequor Law is proud to continue its support of Paws4You Rescue, a Miami-based nonprofit... Attorney Spotlight Jan 29, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alain M. Acanda 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was inspired to pursue a career in the law after having negative experiences with the law as.

Sequor Law Counsel Christopher A. Noel discusses asset recovery, art fraud, financial crime, and his practice in international commercial litigation in this attorney spotlight interview. ATTORNEY SPOTLIGHT: Christopher A. Noel Open Attorney Spotlight Open May 23, 2022 5 minutes read Sequor Law Sequor Law Counsel, Christopher A. Noel , shared his insights on Art Fraud in the legal industry on this month’s Attorney Spotlight. Asset recovery, corruption and proceeds of crime recovery, financial fraud, and international commercial litigation and appeals. My practice involves representing clients ranging from sovereign governments and multinational corporations to court-appointed fiduciaries and private clients. The role of an asset recovery lawyer is to be a member of a multi-faceted team focused on a core objective: recovering value for the client. Often, asset recovery counsel assembles teams of investigators and forensic experts to more fully understand the circumstances that gave rise to the dispute, and asset recovery counsel serves as a hub for all of the professionals working to advance the client’s objectives. Art fraud takes many forms – it can be based on a forged or otherwise inauthentic artwork, or as we see more commonly, it can be financial fraud perpetrated through abuse of the otherwise very private art market. As the global art market grows, and new consumers are brought into the market, the risk of art fraud increases. Without disclosing privileged details, I have had an opportunity to work with our team at Sequor on a variety of interesting matters. The assets have ranged from NFTs and blue-chip artworks to monies held by state sponsors of terrorism and kleptocrats. Our work is truly global. Since joining Sequor, I have worked on matters touching North America, South America, the Caribbean, the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Motivation for fraud, and crime in general, is usually a case-specific matter. However, two key factors impacting fraud in the art market are: (a) the relatively high level of privacy afforded in fine art and luxury goods sales (private dealers and auction houses typically dislike disclosure of client and sale information); and (b) the relative ease of transporting art and other luxury goods across borders without declaration to customs officials. Because transactions are often conducted in private and the goods are easily transported, art fraud is a growing market for fraudsters around the world. Art fraud has a direct impact on all consumers of art. When specific artworks are involved in litigation (because of fraud or otherwise), they are often stored pending resolution of the proceedings. This means that the art-consuming public will likely not have the opportunity to view the artwork until the dispute resolves. Additionally, fraud in any market increases transaction costs – leading to increased consumer costs either at galleries, art fairs or even when visiting museums. Asset recovery is a critical aspect of the law. The field of asset recovery covers a broad range of legal efforts, but it focuses on returning value to the client, who otherwise may not recover. A money judgment has limited value, but the post-judgment recovery is where a victim of fraud actually becomes close to whole again. As with any other type of financial fraud, there are market conditions that lend themselves to increases in fraudulent activity. The most clear example of this is whenever there is a spike in fine art sales, which may lead to increased art fraud within the market. Otherwise, spikes may also arise when dealing with inauthentic works, whereby a forger releases a tranche of works at once, often purporting that they came from a single previously-unknown collector. Art fraud follows the same form as many other frauds that Sequor sees on a daily basis. The team at Sequor, however, is specially suited to handle art fraud cases because of our extensive history of successfully recovering artworks in fraud cases, as well as our relationships with the international art industry. Art fraud, as is the case with most fraud matters, is a deeply personal wrong against a person or entity. Behind the scenes, Sequor acts as counselor and advisor to clients who are, in many instances, experiencing fraud firsthand for the first time. Sequor’s ability to match world-class legal practice with a hands-on and compassionate client relationship sets us apart in the market. International asset recovery and fraud litigation is an extremely interesting and dynamic field. Anyone interested in going into this area of the law should make best efforts to both master their understanding of the US legal system while also gathering an understanding of international legal systems and politics. It is truly a rare occasion where one of our cases does not involve facts and claims in multiple countries on multiple continents. Persistence and professionalism. Persistence is key because a common defense strategy is to lay in wait for the prosecuting attorney to make the first move. Without persistence, our clients may not recover the value they lost, or they may unnecessarily wait for a recovery, thereby allowing their opponent time to hide or shield assets subject to recovery. Professionalism is also a key aspect of our practice. Dealing with professionals and clients around the world requires a highly professional and adaptive demeanor. Additionally, professionalism is an aspect of the legal practice that is often the first thing lost in stressful and tense situations. The adage that one catches more flies with honey than with vinegar is a good rule to practice by. I studied law for two reasons. First, I appreciate the logic that the law provides. Decisions in the common law system are largely based on prior precedent that builds upon past cases and creates a body of law from which lawyers can pull based on the individual facts of each case. Additionally, the feeling of helping victims is second to none. Sequor prides itself on only representing those who have lost out at the hands of others’ wrongdoing. It is a great feeling to go to sleep at night knowing that I am trying to do good every day. The most significant aspect of being a lawyer today is the fast-evolving nature of our practice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, courts and law firms were required to quickly adjust to a remote world or else they faced dire outcomes for pending and new cases. While the law is typically a slow-to-evolve profession, the past few years have finally launched the practice into the new millennium. These advances in technology also assist practice in general – Zoom has made it easier to communicate with clients and colleagues around the world, and advances in artificial intelligence have made analyzing huge sets of data more efficient both in terms of time and cost. I look forward to seeing how technology further impacts the practice in the coming years as everyone re-adjusts to a (hopefully) post-COVID world. There are three pieces of advice that I would give younger attorneys today. First, make sure that you are a master of procedure if you are a litigator. The party who better knows the rules of procedure is at an extreme advantage over his adversary. Second, strive to get as much hands-on experience as possible. Seek out opportunities to shadow more senior lawyers, volunteer to take depositions and argue at motion calendar, and if possible, work on a trial as early as possible. Finally, explore the various areas of practice. It is uncommon now for a lawyer to remain in one area of practice for their entire career – if you do not feel rewarded in one practice, explore others until you find something that excites you every day. Sequor is unlike any law firm I’ve ever worked with. Our team is like a family and our boutique size allows us to cross-collaborate on many matters, leading to more creative and well-rounded solutions for our clients. Sequor also focuses on attorney development to a degree that I am unaware of at any other firm. Young attorneys are encouraged to follow their passions within the firm’s general practice areas, and they are encouraged to write, speak, and network in ways that meaningfully grow a young attorney’s practice at an accelerated yet manageable rate. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open 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.. Firm News Apr 11, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Continued Support of Paws4You Rescue In recognition of National Pet Day, Sequor Law is proud to continue its support of Paws4You Rescue, a Miami-based nonprofit... Attorney Spotlight Jan 29, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alain M. Acanda 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was inspired to pursue a career in the law after having negative experiences with the law as.

The FBI launches an international corruption squad in Miami targeting South American bribery and money laundering, as federal cases involving illicit foreign funds grow in South Florida. FBI has new Miami squad to fight international corruption Open In the News Open March 11, 2019 4 minutes read Sequor Law By David Lyons For many South Floridians, it’s no secret that the place they call home is a longtime haven for illicit drug money or cash stolen from foreign governments. So it should come as no surprise that the FBI is now setting up an international corruption squad office in Miami. The squad, scheduled to start its work this month, will be focusing on South America. Agents will be out to bust white-collar criminals who bribe foreign public officials and then launder the proceeds through the purchase of local real estate or fancy boats. The squad, the fourth one to be established nationally, will be staffed by senior FBI agents, forensic accountants and prosecutors and investigators who are experienced chasing white-collar criminals and public corruption. The bureau currently operates squads in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Between 2016 and 2018, according to The Associated Press, prosecutors have won 34 convictions in cases brought by the international unit. ‘It’s about time’ There’s plenty of demand for a dedicated effort to investigate the region’s link to corruption in Latin America, say former U.S. attorneys for South Florida. “My first reaction is it’s about time,” said Marcos Jimenez, who served between 2002 and 2005. “The FBI should have done this years ago.” “South Florida has been the corruption capital of Latin America that entire time, and they haven’t dedicated sufficient resources to it,” said Jimenez, a commercial litigator based in Coral Gables. That was mainly because the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington diverted resources to counterterrorism work. ‘Follow the money’ A typical case pattern is for people who receive bribes to salt their money away in South Florida real estate. Jimenez surmised that the government has received an uptick in leads from a reporting program operated by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. It requires title insurers to report the identities of people who buy residential real estate valued at $300,000 or more. South Florida is one of eight regions subjected to a geographic targeting order designed to flag money laundering through real-estate deals. “It’s the same old rule that has never changed, which is follow the money,” Jimenez said. Wifredo Ferrer, who was U.S. attorney between 2010 and 2017, said that increasingly, he has seen U.S. law enforcement partnering with counterparts in Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Mexico, nations that are all cracking down on corruption. And then there is Venezuela, whose well-connected officials and businessmen have become rich as the socialist government of Nicolas Maduro has edged toward collapse. American sanctions against corrupt Venezuelan officials have reportedly prompted the U.S. Treasury to freeze billions under the control of military officers and others with government ties, including $500 million in assets belonging to a former vice president, Tarak El Aissami. “In Venezuela there is such a focus right now by the U.S. government in making sure they bring to justice those who have laundered money stolen from the country,” said Ferrer, who is executive partner of the Miami office of Holland & Knight. Bringing indictments South Florida’s federal courts have been the scene of indictments and guilty pleas involving defendants who handled illicit Venezuelan money, with the cases led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ’s Homeland Security Investigations. Last August, Matthias Krull, a German-born managing director of a Swiss bank in Panama, pleaded guilty in Miami to a single money laundering count and admitted laundering embezzled funds from PDVSA, the state oil company, for relatives of an unnamed Venezuelan government official. And last November, Alejandro Andrade Cedeno, a former Venezuelan national treasurer residing in Wellington, was sentenced to 10 years for a money laundering conspiracy involving more than $1 billion in bribes, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Miami. Ferrer asserted that throughout much of the hemisphere, Latin Americans are weary of corruption and yearn for local authorities to curtail it. “There is an increase in public outcries,” he said. “There have been marches in certain countries. Citizens don’t want to keep having to suffer the negative effects of corruption. There is a real will and desire in these countries to have this focus.” A special investigative squad for Miami makes sense to private lawyers who help clients recover stolen or missing assets and advise them on compliance laws. South Florida, according to one, is not only a convenient place to hide money, it is a place to make arrangements to cut bribery deals in other countries. “People just don’t call up and say, ‘Can I pay you a bribe?’” said Edward Davis , of Sequor Law in Miami. “There is a negotiation process. It’s common to have a place where they meet and talk things through. If you’re a European manufacturer trying to get a contract, the last thing you want to do is to be seen talking to an official in that country.” The Miami squad will work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, and the Miami regional office of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the FBI said. Neither the FBI in Washington nor the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida responded to follow- up questions to the announcement. The existing squads work in conjunction with the Department of Justice’s fraud and money laundering asset forfeiture sections, and report directly to the department in Washington. “The squads routinely partner with foreign law enforcement and FBI legal attache offices … to combat international corruption matters,” the FBI said in a statement. This story has been corrected to reflect that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, not the FBI, led the cases involving money laundering schemes related to Venezuela. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open 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.. Firm News Apr 11, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Continued Support of Paws4You Rescue In recognition of National Pet Day, Sequor Law is proud to continue its support of Paws4You Rescue, a Miami-based nonprofit... Attorney Spotlight Jan 29, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alain M. Acanda 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was inspired to pursue a career in the law after having negative experiences with the law as.

Celebrating Bob Lindquist's 50-year career in forensic financial investigations. Sequor Law's Director of Forensics reflects on his storied journey from auditor to leading fraud investigator. Director of Forensics Bob Lindquist Celebrates 50-Year Career Milestone Open Firm News Open January 18, 2023 4 minutes read Sequor Law As we join Bob Lindquist in celebrating his 50 years in forensic financial investigations, let’s take a look back at his illustrious and storied career. It is one that has been filled with great successes, rewarding experiences and lessons learned along the way. It Started with a Challenge In January 1972, an audit partner at what is now Deloitte challenged Bob to decide whether he wanted to drive rally cars or be a professional auditor. Fun fact: he had won the Ontario Rally Championship the year before! Fast forward to February 1972, and Bob joined their insolvency group with the task to proof-read their draft report on the collapse of a mob-styled bank in Toronto that had captured the public’s attention. Bob was struck with its intrigue even though at the time he had no idea that financial investigations would become his career and forensic accounting, his profession. Read more here . In the early 1970’s, all auditors were auditing, and this allowed Bob to learn from both his good and bad experiences, especially the process of surviving cross-examination. Working with the prosecution taught him how to conduct an investigation and an interview, as well as how to write unbiased memos and reports. Most importantly, Bob learned the key element to any investigation: how to use discernment to find the truth. Lessons Learned and Advice for the Next Generation Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Brazil et al vs. U.S. Fidelity et al, 2000 – Ipanema Beach beckons, but you must dig until all is found out. Regina vs. Steele/Waddilove, 1976 – Be selective and do not become personally involved with a client’s case. Regina vs. Parks, 1974 – Avoid the use of any descriptive words and to state specifically only the information on the face of the documents. Why? Descriptive words are subjective and reflect bias, the number one enemy for an expert witness. IBM, Poughkeepsie, New York, Roger was Too Busy to Chat, 1993 – There are several issues to be addressed by the forensic accountant in a live internal investigation: ‘purity of the company,’ the ‘con versus con’ interview approach, a belief that the human element is at least as important as the accounting for numbers and most importantly among the employees, the forensic accountant must establish credibility otherwise voluntary information may not be forthcoming. London Life and The Anonymous Letter, 1986 – The forensic accountant has a crucial obligation to maintain the purity of a corporation or any operating division while conducting an investigation. It is imperative to limit the number of people who need to know the allegations. The forensic accountant must probe carefully and create the basis in a timely manner for an eventual meeting with the person who is the subject of the allegations. The time frame for the initial assessment is usually measured in days. Cases that Left an Impact One of Bob’s most complex cases involved Dormant Bank Accounts of Victims of the Holocaust, Switzerland , a search for the assets for the victims of the Holocaust in 1996-1998. For the forensic accountant, the human element is at least as important as the accounting for numbers. In this case of such historical tragedy, the human element could never (and we hope) ever be as significant. For Bob, a unique time (1½ years based in Basel) forever remembered, particularly brought home when you interview former management now in their eighties to experience their emotional recollection of the Holocaust. Another case that was perhaps Bob’s most frustrating was Government of Romania vs. former President Nicolai Ceausescu in 1990. He was hired to assist the new government through the Minister of Justice to find the assets of Ceausescu following the summary trial and swift execution of Nicolai Ceausescu and his wife, Elena. Assets were located in Cyprus but despite the promise of the Minister of Justice, the government never commenced legal proceedings as they walked into the shoes of Ceausescu. A Sample of 50 Years Worth of Career Highlights Supreme Court of Ontario and Case Precedent In January 1974, the Park’s case gave Bob the opportunity to sit with Crown Counsel Rod McLeod at the table through a jury trial. The presiding Judge Garth Moore ruled the accounting schedules admissible given what he described as the “veritable blizzard of documents”. As a result of this case ruling and others, in May 1978, the precedent for the admissibility of accounting schedules was recognized by the Supreme Court of Ontario based solely upon Bob’s cases. International Investigations that Result in Financial Recovery Bob enjoys the cultural challenge of international financial investigations. He has conducted many high profile investigations on behalf of corporations and governments in the United States, Antigua, Austria, Brazil, BVI, Canada, Chile, Grenada, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jersey, Netherlands, Malawi, Trinidad, Romania, St. Lucia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Government of Trinidad vs. Minister Johnny O Halloran, Mr. 10% – In the fall of 1988, Bob met Attorney General Selwyn Richardson in Port-of-Spain to determine if there was any merit to support the numerous allegations of bribery. This was the first time that a foreign country had successfully sued a U.S. company for bribery and made a recovery of US$7 million. Government of Antigua vs. Lester Bird et al in the ‘IHI’ Matter – In May 2004, the Attorney General retained Bob to investigate allegations of corruption regarding the former Bird government. In February 2009, the Attorney General issued a statement advising of the recovery of U.S. $12 million from the Rappaport family in Switzerland. Lisa Armoyan, Petitioner/Wife and Vrege Armoyan, Respondent/Husband – Bob conducted a search for the assets of the husband subsequent to the “Armoyan Final Judgment” that was in the amount of some $18 million. The asset search investigation delved into public and private companies of an international nature covering several years and resulted in a recovery of $13 million. Sequor Law is proud to have supported Bob throughout his career and we look forward to seeing all that he continues to accomplish and teach others. If you’d like to learn even more about Bob, visit his bio on our website here . Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open 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.. Firm News Apr 11, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Continued Support of Paws4You Rescue In recognition of National Pet Day, Sequor Law is proud to continue its support of Paws4You Rescue, a Miami-based nonprofit... Attorney Spotlight Jan 29, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Alain M. Acanda 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was inspired to pursue a career in the law after having negative experiences with the law as.