Insights | Kobre & Kim — Disputes and Investigations

Client Alert July 17, 2025

Managing Cross-Border Risks Amid Renewed U.S. FCPA Enforcement

The U.S. Government’s latest guidance marks a renewed focus on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement following a temporary pause.
Companies operating across borders should proactively assess their exposure; strengthening compliance, identifying vulnerabilities, and managing reputational risks are key to navigating this evolving landscape.

Publications July 16, 2025

Sydney Johnson with ZeroShadow on How Industry Leaders Can Change Crypto Freezes and Recovery

Kobre & Kim’s Sydney Johnson shared her expertise on recovery of stolen crypto assets with zeroShadow in a recent article titled “North Korea Laundered $1 Billion of Crypto in 4 Months. How Industry Leaders Can Change Crypto Freezes and Recovery.”

Client Alert July 11, 2025

Russian Entities Seek Arbitration in Hong Kong’s Neutral Forum

As Western sanctions limit access to traditional dispute resolution forums for parties from Russia and other sanctioned jurisdictions, entities are increasingly turning to Hong Kong for cross-border arbitration.
With its neutral legal environment, absence of local sanctions, and global enforceability of awards under the New York Convention, Hong Kong offers a strategic and practical alternative—particularly for sensitive, high-stakes disputes and those involving offshore asset structures.

Client Alert July 3, 2025

Chinese Infrastructure Investors Can Effectively Challenge Sovereign Debtors

Chinese investors are playing an increasingly significant role in sovereign-related investments worldwide, especially in Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
This raises enforcement challenges linked to sovereign immunity.
Investors and claimants facing sovereign debtors should adopt bold, non-traditional strategies beyond litigation to effectively protect their interests and navigate these complexities.

Publications July 2, 2025

Michael Ng and Daniel Zaheer Discuss Strategies Following Busted M&A Deals

Michael Ng and Daniel Zaheer discussed Kobre & Kim’s strategies for parties harmed by misconduct following cross-border merger and acquisition deals, including misuse of confidential information, in a feature interview with Israel Desks.

Client Alert June 26, 2025

Cross-Border Tools for Korean Creditors Seeking Recovery from Brazilian Debtors

As economic ties between Brazil and Korea deepen, Korean companies may face challenges enforcing judgments or arbitration awards against Brazilian counterparts.
Given the complexities of Brazil’s legal system, Korean creditors should consider a multijurisdictional strategy—leveraging offshore jurisdictions and U.S. legal mechanisms—to improve enforcement outcomes and navigate the process more effectively.

Client Alert June 20, 2025

Non-U.S. Creditors Can Crack Delaware’s Domestic Asset Protection Trusts

Delaware’s Domestic Asset Protection Trusts (DAPTs) have earned the state a reputation as a premier jurisdiction for shielding assets from creditors.
These trusts attract individuals and entities around the world seeking strong legal protections.
While international creditors may view asset recovery efforts in Delaware as daunting, it is possible to overcome these protections with a strategic, multijurisdictional approach.

Publications June 17, 2025

Jef Klazen Offers Insight on International Judgment Enforcement in the Daily Journal

Kobre & Kim’s Jef Klazen was recently quoted in the Daily Journal article titled "Ukrainian chemical company asks Sacramento court to enforce $275.8M verdict against Russia”.

Publications June 13, 2025

Kobre & Kim Recognized in 9fin’s Private Credit Enforcement Series for Cross-Border Asset Recovery Work

Kobre & Kim’s reputation as a leading law firm for complex judgment-enforcement actions in the private credit market is spotlighted across both installments of 9fin’s recent investigative series focusing on the private credit space.

Client Alert June 12, 2025

Reducing Chinese Entities’ Risks as U.S. Scrutiny Grows

Chinese companies and individuals with ties to the U.S. face increasing regulatory and enforcement risks.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are expected to intensify their investigations and enforcement efforts
Those potentially affected should act early and decisively to mitigate exposure, navigate emerging challenges, and safeguard commercial opportunities.

Client Alert June 5, 2025

Navigating Distressed Situations in the Growing Private Credit Market

As private debt continues to grow rapidly as a global asset class, investors and asset managers must remain vigilant to the increasing risks that accompany this expansion.
With deal complexity on the rise, these risks are particularly acute in cross-border, high-value credit arrangements.
A coordinated multi-jurisdictional strategy enables creditors to secure more substantial leverage in pursuit of favorable recoveries in response to defaults.

Client Alert May 29, 2025

Kobre & Kim Enforces Over US $2 Billion in Distressed Bonds

The changing business environment has exacerbated financial challenges, eroding asset values, and driven a spike in defaults. Large distressed debt positions cannot always be monetized through consensual restructurings.
Over the past 24 months, Kobre & Kim has enforced distressed debt, including offshore US dollar bonds, valued at more than US $2 billion in jurisdictions that span Asia, the Middle East, Offshore, North America, and Latin America.
To successfully monetize credit, it is essential to deploy strategies that leverage a combination of cross-border asset recovery in onshore and offshore jurisdictions, as well as creative out-of-court approaches to facilitate the voluntary resolution of claims.

Publications May 28, 2025

Steven Kobre with the New York Law Journal on Why Law Firms are Shifting to Alternative Fee Structures

Contingency and success-based alternative fee structures are becoming more prominent as law firms align with clients who want shared risk and reward in complex litigation. Kobre & Kim’s Steven Kobre shared his insight with the New York Law Journal at a recent roundtable hosted by Burford Capital.

Client Alert May 22, 2025

Dubai and Abu Dhabi Courts Widen Door for Creditors in the UAE

A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Dubai Courts and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts marks a significant step forward for creditors seeking to enforce claims in the UAE.
By establishing mutual recognition of judgments and awards, the MoU brings greater clarity to a legal landscape long seen as complex and uncertain.
In light of this progress, creditors operating in the UAE should consider proactive strategies to enhance their recovery prospects across both offshore and onshore systems.

Client Alert May 19, 2025

Kobre & Kim Represents Debtors in Defending Against the Enforcement of More Than US $10 Billion in Claims

Kobre & Kim has effectively supported judgment debtors navigating the financial, legal, and strategic challenges associated with adverse judgments, arbitration awards, and defaulted bonds and loans.
By mitigating enforcement risks while minimizing the need for significant financial outlays, the firm reduced the value of claims by more than US $10 billion.
Withstanding a proactive creditor requires a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional approach leveraging an aggressive set of cross-border tools, as our team described below.