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  • Recoup From A Ponzi Past?| Sequor Law

    This article covers Woodbridge Group’s Chapter 11 filing, SEC allegations of a billion-dollar Ponzi scheme involving Robert H. Shapiro, and the unusual restructuring attempt to repay creditors. Recoup From A Ponzi Past? Open In the News Open February 18, 2018 5 minutes read Sequor Law Law: After bankruptcy, lawsuit, Woodbridge tries a turnaround. By Helen Floersh Woodbridge Group of Cos. in December made headlines from Southern California to South Florida after it filed for Chapter 11 protection and was subsequently sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly running a billion-dollar Ponzi scheme. Woodbridge founder Robert H. Shapiro is alleged to have squandered investor money, paying big returns to old investors using fresh money from new investors, in classic Ponzi-scheme fashion. He enjoyed a lavish life, too, the SEC claimed, blowing millions on limousine service, fine wine and big parties attended by such prominent Republicans as Karl Rove. Law: New Board Plans to Restructure Woodbridge But what’s happened since is unusual. Ponzi schemes usually collapse upon being exposed. But management at the real estate investment firm – situated in a two-story office building on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks – appear set to overhaul its operations and try to make good with its creditors. The company announced early last month that it had cut all ties with Shapiro (not to be confused with renowned Los Angeles attorney Robert L. Shapiro, cofounder of LegalZoom.com Inc. in Glendale). As part of a deal reached with federal regulators Jan. 24 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del., the company has appointed a new board of directors to hunt for a chief executive who will spearhead a strategy to recoup the $1.2 billion Woodbridge raised from more than 8,400 investors. Meanwhile, the SEC has called off its request for a receiver. “This board will guide Woodbridge through a fair and transparent restructuring process focused on maximizing recoveries for investors,” Woodbridge said in an e-mail to the Business Journal. “After conducting a comprehensive review of assets and operations, this board will begin developing a plan of reorganization, which will determine how creditor recoveries are managed and what Woodbridge might look like after the restructuring process is completed.” Former management Woodbridge investors in the past were told that the company was putting their money into high-interest loans made to luxury real estate developers. The borrowers were actually shell companies owned and operated by Shapiro, the SEC alleged in its Dec. 22 complaint. “Shapiro promised investors they would be repaid from the high rates of interest (earned) on loans the companies were purportedly making to third-party borrowers,” the SEC wrote. He allegedly used teams of internal and external sales agents to sell the securities to investors, at least 2,600 of whom were South Florida-based retirees who invested in Woodbridge using money from their Individual Retirement Accounts, the SEC alleged. They were guaranteed monthly interest and dividends from the so-called “hard money” loans Woodbridge was making. Woodbridge claimed it generated between 11 and 15 percent annual interest for short-term financing, 5 to 10 percent of which was returned to investors, according to the SEC. In addition, investors were told they would see gains from the sale of real estate properties purchased and developed by the company, the SEC said. In reality, only about $14 million in interest was paid to Woodbridge by third-party borrowers, the SEC claimed. Roughly $103 million of new investors’ money was used to pay monthly interest and dividends to existing investors, with another $265 million paid as principal. At the time of the lawsuit, $961 million in principal remained due, the SEC said. “The claimed interest payments from the purported third-party ‘property owners’ … did not exist,” the lawsuit stated. “Payments …derived almost exclusively from funds Woodbridge received from other investors.” However, some purchases were, in fact, made. The real estate to which the Woodbridge loans referred included nearly 200 properties, most of them in Aspen, Colo. and Los Angeles, none of which investors had any say in choosing. The L.A. purchases were conducted through the company’s subsidiary Mercer Vine and included the historic Owlwood estate in Holmby Hills, which once belonged to Sonny Bono and Cher, as well as several other luxury properties, news reports said. Others were vacant lots “that have sat undeveloped for years,” the SEC claimed. Meanwhile, Shapiro spent upwards of $21 million in investors’ money on himself and his family, the SEC said, including $34,000 on limousine services and $600,000 on political contributions. A local newspaper in Aspen detailed the events he threw with prominent Republican politicians, including former White House Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff Rove along with current Energy Secretary Rick Perry. Other expenses included $1.4 million on luxury retail items and $1.2 million in alimony, SEC documents said. “Shapiro treated himself to an exorbitant lifestyle, at the investors’ expense,” the SEC said. Restructuring Shapiro resigned from Woodbridge Dec. 1, according to company documents. Through a transition services agreement between an LLC Shapiro established in September and Woodbridge, he named himself as a “consultant” to the firm at a monthly fee of $175,000. The agreement was terminated by the start of the year; Woodbridge said in a Jan. 2 press release that it had removed him from all matters involving the company. Woodbridge had appointed Lawrence Perkins of L.A. management consultancy Sierra-Constellation Partners to steer the company through bankruptcy as its chief restructuring officer, but on Jan. 19 announced that he had resigned as Woodbridge seeks out a new chief executive with “homebuilding experience.” As part of the agreement reached Jan. 23 in bankruptcy court, the company has appointed a trio of directors – Richard Nevins, M. Freddie Reiss and Michael Goldberg to oversee the search. Nevins is an attorney from Riverside, while Reiss most recently served as senior managing director in the corporate finance division of business advisory firm FTI consulting’s L.A. offices. Goldberg is the co-chair of the fraud and recovery practice group at the Fort Lauderdale, Fla. offices of Akerman, a Nevada-based law firm. Reorganization: Investors Wait for SEC Inquiry The company also has formed committees to represent investors’ interests, according to a release from the SEC. In turn, the SEC has withdrawn its request for a court-ordered trustee and a receivership for Woodbridge’s assets. Investors will have to wait until bankruptcy proceedings are further along to know whether they will be able to recover much of their money. The company’s ability to emerge from the scandal unscathed will depend on both on their willingness to remain patient while the company restructures itself as well as what the SEC finds during its ongoing investigation, explained Arnie Lacayo , a Miami attorney at the firm Sequor Law and who is unconnected to Woodbridge but who reviewed the case at the Business Journal’s request. He noted the fact that the company declared bankruptcy voluntarily before being sued by the SEC may complicate the matter. “(These kinds of cases) don’t normally involve bankruptcy where the business can be reorganized, though it does happen,” Lacayo said. “You have these very powerful forces that are clashing (the SEC and the federal bankrupt- cy court) as to what should happen next.” An attorney for Shapiro could not be reached, though his legal representative previously told the Wall Street Journal that Shapiro “denies any allegation of wrongdoing and looks forward to defending himself in a court of law.” The SEC declined to comment apart from its remarks in public materials. For now, it remains to be seen whether Woodbridge will have to sell off its assets or be able to continue operations. Lacayo said the SEC could move to shut down the enterprise if it is proven that it was primarily run as a Ponzi scheme. “(Woodbridge) will need to show that investments were made over time and that there was independence by the people charged with running the company.” he explained. “Investigators will get at those facts pretty quickly.” To view full article, click here. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..

  • Emergency Measures in Insolvency Legislation in Response to the COVID-19 Crisis| Sequor Law

    Sequor Law's Cristina Vicens examines US emergency measures in insolvency and restructuring legislation enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the CARES Act and bankruptcy reforms. Emergency Measures in Insolvency Legislation in Response to the COVID-19 Crisis Open Legal Insights Open December 15, 2020 3 minutes read Sequor Law by Cristina Vicens , Sequor Law, P.A., Miami, Florida What emergency measures in insolvency or restructuring legislation has the United States adopted to help businesses cope with the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic? In March 2020, the U.S. Congress swiftly passed a series of stimulus packages to help stabilise the economy after COVID-19 forced many businesses to shut down and caused millions of Americans to become unemployed. The third (and latest) of these stimulus packages, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136), was a US$2 trillion stimulus packages passed on 25 March 2020. The CARES Act directs financial assistance to individual tax payers, expands unemployment benefits to persons that normally would not have qualified for unemployment benefits, provides for federal grants, loans, and other assistance for small businesses and other businesses disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and establishes a US$150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund to make payments to states, tribal governments, and local governments as they respond to the public health emergency. Specifically, with regard to insolvency or restructuring legislation adopted to help businesses cope with the economic crisis, the CARES Act provides for several amendments to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. First, it increases the debt ceiling for businesses to be eligible to file under the small business provisions of Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code from US$2,725,625 to US$ 7,500,000. The Small Business Reorganisation Act (“SBRA”), which took effect on 19 February 2020, just a few weeks before the national shutdown, provides a streamlined path through Chapter 11 for small business debtors. This increased threshold will potentially allow more businesses with access to the SBRA to survive. After one year, however, the debt ceiling increase reverts to US$2,725,625. Second, for a period of one year, the CARES Act amends the definition of “income” under Chapters 7 and 13 to exclude COVID-19 related payments from the federal government. Third, applicable to individuals rather than businesses, it clarifies that the calculation of disposable income under Chapter 13 does not include COVID-19 related payments; and, lastly, permits individuals and families in Chapter 13 proceedings to seek payment plan modifications in response to COVID-19 related financial hardship, including extending payments for up to seven years after their initial payment was due. In addition, the CARES Act provides the authority to the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to make loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) through the commercial banking market. The PPP is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their employees on the payroll and allows loans to be forgiven if all employees of a business are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the loan proceeds are used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. While the CARES Act does not prohibit PPP loans or grants to be provided to Chapter 11 debtors, the SBA has taken the position that it does, creating uncertainty for companies operating under Chapter 11 protection and leading to litigation. [See Perspectives on COVID-19 Relief Funding and the Reopening of America, ABI Journal, July 2020, at 8.] Further, small business owners are able to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”) and receive an advance of up to US$10,000, designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Relevantly, the loan advance does not have to be repaid and recipients do not have to be approved for the loan in order to receive the Emergency Measures in Insolvency Legislation in Response to the COVID-19 Crisis AIJA Insolvency Commission 2020 68 advance. Contrary to the PPP loans, the SBA administers the EIDL program directly and not through the commercial banking market. Click here to read the full summary (page 67). Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..

  • Judgment & Arbitral Award Enforcement | Sequor Law

    Enforcing large judgments and arbitral awards for Fortune 500 companies, global banks, and sovereigns. Pursuing nominees, alter egos, and facilitators of concealment Judgment & Arbitral Award Enforcement Sequor Law represents Fortune 50 companies, global banks, large foreign corporations, and government entities in judgment and arbitral award collection matters. Decades of Experience Enforcing Complex Judgments & Awards Worldwide Sequor Law has decades of experience enforcing large judgments and arbitral awards rendered in the United States and abroad, including against large corporations and sovereigns. The firm represents Fortune 500 companies, global banks, major foreign corporations, and government entities in judgment and arbitral award collection matters. Sequor Law uses cash-flow analysis and asset tracing methods to expose concealed assets. The firm has substantial experience in post-judgment evidence gathering and recovery methods, including garnishments, freeze orders, sequestration orders, and writs of execution. In addition to identifying debtor assets, Sequor Law vigorously pursues nominees, alter egos, and others who improperly received money or property from the debtor. Where accountants, attorneys, or other asset protection specialists participate in concealment schemes, Sequor Law pursues conspiracy and aiding-and-abetting claims against those facilitators. Post-judgment and post-award enforcement has become a highly sophisticated and specialized practice, which is why leading litigators and litigation funders in the United States and abroad refer hard-earned judgments to Sequor Law for enforcement. Tracing Assets, Piercing Schemes, & Pursuing Every Responsible Party Representative Representative Cases Representation of Decedent’s Estate in Judgment Collection Sequor Law represented the personal representative of a decedent’s estate in a New York probate matter enforcing a high-value judgment against a family member who misappropriated estate assets and misused a limited power of attorney. The matter began with domestication of the New York judgment under the Florida Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act. Brazilian Judgment Holder in Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgment Sequor Law represented the holder of a high-value Brazilian Judgment in obtaining recognition under Florida’s Uniform Out-of-Country Money Judgment Act, defeating arguments that the Brazilian orders were not final because they arose from a homologated settlement. The case included depositions and trial testimony from Brazilian law experts. Defense of Regional Bank Against Customer Claims Regarding PPP Loans Sequor Law successfully defended Ocean Bank against allegations that the bank failed to properly administer PPP loan processes in connection with a forgiveness request. Defense of Regional Bank Against Assignee Regarding Overdraft Fees Sequor Law successfully defended Ocean Bank against allegations by an assignee in an assignment for the benefit of creditors that the bank improperly assessed overdraft fees and charges. Representation of Barclays Bank in Letter of Credit Dispute Sequor Law obtained summary Judgment establishing that, under UCC Article 5 and applicable law, a letter of credit issuer had no preferred rights to proceeds paid under the letter of credit. Open Edward H. Davis, Jr. Founding Shareholder edavis@sequorlaw.com (+1) 305-372-8282, Ext. 228 Open Leyza B. Florin Shareholder lflorin@sequorlaw.com (+1) 305-372-8282, Ext. 300 Open Tara J. Plochocki Partner tplochocki@sequorlaw.com (+1) 202-900-8740, Ext. 310 Open Open Key contacts Key Contacts

  • Christopher A. Noel, Partner | Sequor Law

    Partner. Super Lawyers Rising Star. $1.02B jury verdict affirmed. $388M ICC award enforcement. Cross-border insolvency, HNW disputes, and art fraud Christopher A. Noel Partner cnoel@sequorlaw.com (+1) 305-372-8282, Ext. 264 vCard Practice Areas Asset Recovery International Commercial Litigation Appellate Law High-Net-Worth Disputes Corruption & Proceeds of Crime Recovery Financial Fraud International Arbitration Judgment & Arbitral Award Enforcement Christopher A. Noel Partner cnoel@sequorlaw.com (+1) 305-372-8282, Ext. 264 vCard Education University of Miami School of Law, J.D. (Magna Cum Laude , 2015) Honors: Dean’s List; Stearns Weaver Scholarship; Dean’s Certificates of Achievement in Evidence, International Economic Law, and Elements; Certificate of Achievement in Legal Communications Law Review: The University of Miami Inter-American Law Review , Executive Editor University of Miami School of Business Administration, M.B.A. (2011) University of Miami School of Business Administration, B.B.A. (2010) Honors: Provost’s Honor Roll; Dean’s List; Henry King Stanford Scholarship Admissions Florida U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Associations & Memberships Third District Court of Appeal Historical Society Legal Services of Greater Miami Leaders Council Legal Services of Greater Miami Young Professionals Council Languages English Location Miami Favorite Quote “Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done .” – Hon. Louis Brandeis Bio Publications & Presentations Representative Matters Media Christopher A. Noel, a partner at Sequor Law, focuses his practice on international litigation, arbitration, and appeals. He represents sovereign governments, individuals, and corporate and institutional victims of fraud, corruption, and financial misconduct in the United States and abroad. Christopher’s experience includes a variety of international asset recovery efforts from fraud investigations and pre-suit negotiations to the prosecution of jury trials and appeals, with a particular focus on the recovery of specialized assets such as fine art and antiquities in addition to monetary damages. He has worked on matters involving North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Christopher is a past Chair of the Legal Services of Greater Miami Young Professionals Council and is a member of its Leaders Council. He is also an active member of the Florida Third District Court of Appeal Historical Society. Christopher is regularly invited to present on topics related to international litigation and fraud at various forums around the world. He has been honored by Super Lawyers Magazine as a Rising Star in International Law since 2021. Prior to joining Sequor Law, Christopher worked on a trial and appellate team at an AmLaw 100 law firm, specializing in complex issues of first impression and “bet the company” lawsuits. Before practicing law, he worked as a foreign policy advisor to both governmental and non-governmental entities operating in the Western Hemisphere. Christopher is admitted to all Florida State Courts as well as the United States District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Ninth and Eleventh Circuits. Publications & Presentations Mitigating Reputational Risks in the Crosshairs of Fraud and Asset Recovery: Fine Tuning Your Messaging and PR Strategy, C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Conference, Geneva, March 12, 2026 Beyond the Bar: How Non-Lawyers Are Shaping Cross-Border Disputes, TL4 Circle, Windsor, UK, November 21, 2025 Political Change and Handling Disputes in “High Risk” Jurisdictions , TL4 Circle, Windsor, UK, November 20, 2025 Asset Tracing in Hostile, High-Risk Jurisdictions , C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Conference, Miami, September 30, 2025 Litigation Funders, Investigators and Asset Recovery Practitioners: Bringing The Fight to the Fraudsters and Recovering for Your Clients , C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Conference, Geneva, March 13, 2025 Exotic Asset Recovery: Multi-Jurisdictional Tracing & Recovery of Non-Traditional Assets C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Conference, Miami, Florida, October 24, 2024 FEPA: Combatting the Demand-Side of Bribery, International Law Quarterly, Vol. XL, No. 2 , International Law Section, The Florida Bar, Spring 2024 Complex, High-Value Asset Recovery Cases: Practitioner Tips for Overcoming Vexing, High Stakes Obstacles , C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Conference, Geneva, March 15, 2024 High Value International Recovery: Ask Me Anything, Offshore Alert Conference, London, December 5, 2023 A Practitioner’s Guide to Enforcement of Foreign Country Money Judgments, International Practitioner’s Deskbook Series: International Litigation Strategies and Practice, 3rd Ed. , American Bar Association, July 5, 2023 Property or Not: Should NFTs Be Recognized as Protectable Digital Assets? , C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Conference, Geneva, March 17, 2023 Interaction Between Fraud & Insolvency: When Injunctions Are Contemplated and Implemented , Thought Leaders 4 Fire Conference, Dublin, February 24, 2023 NFTs Aren’t Going Anywhere, and Neither are the Lawsuits , Florida Bar iLaw 2023 Conference, February 17, 2023 Art for Fraud’s Sake , Fraud Intelligence Magazine (UK), July 25, 2022 The “Out of the Box” Vehicles for Fraud: Art, Vintage Collectibles and Other Cultural Property , C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Conference, Geneva, March 24, 2022 International Family Law Trends – High-Net-Worth Asset Recovery , US-Mexico Bar Association Annual Conference, October 20, 2021 High Net Worth Matrimonial Asset Recovery: Tips and Best Practices from the Experts , West LegalEd Center, August 5, 2021 Euromepa and Gorsoan, oh my! , Global Restructuring Review, November 20, 2020 Globalisation Catches Up With the US Insolvency Courts , Global Restructuring Review, September 17, 2019 Seventy Years Later: The Danger of Looted Nazi Art at the Norton Simon Museum (White Paper 2015). Basic Bankruptcy–Welcome to the Fishbowl , The Florida Bar Asset Protection Seminar, Levels I & II. Salvage at Your Own Peril: A Common Law Approach to Maritime Treasure Recovery , 46 U. Miami Inter-Am. L. Rev. 89 (2014). A Twenty-First Century Prisoner Exchange: The Case of the Isaís Brothers , U. Miami Inter-Am. L. Rev. Blog (April 26, 2014). Media Sequor Law Promotes Juan J. Mendoza, Christopher A. Noel, and Joseph B. Rome to Partner Sequor’s Insights on International Anti-Bribery Legislation 11th Circuit Appeal News Sequor Law Announces Promotion of Attorney Christopher A. Noel to Counsel Various Attorneys Recognized by SuperLawyers 2023 Art for Fraud’s Sake – Fraud Intelligence Article by Christopher A. Noel ATTORNEY SPOTLIGHT: Christopher A. Noel Christopher A. Noel to Speak at the 27th USMBA Annual Conference Asset recovery column: Euromepa and Gorsoan, oh my Asset recovery column: Globalisation catches up with the US insolvency courts Announcing the Addition of Two Exceptional Attorneys Representative Matters Represented nation’s largest homebuilder through multiple levels of appeal to affirm a $1.02 billion jury verdict for conspiracy to extort money and defamation. Represented sovereign government in multi-jurisdictional fraud, corruption, and racketeering litigation to recover approximately $100 million converted by corrupt public officials and individuals during the planning, construction, and maintenance of the country’s flagship international airport. Represented foreign representatives in Chapter 15 proceeding to obtain and defend on appeal a finding of the crime-fraud exception to the attorney-client privilege to pierce the privilege and discover communications in furtherance of a fraudulent and likely criminal attempt to transfer and conceal assets subject to the foreign bankruptcy estate. Represented general partner of a Luxembourg-based investment fund on appeal to prevent a federal appellate circuit split regarding the use of discovery obtained pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1782 in foreign proceedings other than those identified in the § 1782 petition. Represented victim of sexual assault to recover assets from world famous musician. Represented world’s largest litigation funder to enforce personal guaranty arising from arbitration in the London Court of International Arbitration. Represented UK-based foreign representatives to affirm Chapter 15 bankruptcy recognition of foreign main proceedings on appeal to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals where debtor challenged whether Section 109 of the US Bankruptcy Code must be satisfied as a prerequisite to recognition. Represented healthcare company specializing in personal protective equipment (PPE) in litigation and international arbitration to obtain multi-million dollar contractual damages awards through summary findings of alter ego liability. Represented victims of terrorist attacks in efforts to recover funds from US-held bank accounts tied to state sponsors of terror in order to satisfy $4.3 billion damages award. Represented German art financier to recover approximately $30 million in artworks converted by a well-known art dealer. Represented repressed minority shareholder to obtain and defend in more than 18 appellate challenges a $19.5 million jury verdict and $30+ million final judgment based on international fraud, conversion, and conspiracy claims. Represented former spouse of a Russian oligarch to recover unpaid maintenance and child support obligations in a multi-jurisdictional investigation and asset recovery matter. Represented international mining corporation in global efforts to recover a $388 million International Chamber of Commerce arbitral award. Represented foreign liquidators of a UK electronics importer/exporter to recover losses from a VAT carousel fraud scheme perpetrated against HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Represented global deep-sea exploration company in a fraud investigation. Represented nation’s largest homebuilder in a five-day Lanham Act federal jury trial. Represented global mining corporation as statewide counsel of record to defend against multiple lawsuits alleging strict products liability under Florida’s long-arm statute. Represented world’s largest satellite media company before the Florida Supreme Court to address four certified questions from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals involving Florida’s common law copyright protection for pre-1972 audio recordings. Represented court-appointed receiver to defend against appeal challenging the denial of an untimely motion to award attorneys’ fees. Legal Prowess. Global Impact.

  • COVID-19 and Cross-Border Insolvencies| Sequor Law

    Sequor Law monitors COVID-19's impact across Latin America, analyzing emerging threats to cross-border insolvencies as the pandemic disrupts economies, court systems, and exit financing. COVID-19 and Cross-Border Insolvencies Open Legal Insights Open April 17, 2020 5 minutes read Sequor Law Brazil’s health minister has predicted that the spread of COVID-19 would reach its peak between April and June and has warned that Brazil’s health system could reach saturation by the end of April. As the novel coronavirus has been spreading throughout the region, Sequor Law has monitored its impact across Latin America. Brazil confirmed its first COVID-19 case, the first in Latin America, from a traveler who had visited Northern Italy before arriving in Sao Paulo, a city of approximately 20 million people with the largest urban population in the Americas. It is also the country’s financial center and a business hub representing one of Latin America’s largest economies. The news, which arrived after a long weekend of Carnival celebrations, brought with it a deep and almost immediate dive in the Ibovespa stock index similar to the losses that have been seen elsewhere around the globe. Most recently, Brazil closed its border to eight neighboring countries, banned travel from Europe and Asia, and closed schools, colleges, courts, and commercial business in its largest cities. Brazil’s top soccer teams have handed stadiums over to health authorities to turn them into field hospitals and clinics in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Brazil’s health minister has predicted that the spread of COVID-19 would reach its peak between April and June and has warned that Brazil’s health system could reach saturation by the end of April. At present, the country has over 4,600 confirmed cases, 165 deaths and reports indicate that the number of new cases is steadily growing. With various government officials testing positive for COVID-19, including 14 who accompanied its president, Jair Bolsonaro, to Florida a few weeks ago, the federal government has declared a national emergency in Brazil allowing the government to free up budget resources and announcing an economic stimulus package of approximately $40 billion euros. Notwithstanding all of these measures, Brazil’s currency recently hit an all-time low of R $5.2 per dollar before its Central Bank helped pare losses by cutting its benchmark interest rate to an all-time low of 3.75%, pledging to deploy financial stability policies to fight the crisis. Like the United States, closures of commercial establishments and travel bans have hit Brazil’s retail, entertainment and aviation sectors hard. Like Brazil, nations throughout the region are in a race to “flatten” the exponential spread of COVID-19. Recent reports have stated that every country in Latin America and the Caribbean now have confirmed cases of COVID-19. Argentina is on total lockdown. In Chile—a country that already faced a political crisis prior to the coronavirus pandemic—restricted freedom of movement has postponed its April referendum for a new Constitution. Examples of such “social distancing”-inspired policies are ubiquitous. Efforts to get ahead of the most horrific potential consequences of COVID-19, however, have begun to exact a hefty price, as large sectors of the regional economy have all but shut down. Even in these early days, we have already begun to see an impact in U.S. bankruptcies, as distressed companies in pending reorganization proceedings are losing their exit financing and private equity investors are lowering or pulling bids to acquire the assets of bankrupt companies due to market volatility caused by the pandemic. Unfortunately, with no clear medical solution on the horizon and talk of increasing infection rates impacting the region, it appears likely that the situation will get worse before it gets better. On March 27, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, said that the global economy has now entered a recession that could be as bad as or worse than the financial crisis in 2009. Although Georgieva noted that the world economy could experience a “sizeable rebound” in 2021 if nations are successful in containing the pandemic, she stressed that “a key concern about a long-lasting impact of the sudden stop of the world economy is the risk of a wave of bankruptcies and layoffs that not only can undermine the recovery but erode the fabric of our societies.” These statements capture the reality that, unlike other recent recessions, it is difficult to identify sectors of the economy that will not be impacted by the current crisis. The extent of the crisis is perhaps most poignantly captured by the report that more than 6.6 million workers filed claims for unemployment in the United States this week—a number that shattered all prior records for such filings. Although the most widely publicized effects of the worldwide shutdown have been seen in the aviation, cruise, hospitality (restaurant and hotel) and retail sectors, this crisis will undoubtedly result in a sharp increase in both domestic bankruptcy cases, and cross-border insolvency matters across all sectors where foreign companies and liquidators may seek U.S. assistance to obtain relief from creditors (such as by obtaining a stay of collection actions), to protect assets located in the United States or to obtain information or directly enforce rights against third parties in furtherance of a foreign bankruptcy proceeding. Certainly, our years of experience as bankruptcy specialists tell us that the rise of domestic bankruptcy cases for small businesses and the sectors of the economy hardest hit by the shutdowns are inescapable, as many businesses cannot withstand the strain of even a temporary closure without revenue combined with continuing obligations to pay fixed costs. It is likely that a similar dynamic will play out in national economies around the globe, including Brazil and other Latin American countries. Countries are already responding to the anticipated surge in insolvencies. In the United States, the recently enacted stimulus bill dramatically expands access to the simplified and expedited procedures that apply to small business bankruptcies, such that relief may temporarily be accessed to reorganize debts up to $7,5 million (up from $2,725,625) through Dec. 31, 2020, and extending payment plans under Chapter 13 up to seven years due to financial consequences stemming from COVID-19. Similarly, in Brazil, the Chamber of Deputies approved new preventive restructuring measures to enable companies facing financial difficulties to continue their operations including a special recovery plan for micro and small companies, allowing the extension of payment terms, reduction of interest and fines relating to tax debts, allowing more flexibility in relation to the possibility of negotiation of the parties in structuring a recovery plan and simplification of judicial procedures. In addition to the potential for increased bankruptcy filings, our experience in cross-border fraud suggests that widespread financial distress (such as that seen during the last financial crisis) and the ensuing insolvency proceedings that follow, bring increased oversight, investigations, and, potentially, the discovery of financial frauds (like Madoff or, more recently, the “Operação Lava Jato” or “Car Wash” scandal in Brazil) that may have previously been overlooked. The discovery of improper transfers and fraud, which are more likely to come to light during a downturn, and certainly in bankruptcy, may result in the filing of cross-border insolvency proceedings under Chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code, where administrators and trustees search for offshore assets and information that will facilitate recovery for their creditors. Even if the United States is fortunate enough to avoid the worst potential outcomes of this pandemic (most critically as it relates to the loss of human life), it appears inescapable that the ongoing shutdown of the global economy will result in increasing insolvency proceedings in all economic sectors (both in the United States and abroad). As numerous international businesses have substantial ties and interests in the United States (particularly, in South Florida), this drastic increase in foreign insolvency proceedings will inevitably translate to increasing numbers of cross-border insolvency proceedings in the United States. Leyza B. Florin and Fernando J. Menendez are shareholders at Sequor Law in Miami. The firm specializes in hidden asset recovery, notably Brazil-linked Chapter 15 cross-border cases. To view the original article, click here. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..

  • The 2020 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers| Sequor Law

    Sequor Law partners Leyza B. Florin, Edward H. Davis Jr., Gregory Grossman, and Arnoldo Lacayo named to the inaugural Lawdragon 500 Leading US Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers guide. The 2020 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers Open Awards & Recognition Open July 24, 2020 1 minute read Sequor Law 24 July 2020 Sequor Law Partners Leyza B. Florin , Edward H. Davis, Jr. , Gregory S. Grossman and Arnoldo “Arnie” Lacayo were named to the inaugural Lawdragon 500 Leading US Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers guide. Included in the Global guide are lawyers with leading cross-border practices that “bring remarkable skills in financing, structuring, litigating and creating a pathway forward” for their clients. Open the article here Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..

  • Brazilian tyre co files Chapter 15 to probe “detrimental” transactions| Sequor Law

    Sequor Law's Gregory Grossman advises on Marangoni Tread Latino America's Chapter 15 filing in Miami, seeking recognition of Brazilian restructuring proceedings to investigate detrimental transactions. Brazilian tyre co files Chapter 15 to probe “detrimental” transactions Open In the News Open February 21, 2019 2 minutes read Sequor Law By Declan Bush Marangoni Tread’s Brazilian subsidiary is restructuring in Lagoa Santa. A subsidiary of the Italian tyre conglomerate Marangoni has asked a Miami court to recognize bankruptcy proceedings it has entered in Brazil to investigate possible US assets. Marangoni Tread Latino America filed for Chapter 15 protection on 15 February in the US Bankruptcy Court in Miami, with Sequor Law partner Gregory Grossman advising. In the Chapter 15 filing, Marangoni Tread’s judicial manager Otávio De Paoli Balbino said he was appointed by the Second Civil Court of Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais, on 25 January to investigate “detrimental” transactions between the company and its subsidiaries. Balbino, a partner at law firm Paoli Balbino & Barros Sociedade de Advogados, asked the court to recognize the Brazilian restructuring so he could investigate the company’s US dealings. Marangoni Tread filed judicial reorganization proceedings in the Lagoa Santa court in September 2017 and the case was accepted on 13 November. The company claimed it was hit by Brazil’s 2014 recession, low sales, payment defaults and a higher rubber price. It said it had about 58 million reais (US$15.6 million) and about 850 creditors at the time of filing. But the Brazilian court noted “many mistakes and inconsistencies” in the accounting records the company had provided, including an incomplete list of its managing director’s personal assets. The court tasked Balbino and accountant Cleber Batista de Sousa with investigating transactions between Marangoni Tread and its Italian owners, its one Argentinean subsidiary, and four Brazilian subsidiaries. Batista found “several inconsistencies between the balance sheets and the financial books provided” and concluded several transactions “had detrimental impacts to the debtor’s finances”. He also found the subsidiaries may have acquired products manufactured by Marangoni Tread for less than their production cost. Balbino said Marangoni Tread “may have had transactions with the US subsidiary of the (Marangoni) conglomerate and other American companies”. “I need to investigate the possibility that assets in the US may have been acquired using funds belonging to the debtor,” Balbino added. Marangoni Tread was incorporated in 1998 and is owned by Italian companies Marangoni and Eurorubber. The company owned 51% of Marangoni Argentina and 99% of four Brazilian subsidiaries, but sold its shares in the subsidiaries “for little or no consideration” a year before its bankruptcy filing, according to the documents filed in the Chapter 15 case. In the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Marangoni Tread Latino America Industria e Comercio de Artefatos de Borracha, case 19-12070 Judge Laurel Isicoff Counsel to Marangoni Tread Latin America Sequor Law Founding shareholder Gregory Grossman and associate Bruno de Camargo in Miami In the Second Civil Court of Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais Judge Carlos Alexandre Romano Carvalho Judicial manager to Marangoni Tread Paoli Balbino & Barros Sociedade de Advogados Partner Otávio De Paoli Balbino De Almeida Lima in Belo Horizonte Read the full article here Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..

  • Thought Leaders Global Elite – Asset Recovery (GIR 2019)| Sequor Law

    Who's Who Legal recognizes Sequor Law's Edward H. Davis Jr. as one of the foremost asset recovery lawyers, praised for identifying key issues and strategic thinking in complex financial disputes. Thought Leaders Global Elite – Asset Recovery (GIR 2019) Open Awards & Recognition Open September 5, 2019 1 minute read Sequor Law Who’s Who Legal says: Edward Davis Jr is one of the foremost lawyers in our research this year. Sources note, “He is particularly strong at identifying key issues and strategizing in ways that take those key issues into consideration.” Read the full article below or click here Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..

  • SDFL Adopts Guidelines For Cooperation On Int’l Bankruptcies| Sequor Law

    The Southern District of Florida bankruptcy court adopted the Judicial Insolvency Network’s Chapter 15 cooperation guidelines to improve cross-border insolvency communication. SDFL Adopts Guidelines For Cooperation On Int’l Bankruptcies Open In the News Open February 16, 2018 3 minutes read Sequor Law By Carolina Bolado The Southern District of Florida’s bankruptcy court has adopted guidelines for communication and cooperation between courts in cross-border insolvency matters that practitioners say will help courts efficiently handle the increasing number of Chapter 15 cases filed in the region as its ties to Latin America continue to strengthen. In an order issued Feb. 1, Chief Judge Laurel Myerson Isicoff said the court would adopt the Judicial Insolvency Network’s guidelines for cooperation on Chapter 15 bankruptcies, making the district the third, after Delaware and the Southern District of New York, to implement the toolkit for cross-border cooperation. “Together with the District of Delaware and the Southern District of New York, we have the vast majority of the Chapter 15 cases filed in the country, so it makes sense that at least in our jurisdictions that we would adopt these guidelines,” Judge Isicoff said. The guidelines, created by JIN in late 2016, are meant to improve communication and cooperation between courts handling parallel bankruptcy proceedings. Courts that adopt the guidelines agree to accept orders made in proceedings in other jurisdictions, barring an objection by one of the parties. The guidelines also provide frameworks for holding joint hearings and for judge-to-jfrom nowudge communication. Greg Grossman of Sequor Law , which files a large percentage of the Chapter 15 cases in the Southern District of Florida, called the guidelines a “really large toolkit.” “In some cases, you’re going to need a wrench; some will need a Phillips-head screwdriver, and some will need a hammer,” he said. “This is an opportunity to encourage more direct communication with each other.” Under the guidelines, bankruptcy courts should encourage administrators of estates in parallel proceedings to work together. A bankruptcy judge should also share all orders, judgments, opinions, transcripts of proceedings and other court documents with his or her counterpart in a different jurisdiction, according to the guidelines. The guidelines also lay out procedures for communications between courts by requiring notice of any judge-to-judge communication and allowing the parties to be present. In addition, they allow courts to authorize a party in a foreign proceeding to appear and be heard on a specific matter without making the party subject to that court’s jurisdiction for any other purpose. After the guidelines were drafted, Singapore and the District of Delaware were the first jurisdictions to adopt them in early February 2017. The Southern District of Florida followed shortly thereafter, as did Bermuda, England, Wales and the British Virgin Islands. New South Wales in Australia agreed to the guidelines in September. So far, the Southern District of Florida averages about two Chapter 15 cases per month, but it’s a number that is growing as Miami in particular deepens its ties with Latin America, according to Grossman. This move by the Southern District of Florida’s bankruptcy court could encourage courts in Latin America to get on board, he said. “Nobody in Latin America has passed it, but it’s coming,” he said. “It took them awhile to get Chapter 15, so baby steps.” Already they appear to be moving in that direction. Two bankruptcy judges in Latin America, one in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and another in Buenos Aires, Argentina, joined JIN, though Grossman said it is not clear whether they have adopted the guidelines for cooperation. But the action by the judges marked JIN’s first foray into Latin America. “Our best guess — but we are by no means certain — is that these individual judges would follow the guidelines in their own cases, but they are not able to have their courts adopt the guidelines,” Grossman said. Judge Isicoff said that these communication and coordination issues have not come up in any Chapter 15 cases she has overseen, and her fellow judges on the bench reported no problems so far when they sat down to discuss whether to adopt the guidelines. But she said that didn’t mean it didn’t make sense for the court to get on board. “Just because something hasn’t come up yet doesn’t mean it won’t come up, especially as more and more Chapter 15 cases get filed,” Judge Isicoff said. “We just felt it makes sense for us to be consistent with the Southern District of New York and the District of Delaware.” To view full article, click here. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..

  • Newsletter | Sequor Law

    Newsletter January 2026 – CAPTUS Newsletter January 2026 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement January 30, 2026 December 2025 – SECUTOR Newsletter December 2025 – SECUTOR Newsletter Announcement December 16, 2025 October 2025 – CAPTUS Newsletter October 2025 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement October 16, 2025 September 2025 – SECUTOR Newsletter September 2025 – SECUTOR Newsletter Announcement September 2, 2025 July 2025 – CAPTUS Newsletter July 2025 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement July 28, 2025 June 2025 – CAPTUS Newsletter June 2025 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement June 10, 2025 April 2025 – CAPTUS Newsletter April 2025 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement April 17, 2025 February 2025 – SECUTOR Newsletter February 2025 – SECUTOR Newsletter Announcement February 26, 2025 January 2025 – CAPTUS Newsletter January 2025 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement January 22, 2025 December 2024 – CAPTUS Newsletter December 2024 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement December 18, 2024 October 2024 – SECUTOR Newsletter October 2024 – SECUTOR Newsletter Announcement December 18, 2024 August 2024 – CAPTUS Newsletter August 2024 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement October 1, 2024 June 2024 – CAPTUS Newsletter June 2024 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement July 25, 2024 April 2024 – CAPTUS Newsletter April 2024 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement April 20, 2024 February 2024 – CAPTUS Newsletter February 2024 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement February 19, 2024 November 2023 – CAPTUS Newsletter November 2023 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement November 6, 2023 October 2023 – CAPTUS Newsletter October 2023 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement October 19, 2023 August 2023 – CAPTUS Newsletter August 2023 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement August 25, 2023 April 2023 – CAPTUS Newsletter April 2023 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement May 30, 2023 January 2023 – CAPTUS Newsletter January 2023 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement January 26, 2023 November 2023 – CAPTUS Newsletter November 2023 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement November 23, 2022 September – CAPTUS Newsletter September – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement September 27, 2022 August – CAPTUS Newsletter August – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement September 1, 2022 July – CAPTUS Newsletter July – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement August 2, 2022 May 2022 – CAPTUS Newsletter May 2022 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement June 1, 2022 April 2022 – CAPTUS Newsletter April 2022 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement April 13, 2022 March 2022 – CAPTUS Newsletter March 2022 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement March 22, 2022 February 2022 – CAPTUS Newsletter February 2022 – CAPTUS Newsletter Announcement February 3, 2022 Happy Holidays From Sequor – 2021 Happy Holidays From Sequor – 2021 Announcement December 16, 2021 Year End News Year End News Announcement November 30, 2021 Sequor Law’s September / October Highlights Sequor Law’s September / October Highlights Announcement October 7, 2021 Register for Sequor Law's First Summer Series Podcast Register for Sequor Law's First Summer Series Podcast Announcement May 20, 2021 Sequor On the Go Sequor On the Go Announcement April 22, 2021 March 2021 – Quarterly Newsletter March 2021 – Quarterly Newsletter Announcement March 11, 2021 Happy Holidays and Warm Wishes for 2021 Happy Holidays and Warm Wishes for 2021 Announcement December 18, 2020 'Tis the Season to Give Back and Raise the Bar 'Tis the Season to Give Back and Raise the Bar Announcement November 19, 2020 October 2020 – Latest News from Our Associates October 2020 – Latest News from Our Associates Announcement October 1, 2020 Chambers 2020: Firm Rankings Chambers 2020: Firm Rankings Announcement June 30, 2020 June 2020 Quarterly Newsletter June 2020 Quarterly Newsletter Announcement June 19, 2020 We Remain Relentless in Our Commitment to You We Remain Relentless in Our Commitment to You Announcement March 19, 2020 Judge A. Jay Cristol Endowed Chair in Bankruptcy Judge A. Jay Cristol Endowed Chair in Bankruptcy Announcement March 3, 2020 February 2020 Quarterly Newsletter February 2020 Quarterly Newsletter Announcement February 6, 2020 We’ve Moved! We’ve Moved! Announcement November 5, 2019 September 2019 Quarterly Newsletter September 2019 Quarterly Newsletter Announcement September 18, 2019 June 2019 Quarterly Newsletter June 2019 Quarterly Newsletter Announcement June 27, 2019 March 2019 Quarterly Newsletter March 2019 Quarterly Newsletter Announcement March 19, 2019 November 2018 Quarterly Newsletter November 2018 Quarterly Newsletter Announcement November 29, 2018 August 2018 Quarterly Newsletter August 2018 Quarterly Newsletter Announcement August 21, 2018 April 2018 Quarterly Newsletter April 2018 Quarterly Newsletter Announcement April 10, 2018

  • Trove of Missing Art Heads to Auction| Sequor Law

    Sequor Law highlights recovered artworks from Banco Santos president Edemar Cid Ferreira’s collection—including 95 pieces seized by U.S. authorities in a $10 million money-laundering case that may be auctioned. Trove of Missing Art Heads to Auction Open In the News Open October 28, 2017 3 minutes read Sequor Law A Henry Moore sculpture and a Rufino Tamayo painting are among recovered art works that may be auctioned at Sotheby’s By Kelly Crow Former Banco Santos president Edemar Cid Ferreira once covered the walls of his São Paulo home with Man Ray photographs, Louise Bourgeois prints and paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Francis Picabia and others. But when Brazilian authorities arrested Mr. Ferreira in 2006 for an alleged $1 billion money-laundering scheme, the walls were bare. The vanished collection set off a global scavenger hunt, with investigators and creditors chasing leads long after Mr. Ferreira was convicted of money – laundering and sentenced in federal criminal court in Brazil to 21 years in prison. Mr. Ferreira has appealed the case and declined, through his lawyer, to comment. Mr. Ferreira, the president of Banco Santos, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in 2004. More art once owned by him has been recovered. Photo: Daniel Ackern/Bloomberg News. This month, U.S. authorities announced a breakthrough, saying they had rounded up 95 works Mr. Ferreira once owned that together are worth at least $10 million. The art was in warehouses across France, Panama, England and the Netherlands, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Two paintings in the group were in galleries in New York. Joon Kim, the Acting U.S. Attorney, who said Mr. Ferreira’s art had been “used to mask an audacious criminal scheme,” signed documents turning the trove over to a Brazilian judicial administrator handling the estate of Banco Santos, which failed in 2005. The bank’s estate, which is seeking to compensate creditors, plans to enlist Sotheby’s to auction some of the works, said Arnoldo Lacayo, a lawyer with Sequor Law, a Miami firm helping the bank’s estate track down Mr. Ferreira’s assets. A Sotheby’s spokeswoman confirmed that the auction house has been asked to review the works for potential sale. Major pieces include Henry Moore’s “Woman,” a life-size bronze figure that had been stored in France, as well as Rufino Tamayo’s abstract view of a couple, “Casal de Marcianos 1975 (Two Figures),” which was stored in Florida. There also is a Lucite cube sculpture by Anish Kapoor and works by Brazilian mainstays Adriana Varejão, Vik Muniz and Jac Leirner. Among the older works is an etching by Eugène Delacroix. The fate of Helen Frankenthaler’s 1965 blue-and-gold abstract, “Sea Strip,” offers a glimpse into the circuitous path of some of the art. Mr. Ferreira paid Christie’s $197,900 for “Sea Strip” in late 2004 —a year before his bank failed and a time when authorities said he was starting to ship crates of art to warehouses in Europe for safekeeping. Later, a friend of his wife sold “Sea Strip” to Edward Tyler Nahem Fine Art in New York for an undisclosed sum. John Cahill, a lawyer for the gallery, said Mr. Nahem had been told that the painting was from a corporate collection. Once alerted to its true origins, Mr. Nahem got into a title dispute with the bank’s estate, Mr. Cahill and Mr. Lacayo said, because the dealer had bought the work in good faith. Both sides said they have since reached a settlement to sell the work jointly. Right now, the Frankenthaler is the only recovered work that isn’t immediately headed to Sotheby’s, Mr. Cahill said. Before this month, only a handful of works from Mr. Ferreira’s collection had been found and returned—including a Roman statue and Basquiat’s 1982 “Hannibal,” a skull portrait on an orange background. The work, with its dark slashes, spiky lines and splotches of bright color, is considered a signature piece by Basquiat, who started out as a graffiti artist. Mr. Ferreira bought the painting in 2003 and had it shipped from the Netherlands to a New York warehouse in 2007 after his conviction, authorities said. U.S. Customs took a closer look when the work arrived because its declared value was $100. Jean-Michel Basquiat, ‘Hannibal,’ 1982 Photo: Interpol Washington Last fall, Sotheby’s helped the bank’s estate sell “Hannibal” to Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa for $13 million. “Hiding illicit proceeds in art happens all the time,” said Mr. Lacayo of the asset-recovery firm helping the bank’s estate. “At least in this case we’re unraveling it.” Click to view full article. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..

  • Legal Disclaimer | Sequor Law

    1. No Attorney-Client Relationship The use of this website (https://www.sequorlaw.com ), including but not limited to browsing its pages, reading its content, sending emails to Sequor Law or its attorneys, subscribing to the firm’s newsletter, or any other interaction with this website, does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Sequor Law or any of its attorneys, partners, or staff. An attorney-client relationship with Sequor Law is established only through a formal, written engagement agreement executed by both you and an authorized representative of the firm. No such relationship will be formed by the transmission of information through this website, by email, or by any other means of communication absent such a signed agreement. 2. No Legal Advice The information provided on this website, including but not limited to articles, blog posts, legal updates, case summaries, and other publications, is intended for general informational purposes only. Nothing on this website constitutes legal advice, and nothing contained herein should be relied upon as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney licensed in the appropriate jurisdiction. Legal matters are highly fact-specific, and the applicability of legal principles varies based on the particular facts and circumstances of each situation. The information on this website may not reflect the most current legal developments. Laws and regulations change frequently, and prior results described on this website do not guarantee a similar outcome. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information on this website without first seeking appropriate legal counsel. 3. Confidentiality Notice Do not send confidential or sensitive information to Sequor Law through this website or via email until you have received written confirmation from a Sequor Law attorney that an attorney-client relationship has been established through a signed engagement agreement. Any information sent to Sequor Law by a person who is not an existing client under a signed engagement agreement will not be considered confidential and will not be protected by the attorney-client privilege or the work product doctrine. Sequor Law disclaims any duty to maintain the confidentiality of unsolicited information received from non-clients. 4. Jurisdictional Limitations Sequor Law is a law firm with its principal office in Miami, Florida, United States. The attorneys at Sequor Law are licensed to practice in specific jurisdictions. The listing of an attorney on this website does not imply that the attorney is licensed to practice in the jurisdiction from which you are accessing this website. Nothing on this website is intended to constitute a solicitation or offer of legal services in any jurisdiction where such solicitation or offer would be unlawful. This website is not intended to solicit clients in jurisdictions where Sequor Law or its attorneys are not authorized to practice. 5. Prior Results Any case results, client testimonials, or descriptions of past matters on this website are provided for informational purposes only. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future matter. Each legal matter is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case. 6. External Links This website may contain links to external websites that are not owned or controlled by Sequor Law. Sequor Law does not endorse, and is not responsible for, the content, privacy practices, or accuracy of information on any linked external websites. The inclusion of any link does not imply affiliation or endorsement by Sequor Law. 7. Accessibility Sequor Law is committed to making its website accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities. We strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA standards. We are continually working to improve the accessibility and usability of our website. If you experience any difficulty accessing any part of our website, or if you have suggestions for improving accessibility, please contact us at: Sequor Law 1111 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1250 Miami, Florida 33131 United States Email: info@sequorlaw.com Phone: (+1) 305-372-8282 Fax: (+1) 305-372-8202 We welcome your feedback and will make reasonable efforts to address any accessibility concerns. 8. Contact Us If you have any questions about this Legal Disclaimer, please contact us at: Sequor Law 1111 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1250 Miami, Florida 33131 United States Phone: (+1) 305-372-8282 Fax: (+1) 305-372-8202 Email: info@sequorlaw.com Legal Disclaimer Latest Update: April 10, 2026

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