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- The Effect of the General Data Protection Regulation on Discovery in the United States| Sequor Law
Sequor Law's Amanda E. Finley examines how the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) affects document discovery obligations in US litigation and insolvency proceedings. The Effect of the General Data Protection Regulation on Discovery in the United States Open Legal Insights Open December 8, 2020 4 minutes read Sequor Law By Amanda E. Finley , Miami The European Union implemented the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and it became effective on 25 May 2018. 1 The GDPR enforces privacy requirements to protect EU citizens. 2 “The GDPR applies to the processing of ‘personal data,’ which is defined as any information related to an ‘identified or identifiable natural person,’” who can be directly or indirectly identified by the data produced. 3 The GDPR purports to have extraterritorial effect by applying “regardless whether the processing takes place in the EU or elsewhere.” 4 The GDPR allows imposition of penalties and sanctions that “significantly increase[d] the maximum fine to €20 million, or 4% of annual worldwide turnover, whichever is greater.” 5 Further, “[t]he GDPR provides an individual with access to the courts to seek a judicial remedy” in addition to any administrative remedy. 6 Essentially, any production of documents that contain information about EU citizens could cause serious consequences and large fines for a GDPR violation. The early cases in the United States suggest that the GDPR may have a profound impact on discovery in the United States. The GDPR may provide for targets subject to the jurisdiction of courts in the United States to object to discovery with the purpose (or possibly under the guise) of protecting EU citizens’ privacy. Defendants may object to production as a whole, request significant redaction of the discovery, request a strict confidentiality agreement, request to produce anonymized data that does not identify any EU citizen, or any combination thereof. There is limited case law on the implications of the GDPR on U.S. discovery because it is a relatively new regulation. So far, U.S. courts have taken divergent approaches on how to address and resolve objections to discovery based on the GDPR. Overall, it appears that most courts are allowing production of the discovery in some form, over a defendant’s GDPR objection. U.S. Courts’ Historical Response to Discovery Objections Based on Foreign Privacy Statutes or Secrecy Laws Historically, U.S. courts have been unwilling to allow a foreign privacy statute to preclude the production of responsive documents that were otherwise discoverable in U.S. litigation. As the Supreme Court stated, “[i]t is well settled that such statutes do not deprive an American court of the power to order a party subject to its jurisdiction to produce evidence even though the act of production may violate that statute.” 7 The Court further noted that the French “blocking statute” was “originally ‘inspired to impede enforcement of United States antitrust laws,’ and that it did not appear to have been strictly enforced in France,” which further undercut U.S. courts’ interest in enforcing that foreign privacy statute over the American interest of full disclosure in discovery. 8 Prior and subsequent courts similarly ruled that foreign privacy statutes are not dispositive on production of discovery in U.S. cases, although the statutes may be relevant to the issue of whether sanctions should be imposed for failure to comply with U.S. discovery orders. 9 Likewise, U.S. courts deemed foreign bank secrecy laws insufficient to preclude discovery in U.S. litigation. 10 Therefore, generally, courts in the United States overwhelmingly have held that full disclosure in discovery outweighs any interest in enforcing foreign privacy or secrecy laws. A Chronological Review of U.S. Courts’ Approaches to GDPR Discovery Disputes and Other Foreign Privacy Statutes On 5 October 2018, the first published ruling on GDPR in U.S. litigation involved a defendant, Microsoft, raising a GDPR objection to discovery based on the undue burden and cost of producing the discovery due to “the alleged tension with GDPR.” 11 The court did not significantly analyze the GDPR issue, but stated that “the court [wa]s not persuaded by Microsoft’s arguments concerning undue burden” and required the production of documents. 12 On 17 December 2018, the first substantive ruling by a U.S. court to address an objection to discovery based on GDPR was in the context of a 28 U.S.C. § 1782 application to obtain discovery for use in a foreign proceeding. 13 The court “grant[ed] the application with respect to documents held by foreign custodians only to the extent that the Applicants (1) assume the costs of the document production, including the costs of compliance with the GDPR or other applicable European data privacy laws and (2) indemnify Respondents against any potential breaches of European data privacy laws.” 14 Although the court granted production of the documents over the GDPR objection, this ruling has serious adverse consequences for parties seeking discovery in U.S. litigation if the GDPR is implicated because it required unknown and potentially multimillion-dollar indemnification liability on the party receiving the documents. The approach in Hansainvest of requiring indemnification of the discovery target “against any potential breaches of European data privacy laws” is a serious deterrent to any party seeking discovery. 15 It would be unusual and highly unlikely that any party would knowingly accept such an open-ended and potentially large financial risk given the large fines for a GDPR violation. If courts routinely adopted this approach, it would have a significant chilling effect on U.S. discovery when the GDPR is implicated. Hansainvest is the only U.S. court, thus far, to rule that indemnification of any GDPR liability is a condition precedent to production of the documents. In later rulings, U.S. courts have taken less drastic approaches to GDPR objections to discovery. Click here to read the full article in the Spring 2020 International Law Quarterly (page 16) and the Business Law Section. 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..
- FBI has new Miami squad to fight international corruption| Sequor Law
The FBI launches an international corruption squad in Miami targeting South American bribery and money laundering, as federal cases involving illicit foreign funds grow in South Florida. FBI has new Miami squad to fight international corruption Open In the News Open March 11, 2019 4 minutes read Sequor Law By David Lyons For many South Floridians, it’s no secret that the place they call home is a longtime haven for illicit drug money or cash stolen from foreign governments. So it should come as no surprise that the FBI is now setting up an international corruption squad office in Miami. The squad, scheduled to start its work this month, will be focusing on South America. Agents will be out to bust white-collar criminals who bribe foreign public officials and then launder the proceeds through the purchase of local real estate or fancy boats. The squad, the fourth one to be established nationally, will be staffed by senior FBI agents, forensic accountants and prosecutors and investigators who are experienced chasing white-collar criminals and public corruption. The bureau currently operates squads in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Between 2016 and 2018, according to The Associated Press, prosecutors have won 34 convictions in cases brought by the international unit. ‘It’s about time’ There’s plenty of demand for a dedicated effort to investigate the region’s link to corruption in Latin America, say former U.S. attorneys for South Florida. “My first reaction is it’s about time,” said Marcos Jimenez, who served between 2002 and 2005. “The FBI should have done this years ago.” “South Florida has been the corruption capital of Latin America that entire time, and they haven’t dedicated sufficient resources to it,” said Jimenez, a commercial litigator based in Coral Gables. That was mainly because the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington diverted resources to counterterrorism work. ‘Follow the money’ A typical case pattern is for people who receive bribes to salt their money away in South Florida real estate. Jimenez surmised that the government has received an uptick in leads from a reporting program operated by the U.S. Treasury Department ’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. It requires title insurers to report the identities of people who buy residential real estate valued at $300,000 or more. South Florida is one of eight regions subjected to a geographic targeting order designed to flag money laundering through real-estate deals. “It’s the same old rule that has never changed, which is follow the money,” Jimenez said. Wifredo Ferrer, who was U.S. attorney between 2010 and 2017, said that increasingly, he has seen U.S. law enforcement partnering with counterparts in Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Mexico, nations that are all cracking down on corruption. And then there is Venezuela, whose well-connected officials and businessmen have become rich as the socialist government of Nicolas Maduro has edged toward collapse. American sanctions against corrupt Venezuelan officials have reportedly prompted the U.S. Treasury to freeze billions under the control of military officers and others with government ties, including $500 million in assets belonging to a former vice president, Tarak El Aissami. “In Venezuela there is such a focus right now by the U.S. government in making sure they bring to justice those who have laundered money stolen from the country,” said Ferrer, who is executive partner of the Miami office of Holland & Knight. Bringing indictments South Florida’s federal courts have been the scene of indictments and guilty pleas involving defendants who handled illicit Venezuelan money, with the cases led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ’s Homeland Security Investigations. Last August, Matthias Krull, a German-born managing director of a Swiss bank in Panama, pleaded guilty in Miami to a single money laundering count and admitted laundering embezzled funds from PDVSA, the state oil company, for relatives of an unnamed Venezuelan government official. And last November, Alejandro Andrade Cedeno, a former Venezuelan national treasurer residing in Wellington, was sentenced to 10 years for a money laundering conspiracy involving more than $1 billion in bribes, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Miami. Ferrer asserted that throughout much of the hemisphere, Latin Americans are weary of corruption and yearn for local authorities to curtail it. “There is an increase in public outcries,” he said. “There have been marches in certain countries. Citizens don’t want to keep having to suffer the negative effects of corruption. There is a real will and desire in these countries to have this focus.” A special investigative squad for Miami makes sense to private lawyers who help clients recover stolen or missing assets and advise them on compliance laws. South Florida, according to one, is not only a convenient place to hide money, it is a place to make arrangements to cut bribery deals in other countries. “People just don’t call up and say, ‘Can I pay you a bribe?’” said Edward Davis , of Sequor Law in Miami. “There is a negotiation process. It’s common to have a place where they meet and talk things through. If you’re a European manufacturer trying to get a contract, the last thing you want to do is to be seen talking to an official in that country.” The Miami squad will work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, and the Miami regional office of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the FBI said. Neither the FBI in Washington nor the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida responded to follow- up questions to the announcement. The existing squads work in conjunction with the Department of Justice’s fraud and money laundering asset forfeiture sections, and report directly to the department in Washington. “The squads routinely partner with foreign law enforcement and FBI legal attache offices … to combat international corruption matters,” the FBI said in a statement. This story has been corrected to reflect that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, not the FBI, led the cases involving money laundering schemes related to Venezuela. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- Sequor Law Promotes Attorney Juan J. Mendoza to Counsel| Sequor Law
Sequor Law promotes Juan J. Mendoza to Counsel, recognizing his expertise in asset recovery, cross-border insolvency, and complex international litigation across multiple jurisdictions. Sequor Law Promotes Attorney Juan J. Mendoza to Counsel Open Firm News Open September 12, 2023 2 minutes read Sequor Law September 12, 2023, Miami, Florida- Sequor Law, a distinguished Miami-based law firm specializing in asset recovery, financial fraud, insolvency, and financial services litigation, both domestically and cross-border, proudly announces the promotion of Attorney Juan J. Mendoza to the position of Counsel, effective immediately. “We are excited to recognize Juan’s hard work, dedication, and significant contributions to the firm by promoting him to Counsel,” says Founding Shareholder Edward H. Davis, Jr. “Juan’s expertise in asset recovery, cross-border insolvency and complex litigation across multiple jurisdictions has been an indispensable asset to the firm and our clients. This promotion is well-deserved and exemplifies Sequor Law’s commitment to nurturing and rewarding top-tier talent.” Juan Mendoza, who joined the firm several years ago, has excelled in cases involving international litigation, cross-border insolvency, fraud and asset recovery, and has been instrumental in the firm’s successes in a variety of fora. His commendable experience and skill in navigating legal issues in multiple jurisdictions have helped secure outstanding results for the firm’s clients. “Juan’s commitment to delivering exceptional service, paired with his ability to adapt and excel in fast-paced, complex legal environments, is truly exemplary,” remarks Founding Shareholder Gregory Grossman . “He consistently exhibits high levels of professionalism and legal acumen, qualities that not only benefit our clients but also contribute positively to our firm’s reputation as a leader in international legal services.” Juan’s background and qualifications are a testament to his aptitude and dedication to the field. Juan is an alumnus of the NCBJ 2022 NextGen Program, the Fellowship program of the Florida Bar Business Law section and currently serves as the Membership Committee Chair. He is an active member of AIJA, contributing his efforts through the Insolvency and Litigation Commissions. Prior to joining Sequor Law, Juan served as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert L. Jones, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Texas. Juan received his JD from Emory University School of Law and is admitted to the State Bar of Florida, Georgia and Texas. The promotion of Juan Mendoza to Counsel underscores Sequor Law’s ongoing commitment to professional development and excellence. His work ethic, combined with his legal talent, will continue to be an invaluable asset to the firm and its esteemed clientele. ****** Sequor Law is a Miami-based international law firm representing financial institutions, sovereign governments and state-owned enterprises, public and non-public companies, insolvency practitioners and individual clients in the areas of asset recovery, financial Fraud, Insolvency and financial services litigation. More information is available at www.sequorlaw.com . Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- Asset Recovery | Global Tracing & Enforcement | Sequor Law
Led by our founding partner, recognized by Chambers & Partners (Band 1, Asset Tracing & Recovery, Global-Wide). ICC FraudNet member. Pursuing and recovering assets worldwide Asset Recovery Sequor Law is recognized worldwide for its leadership in the practice area. We not only recover assets for victims of fraud and corruption, but also seek to hold aiders and abettors, conspirators, and facilitators liable through third-party actions. From Investigation to Repossession: A Full-Spectrum Recovery Practice Sequor Law is uniquely focused on pursuing and recovering client assets and value for the client at every phase of the dispute, from investigation and strategic case development through litigation, arbitration, pre-judgment remedies, and enforcement. Every day, we rise to meet the increasingly sophisticated methods used to conceal, transfer, or launder assets across jurisdictions. Sequor Law pioneered the concept of “value recovery,” advancing beyond the traditional model of Asset Recovery limited to freezing and recovering tangible assets. Our focus is not solely on the assets themselves, but on maximizing total recoverable value. This includes pursuing claims against aiders and abettors, conspirators, and facilitators through direct third-party actions. Drawing on extensive experience in complex Asset Recovery matters, the firm has successfully recovered value in a wide range of scenarios, including claims arising from contracts procured through fraud or corruption, the exercise of restitution rights in criminal proceedings, the reopening of matrimonial settlements, and the enforcement of Judgments previously considered uncollectible. Fraudsters and corrupt actors frequently employ layered corporate structures, offshore vehicles, and multi-jurisdictional transfers to obscure beneficial ownership and move assets rapidly beyond reach. Addressing these schemes requires technical sophistication, deep knowledge of multiple legal systems, and sustained strategic execution. Sequor Law brings all three. Our team operates seamlessly across common law and civil law jurisdictions, allowing us to act quickly and effectively in complex cross-border environments. The firm’s Asset Recovery practice is focused on penetrating the inner circle of the wrongdoer and dismantling the structures used to shield assets. We deploy a full suite of legal tools, including asset freeze orders, pre-judgment remedies, advanced evidence-gathering mechanisms, insolvency proceedings, and direct claims against both wrongdoers and third-party facilitators. Piercing Complex Structures to Reach the Wrongdoer's Inner Circle Recognized Global Leaders Who Shaped an Entire Practice Area Sequor Law’s attorneys were instrumental in developing Asset Recovery as a globally recognized legal practice and continue to lead its evolution as new technologies and increasingly complex schemes emerge. The firm is consistently ranked among the leading practices worldwide in Asset Tracing & Recovery by Chambers & Partners and the Lexology Index. Sequor Law has also been recognized as Asset Recovery Firm of the Year, reflecting its sustained leadership in the field. Founding Shareholder Edward H. Davis, Jr. has been consistently ranked Band 1 globally by Chambers & Partners for Asset Tracing & Recovery, including most recently in 2025. He was also named Asset Recovery Lawyer of the Year by Who’s Who Legal in multiple consecutive years, underscoring the firm’s leadership at the highest level of the practice. There is no one-size-fits-all solution in Asset Recovery. Each matter requires a tailored strategy based on the facts, the jurisdictions involved, and the client’s objectives. Sequor Law is committed to identifying that strategy and executing it with precision, persistence, and a relentless global focus on securing results. Representative Representative Cases One of the Largest Ponzi Schemes in History Sequor Law represents the Joint Liquidators for Stanford International Bank, Ltd. (“SIB”) (in Liquidation). SIB, a bank located in Antigua that primarily sold certificates of deposit, played a central role in a worldwide Ponzi scheme, the second largest in history, perpetrated by Robert Allen Stanford, with losses to depositors estimated to exceed US$4.4 billion. Since May 12, 2011, when Marcus Wide and Hugh Dickson of Grant Thornton were appointed Joint Liquidators of the SIB estate in Antigua, Sequor Law has acted as co-general counsel with Caribbean counsel in global Asset Recovery efforts that have included recovering US$3.2 million from Panama, US$20 million from the United Kingdom, freezing assets in Antigua & Barbuda valued at US$212 million, launching a formal claims process, pursuing claims related to approximately US$330 million in frozen assets in Canada, Switzerland, and the U.K., filing damages claims valued at approximately US$5 billion against a Canadian bank, and initiating recovery efforts in Colombia against law firms and financial institutions. Sequor Law also initiated a Chapter 15 recognition proceeding in Dallas, Texas, and later helped the U.S. Judicial Administrator, the SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Joint Liquidators, and others reach a global agreement and cross-border protocol. Recognition and Enforcement of UK Worldwide Freezing Order Sequor Law represents Novoship (UK) Limited and affiliated entities in a Judgment domestication and enforcement matter in Florida. After Novoship obtained approximately US$98 million in Judgments from the English High Court of Justice against a Venezuelan national and his companies for fraudulent acts relating to charter party contracts, and after the debtors breached a US$40 million settlement, Sequor Law obtained recognition of the English freezing injunction in Florida within 24 hours. The firm froze assets, commenced discovery before full recognition of the English Judgments, and uncovered nearly US$3.5 million in local bank funds and approximately US$1.5 million in Florida real estate. Coordinated proceedings in Florida, Switzerland, and London resulted in payment of the full settlement amount. Judgment Enforcement Against Sovereign in Bond Default Case Since 2008, Sequor Law has represented two major creditors of the Republic of Argentina in pursuing collection of more than US$1 billion in Judgments in Florida arising from Argentina’s 2001 bond default. Working with New York counsel, the firm pursued collection from assets located in Florida, including assets at the Miami office of Banco de la Nación Argentina, a bank wholly owned by the Argentine government. Representation of a Class of More Than 2,000 Victims of Caribbean Fraud Sequor Law represented a class of 2,232 victims of the Leadenhall Bank & Trust and Cash-4-Titles fraud in the British Virgin Islands and The Bahamas and recovered US$14.4 million. After Leadenhall entered liquidation and was sued in the U.S. District Court in Miami, the class obtained a final money Judgment of US$313 million in September 2007. Enforcement of that Judgment resulted in the US$14.4 million recovery, with approximately US$7 million more to be distributed thereafter. Proceedings Supplementary in Aid of Judgment Enforcement Sequor Law represented Robert J. Lodge and Robert K. Orr against SunTrust Bank. After obtaining an order for proceedings supplementary in aid of execution and conducting extensive discovery and depositions, the matter concluded in a favorable settlement in which significant funds were recovered by the Judgment creditor’s successor-in-interest. Deployment of International Treaties and U.S. Legal Claims Sequor Law represented a multinational Colombian food products company in recovering substantial losses for products obtained through fraud and deception. By deploying international treaties and U.S. domestic claims, the firm identified the products, prosecuted the defendants in the United States, and achieved a successful settlement. Representation of Peru in Kleptocracy Case Against Former Head of State Sequor Law represented the Government of Peru in litigation in Miami, Florida, where the plaintiff sought to attach the aircraft in which the President of Peru would travel to the United States. While asserting defenses under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, including insufficient service of process, lack of personal jurisdiction, and failure to state a claim, the firm also argued that Peru was immune from attachment and suit. The court held that the aircraft was “military hardware” and therefore not subject to attachment. Representation of an Instrumentality of the French Government in Asset Recovery Matter Sequor Law represented Creances, S.A.S. (“CDR”), successor to Societe de Banque Occidentale (“SDBO”) and an instrumentality of the Republic of France, in a matter involving a nearly US$100 million fraudulent loan transaction that led to the sale of the collateral land without repayment. Sequor Law helped develop the strategy that ultimately led to the recovery of millions of dollars in real estate. Representation of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago in Bid-Rigging and Corruption Case Sequor Law represents the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in related fraud and corruption proceedings in Florida, Liechtenstein, The Bahamas, Panama, and Switzerland. The matters involved coordination with governmental authorities, assistance with MLAT requests, and support for extradition proceedings. The work resulted in the freezing, recovery, and repatriation of more than US$5 million, settlements exceeding US$5 million, and savings of more than US$30 million through the invalidation of a fraudulent contract. Representation of Caribbean Central Bank in Insurance Industry Fraud Sequor Law represented the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in designing the legal strategy for the recovery of assets for the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago in the CLICO insurance company corruption scandal. Corruption-Related Asset Recovery on Behalf of Antigua and Barbuda Sequor Law represented the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in a corruption matter spanning Florida, Bermuda, Hong Kong, Switzerland, the Isle of Man, and Cayman. The civil case resulted in the freezing, recovery, and repatriation of stolen assets, the repatriation of US$12 million to the client, and the cancellation of a fraudulent contract that saved the government more than US$20 million in future expenditures. Kleptocracy Case for the Republic of Haiti Sequor Law participated as part of a global team in advising the Republic of Haiti on aspects of Asset Recovery against the Duvalier regime. Advice to the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala Sequor Law participated as part of a global team in advising CICIG in connection with corruption claims and other wrongdoing involving the former president and administration in Guatemala. First Chapter 15 Cross-Border Insolvency Case in Florida Involving Central American Banking Group Sequor Law represents Bancafe International Bank (in Liquidation) (“BIB”). After the failure of Banco Cafeteros de Guatemala, BIB, a Barbados entity with extensive operations in Guatemala and assets in the United States, entered bankruptcy in Barbados. Acting for the custodian, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sequor Law filed the first Chapter 15 case in Florida and obtained recognition of the Barbados liquidation as the main foreign proceeding. The matter has included extensive discovery in the United States and recoveries that include more than US$54 million from a REFCO bankruptcy claim and approximately US$1 million from a New York account. Chapter 15 Case Stemming from One of the Largest Banking Failures in Brazilian History Sequor Law represents the judicial administrator of Banco Santos, S.A. (in Liquidation). After an investigation revealed a theft of more than US$1 billion through a multi-country scheme, Sequor Law initiated a Chapter 15 proceeding. The corresponding recognition helped secure valuable evidence in the United States and elsewhere and supported the recovery of artwork valued in the millions, along with additional multi-million-dollar recoveries through a confidential ancillary settlement. Brazilian Cross-Border Insolvency Case with More Than 300 Related Debtors Sequor Law represents Petroforte Brasileiro de Petroleo Ltda. (“Petroforte”) (in Liquidation). After Petroforte entered insolvency proceedings in Brazil and the bankruptcy was extended to more than 300 entities and individuals, Sequor Law obtained deposition testimony and documentary evidence in the United States and pursued analogous proceedings in the Caribbean and Central America. The evidence supported the Judicial Administrator’s efforts in Brazil and may support additional recovery litigation, including through Chapter 15. Leading Appellate and Section 1782 Decisions Sequor Law prevailed before the Eleventh Circuit in Talal Qais Abdulmunem Al Zawawi v. Diss (In re Talal Qais Abdulmunem Al Zawawi), 97 F.4th 1244 (11th Cir. 2024), reinforcing the importance of Chapter 15 in cross-border cooperation. The firm has also helped shape the law under 28 U.S.C. § 1782, including In Application of Consorcio Ecuatoriano de Telecomunicaciones S.A. v. JAS Forwarding (USA), Inc., 747 F.3d 1262 (11th Cir. 2014), and Novalpina Cap. Partners I GP S.A.R.L. v. Read, 149 F.4th 1092 (9th Cir. 2025). Open Edward H. Davis, Jr. Founding Shareholder edavis@sequorlaw.com (+1) 305-372-8282, Ext. 228 Open Arnoldo B. Lacayo Shareholder alacayo@sequorlaw.com (+1) 305-372-8282, Ext. 230 Open Leyza B. Florin Shareholder lflorin@sequorlaw.com (+1) 305-372-8282, Ext. 300 Open Open Key contacts Key Contacts
- Andrew B. Dawson, Of Counsel | Sequor Law
Of Counsel. Harvard Law School alumnus. University of Miami Law professor. ABI Medal of Excellence. Reporter, ABI Chapter 11 Reform Commission Andrew B. Dawson Of Counsel adawson@sequorlaw.com (+1) 305-372-8282, Ext. 269 vCard Andrew B. Dawson Of Counsel adawson@sequorlaw.com (+1) 305-372-8282, Ext. 269 vCard Practice Areas Cross-Border Insolvency Federal Bankruptcy Education Harvard Law School, J.D. (2008) American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence in Bankruptcy Irving Oberman Memorial Award Williams College, B.A. (1999) Admissions New York State United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Languages English Location Miami Favorite Quote “All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope. ” – Winston Churchill Bio Media Andrew (Drew) B. Dawson, Of Counsel at Sequor Law and a professor at the University of Miami School of Law faculty, focuses his research on cross-border insolvency, as well as federal bankruptcy and labor laws, both in the corporate and municipal bankruptcy context. Previously, Drew was a Kauffman Legal Fellow at Harvard Law School, clerked for the Hon. Jane R. Roth, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and clerked for the Hon. Peter J. Walsh, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. He was also a Reporter for the Labor and Benefits Subcommittee of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11, researching ways in which the Bankruptcy Code should be modernized. Well-versed in his field, Drew has served on the Caribbean Insolvency Symposium’s advisory board and as the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Robert M. Zinman Resident Scholar. He has presented at numerous conferences, and published various peer-reviewed articles, books, essays, and blogs. Drew is admitted to practice in New York and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. At the University of Miami School of Law, he teaches Bankruptcy, Business Associations, Commercial Law: Secured Transactions, and Contracts. Asset recovery column: The long arm of the liquidating trustee – Madoff trustee reaches offshore transferees Asset Recovery Magazine – Florida Leads the Way in Development of Chapter 15 Jurisprudence University of Miami names Sequor of counsel as first bankruptcy chair Legal Prowess. Global Impact.
- Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Donation to PAWS4you Rescue| Sequor Law
Sequor Law celebrates National Pet Day by making a charitable donation to PAWS4you Rescue, a Miami nonprofit dedicated to saving abandoned animals across South Florida. Sequor Law Celebrates National Pet Day with Donation to PAWS4you Rescue Open Firm News Open April 9, 2025 2 minutes read Sequor Law Miami, Florida— In honor of National Pet Day, Sequor Law has made a charitable contribution to PAWS4you Rescue, a Miami-based nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the lives of abandoned and at-risk animals across South Florida. Founded in 2007, PAWS4you provides critical medical care, shelter, and adoption services to dogs in need. The organization relies on community support to carry out its mission of rescue, rehabilitation, and responsible pet ownership. “At Sequor Law, we believe pets are more than companions—they’re family. We’re proud to support PAWS4you’s tireless efforts to rescue and rehome animals in our community,” said Gregory S. Grossman, Founding Shareholder, Sequor Law. Mirta Segredo, Community Outreach Director at PAWS4you, expressed her appreciation: “We depend on the generosity of our donors to continue our mission. This donation from Sequor Law will help us save more lives.” This initiative is part of Sequor Law’s broader commitment to community engagement and philanthropy. The firm invites others to celebrate National Pet Day by adopting, donating, or volunteering. To learn more about PAWS4you or to get involved, visit www.paws4you.org . For a behind-the-scenes look at the furry friends who inspire us daily, visit our Pets of Sequor Law page, https://www.sequorlaw.com/pets . *** Sequor Law is an international law firm focusing on representing victims of financial fraud, including sovereign governments and state-owned enterprises, public and non-public companies, insolvency practitioners, and all manner of clients in the areas of asset recovery, financial fraud, cross-border insolvency, and international litigation and arbitration. www.sequorlaw.com . *** PAWS4you Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit, volunteer and donor-subsidized animal rescue organization based in Miami, Florida. Founded in 2007, we are a 100% no-kill shelter serving the community by rescuing abandoned and neglected animals, nurturing these animals back to health through love and state-of-the art care, and promoting healthy and enriching relationships between pet owners and their pets. PAWS4you visualizes a world where pets are safe from the threat of euthanasia and live fully in the comfort of loving homes, enhancing the lives of those around them. www.paws4you.org Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight Aug 17, 2026 3 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie... Firm News Jun 23, 2026 3 minutes Sequor Law Welcomes Attorney Carolina M. Rosso to Its Expanding International Litigation and Asset Recovery Team Sequor Law is pleased to announce that Carolina M. Rosso has joined the firm as an Attorney. Attorney Spotlight May 19, 2026 1 minute read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Noah Rosenblum 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was drawn to law because I've always enjoyed solving complicated problems and thinking.. Attorney Spotlight May 9, 2026 2 minutes read Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Michael Hanlon 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I was less drawn to law in the abstract and more..
- Sequor Law announces newly elected Partners| Sequor Law
Sequor Law announces the election of Daniel M. Coyle and Nyana A. Miller as the firm's newest Partners, recognizing their exceptional talent in asset recovery and international insolvency. Sequor Law announces newly elected Partners Open Firm News Open January 18, 2023 2 minutes read Sequor Law Daniel M. Coyle Partner at Sequor Law Nyana A. Miller Partner at Sequor Law January 18, 2023, Miami, Florida Sequor Law, a boutique, Miami-based international law firm working in the areas of asset recovery, financial fraud, insolvency and financial services litigation, both domestically and cross-border, is delighted to announce that attorneys Daniel M. Coyle and Nyana A. Miller have been elected as the firm’s newest Partners. This most recent promotion confirms the firm’s ongoing dedication to growth and its commitment to the development of attorneys. “We couldn’t be prouder in welcoming our newest class of Partners. Both Daniel and Nyana have demonstrated exceptional talent and have distinguished themselves with skill and commitment as invaluable advisors to our clients,” said founding shareholder Gregory S. Grossman. “We have no doubt they will continue to do incredible work for our clients. Elevation to Partner at our firm requires consistently delivering excellent results, but also exemplifying the principles and attributes that define a Sequor Law lawyer.” Daniel Matthias Coyle focuses his practice on bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, secured transactions, collections, executions, asset recovery and cross-border insolvency. He represents financial institutions and other creditors in bankruptcy and state court litigation, including commercial loan enforcement cases, foreclosure of commercial real property and replevin, and suits on notes and guaranties. Additionally, he represents lenders in the negotiation and documentation of workout agreements, loan restructuring, forbearance agreements and loan sale agreements. Nyana Abreu Miller focuses her practice on cross-border insolvency, marital asset recovery and financial fraud. Nyana has represented individuals, corporations and trustees seeking recognition under chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, evidence under 28 U.S.C § 1782, for use in litigation pending abroad and domestication and enforcement of foreign judgments under Florida’s Uniform Out-of-Country Foreign Money-Judgment Recognition Act. She is also fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese. “Daniel and Nyana have enhanced the reputation of the firm and reflect our relentless commitment to our clients through their pursuit of excellence, hard work and leadership. We look forward to their continued success, as we continue to build our firm,” 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 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..
- Community roundup: IWIRC gets its first Hispanic chair amid new year hires and promotions| Sequor Law
Sequor Law's Leyza B. Florin becomes IWIRC's first Hispanic Chair effective January 1, as the global insolvency and restructuring community announces new leadership and industry moves. Community roundup: IWIRC gets its first Hispanic chair amid new year hires and promotions Open In the News Open December 17, 2020 3 minutes read Sequor Law The International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC) will have its first Hispanic chair come 1 January, as a Dutch firm hires from Loyens & Loeff, and Vinson & Elkins and Cooley promote in New York. Leyza B. Florin , a shareholder at Miami-based cross-border insolvency and asset recovery boutique Sequor Law, will become the first Hispanic chair of IWIRC’s board at the start of next year, after serving as vice-chair in 2020 under the outgoing chair, PwC partner Michelle Pickett in Ontario. Blanco’s new vice-chair is Lowenstein Sandler counsel Jennifer Kimble in New York, who is currently IWIRC’s secretary. Kimble will be replaced in the secretary role by Boston-based Marjorie Kaufman of management consulting firm Getzler Henrich & Associates, who is currently finance director. The current vice finance director, Karen Fellowes QC at Stikeman Elliott in Vancouver, will also now graduate into the directors’ role, while a new member of IWIRC’s executive board, Troutman Pepper partner Evelyn Meltzer in Wilmington, Delaware, will be appointed vice finance director. Fellowes joined Stikeman Elliott in July from DLA Piper, and is a former winner of IWIRC’s Fetner Award, which is given each year to an outstanding international member. Blanco – herself an IWIRC founders award-winner in 2019 – said she was “honoured” to have been named IWIRC’s next chair. “I will be a steward to the IWIRC mission and continue to make IWIRC accessible to everyone, increasing diversity and helping our worldwide members connect and forge productive relationships,” she said. In an inaugural speech delivered on 15 December at a hybrid in-person and virtual event for IWIRC’s 2020 Rising Star Award – an honour presented to Sequor Law attorney Nyana Miller , who is the first Latin America regional chair on IWIRC’s international board – Blanco said the chaos of this pandemic year had actually delivered “a silver-lining” in the form of online events. She jokingly thanked covid-19 for uncovering “this extra arrow in our quiver” and pledged to use virtual events to drive focus on inclusion, labelling them “an invaluable tool to help us in our mission – to connect women worldwide”. Speaking to GRR, Blanco notes that the past three years have seen IWIRC add Brazil, Latin America and Korea networks to its ranks, and that it is her ambition to work on expanding the European network and developing new networks during her time as chair. “Efforts are already in the works for the development of networks in New Zealand, Ireland, Dubai, South Africa and Pacific Northwest,” Blanco says. “It is my hope that women from across the globe who are not already represented in an IWIRC network will have a network to join and participate with IWIRC in the promotion of women in the insolvency field worldwide,” she adds, noting that anyone interested in joining or forming a new IWIRC network is welcome to get in touch with her directly. Blanco joined Sequor law in mid-2018 from GrayRobinson in Miami, alongside another shareholder, Fernando Menendez . She regularly works on international litigation and insolvency matters relating to the US and Latin America, especially Chapter 15 recognition cases. In November, she asked the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida to recognise the most recent liquidator of Ukrainian bank PJSC Bank Finance and Credit, following a series of different appointments in the wake of the bank’s licence being revoked in 2015. She is also the regular author of GRR’s asset recovery column . Click here to read the full article. Open Back to all Entries Share this article Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link Latest News & Insights Open Open Attorney Spotlight 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..
- Joseph B. Rome Wins ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE Essay Competition| Sequor Law
Sequor Law's Joseph B. Rome wins ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE's 2nd Future Thought Leaders Essay Competition, with his essay on the future of fraud, insolvency, and asset recovery in 2023. Joseph B. Rome Wins ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE Essay Competition Open Awards & Recognition Open January 19, 2023 1 minute read Sequor Law Congratulations to our very own Joseph B. Rome who was selected by ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE as the winner of its 2nd Edition of the Future Thought Leaders Essay Competition ! His essay, which will be published in an upcoming issue of the magazine, addresses the topic of where the industry is headed in 2023 by focusing on N Click the image below to read his full essay. 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..
- WWL Thought Leaders Global Elite - Edward H. Davis Jr. Q&A| Sequor Law
Edward H. Davis Jr. discusses cross-border financial fraud, asset tracing, and modern asset recovery challenges in his WWL Thought Leaders Global Elite Q&A. WWL Thought Leaders Global Elite - Edward H. Davis Jr. Q&A Open Awards & Recognition Open August 25, 2022 2 minutes read Sequor Law In the complex world of cross-border financial fraud and asset tracing , experience and strategic insight are essential. In his ThoughtLeaders interview (featured in the Sequor Law article PDF), Founding Shareholder Edward H. Davis Jr. shares his perspective on what drives modern asset recovery practice and the evolving challenges practitioners face as fraudsters exploit increasingly sophisticated structures and technologies. Davis’s reflections are grounded in more than three decades of international litigation and investigative work representing victims of fraud , corruption , Ponzi schemes and other misappropriations of funds around the globe . The article weaves together Ed’s professional journey with grounded commentary on the issues shaping asset recovery today. He explains why he chose this practice area — to make a measurable difference in people’s lives by unravelling the complex legal and factual webs fraudsters set up to conceal assets. He also describes the kinds of cases that regularly come across his desk, noting that while traditional investment and corporate fraud remain core concerns, crypto-asset and internet-based frauds are increasingly front and center. A recurring theme of the piece is the interplay between legal systems and global reality. Davis identifies jurisdictional hurdles — including the reluctance of some legal systems to treat information as an asset recoverable in a tracing exercise — as among the greatest obstacles in international practice. This observation underscores the fact that asset recovery is as much about navigating foreign legal cultures and procedural norms as it is about understanding the underlying wrongdoing. The interview also touches on how technological tools are reshaping the practice. Davis points out that while emerging technologies are not yet “game changers,” they are helping practitioners uncover bank relationships and other data that were previously more difficult to access — leveling the playing field in key respects. Finally, Davis offers practical career insights for young lawyers interested in the field, emphasizing that direct experience and mentorship are irreplaceable for mastering the judgment and tactical skills required in high-stakes, highly international disputes . For a frontline look at the mindset and practical considerations of one of the field’s most experienced asset recovery lawyers , we encourage you to read the full interview in the PDF below. 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..
- Bankruptcy & Insolvency | Chapter 15 | Sequor Law
Led by two Chambers & Partners Band 1-ranked partners in Bankruptcy Litigation. Filed Florida's first Chapter 15. More Chapter 15 cases than any other firm. GRR 100 Bankruptcy & Insolvency Sequor Law represents clients in most aspects of bankruptcy and insolvency law both domestically and with insolvencies based outside the United States. The firm leverages unparalleled experience in connection with Chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code. Global Authority in Cross-Border Insolvency & Chapter 15 Practice Sequor Law provides comprehensive representation in all major aspects of bankruptcy and insolvency law, both in domestic and cross-border matters. In cross-border matters, the firm represents foreign-appointed fiduciaries responsible for the restructuring or liquidation of companies and individuals abroad. Sequor Law regularly appears in courts throughout the United States on behalf of foreign representatives. Having filed more Chapter 15 cases than any other firm , including the first Chapter 15 case ever filed in Florida, Sequor Law is consistently recognized as a leader in international insolvency and cross-border restructuring. Our attorneys frequently present at major conferences across North America, Latin America, Europe, and beyond on insolvency, Asset Recovery, and multi-jurisdictional enforcement. Sequor Law has been counsel in a substantial number of the Southern District of Florida’s reported Chapter 15 decisions, reinforcing its standing as one of the most experienced firms in cross-border insolvency nationwide. In In re Zawawi, the Eleventh Circuit held that 11 U.S.C. § 109 does not apply to Chapter 15, confirming that recognition is available even when a foreign debtor lacks residence, domicile, a place of business, or property in the United States. That decision is particularly significant because it ensures foreign representatives may obtain recognition and access essential discovery and enforcement tools without first establishing a U.S. nexus. The firm has handled Chapter 15 matters arising from jurisdictions including Antigua, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Canada, the Cayman Islands, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Romania. Sequor Law has also served as lead counsel in recognition proceedings filed in foreign courts, including Australia, Colombia, the Isle of Man, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Precedent-Setting Litigation Shaping Cross-Border Insolvency Law In U.S. bankruptcy cases, Sequor Law represents creditors and other parties in interest across all phases of the proceeding. The firm regularly advocates for lenders in contested matters involving: Cash collateral disputes Valuation issues Motions for relief from the automatic stay and related defenses Plan treatment and confirmation challenges Competing reorganization plan proposals Sequor Law also defends clients in avoidance actions and represents creditors pursuing objections to dischargeability. Strategic Advocacy For Creditors In U.S. Bankruptcy Proceedings Representative Representative Cases One of the Largest Ponzi Schemes in History Sequor Law represents the Joint Liquidators for Stanford International Bank, Ltd. (“SIB”) (in Liquidation). SIB, a bank located in Antigua that primarily sold certificates of deposit, played a central role in a worldwide Ponzi scheme, the second largest in history, perpetrated by Robert Allen Stanford, with losses to depositors estimated to exceed US$4.4 billion. Since May 12, 2011, when Marcus Wide and Hugh Dickson of Grant Thornton were appointed Joint Liquidators of the SIB estate in Antigua, Sequor Law has acted as co-general counsel with Caribbean counsel in global Asset Recovery efforts that have included recovering US$3.2 million from Panama, US$20 million from the United Kingdom, freezing assets in Antigua & Barbuda valued at US$212 million, launching a formal claims process, pursuing claims related to approximately US$330 million in frozen assets in Canada, Switzerland, and the U.K., filing damages claims valued at approximately US$5 billion against a Canadian bank, and initiating recovery efforts in Colombia against law firms and financial institutions. Sequor Law also initiated a Chapter 15 recognition proceeding in Dallas, Texas, and later helped the U.S. Judicial Administrator, the SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Joint Liquidators, and others reach a global agreement and cross-border protocol. First Chapter 15 Cross-Border Insolvency Case in Florida Involving Central American Banking Group Sequor Law represents Bancafe International Bank (in Liquidation) (“BIB”). After the failure of Banco Cafeteros de Guatemala, BIB, a Barbados entity with extensive operations in Guatemala and assets in the United States, entered bankruptcy in Barbados. Acting for the custodian, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sequor Law filed the first Chapter 15 case in Florida and obtained recognition of the Barbados liquidation as the main foreign proceeding. The matter has included extensive discovery in the United States and recoveries that include more than US$54 million from a REFCO bankruptcy claim and approximately US$1 million from a New York account. Chapter 15 Case Stemming from One of the Largest Banking Failures in Brazilian History Sequor Law represents the judicial administrator of Banco Santos, S.A. (in Liquidation). After an investigation revealed a theft of more than US$1 billion through a multi-country scheme, Sequor Law initiated a Chapter 15 proceeding. The corresponding recognition helped secure valuable evidence in the United States and elsewhere and supported the recovery of artwork valued in the millions, along with additional multi-million-dollar recoveries through a confidential ancillary settlement. Brazilian Cross-Border Insolvency Case with More than 300 Related Debtors Sequor Law represents Petroforte Brasileiro de Petróleo Ltda. (“Petroforte”) (in Liquidation). After Petroforte entered insolvency proceedings in Brazil and the bankruptcy was extended to more than 300 entities and individuals, Sequor Law obtained deposition testimony and documentary evidence in the United States and pursued analogous proceedings in the Caribbean and Central America. The evidence supported the Judicial Administrator’s efforts in Brazil and may support additional recovery litigation, including through Chapter 15. Open Gregory S. Grossman Founding Shareholder ggrossman@sequorlaw.com (+1) 305-372-8282, Ext. 235 Open Leyza B. Florin Shareholder lflorin@sequorlaw.com (+1) 305-372-8282, Ext. 300 Open Fernando J. Menendez, Jr. Shareholder fmenendez@sequorlaw.com (+1) 305-372-8282, Ext. 299 Open Open Key contacts Key Contacts
- Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso | Sequor Law
Sequor Law attorney Carolina Monroy Rosso on creativity in cross-border asset recovery, her path from Bolivia to Miami, and the mentor who shaped her career. Attorney Spotlight – Get to Know Carolina M. Rosso Open Attorney Spotlight Open August 17, 2026 3 minutes read Sequor Law “Pour faire de grandes choses, il ne faut pas être un si grand génie ; il ne faut pas être au-dessus des hommes ; il faut être avec eux.” – Montesquieu, Pensées , no. 1083 This quote captures what leadership means to me: not standing above people or merely directing them from the front, but working alongside them—a lesson I experienced firsthand while leading Unidad Para Bolivia, where some of the most meaningful moments were spent side by side with our volunteers packing food, loading trucks, traveling to remote communities, getting stuck in the mud along the way, and doing whatever work was necessary, together, to turn our shared purpose into tangible help for others. 1. What inspired you to pursue a law career? I have always been fascinated by law, justice, and the machinery that allows societies, communities, and nations to function cohesively through the protection of individual freedoms and the creation of conditions necessary for peace, stability, development, and economic prosperity. To me, the law is one of the fundamental building blocks that make this possible. I am from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, but I grew up between Paris, London, and Miami, which gave me the opportunity to experience very different societies and legal systems firsthand—some more functional than others. As I came of age, I became particularly drawn to Rousseau’s Social Contract and, more broadly, to the political thought of the Enlightenment: how societies are formed, how power should be distributed, how individual freedoms can be protected, and how laws and institutions can be structured in a way that actually works. One thing became very clear to me through those experiences: where the rule of law is strong and institutions function effectively, people have a greater ability to build, create, invest, and prosper; in turn, the country as a whole enjoys greater stability, economic growth, and development. To me, these things are deeply interconnected and, in many ways, form a self-reinforcing cycle. I also became fascinated by the architecture of constitutional government—the separation of powers, checks and balances, and the recognition that institutions must be designed with an understanding of human ambition and fallibility. I chose to study law in the United States because of its extraordinary constitutional tradition and because I hope, throughout my career, to carry some of those lessons with me and ultimately contribute to the continued development of my own country, Bolivia. For me, practicing law is a way of becoming part of that institutional machinery—helping give the “social contract” practical effect, ensuring that the rule of law has meaning beyond theory, and helping provide people with a mechanism through which their rights can actually be protected and vindicated. 2. Why did you choose the areas of law that you practice? I was drawn to international litigation and asset recovery because they bring together many of the reasons I became a lawyer in the first place: the pursuit of justice, the fight against corruption and wrongdoing, and the opportunity to help restore assets to those from whom wealth was wrongfully taken—individuals, institutions, and sometimes even entire nations. Having grown up across different countries and cultures, I have seen how profoundly corruption and the rule of law—or lack thereof—can affect people’s lives and a country’s development. Our practice allows me to work at the intersection of those issues—to pursue wrongdoers across borders, untangle complex international problems, and help clients recover what was taken from them. I find that incredibly meaningful and impactful. 3. What skills do you draw upon when it comes to your specific practice areas? Creativity. Of course, legal knowledge and rigorous analysis are fundamental, but I think one of the most important skills in our practice is, indeed, creativity . The matters we handle rarely come with a simple roadmap. One must synthesize complicated facts, different legal systems, procedural tools, jurisdictions, and sometimes entirely novel issues in developing a path forward. That requires being willing to think differently and innovatively—building arguments that have not been made before, identifying avenues others may not have considered, or combining existing legal tools in new ways to solve problems. I think that creativity is one of the things that makes this work so interesting and one of the qualities that makes Sequor so distinctive. Further, I believe my international background also plays an important role. Speaking four languages and having lived in different countries allow me to feel very comfortable working across cultures, communicating with people from varied backgrounds, and approaching international matters with an appreciation for the different cultural, institutional, and legal contexts in which problems arise. 4. What is the most rewarding part about your job? The most rewarding part is helping vindicate the rights of others—taking a difficult problem, finding a solution, and seeing that work have a tangible impact. As so much of our practice is international, that impact can extend far beyond one courtroom or one jurisdiction, which makes the opportunity to pursue accountability and help those seeking redress particularly meaningful to me. I truly love the idea that our efforts can make a difference across borders. 5. Tell us about a mentor who made an impact on your career. My greatest mentor has unquestionably been my mom—Mama, as I call her. She is a lawyer, an extraordinarily strong woman, and, first and foremost, a mother—a single mother who sacrificed enormously to raise me while building her own career, always putting me at the forefront of her priorities and creating invaluable opportunities that helped shape me into who I am today. What she gave me went far beyond education or professional opportunity. Growing up, our conversations constantly shaped the way I thought about ethics, honor, responsibility, history, culture, and what it means to do the right thing even when doing so is difficult. She gave me the extraordinary privilege of seeing the world, understanding different cultures, learning from history, pursuing sports and the arts, and never stopping being curious. None of that came without sacrifice, however. She accomplished it through years of extraordinary work, discipline, and determination—and she did it alone. Whatever ambition, resilience, energy, and deep sense of responsibility I bring to my own career has, in one way or another, its roots in her example. 6. If you weren’t practicing law, what would you be doing? I would likely be trying to make a difference in Bolivia. In 2019, I founded Unidad Para Bolivia, a pro-democracy civic movement built around the idea of bringing Bolivians together—both within the country and across the world—in order to contribute to Bolivia’s fight for democratic rule and stability, while also working toward its broader social and economic progress. Over time, that mission extended from civic initiatives and raising awareness to humanitarian work, including the aid projects we carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. For me, contributing to Bolivia was never only about advocating for stronger democratic institutions; it was also about finding tangible ways to help its people and contribute to their well-being. If I were not practicing law, I imagine I would be devoting my time to building or doing something that could have a positive impact in my country—and, hopefully, my efforts would contribute to Bolivia’s democratic, social, and economic development. 7. What might people be surprised to learn about you? People who know me primarily through law might be surprised by how much of my life is also creative, in the artistic sense. I love fashion and have a small design project through which I create pieces and accessories. I have always had a strong connection to the arts—I sing, play the piano, draw and paint, and generally love the process of creating something that did not exist before. I think that creative side of me is actually more connected to my legal work than it might initially appear. Whether I am working through a difficult legal problem or designing something, I enjoy starting with disparate elements and figuring out how to bring them together into something coherent, original, and effective. 8. What is a good book or article you read recently? I have recently been reading Aristotle’s Rhetoric , which was a law school graduation gift from a very good friend. I find it fascinating that, more than two thousand years later, so much of Aristotle’s thinking about persuasion, credibility, logic, emotion, and understanding one’s audience remains directly relevant to advocacy. What I enjoy most is its reminder that strong advocacy is not only about having the right argument, but also understanding how to communicate it clearly, effectively, and persuasively. 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..










