Insights | Kobre & Kim — Disputes and Investigations

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to expand its aggressive enforcement efforts of non-U.S. individuals in money laundering investigations.
Recent amendments to the statute of limitations for these violations have extended the prosecution timeframe from 5 to 7 years.
At-risk individuals should take proactive steps to ensure they are protected.

As Africa's landscape continues to open new opportunities for investors in the extractive industries, challenges such as navigating high-risk jurisdictions and maintaining the support of governments and local business partners persist.
Rapid political shifts can strain or irreparably damage relationships, while adverse actions by key local business partners can create significant operational hurdles.
While the decision to operate in volatile markets can be a lucrative one, businesses and individuals can take the proactive steps below to ensure their investments stay protected.

Bad-faith opponents often use elaborate mechanisms to publicly discredit high-net-worth individuals.
Misinformation can spread across borders rapidly, resulting in reputational harm across borders and languages.
HNWIs in contentious situations should take a robust and active approach with a carefully calibrated mix of legal and communications interventions.

A new law criminalizing the demanding or receipt of payments from U.S. individuals or entities gives the U.S. Department of Justice new tools to extend its targeting of non-U.S. individuals in corruption investigations.
This puts politically connected individuals at risk of becoming subject to aggressive U.S. investigations, initiated by politically motivated domestic rivals.
At-risk individuals should take proactive steps to protect their reputations, assets and liberty.

The new administration of Javier Milei in Argentina marks a shift away from the political establishment, with his promises to purge the “political caste.”
Politically exposed persons may be at risk – new authorities around the world often engage in politically motivated investigations.
At-risk individuals and businesses should take proactive steps to protect their assets, liberty and reputation.

The U.S., UK and their allies are continuing to find tools to exert pressure on China.
Businesspeople in Greater China with global interests could become targets of financial sanctions if diplomatic relations between China and the U.S. deteriorate further.
We explain how financial and wealth advisors can mitigate the risks these clients face if they act early and decisively.

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.

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.

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.

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.