A Florida court grants Chapter 15 recognition to BVI liquidators of three 1MDB-linked funds. Sequor Law's Juan Mendoza represents the liquidators seeking US discovery to recover stolen assets. Liquidators of BVI Funds Linked to 1MDB Win Recognition in Florida Open In the News Open May 18, 2022 4 minutes read Sequor Law Ben Clarke 18 May, 2022 The joint liquidators of three 1MDB-linked British Virgin Islands funds have secured recognition of their appointments in Miami, pledging to obtain discovery in the US to help with their recovery efforts. In an oral ruling on 18 May, Judge Robert Mark in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida recognized the BVI liquidations of SRC International (Malaysia) (SRC BVI) and subsidiaries SRC Strategic Resources and Bright Oriande. The judge also granted a motion to jointly administer the proceedings. While Judge Mark agreed to recognize the liquidators’ appointments, he questioned the draft order provided – particularly a clause that would have blocked any party from bringing a claim against the joint liquidators in any US court without first obtaining leave of the bankruptcy court. Counsel to the liquidators, Sequor Law’s Juan Mendoza , said the clause was included to enforce the Barton doctrine, established by the Supreme Court to require any party wishing to bring a claim against a receiver to first obtain the leave of the court that appointed the receiver. He said the clause was actually “Barton-lite” because they were not requesting potential litigants gain approval from the BVI courts to launch an action against the joint liquidators in the US. The judge said he would take the clause out but would include it in an amended order if he is provided with the relevant authorities. He said he didn’t fault the purpose or intent of the clause, to prevent the potential harassment of the joint liquidators, but he considered it “pretty sweeping relief” that pre-empts unknown future events. Fraud scheme The rulings come after the joint liquidators, BVI-based Helen Janes of Hyperion Risk Solutions and Quantuma’s Angela Barkhouse in the Cayman Islands and Carl Jackson in the UK, filed Chapter 15 proceedings last month in an effort to recover some of the billions of dollars allegedly stolen from Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. Various authorities around the world have been investigating 1MDB and an entity it established in Malaysia, SRC International (SRC Malaysia), for the last seven years over a huge fraud that saw about US$8.5 billion diverted from them to numerous entities and individuals. During the short recognition hearing, Mendoza highlighted some of the suspicious transactions the joint liquidators have identified involving the three debtor companies – including over US$1 billion of funds transferred from SRC Malaysia to SRC BVI bank accounts in Hong Kong and Switzerland, and about US$60 million transferred to SRC Strategic Resources. Mendoza noted SRC BVI invested almost US$250 million into three funds of segregated portfolio company Asia Momentum Fund, which only ended up with a balance of about US$17 million. He also highlighted about US$652 million of investments in two BVI companies between 2011 and 2014, which he said “basically evaporated” as a result of redemptions that left no trace. Janes said in court filings last month that most investigation attempts in Malaysia were thwarted by the Malaysian government because the country’s Prime Minister, Najib Razak, was the force behind the creation of 1MDB. But Najib was removed from office in 2018 and has faced criminal and civil proceedings with other co-conspirators in relation to the misappropriation of 1MDB funds. While the US Department of Justice has also investigated multiple parties, and last month secured a conviction against former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng for his role in the scandal, Janes said it has focused its efforts on 1MDB and not SRC Malaysia, the parent of the three BVI funds. The joint liquidators have issued proceedings against companies in multiple jurisdictions since they were appointed last Summer, but Janes said they suspect there are other entities related to the fraud that are yet to be uncovered. According to Janes, SRC BVI has been principally used by fraudsters throughout its existence to misappropriate funds, and Bright Oriande is believed to have been established solely to divert funds from 1MDB and SRC Malaysia. With recognition of their appointments, the joint liquidators intend to obtain discovery relating to transactions involving the debtors so they can take steps to potentially realize assets for creditors. In the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida Judge Robert Mark Foreign representatives of SRC International (Malaysia) et al Hyperion Risk Solutions Group head of finance Helen Janes in the British Virgin Islands Quantuma Caribbean head Angela Barkhouse in the Cayman Islands and chief executive Carl Jackson in Southampton, UK Counsel to joint liquidators of SRC International (Malaysia) et al Sequor Law Shareholder Gregory Grossman and attorneys Juan Mendoza and Jennifer Mosquera in Miami In the British Virgin Islands Commercial Division Joint liquidators of SRC International (Malaysia) et alJoint liquidators of SRC International (Malaysia) et al Hyperion Risk Solutions Group head of finance Helen Janes in the British Virgin Islands Quantuma Caribbean head Angela Barkhouse in the Cayman Islands and chief executive Carl Jackson in Southampton, UK Counsel to joint liquidators of SRC International (Malaysia) et alCounsel to joint liquidators of SRC International (Malaysia) et al Emery Cooke Partner Andrew Emery in the British Virgin Islands To read 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 attorneys Christopher A. Noel and Templeton N. Timothy examine recent legislation criminalizing the demand-side of international bribery and extortion in The Florida Bar's International Law Quarterly. Sequor’s Insights on International Anti-Bribery Legislation Open Legal Insights Open September 30, 2024 1 minute read Sequor Law Read Christopher A. Noel and Templeton N. Timothy’s article for The Florida Bar’s International Law Quarterly that examines recent legislation that criminalizes the demand-side of international bribery and extortion. 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 obtains a U.S. court order compelling Citibank to comply with financial discovery under the FSIA to enforce a judgment against the Republic of Kazakhstan, a key asset recovery win. U.S. Court Orders Citibank to Comply with Financial Discovery in Kazakhstan Judgment Enforcement Open Case Results Open February 21, 2025 1 minute read Sequor Law In a recent ruling that is of particular interest to parties seeking financial discovery relating to foreign sovereigns, Sequor Law, acting as part of a global enforcement team along with Astraea Group Ltd and Hillmont Partners, sought and obtained an Opinion and Order in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York compelling Citibank N.A. and various affiliated entities (together, “Citi”) to respond to financial discovery in furtherance of Petitioners’ efforts to enforce their judgment against the Republic of Kazakhstan. A copy of the Court’s Opinion and Order, which reaffirmed various core principles governing the rights of creditors to obtain discovery under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (the “FSIA”), can be accessed below. 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's Juan Mendoza shares his journey into law, his passion for problem-solving, and his work in cross-border insolvency and asset recovery at the firm. Attorney Spotlight: Juan Mendoza Open Attorney Spotlight Open July 30, 2021 3 minutes read Sequor Law Our Sequor Law attorneys are some of the best in the industry. That’s why we’ve created the Attorney Spotlight, a monthly series that gives you a glimpse into the lives of our attorneys and their unique insights. To kick off our series, we interviewed Juan Mendoza . What inspired you to study law? It was really a collection of moments that inspired me to pursue law. When I was younger, I was very indecisive about what I wanted to do. I studied economics and finance during college because I enjoyed business and I liked to understand how things worked. I was even interested in pursuing engineering at one point, but it wasn’t until I took a law class that I started to develop an interest. At the time, I was part of the Honors College at Arizona State University, and they allowed me to take graduate coursework such as health law and the philosophy of law. I fell in love with the problem-solving aspect, the fact that it was intellectually fulfilling, and that I was able to help people in the process. For me, trying different things was the key to helping me discover what was the best fit for my personality. What practice areas do you focus on? I focus on domestic and cross-border bankruptcy and commercial litigation. Typically, these are cases involving fraud allegations. What is most exciting to you about being a lawyer in this day and age? In this day and age, everything is so expeditious. With phone and email, everyone expects you to answer quickly, and during the COVID-era, the legal industry has learned to adapt. Many judges are now holding remote hearings and actually prefer it to in-person hearings. Clients also understand that zoom is king, so most of them want to have meetings over video. This has opened up opportunities to network and interact with professionals and potential clients, no matter where we live. In the case of cross-border insolvencies, I’ve also seen exciting developments in the interconnectivity of businesses and the legal framework. Due to the model law, we now have a mechanism that recognizes cross-border insolvency cases. I’ve also noticed that many other countries have implemented similar frameworks that allow them to recognize and assist U.S. bankruptcy cases in foreign jurisdictions. This will lead to more coordination, cooperation, and helps us know what to expect. What advice would you give to young attorneys? Always be a sponge. Whenever you have an assignment, learn as much as you can about the subject. Early on in your career, you have the luxury to be very thorough. Once you become more senior, people will expect you to know the answers off the top of your head and you won’t have the opportunity to research, so it is important to take advantage of this time. Find some mentors, both at your firm and outside your firm. Look for someone you can bounce ideas off of, ask questions, and get career guidance. But remember this goes both ways, so it is important to cultivate and nurture those relationships. Get involved. Find an organization or two that you want to be involved in and be active. Don’t just go to the meetings – partake in projects, get into leadership, and meet other members. This is especially helpful as a young attorney because you have the opportunity to build your network and learn from other attorneys. 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 Shareholder Arnoldo "Arnie" Lacayo discusses insolvency law as a powerful asset recovery tool and recent developments in cross-border insolvency in this Thought Leaders interview. Arnoldo Lacayo Thought Leaders Interview Open Awards & Recognition Open January 5, 2022 1 minute read Sequor Law Sequor Law Shareholder Arnoldo “Arnie” Lacayo discusses why insolvency law is described as a powerful asset recovery tool, as well as other recent developments in this area. 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 announces the addition of multilingual attorney Joseph Rome to its Miami team in September 2022, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in asset recovery and financial fraud litigation. Sequor Law continues to grow, adding another attorney to the team Open Firm News Open October 20, 2022 2 minutes read Sequor Law October 20, 2022, Miami, Florida – Sequor Law, a Miami-based international law firm working in the areas of asset recovery, financial fraud, insolvency, and financial services litigation, both domestically and across borders, announced today that attorney Joseph Rome has been added to the firm effective September 2022, joining an already impressive roster of talented, award-winning attorneys. The addition of Joseph Rome is part of the firm’s ongoing growth and confirms Sequor Law’s ongoing commitment to the development of new attorneys. “We are delighted to have Joseph, a talented, multilingual attorney. He possesses just the sort of unique skills, high level of integrity, and strong commitment to justice that our clients expect,” said founding shareholder Gregory S. Grossman. “Our ongoing growth and careful recruitment directly supports our strategic plan for the firm.” Joseph earned his Juris Doctorate from New York University School of Law. He was the co-chair of Outlaw and the vice-president of the Asia Law Society. In addition, he was a member of the Jessup International Moot Court team and a top oralist of the 2013 International Round competition. Prior to joining Sequor Law, Joseph was an “A” level prosecutor for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office focusing primarily on attempted murders, gun crimes, and serious sexual assaults from the investigation stage through trial. He was also a member of the Police Accountability and Integrity Task Force, Hate Crimes Unit, and Traffic Homicide Unit. Joseph previously worked for two AmLaw 200 law firms in New York and Miami. He represented international corporations and high-net-worth individuals in a broad range of high-stakes litigation and arbitration matters. In addition, Joseph did externships with both the Orleans Public Defenders and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. He also did a summer fellowship at the United Nations International Law Commission in Geneva, where he drafted speeches and statements for the Japanese representative. Joseph Rome focuses his practice on asset recovery, corruption and proceeds of crime, international commercial litigation, domestic and international judgment and arbitral award enforcement, and financial fraud. He represents individuals, governments, and other entities in domestic and international judgment collection matters; cross-border insolvency proceedings under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code; actions to collect evidence for use in foreign proceedings under 28 U.S.C. § 1782; and other commercial disputes. Joseph is admitted to practice Law in New York, Florida, S.D.N.Y and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 1st, 5th, 6th, 9th and 11th circuits. He is Fluent in English, Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese. We look forward to working with Joseph to help him continue to develop his practice and consistently deliver comprehensive, top-tier service to our clients,” said founding shareholder Edward H. Davis, Jr. ****** 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 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 promotes Joseph Rome to Counsel, recognizing his expertise in asset recovery, anti-corruption, international litigation, and cross-border insolvency across global jurisdictions. Sequor Law Announces Promotion of Attorney Joseph Rome to Counsel Open Firm News Open April 2, 2024 2 minutes read Sequor Law Miami, FL – April 2, 2024 – Sequor Law is proud to announce the promotion of Joseph Rome to the position of Counsel. Joseph, a talented attorney with the firm, has significantly contributed to Sequor Law, especially in the areas of asset recovery, corruption, proceeds of crime, international commercial litigation, and the enforcement of domestic and international judgments and arbitral awards. Joseph has represented a broad spectrum of clients, ranging from individuals and governments to entities involved in domestic and international judgment collection matters, cross-border insolvency proceedings under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, actions to collect evidence for use in foreign proceedings under 28 U.S.C. § 1782, and various other commercial disputes. His practice encompasses a wide range of jurisdictions, showcasing his ability to navigate complex legal challenges across global landscapes. Before joining Sequor Law, Joseph served as an “A” level prosecutor for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, focusing on serious cases, including attempted murders, gun crimes, and serious sexual assaults. He has also worked for two AmLaw 200 law firms in New York and Miami, handling high-stakes litigation and arbitration matters for international corporations and high-net-worth individuals. Additionally, Joseph has contributed his expertise to externships with the Orleans Public Defenders and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and a summer fellowship at the United Nations International Law Commission in Geneva. A graduate of New York University School of Law, Joseph has demonstrated a commitment to excellence throughout his career. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Japanese, further enhancing his ability to serve a diverse clientele. Joseph is admitted to practice law in New York, Florida, S.D.N.Y, and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 1st, 5th, 6th, 9th, and 11th circuits. “Joseph’s promotion to Counsel reflects his outstanding legal expertise, dedication to our clients, and the substantial contributions he has made to the field of international law. He represents the high standards of professionalism and excellence we uphold at Sequor Law,” said Edward Davis, founding shareholder. Sequor Law’s commitment to fostering the growth and development of its attorneys is exemplified through Joseph’s progression within the firm. “His remarkable work ethic and comprehensive legal knowledge will continue to be tremendous assets to our firm and our clients,” added Founding Shareholder Gregory Grossman. For more information about Joseph B. Rome and Sequor Law, please visit www.sequorlaw.com. ****** 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 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.

Cryptocurrency is becoming a new frontier for hiding assets in divorce cases. Sequor Law's Edward Davis warns that crypto-based financial infidelity will become increasingly common in coming years. How cryptocurrency assets are becoming a new battleground in divorce disputes Open In the News Open March 10, 2019 5 minutes read Sequor Law By Kelly Anne Smith Fighting over money is one thing; dealing with bitcoin and other types of cryptocurrency in a divorce is an entirely different story. As cryptocurrency has surged in popularity, it’s become much more common for investors to carry shares in the largely unregulated market. For married couples looking to part ways, this means dealing with cryptocurrency as an asset could make for a difficult and lengthy divorce process. Considering regulations and standards on digital currencies such as bitcoin are still being weighed by governments and financial regulators across the world, could the future of hiding assets during a nasty divorce be lying in its hands? The role cryptocurrency is beginning to play in divorces Cryptocurrency is virtual currency; it lives online and is traded on a blockchain, an encrypted ledger detailing transactions. Since each transaction is associated with a public and private key, it’s possible for each transaction to be traced back to a single individual. Cryptocurrency has been around for about a decade, but it became more mainstream around 2017 when bitcoin skyrocketed to a price of $20,000 per coin and caught the public eye, before giving back much of its value in the time since. In 2018, only 5 percent of the American population held cryptocurrency, according to a survey by the Global Blockchain Business Council. An additional 21 percent of respondents, however, said they were considering adding it to their portfolio. As cryptocurrency grows in popularity, lawyers all over the world are beginning to face divorce cases with high-value disputes over these digital assets. Jacqueline Newman, a New York-based matrimonial law attorney, represents all different types of clients, including those divorcing with cryptocurrency. She asks all of her clients to fill out a statement of net worth — a comprehensive document detailing income, assets and debt of each party. She says her forms now ask parties to include cryptocurrency, too. “It hasn’t gotten to the point where the court forms include it yet, but we have asked on ours and people list it under their general assets,” Newman says. Hiding assets: Is cryptocurrency a new way to do it? Since bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are largely unregulated and encrypted, some might think it’s a perfect place to anonymously stash away funds. But that’s not necessarily the case. Mark DiMichael, CPA, certified Financial Forensics accountant and fraud examiner, specializes in cryptocurrency. In one recent case, a husband didn’t report $100,000-plus in cryptocurrency assets on his statement of net worth. During the discovery process, DiMichael closely analyzed his bank statements and was able to trace the crypto transactions through a crypto-trading platform. DiMichael warns, however, that cases can get more complicated. The more knowledgeable someone is in crypto, the bigger the threat they pose to successfully hiding the assets. Although he hasn’t worked on a large number of cases involving cryptocurrency so far, DiMichael gives the example of a cybersecurity expert exchanging cash for bitcoin as payment. By conducting the transaction in person, there would be no “proof” of the transaction occurring — making the asset-hiding much more difficult to reveal to the court. “It’s really hard to trace if the individual knows what they’re doing,” DiMichael says. “An expert is going to know not to leave any evidence on their computer, and it can be much more difficult to subpoena.” The future of spouses hiding money in crypto should be seen as a threat Edward Davis , a Miami-based asset-recovery attorney and founding shareholder of Sequor Law, says cases of financial infidelity involving crypto are only going to become more frequent in the coming years. In 15 to 20 years, Davis expects people with large sums of money to turn toward cryptocurrency as a way to hide their assets. “It’s a real threat,” Davis says. “It’s not going to come up in the average divorce of Joe versus Mary where they both have regular jobs and are a middle class family. But the wealthy and uber-wealthy who have access to this are going to use it to hide their value.” Matrimonial attorneys interviewed for this story say there aren’t currently any specific laws regarding cryptocurrency protection during a divorce process. Davis says these laws to protect consumers from fraudulent crypto activity are likely coming, but they will be slow to implement. “The legal infrastructure and regulatory infrastructure for this stuff is way behind,” Davis says. “If you look at some of the people sitting in Congress — some of them are in their 70s and 80s — they have no idea what this is. They don’t even know what Snapchat is. You’re talking about a generational change [that] is going to [have to] happen before people are confronting this kind of issue.” Another issue for getting a hand on regulating crypto, Davis says, is that there’s a wide misunderstanding of how blockchain technology works. “Whenever something new comes along, everyone tends to minimize it,” Davis says. “Predicting technology is a very hard thing. People who are intimidated or scared or don’t understand technology tend to minimize it.” How the financial and divorce industries are adjusting to this rising trend As interest and commonality surrounding crypto continues to increase, experts in the legal field are having to quickly educate themselves on the asset to keep up. Some experts say there isn’t enough being done to inform and train legal counsel on the inner workings of the asset. Most of what DiMichael knows about crypto is self-taught. In 2018, DiMichael published “A Forensic Guide to Finding Cryptocurrency in Divorce Litigation.” He created the guide after his own research found there weren’t many resources available on the matter. “I’ve seen some courses for it, but I think there should be more training,” DiMichael says. “Uncovering crypto is fairly complicated, and that can be even harder for someone not trained in crypto.” Most accountants don’t understand cryptocurrency, DiMichael adds. More complicated divorce cases involving cryptocurrency can be a lengthy and complicated process — and for an accountant learning everything on the fly, this can mean longer hours and a higher bill for the client. DiMichael says that he currently charges $435 per hour. Davis hasn’t worked directly on a case recovering cryptocurrency assets yet, but he has noticed an upswing in industry-related conversations in the past two years. Lawyers, who he says aren’t technology-savvy by nature, should pay close attention to cryptocurrency and educate themselves on how to manage it in court cases. “The main concern about crypto is how little we understand it and how dangerous it is because it’s an unregulated, untethered currency,” Davis says. “This is a real threat and one we have to think about.” 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.

Michael Hanlon of Sequor Law on cross-border asset recovery and financial fraud — and why curiosity is the most essential skill for unraveling complex cases. Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon Open Attorney Spotlight Open May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Sequor Law 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more to the kind of work it allows you to do — untangling complicated situations where the facts aren't obvious and the stakes are real. 2. Why did you choose the areas of law that you practice? Asset recovery and financial fraud work felt like a natural fit because it's part legal analysis and part investigation. It takes problem solving to a new level: you're reconstructing stories from incomplete information, often against the odds. Beyond that, the work is inherently cross-border, which blends my passions for languages and the law into one. 3. What skills do you draw upon when it comes to your specific practice areas? At the forefront of the skills I draw on for asset recovery and financial fraud matters is curiosity, along with being comfortable with the unknown. Navigating the unknown in a way that is calculated and driven by a desire to unravel what really happened is essential to crafting a plan — and to deviating from that plan when the situation calls for it. 4. What is the most rewarding part about your job? The most rewarding part of my job is getting clarity — or rather, fighting to uncover clarity where there initially wasn't any. It's the moment when something that looked opaque starts to make sense, and you can actually do something with that understanding. 5. Tell us about a mentor who made an impact on your career. One of my many mentors taught me, through action and inaction, that in order to grow, you have to be willing to be wrong and even more willing to be corrected. 6. If you weren't practicing law, what would you be doing? Given my love of languages, I would probably be an interpreter and/or translator. 7. What might people be surprised to learn about you? I have lived in Spain, Brazil, and Italy, and I speak Spanish and Portuguese fluently. 8. What is a good book or article you read recently? O beijo do rio by Stefano Volp. 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.

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 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, the first Hispanic chair of the Florida Bar's Business Law Section, focuses on COVID-19 recovery and strengthening the Section's Diversity Fellowship Program. Business Law Section Strengthens its Diversity Fellowship Program Open Firm News Open June 25, 2020 2 minutes read Sequor Law The Business Law Section, one of the Bar’s largest, is marking a 50th anniversary by focusing on COVID-19 recovery — and strengthening a Diversity Fellowship Program, said newly installed Chair Leyza B. Florin . “It’s helping feed the pipeline of leadership of the section, and it’s helping us really develop greater diversity,” Florin said. “And it’s really come full circle, to serve as chair at a time when, obviously, issues of social justice and equality are so important.” A shareholder at Sequor Law who specializes in bankruptcy, asset recovery, and cross-border insolvency, Florin is a former chair of the Bankruptcy/UCC Committee. Florin said she was drawn to the committee that oversees the Diversity Fellowship Program when she started climbing the leadership ladder years ago. “I understand that I am the first Hispanic chair of the Business Law Section, for starters,” she said. “I am obviously a minority, female Hispanic, and certainly underrepresented in the area where I practice.” Immediate past Chair Jacob “Jay” Brown recently announced the eight newest members of the Fellowship Program, who must be 36 or younger or have been Bar members for less than 10 years. Fellowship Program participants are assigned a social mentor and a substantive mentor and are given a $2,500 stipend for two years. The stipend has been increased this year by more than $700, Brown said. When they aren’t attending meetings, program participants, among other things, help with membership recruitment, organize section events, and write white papers for legislative positions. “It doesn’t work out all of the time, certainly there are some people who come in and either don’t take advantage of the fellowship, or they use it, and we don’t hear from them again,” Brown said. “But we have a number of them who are remaining active and that are taking not just leadership positions, but high-level leadership positions.” This year, Brown named two former Fellowship Program participants Outstanding Members of the Year — Giacomo Bossa, managing partner with Morris and Associates, in Doral, and Michelle Suarez, partner and founder of Florida Entrepreneur Law, P.A., of Ft. Lauderdale. Bossa now serves as incoming chair of the Business Litigation Committee, one of the section’s largest, Florin said. Suarez is second vice chair of the Corporations Committee and the new chair of the Inclusion/Mentoring/Fellowships Committee, Florin said. Florin said a number of Fellowship Program members are now serving as “second vice chairs” of section committees. “In two years, we’re probably going to have the most diverse slate I have ever seen of any year of the section,” she said. “All but two of my appointees were female, so it’s pretty exciting.” 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.

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 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.