LBKM Quarterly Newsletter | April 2024

ACHIEVEMENTS & ACCOLADES

OFAC de-lists vessel erroneously linked to Russian oligarch

Eric Lewis and Solomon Shinerock successfully petitioned OFAC to remove a vessel from the SDN list. The vessel had been listed pursuant to Executive Order 14024, relating to the Russian sanctions program, due to a misidentification of ownership. [Read more]

Cristián Francos ranked in WWL: Investigations 2024

Who's Who Legal (WWL) has again recognized Cristián Francos as a global leader in the field of investigations. WWL highlights lawyers at the forefront of the investigations field, spanning white-collar crime, corporate compliance, and regulatory enforcement. [Read more]

Tim Taylor KC recognized for Dispute Resolution in the 2024 Chambers Global Guide

Chambers lauds Tim Taylor KC for his expertise in Dispute Resolution in the United Arab Emirates. The 2024 Global Guide notes Tim's "many years' experience of litigation work in the DIFC Courts, taking on the full gamut of international disputes, and serving clients from such sectors as financial services, hospitality, and food and beverages." [Read more]

Aisha Bembry re-selected to the National Black Lawyers Top 100

LBKM Managing Partner Aisha Bembry has again been selected by The National Black Lawyers for inclusion in its list of Top 100 lawyers in Washington, DC. The National Black Lawyers is an invitation-only professional development and networking association comprised of the top African American attorneys from across the country. [Read more]

John Moscow to receive Collegiate School's Alumni Volunteer Award

On May 3, 2024, the Collegiate School will present John Moscow with its Alumni Volunteer Award. John is on the Executive Committee of the Alumni Council and is a 1965 graduate of the school.

MEDIA & INSIGHTS

The UK must stop political refugees being attacked by agents of foreign states

An acid attack on Pakistan’s former anti-corruption minister outside his Hertfordshire home is a timely reminder of the risks that political dissidents can face, wrote Eric Lewis in The Independent. [Read more]

Crypto Compliance

Carol Van Cleef provided analysis in Money Laundering Bulletin on attempts by regulators to bring the cryptocurrency sector under AML/CFT control, as well as the dynamic frontline of sanctions enforcement. Carol also authored a chapter in the newly-published treatise, A Practical Guide to Web3, Blockchain, and Smart Contract Law, 3rd Edition.

All the president's fines

As Donald Trump faces repercussions for manipulating his net worth to gain tax and insurance advantages, Adam Kaufmann returned to NY1 to discuss the former president's hefty civil fraud trial penalty and bond struggle. Adam was also quoted in CBS News on the potential actions the New York attorney general could take if Trump fails to satisfy the judgment.

Analyzing the Trump docket

Marc Frazier Scholl provided analysis to Law360 and Business Insider on Trump's advice-of-counsel defense in his criminal hush money case, how that trial might affect the federal election interference case, the DC Circuit's rejection of the former president's immunity claims, and a potential Supreme Court challenge in the New York civil fraud case.

LBKM IN COURT

Hand over the Warhol:

La Dolce Vita Fine Dining Company Limited, et al. v. Zhang Lan, et al.

Jack Gordon and Tara Plochocki represent La Dolce Vita in arbitration enforcement proceedings. The company seeks to seize certain assets, including an Andy Warhol painting, to satisfy $142 million in arbitral awards.

The Forever Prisoner:

Abu Zubaydah v. Mitchell and Jessen

LBKM appealed the dismissal of a suit on behalf of Abu Zubaydah, the first prisoner to be waterboarded by the CIA, who has been held since 2002 and has never been charged with a crime. The suit seeks to hold accountable the CIA contractors responsible for his torture. In dismissing the case, the district court failed to address prior federal judicial opinions holding that private contractors who torture are not immune or otherwise shielded from accountability. The LBKM team, led by Solomon Shinerock, includes Eric Lewis, Alex Bedrosyan, David Short, Elizabeth Vélez, Annika Conrad, and Li Jiang. [Read more]

Argentine Amicus

Eric Lewis, Chiara Spector-Naranjo, and David Short filed an amicus brief in support of the Republic of Argentina with the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Petersen v. Argentina and a related appeal. Argentina seeks reversal of a $16.1 billion judgment awarded in two investor suits involving the nationalization of YPF SA, Argentina’s oil company. The LBKM team also includes Cristián Francos and Joy Lee. [Read more]

EVENTS

"When arbitration meets crime"

Cristián Francos co-moderated a panel on parallel proceedings at the International Bar Association's inaugural Arbitration and Criminal Law Conference in São Paulo, Brazil. [Read more]

ILFA Excellence Academy

Tim Taylor KC was in Bujumbura to participate in the International Lawyers for Africa (ILFA) Excellence Academy. ILFA aims to build legal capacity and strengthen the rule of law in Africa through placements with major law firms in the UK. Tim is the founding director.

OFAC Sanctions & Due Process

Eric Lewis gave a presentation on OFAC sanctions and due process to the International Academy of Financial Crime Litigators.

Asset recovery moot court

Tara Plochocki squared off against fellow global asset recovery practitioners in a moot court presentation at C5 and ACI's Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery conference in Miami.