International Private Client

Kobre & Kim provides offensive and defensive cross-border litigation and crisis management strategies to ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) with global business interests, to preserve their assets, liberty and reputation. Our team of former U.S. government lawyers and commercial litigators have a proven track record of coordinating multi-jurisdictional offensive, counter-offensive and defensive strategies on behalf of international private clients in anticipation, or as a result of, high-stakes civil and criminal proceedings and investigations aimed at asset forfeiture or confiscation. Our multidimensional approach to UHNWI disputes, which includes the deployment of both in-court and out-of-court strategies, is the premier solution for resolving business disputes and sovereign-driven investigations, tracing and recovering misappropriated funds, defending against asset attacks, as well as acquiring and strategically deploying information to provide UHNWIs with a commercial advantage in their disputes and investigations.

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Events May 12, 2023

Evelyn Sheehan Explores U.S. Jurisdictional Developments Regarding Offshore Trusts in STEP Caribbean Conference

The United States, Canada and the United Kingdom are key jurisdictions for offshore private wealth practitioners, especially when their clients are at risk of becoming – or have already become – embroiled in a contentious cross-border dispute. Kobre & Kim’s Evelyn Sheehan, who focuses on representing international private clients, their families and trustees in cross-border litigation, investigations and enforcement actions, discussed critical developments affecting offshore trusts during the STEP Caribbean Conference in Panama.

How Israeli, Middle Eastern and African Individuals Should Respond to Criminal Allegations from Foreign Governments

Israeli and other Middle Eastern and African nationals are increasingly at risk as U.S. and Western enforcement agencies aggressively pursue cross-border actions, in many cases based on incomplete facts.
With cooperation from countries like Israel, those targeted can risk their assets, reputation and liberty if they are not adequately prepared.
We explain what steps individuals can take to push back and get the facts straight.

Politically Exposed Persons Should Preemptively Manage Risks from A Regime Change

The tumultuous power transfer in Brazil has sparked investigations into the new administration’s political opponents.
This is an example of a larger global trend where regime change may result in politically motivated investigations, threatening a politically exposed person’s liberty, reputation and assets.
Our team walks through proactive steps those at risk can take to protect themselves.

How Offshore Trustees and Beneficiaries Can Mitigate Serious Risks of a Sanctions Violation

Governments have increased focus on third parties – including offshore trustees – as they look to enforce their sanctions regimes.
This increases the risk trustees could become embroiled in an accusation of violating sanctions.
Trustees should take proactive, globally comprehensive measures to reduce their risk and avoid a cross-border crisis.

Polly Wilkins, Adriana Riviere-Badell and Vicky Kay Discuss Asset Defense for African HNWIs with Oraro & Co.

Defense of wealth against litigation threats is increasingly an area of concern for many high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in Africa, and in particular, women in business have unique concerns over their assets. In collaboration with Oraro & Company Advocates, Kobre & Kim’s Polly Wilkins, Adriana Riviere-Badell and Vicky Kay examined how HNWIs and their advisors can navigate potential threats to their wealth during a panel discussion in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 10.

Stopping the “Snowball Effect” of a Reputation Under Attack

Reputation is both a highly valuable and sensitive asset for ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs), and is constantly at risk.
A strategically placed narrative aimed at undermining an individual’s commercial or political objectives can “snowball” to impact many aspects of their personal and professional lives.
We explain how defensive and proactive strategies can be deployed to defend an UHNWI’s reputation, demonstrate their source of wealth and protect their freedom of movement around the world.

Polly Wilkins, Evelyn Sheehan, Nicholas Surmacz Recognized in Private Client Global Elite

The Private Client Global Elite has included Polly Wilkins, Evelyn Sheehan and Nicholas Surmacz among its list of the world’s top private client lawyers advising high-net-worth individuals.

Vicky Kay Attends UK-Tanzania Business Forum

Mirroring the rest of the East Africa region, Tanzania has experienced a healthy rate of economic expansion in recent decades, presenting opportunities for foreign investors that deliver sustainable mutual prosperity and growth. Kobre & Kim’s Product Director for International Private Client, Vicky Kay, joined the UK-Tanzania Business Forum on November 29, 2022, to engage with local and foreign businesses in discussions on how to leverage these opportunities and address the challenges facing stakeholders in the region.

Two Ways the Art World Could Get Swept into the Sanctions Orbit

Global sanctions targeting, among others, Russian individuals and entities are layering on top of anti-money laundering measures.
These will directly impact players in the art market, raising their litigation and enforcement risks.
We explain two particular triggers stakeholders should be aware of.

How Chinese Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals Can Protect Their Global Wealth from Seizure in a High-Tension World

As geopolitical tensions heighten, Chinese ultra-high-net-worth individuals may become increasingly at risk of becoming the target of forfeiture by hostile foreign governments.
Governments around the world have shown increasing willingness to go after assets owned by those in disfavored jurisdictions.
By deploying a coordinated global strategy, Chinese UHNWIs can lawfully defend their legitimately earned wealth.

Kobre & Kim’s International Private Client Practice Recognized in Numerous Categories by The Legal 500 UK 2023

The Legal 500 has recognized Kobre & Kim in several categories in the leading legal market ranking publication’s 2023 list United Kingdom firms.

Kobre & Kim, Martin De Luca and Gabriela Ruiz Recognized for International Corporate Crime & Investigations in Chambers and Partners Brazil Guide

The inaugural Chambers and Partners Brazil Legal Guide 2022 has placed Kobre & Kim highly in its ranking of “Corporate Crime & Investigation (International Firms)” in recognition of the firm’s “extensive experience in cross-border disputes and investigations.”

Law.com International Profiles Kobre & Kim’s “Thriving” Brazil Office

Kobre & Kim’s launch and expansion of its São Paulo office during the height of the pandemic in 2020 has paid dividends, according to Kobre & Kim’s Gabriela Ruiz and Leonardo Palhares when they sat down with Law.com International, highlighting the firm’s thriving regional business, ability to represent large Brazilian companies and individuals globally when litigation arises and on-the-ground Lusophone team.

The Upcoming Brazil Election and Risks for Politically Exposed Persons

Brazil’s looming election could lead to a sharp shift in government and potentially, as part of a global trend, result in politically motivated investigations against rivals and their businesses.
These investigations can involve misconstrued allegations or undermined due process, and can threaten even overseas assets.
Our International Private Client team explains how politically exposed individuals can take proactive steps to protect their assets, liberty and reputation.

Miranda Ching and Oleg Shaulko Discuss Impact of EU Russia Sanctions on Cyprus in Global Source Event

Cyprus has long been an attractive jurisdiction for Eastern European businesses and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), but as a member of the European Union (EU), the bloc’s recent sanctions regime against Russia has impacted the local Cypriot market. How can clients and their Cypriot advisors adapt to the shifting geopolitical winds? Kobre & Kim’s Miranda Ching and Oleg Shaulko shared their insights during a cocktails and conversations event in Cyprus hosted by Global Source on October 11, 2022.

International Private Client

Events May 12, 2023

Client Alert May 10, 2023

Client Alert April 12, 2023

Client Alert March 16, 2023

Events March 15, 2023

Client Alert February 8, 2023

Accolades December 20, 2022

Events December 6, 2022

Client Alert November 30, 2022

Client Alert November 9, 2022

Accolades November 7, 2022

Accolades November 2, 2022

Publications November 2, 2022

Client Alert October 24, 2022

Events October 17, 2022