Receivership

Assisted the receivers of a liquidation trust to arrest a Cypriot registered vessel purchased with illegal funds within the context of an admiralty action. Requested a declaration that the vessel was subject to a constructive trust for the benefit of the client and further requested the rectification of the ship register to this effect.

Represented a Federal District Court receiver appointed in an SEC civil enforcement action in Texas involving an Internet-based fraudulent investment scheme that purportedly raised over US$ 100 million. Immediate action led to the freezing of accounts holding almost US$ 14 million. Forensic investigative efforts, both domestic and foreign, led to the recovery of additional monies and the freezing of a further US$ 2.7 million in Luxembourg. Recoveries also were obtained from a parallel U.S. government forfeiture proceeding, a proceeding commenced by Liechtenstein authorities, and an account uncovered in Luxembourg. As a result, the claims of over 1,400 victims were paid in full.

Assisted a Nova Scotia firm representing the court appointed receiver of a failed Caribbean bank in successfully preventing the bank from transferring a registered Panamanian vessel in order to avoid payment of mortgage debt.