For the third time, our partner Yves Klein received the Who's Who Legal Asset Recovery Laywer of the Year Award.
Edouard Kaiflin and Natalia Hidalgo publish an article for Mondaq White-Collar Crime titled “Switzerland: Anti-Money Laundering Comparative Guide”.
Natalia Hidalgo, Yves Klein and Edouard Kaiflin published an article for ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE | TL4FIRE Magazine titled “Do you know about the swiss worldwide freezing order ?”
We are delighted to announce that our associate, Evin DURMAZ, has been elected to serve on the Executive Committee of AIJA.
David BITTON was listed by Business Today among the top 10 Swiss white-collar crime lawyers who have made a groundbreaking influence in 2023.
Full article here.
Enrico Monfrini and Yves Klein are recognized as Global Leader and Global Elite Thought Leader in Who's Who Legal AssetRecovery 2023. According to their peers, "Enrico is the godfather of asset recovery in Switzerland" and "Yves is a phenomenal lawyer with a stellar reputation".
Acquittal obtained for a dentist by David Bitton and Alessia Colucci.
The full article is available here.
David Bitton is quoted in Le Temps regarding the fall of Credit Suisse.
The full article is available here.
David Bitton discusses the consequences of the Maudet affair and the problem of gifts made to elected officials.
Find the excerpt from the RTS news here.
David Bitton is quoted in the Tribune de Genève, following the arrest of the ex-wealth manager prosecuted for embezzling some 40 million francs. He obtained a provisional release last Wednesday and shows his willingness to compensate the people harmed in this case.
The full article is available here: https://www.tdg.ch/un-gerant-de-fortune-genevois-obtient-sa-liberation-695843156895
Edouard Kaiflin et Natalia Hidalgo published an article for ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE | TL4FIRE Magazine titled “Updates on money laundering and asset recovery in Switzerland".
Monfrini Bitton Klein welcomes the new trainee lawyer Alec Pouponnot. He is mostly active in Administrative, Civil and Criminal Litigation, as well as Legal Advice. Alec speaks French, English and Italian.
Monfrini Bitton Klein welcomes the new trainee lawyer Paola Bittar. She is mostly active in Administrative, Civil and Criminal Litigation, as well as Legal Advice. Paola speaks French, English and German.
Edouard Kaiflin and Natalia Hidalgo, “Lifting the veil on consolidated bankruptcies - update on the recognition of foreign bankruptcies in Switzerland” for ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE | TL4FIRE Magazine.
Monfrini Bitton Klein welcomes the new trainee lawyer Lucile Cuccodoro. She is mostly active in Administrative, Civil and Criminal Litigation, as well as Legal Advice. Lucile speaks French, English, German and Italian.
Yves Klein has been recognized in Who's Who Legal Asset Recovery 2022 as a Global Elite Thought Leader.
Yves Klein contributed to the Switzerland chapter Law & Practice of Chambers and Partners Global Practice Guide “Enforcement of Judgments 2022”.
At Monfrini Bitton Klein, Enrico Monfrini is a legend of the Swiss market, with over 40 years of experience with asset recovery, anticorruption and a host of civil and criminal proceedings.
Yves Klein is a highly accomplished and respected name in the asset recovery space, with peers saying he is “unmissable in the Swiss market”.
We are very proud to have been ranked again in Chambers and Partners' Global-wide Asset Tracing & Recovery (Band 2), with our partner Yves Klein ranked one of the five lawyers worldwide in Band 1.
Yves Klein contributed with Antonia Motirroni to the 10th edition of the Enforcement of Judgments and Arbitral Awards of Thomson Reuters Practical Law Global.
The Q&A gives a structured overview of key practical issues concerning enforcement of arbitral awards in this jurisdiction, including the legal framework; international conventions/agreements; enforceable/excluded types of arbitral award; enforcement proceedings; challenging enforcement; appeal or challenge at the seat of arbitration; actual enforcement; interim remedies and interest; and any reform proposals.
Natalia Hidalgo and Elisa Branca published an article for Mondaq Asset Recovery and White-Collar Crime Newsfeeds titled “The Powers Of The Foreign Bankrupt Company And The Foreign Bankruptcy Administrator To Act Before The Swiss Authorities In Case Of Fraud”.
Evin Durmaz & Yves Klein published an article for Mondaq Asset Recovery Newsfeeds titled “A Swiss § 1782? Article 185a PILA And The Assistance Of Swiss Courts To Obtain Evidence In Support Of Foreign Arbitral Proceedings”
Yves Klein and Evin Durmazparticipated in the International Bar Association Anti-Corruption Conference in Paris.
Yves Klein participated in the 5th Forum on International Enforcement of Judgements & Awards (FIEJA) organised by Cambridge Forums Inc. held in Surrey.
Evin Durmaz and Natalia Hidalgo attended the ThoughtLeaders 4 FIRE conference held in Vilamoura.
Evin Durmaz also participated in the International Enforcement panel.
On 25 March 2022 Yves Klein presented with Mark Shaw of BDO and Richard Gillis of One Essex Court on ‘Spotlight on Contentious Cross-Border Insolvency and Restructuring’ at the 17th edition of the C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Geneva conference.
We were very happy to welcome again our friends and colleagues at El Faro on the occasion of the C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Geneva conference.
Natalia Hidalgo participated in the ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE | TL4FIRE Starters Essay Competition on the crossover between fraud and insolvency with an article titled 'The powers of the foreign bankrupt company and the foreign bankruptcy administrator to act before the Swiss authorities in case of fraud'.
Yves Klein was interviewed (in French) by Marc Gueniat of Le Temps on the application by Swiss banks of the sanctions adopted by the Swiss Government against Russia in connection with Ukraine.
Evin Durmaz, Natalia Hidalgo and Edouard Kaiflin participated in the FIRE Starters Global Summit organised byThoughtLeaders 4 FIRE in Dublin and MBK is proud to have sponsored the event held in Dublin.
Evin Durmaz has also participated in the panel entitled "Innovative Ways to Identify, Recover and Enforce against Assets".
We are proud to announce that Natalia Hidalgo has been promoted to Senior Associate. Admitted to the Bar in 2018, Natalia's main areas of practice are banking and financial litigation, international asset recovery, business crime proceedings, recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, arbitral awards and bankruptcy orders, and international legal assistance in civil, criminal and tax matters.
Yves Klein and Edouard Kaiflin published an article for Mondaq Asset Recovery and White Collar Crime Newsfeeds titled “Trust your standing! Standing of beneficiaries of trusts and foundations in Swiss criminal or mutual assistance proceedings”.
Natalia Hidalgo, Yves Klein et Evin Durmaz publish an article for Mondaq Asset Recovery titled "Better Than Damages: Actions For Performance Against Swiss Banks Regarding Fraudulent Transfers"
Natalia Hidalgo, Yves Klein et Evin Durmaz publish an article for Mondaq Asset Recovery titled "Hand Over The Keys To The Safe! Obligation Of Swiss Banks To Provide Information In Bankruptcy Proceedings, Including Evidence Against Themselves", the french version is available here
Monfrini Bitton Klein is listed again in Global Restructuring Review’s GRR100, featuring the world’s leading law firms for cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters.
Yves Klein co-authored the Switzerland chapter for the 9th edition of The Asset Tracing and Recovery Review, edited by Law Business Research, London.
Monfrini Bitton Klein renews its partnership with Thought Leaders 4 FIRE (Fraud. Insolvency. Recovery. Enforcement.) for a second year.
Monfrini Bitton Klein is proud to welcome back as associate Elisa Branca, who successfully passed the bar examination after completing her professional traineeship with the firm. Elisa’s main areas of practice are cross-border civil, insolvency and business crime litigation, private international law and enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards.
Monfrini Bitton Klein sponsored ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE | TL4FIRE FIRE Starters in London, which Yves Klein, Edouard Kaiflin, Natalia Hidalgo, Evin Durmaz and Elisa Branca attended.
Yves Klein chaired a workshop at ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE | TL4FIRE FIRE Starters in London on ‘Recovery and Enforcement - innovative ways to identify, recover and enforce against assets’ with Tamlyn Edmonds, Syed Rahman and Simon Hurry
Monfrini Bitton Klein welcomes the new trainee lawyer Soraya Tièche. Soraya is mostly active in Administrative, Civil and Criminal Litigation, as well as Legal Advice. Soraya speaks French, Italian and English.
David Bitton was interviewed by Fati Mansour of Le Temps about the trial on appel of Pierre Maudet; starting on October 11 before the Criminal Appeal and Revision Chamber of Geneva, in which he acts for one of the co-accused.
Who's Who Legal has ranked again David Bitton as a National and Global Leader in Business Crime Defense. David Bitton receives praise as “a genius with wide courtroom experience". He is distinguished by one impressed source as "the go-to person in business crime”.
Natalia Hidalgo, Yves Klein and Evin Durmaz published an article titled ‘Hand Over the Keys to the Safe! Swiss Banks Obligation to Provide Information in Bankruptcy Proceedings, Including Against Themselves’ for ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE | TL4FIRE Magazine.
Monfrini Bitton Klein sponsored the ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE | TL4FIRE FIRE UK: Welcome Back Summit, which Yves Klein and Evin Durmaz attended.
Yves Klein and Edouard Kaiflin publish an article for Mondaq Asset Recovery titled “Post-Brexit Enforcement Of UK Judgments In Switzerland: All Is Not Lost”.
Evin Durmaz, Yves Klein and Natalia Hidalgo publish an article for Mondaq White-Collar Crime titled “Privileged Or Not Privileged? Privilege Of Communications With Non-Swiss Lawyers In Criminal Investigations” .
Edouard Kaiflin Natalia Hidalgo and Evin Durmaz attended the 59th International Young Lawyers' Congress at AIJA Zurich.
Yves Klein contributed to the Switzerland chapters Law & Practice and Trend & Developments of Chambers and Partners' Global Practice Guide "Enforcement of Judgments 2021".
Yves Klein has been recognized in Who's Who Legal Asset Recovery 2021 as a Global Elite Thought Leader.
Peers and clients say:
"An absolute market leader"
"One of the best asset recovery lawyers I have had the pleasure of working with"
"He is very active in the field"
Monfrini Bitton Klein have been ranked in Chambers and Partners' Global-wide Asset Tracing & Recovery Rankings (Band 2):
"MONFRINI BITTON KLEIN is a market-leading asset recovery boutique."
Our partner Yves Klein is ranked in Band 1:
"Yves is a highly intelligent, skilled litigator," says a fraud lawyer, "he's the go-to Swiss litigator." A market insider adds: "Yves is an expert when it comes to Swiss aspects of a large asset tracing and recovery case. He's part of an elite group in the country." "Yves's understanding of common law proceedings, his international experience, his strategic thinking and his ability to tap into a global network of asset recovery specialists has really helped," says a client.
Yves Klein spoke on ThoughtLeaders4 FIRE's 'FIRE & ICE: Freezing the Un-Freezable' panel.
David Bitton was quoted in the Tribune de Genève on the multi-billion art dispute opposing Swiss art dealer Yves Bouvier to Russian billionaire Dmitri Rybolovlv.
Bataille sur le marché de l'art - L'ennemi juré de Bouvier crie au déni de justice
Monfrini Bitton Klein sponsored Informa Connect's Asset Recovery Americas conference, which took place virtually on 27 May 2021. Yves Klein presented on 'Criminal investigations – do they help or hinder recovery?'.
Monfrini Bitton Klein welcomes new associate Natalia Hidalgo. Her main areas of expertise are complex cross-border litigation, international asset recovery, business crime proceedings, recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, and international legal assistance in civil, criminal and tax matters. Her background in banking law enhances our team’s capacity in banking, financial and regulatory law disputes. Natalia speaks French, English and Spanish.
Monfrini Bitton Klein welcomes new associate Alessia Colucci. She acts in complex business crime and mutual assistance proceedings, cross-broder asset recovery litigation, as well as in matrimonial and probate cases. Alessia speaks French, English and Italian.
David Bitton is ranked as a Business Crime Defence National Leader in Who's Who Legal Switzerland 2021.
"David Bitton receives glowing praise as “a genius with wide courtroom experience". He is distinguished by one impressed source as "the go-to person in business crime”
Monfrini Bitton Klein have three lawyers ranked as Asset Recovery National Leaders in Who's Who Legal Switzerland 2021.
"Monfrini Bitton Klein is home to three lawyers noted in this year’s edition.
Yves Klein is a “fantastic specialist” with a wealth of insight into complex asset recovery matters.
Antonia Mottironi draws praise for being “very active in the asset recovery space and an impressive lawyer".
Enrico Monfrini receives plaudits for the breadth of his experience handling complex cross-border asset recovery cases."
David Bitton pleaded during the trial of one of the four co-defendants of former President of Geneva Government Pierre Maudet, who is accused of accepting an undue advantage as a public official.
David Bitton will represent one of the four co-defendants of former President of Geneva Government Pierre Maudet, who is accused of accepting an undue advantage as a public official.
L’heure de vérité pour Pierre Maudet et ses quatre compères.
Monfrini Bitton Klein sponsored OffshoreAlert vGLOBAL conference. Yves Klein moderated the session Offshore/Onshore Case Study: Insolvency & Global Asset Recovery.
Yves Klein and Antonia Mottironi wrote the Switzerland chapter for the 8th edition of The Asset Tracing and Recovery Review, edited by Robert Hunter, Law Business Research, London.
Monfrini Bitton Klein welcomes new associate Evin Durmaz. Her main areas of expertise are international asset recovery, white-collar crime, international investment law and mutual assistance. Her training in Swiss and international law and arbitration, and her experience in the corporate world enable her to aproach cross-border cases in a practical, multidisciplinary and multicultural manner. Evin speaks French, English, Turkish, Spanish and German.
Monfrini Bitton Klein welcomes new trainee lawyer Elisa Branca, who practices administrative, civil and criminal litigation, and legal advice. Elisa speaks French, Italian and English.
Antonia Mottironi and Yves Klein contributed to the 5th edition of the Enforcement of Judgments and Arbitral Awards in Commercial Matters Global Guide, Thomson Reuters Practical Law. The Q&A gives a structured overview of key practical issues concerning enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards in Switzerland. The chapter may be downloaded from our Publications page.
Yves Klein and Antonia Mottironi wrote the Switzerland chapter for the 7th edition of The Asset Tracing and Recovery Review, edited by Robert Hunter, Law Business Research, London.
Monfrini Bitton Klein has been ranked in Band 1 Global-wide for Asset Tracing and Recovery in Chambers and Partners inaugural Litigation Support Guide 2019:
A true specialist and global leader in the implementation and co-ordination of asset recovery based in Geneva, MONFRINI BITTON KLEIN is a litigation boutique capable of handling global recovery cases valued in the billions. They are the first port of call for any client requiring assistance in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. "They're my go-to firm, capable of running a global project. They always leave their ego at the door." "They're a real sharp-shooter in Switzerland, a key jurisdiction that's hard to operate in."
Yves Klein is among the 9 lawyers worldwide mentioned in Chambers' spotlight table:
An asset recovery lawyer at the top of his field, Yves Klein is lauded by numerous sources for his outstanding track record. Interviewees describe him as "a pioneer in the field and an eminent figure in the market" and "the leading practitioner in asset recovery."
Counsel Antonia Mottironi spoke on « Recovery of assets stemming from criminal offences: States' various remedies vs personal protection of property, in particular at a transnational level » at the AIJA - International Association of Young Lawyers Half-Year Conference in Hong Kong that will take place on 22-25 May. The conference was supported by the LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, and the UIA Union Internationale des Avocats.
Yves Klein has received the Asset Recovery Lawyer of the Year Award from Who's Who Legal.
Monfrini Bitton Klein received the Firm of the Year and Yves Klein the Lawyer of the Year Awards in the Asset Recovery category at the Who's Who Legal Switzerland Awards ceremony that took place in Zurich.
Enrico Monfrini, David Biton and Yves Klein feature in Who's Who Legal Special Report on Switzerland 2019 in the Asset Recovery, Business Crime Defense and Litigation categories.
Yves Klein and Antonia Mottironi participated in the KNect 365, Asset Recovery: Fraud Litigation, Enforcement and Contentious Insolvency Conference in Dublin. Yves Klein presented on Asset Protection Trusts: How to Break Them.
Antonia Mottironi published an article Switzerland - Overlooked Tools For Pre-Trial Evidence Outside of Criminal Proceedings in the inaugural edition of the Asset Recovery Magazine (p.25).
David Bitton was interviewed by the Tribune de Genève on his defense of one the businessmen suspected of granting an advantage to Mr. Pierre Maudet, Minister of Justice and former President of the Canton of Geneva.
Affaire Maudet : deux Libano-Genevois bientôt en prévention.
David Bitton was interviewed by Monaco Matin on the filing for annulment of the Monaco criminal proceedings against Yves Bouvier as a consequence of the probe by Monaco prosecutors into corruption and influence peddling by AS Monaco owner Dimitri Rybolovlev in his long-running dispute with the Geneva art dealer.
Annulation de la procédure : le machand d'art suisse Yves Bouvier a déposé sa demande.
David Bitton was interviewed by the Tribune de Genève on the arrest of AS Monaco owner Dimitry Rybolovlev by Monaco prosecutors in relation to a probe into corruption and influence peddling in his long-running dispute with Geneva art dealer Yves Bouvier.
Yves Klein participated in the 1st International Seminar on Asset Recovery as a Tool in Combating Fraud and Corruption of the Brazilian Institute for Asset Recovery/Instituto Brasileiro de Rastreamento de Ativos (IBRA) and presented on Conflict between criminal and insolvency proceedings/Conflito entre o procedimento criminal e falimentar
Enrico Monfrini and Yves Klein feature in the inaugural edition of Who's Who Legal Thought Leaders: Switzerland 2018, which brings together the country’s foremost practitioners across a diverse range of practice areas.
According to Who's Who Legal Special Report on Switzerland,
Yves Klein at MONFRINI BITTON KLEIN is the foremost asset recovery specialist in the Swiss market, who is “very well known” among peers as “an excellent strategist”. According to one source, “He is in the top echelon of practitioners in the field.” Enrico Monfrini is internationally recognised for his excellence when it comes to asset recovery matters, and garners praise for his work tracing the proceeds of corruption.
Monfrini Bitton Klein sponsored the Committees on Anti-Corruption, Business Crime and Criminal Law joint dinner at the IBA Annual Conference in Rome.
At the IBA Annual Conference in Rome, Yves Klein co-moderated the Mock Trial, titled The Briber’s Dilemma in Parallel Criminal, Arbitral and Civil Asset Recovery Proceedings, which took place at Italy's Supreme Court of Cassation and explored how the issues of circulation of evidence, legal profesional privilege and privilege against self incrimination are managed in criminal, arbitral and civil asset recovery proceedings by having the same persons examined by an Italian criminal court, an ICSID arbitral tribunal and the English High Court on the same set of facts. Hon. Judges of Italy's Supreme Court of Cassation Pierluigi Di Stefano and Andrea Venegoni, served respectively as Judge and as Attorney General in the Italian criminal proceedings. Sir John Goldring, President of the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal, presided over the English and ICSID hearings.
Monfrini Bitton Klein features once again prominently in Who's Who Legal 2018, in the Asset Recovery, Business Crime Defense and Litigation practice areas:
Legendary litigator Enrico Monfrini is one of Switzerland’s most eminent names in the field of asset recovery, with 40 years’ experience in complex domestic and international civil and criminal proceedings (WWL Asset Recovery).
David Bitton is a well-known figure when it comes to individual defence work, and is commended by sources for his “unwavering commitment and dedication to the client” (WWL Business Crime Defense).
Yves Klein is “a thought leader in the sphere of asset recovery”, an area in which “he demonstrates creativity and exemplary technical expertise” (WWL Asset Recovery). Yves Klein is one of the leading financial and business crime litigation lawyers working the market today (WWL Litigation).
Yves Klein and Antonia Mottironi contributed to the chapter on Switzerland of the latest edition of Thomson Reuters’ Practical Guide on Enforcement of Judgments and Arbitral Awards (2018).
Enrico Monfrini and Yves Klein were ranked by Who's Who Legal: Asset Recovery 2018, and Yves Klein was recognized as the No. 1 Asset Recovery Thought Leader in Europe, Middle-East and Africa (onshore jurisdictions):
Two practitioners from this well-known Swiss outfit are recognised, including market powerhouse Yves Klein.
Yves Klein is “a thought leader in the sphere of asset recovery”, an area in which “he demonstrates creativity and exemplary technical expertise”. Sources commend him for his “unparalleled strategic insight”, with one noting, “He is the one to go to when it comes to enforcement.”
Enrico Monfrini is widely recognised as a standout asset recovery lawyer across EMEA, and wins high praise for his expert handling of business-crime investigations, corruption and asset recovery matters.
Monfrini Bitton Klein hosted a luncheon on "Corruption and arbitration: risk and evidentiary issues" for 20 participants at the London C5 Anti-Corruption Conference on 27-28 June 2018. Yves Klein and Claire Daams were joined by Théobald Naud, of DLA Piper France LLP, Paris, and Ravinder Thukral, of Brown Rudnick LLP, London and Paris, to discuss on the issue of the existence of different rules and practices applying to the proof of corruption in parallel criminal, administrative, arbitral and civil proceedings, in particular to privilege, right against self incrimination, admissibility of evidence and publicity. On the eve of the conference, Monfrini Bitton Klein hosted an anti-corruption and asset recovery dinner at the Swan, in the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
Yves Klein and Claire Daams presented at the IBA 16th Anti-Corruption Conference in Paris on 12 and 13 June 2018 on “How to recover assets but avoid confronting the corrupt politician directly” and “Self-reporting and legal professional privilege in the context of bribery investigations”. Monfrini Bitton Klein sponsored the conference dinner.
Yves Klein and Antonia Mottironi participated in the Forum on International Enforcement of Judgements and Awards (FIEJA) in Surrey from 3 to 5 June 2018.
This round-table discussion allowed more than 40 specialists from common and civil law jurisdictions to debate on the latest developments in the area. Yves Klein and Antonia Mottironi presented the latest developments of Swiss case law regarding the attachment of future claims in commodity trading, the enforcement of an arbitral award against a non party through the lifting of the corporate veil, the access of a defendant in criminal proceedings to a bankruptcy file and the new provisions on the recognition of foreign insolvencies in the Swiss Private International Law Act.
David Bitton was interviewed on the arrest, ordered by Geneva Public Prosecutor Stéphane Grodecki, of an English solicitor for willful defamation, breach of professional secrecy, contempt of court and attempt of extorsion and coercion, for having sent defamatory information to foreign authorities about his former client, a Swiss oil company. Un avocat anglais arrêté à Genève pour chantage
Who's Who Legal Special Report on Switzerland has just been published.
The Asset Recovery section prominently features our partners Enrico Monfrini and Yves Klein: Yves Klein at MONFRINI BITTON KLEIN is the foremost asset recovery specialist in the Swiss market, who is “very well known” among peers as “an excellent strategist”. According to one source, “He is in the top echelon of practitioners in the field.” Enrico Monfrini is internationally recognised for his excellence when it comes to asset recovery matters, and garners praise for his work tracing the proceeds of corruption.
David Bitton is recognized in the Business Crime Defense section: David Bitton is a well-known figure when it comes to individual defence work, and is commended by sources for his “unwavering commitment and dedication to the client”.
Antonia Mottironi joined the Insolvency Commission of the International Association of Young Lawyers AIJA.
"AIJA is the only global association devoted to lawyers and in-house counsel aged 45 and under. Since 1962 AIJA provides outstanding international opportunities for young lawyers to network, learn and develop".
Monfrini Bitton Klein welcomes new associate Edouard Kaiflin, who practices civil and criminal litigation, notably international asset recovery, enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards and white collar crime. He speaks French, English, Spanish and German.
On Thursday 12 April, Claire Daams and Yves Klein presented on La conformité à l’ordre public et l’exécution des sentences arbitrales en Europe, in a session chaired by Florence Richard, with Emilie Gonin, Hakim Boularbah and Guy Lepage at the breakfast organized by the ICC International Court of Arbitration and La Française International Claims Collection during the Paris Arbitration Week.
Yves Klein and Claire Daams chaired a panel on Arbitration and Corruption during the Zurich C5 Anti-Corruption Conference, 19-21 March 2018. They were joined by Balz Gross, of Homburger, Zurich, and Ravinder Thukral, of Brown Rudnick LLP, London and Paris to discuss about applicable legal and procedural principles, the gathering and use of evidence and public v. private interest.
Monfrini Bitton Klein was once again recognized by Chambers and Partners as a leading firm for its white-collar crime and asset recovery practices. According to Chambers, sources "appreciate and respect their high professional skills and qualities."
A judicial iron arm beetween Dmitry Rybolovlev and Yves Bouvier that started in 2015 continues. On 8 February 2018, the art dealer Yves Bouvier, assisted by David Bitton, was examined by Geneva Public Prosecutor Yves Bertossa. Affaire Rybolovlev : le marchand d'art Yves Bouvier auditionné à Genève
On Friday 12 January, our partner Yves Klein presented on ‘How to prove criminal conduct? Evidence issues’ at Basel University conference on ‘Arbitration and Crime - Dealing with Allegations of Economic Crime in Arbitration’
On Monday, Bern signed with Nigeria and the World Bank an agreement on the monitoring of the return of US$321 million of Abacha funds to Nigeria. Enrico Monfrini was interviewed by Le Temps on the asset recovery efforts led by him and our firm on behalf of Nigeria to achieve the forfeiture of those assets by the Attorney General of Geneva in December 2014. Affaire Abacha: la Suisse rend 321 millions de dollars au Nigeria.
On 1 December, Yves Klein and Claire Daams presented on "Asset recovery in international corruption cases" at the BijzonderStrafrecht.nl Academy's Anti-Bribery & Corruption Conference 2017 in Amsterdam.
After the sale of the Salvator Mundi David BITTON speaks to the Tribune de Genève on the Bouvier v Rybolovlev case.
David Bitton was interviewed on the impact of the Salvator Mundi sale on the dispute between the Russian oligarch Dmitri Rybolovlev and the Geneva art dealer Yves Bouvier.
«Salvator Mundi»: Dmitri Rybolovlev est invité à retirer sa plainte contre Yves Bouvier / Le Christ vendu, «il n'y a plus d'affaire Bouvier».
Yves Klein has been named Asset Recovery Thought Leader by Who's Who Legal 2018.
For more information, read his Q&A here.
Yves Klein co-chaired the IBA Latin American Anti-Corruption Enforcement and Compliance Conference in São Paulo. He also moderated the session titled "Civil and insolvency asset recovery tools: a complement to criminal proceedings".
Claire Daams moderated the session titled « The anti-corruption revolution – is it actually taking place in Latin America? A view from the enforcement agencies ».
Yves Klein and Claire Daam also animated an asset recovery workshop for Latin American prosecutors on the interaction between criminal proceedings and civil & insolvency asset recovery tools, which enjoyed the support of the IBA and the OECD.
On Tuesday 10 October, Yves Klein co-chaired the session titled Offshore structures as a barrier to recovery of assets from criminals - Beneficial ownership issues and chaired the Asset Recovery Subcommittee open business meeting.
On the same day, Johnson Winter & Slattery, Peters & Peters and Monfrini Bitton Klein hosted a lunch at the O Bar for representatives of law enforcement and regulatory authorities attending the conference.
On Wednesday 11 October, Claire Daams co-chaired the Global anti-corruption update.
In the evening, Monfrini Bitton Klein sponsored the joint dinner of the Anti-Corruption, Business Crime and Criminal Law Committees.
David Bitton was inteviewed by La Tribune de Genève on the Bouvier v Rybolovlev art case (L’affaire Bouvier revient là où tout a commencé).
David Bitton was recognised in Who's Who Legal Business Crime Defence 2017. WWL says: David Bitton is a well-known figure when it comes to individual defence work, and is commended by sources for his “unwavering commitment and dedication to the client”.
Antonia Mottironi presented on "Fraud and Corruption: International Developments” and “The Recovery of Fraudulently Stolen Assets” at the Corporate Fraud & Forensics India Summit 2017, which took place in Mumbai from 10 to 11 August 2017.
Monfrini Bitton Klein is proud to sponsor the IBA Latin American Anti-Corruption Enforcement and Compliance Conference that will take place in São Paulo from 6 to 7 November 2017. Yves Klein, who as chair of the IBA Asset Recovery Subcommittee is one of the conference co-chairs, will moderate the session titled "Civil and insolvency asset recovery tools: a complement to criminal proceedings". Claire Daams will moderate the session titled "The anti-corruption revolution – is it actually taking place in Latin America? A view from the enforcement agencies". For more information, see the conference website.
Monfrini Bitton Klein was once again prominently featured in Who's Who Legal Asset Recovery 2017.
Yves Klein was notably recognised as the No. 1 Asset Recovery Thought Leader in the EMEA Region.
Monfrini Bitton Klein is proud to sponsor the Corporate Fraud & Forensics India Summit 2017, which will take place in Mumbai from 10 to 11 August 2017
Yves Klein will present on "Fraud and Corruption: International Developments” and “The Recovery of Fraudulently Stolen Assets”.
David Bitton was inteviewed by Bloomberg in connection with an alleged bank fraud at Credit Suisse (Ex-Credit Suisse Banker Charged in Turkish Client Probe).
Monfrini Bitton Klein hosted a luncheon on "Opportunities and obstacles in offshore investigations" for 20 participants at the London C5 Anti-Corruption Conference. Yves Klein, Claire Daams, Antonia Mottironi, and Stephen Baker and Simon Thomas, from Baker and Partners, Jersey, discussed with the attendants the issues of privilege in internal investigations and of the use of asset recovery by companies which managers or employees have committed acts of active bribery.
Yves Klein and Antonia Mottironi wrote an article "Switzerland - A new hope? The Swiss Government adopts its Dispatch to the Parliament on an amendment to the provisions governing recognition of foreign insolvencies" for Lexology, which may be downloaded here.
Yves Klein chaired an Asset Recovery Workshop for Law Enforcement Officials in parallel to the Annual IBA Anti-Corruption Conference and to the meeting of the Law Enforcement Officials of the OECD’s Working Group on Bribery.
Yves Klein chaired the session titled Asset recovery: Role and standing of victims of corruption in criminal proceedings, notably in the context of structured criminal settlements at the Annual IBA Anti-Corruption Conference in Paris.
Yves Klein chaired the IBA Asset Recovery Subcommittee (Anti-Corruption Committee) meeting at the Annual IBA Anti-Corruption Conference in Paris. Antonia Mottironi also attended.
The article on the Enforcement of Judgments and Arbitral Awards in Switzerland written by Yves Klein and Antonia Mottironi for Thomson Reuters' Practical Guide went to print today. Its online edition is available here.
Based in Geneva but borderless in its reach, the renamed Monfrini Bitton Klein is a conflict-free litigation boutique focusing on white-collar crime and offshore litigation.
The white-collar crime practice ranges from international asset recovery to business crime defense and to anti-corruption investigations.
The offshore civil litigation practice concentrates on enforcing foreign judgments, arbitral awards and insolvency orders, freezing concealed assets in commercial, matrimonial and probate disputes, and obtaining evidence in support of proceedings abroad.
Yves Klein and James Bouzaglo attended the Florida International University College of Law 2nd Annual Conference on the Fight against Corruption and Impunity, Miami, which saw the participation of several law enforcement officials from around the world. Yves Klein presented on Pluses and Minuses of Government-to-Government or Criminal-Based Asset Recovery and on Case Studies of Successful Civil Asset Recoveries.
Yves Klein and James Bouzaglo attended the 15th Miami OffshoreAlert Conference. Yves Klein presented on Strategies to Obtain Information in Offshore Jurisdictions.
Yves Klein and James Bouzaglo attended the ICC-FraudNet spring meeting in Miami, which saw the participation of more than 80 fraud and asset recovery professionals from around the world.
David Bitton was interviewed by the Tribune de Genève (Les juges de Singapour donnent raison à Yves Bouvier) on the Singapore Court of Appeal decision admitting Geneva art dealer Yves Bouvier’s appeal on his Forum Non Conveniens application in the context of his multibillion art dispute against Russian oligarch Dmitri Rybolovlev.
Our firm was once again ranked in Chambers Europe in the White-Collar crime category for its asset recovery practice: A niche asset recovery practice with a strong reputation in this field. Represents individuals and companies as plaintiffs in financial crime cases and acts on behalf of liquidators in international bankruptcy matters. Best known for representing numerous national governments in their asset-tracing and recovery actions. Clients particularly appreciate the firm's "extensive expertise in international asset recovery." One source adds that the team are "excellent strategists, tremendously responsive and collaborative." Yves Klein is an expert in anti-money laundering and asset tracing. One interviewee describes him as having "a huge amount of experience in the area. He looks for broader solutions and is easy to get along with." Enrico Monfrini has vast experience in asset recovery cases having assisted many national governments over the years.
Yves Klein was ranked as the Most Highly Regarded Individual in the asset recovery practice by Who’s Who Legal: Switzerland 2017. Our firm is home to two of the most nominated attorneys in our research. The “really remarkable” Yves Klein is highlighted for his “incredible work” in the area. One source says: “Yves is particularly skilled at developing strategy to pursue worldwide asset recovery.” Enrico Monfrini is also highly nominated for his skill and expertise in the area. He has an extensive background acting for countries and governments in relation to asset recovery matters.
David Bitton was interviewed by Le Temps (Amon contre Amon: grand déballage sur le Rocher) in the context of the multi-million Amon v. Amon divorce, where matrimonial and criminal proceedings are pending in New York and Monaco.
Yves Klein was recognized as an Asset Recovery Thought Leader by Who’s Who Legal in its inaugural WWL Thought Leaders 2017 edition.
Yves Klein wrote the Switzerland chapter for the 5th edition of The Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Review, edited by Mark Mendelsohn, Law Business Research, London.
Yves Klein presented on Strategies to Obtain Information in Offshore Jurisdictions at the 5th Annual European OffshoreAlert Conference on Financial Intelligence & Investigations, London.
Yves Klein chaired the Asset Recovery Subcommittee (Anti-Corruption Committee) meeting at the IBA Annual Conference in Washington, DC.
Yves Klein presented on the Recognition of foreign insolvencies in Switzerland and participation in criminal proceedings at the 1st ICC FraudNet Symposium on Cross-Border Insolvency and Asset Recovery (Homologação de Falências Estrangeiras na Suíça e Participação em Processos Penais - ICC FraudNet - 1° Simpósio sobre Falência Transnacional e Recuperação de Ativos), Rio de Janeiro.
Yves Klein presented on Effective Recovery of the Proceeds of Corruption – A Legal Perspective and Case Studies at the Florida International University College of Law, The Fight Against Corruption and Impunity in 2016 and Beyond, Miami.
Yves Klein presented on Asset Recovery Case Study and chaired the IBA Asset Recovery Subcommittee meeting at the 14th Annual IBA Anti-Corruption Conference in Paris.
David Bitton was interviewed by Le Temps in the matter of the investigation into three portfolio managers in the context of a Credit Suisse banker fraud committed at the expenses of a Georgian and a Russian oligarch (Trois financiers inculpés dans l'enquête sur le banquier fraudeur de Credit Suisse).
Yves Klein presented on ‘You Can’t Run a Ponzi Scheme without a Bank’ – The Victims Strike Back at the 14th OffshoreAlert Conference, Miami.
James Bouzaglo was quoted in Mexican Norte Digital (Congelado) in connection with the freeze orders he obtained in Geneva on behalf of the divorce of Mexican oil tycoon Miguel Zaragoza.
David Bitton was interviewed by Le Temps in the matter of the trial of four Geneva businessmen accused of concealing diamonds stolen at the Brussels airport (À Genève, quatre notables face aux diamants de la tentation).
Yves Klein presented on L’entraide judiciaire internationale : quels sont les pouvoirs des juges en pratique ? at the Academy & Finance conference Le nouveau tournant de la place financière suisse, Geneva.
Yves Klein was interviewed by Valor Economico on the use of Swiss bank accounts to launder the proceeds of bribery and tax fraud.
Yves Klein presented on Case Study – Potential Liability of Banks at the ICC FraudNet Conference on Fraud, Corruption and Asset Recovery, Vienna
David Bitton was interviewed by numerous media on the lifting of the Mareva injunction ordered against Yves Bouvier (Singapour lève le gel des avoirs de l'homme d'affaires Yves Bouvier, Singapour débloque les avoirs d'Yves Bouvier, triomphe judiciaire pour le Genevois).
Yves Klein presented on Developments in civil asset recovery at the 13th Annual IBA Anti-Corruption Conference, Paris.
David Bitton was interviewed by Bloomberg (The Billionaire, the Dealer, and the $186 Million Rothko) in the context of the multi-billion art dispute opposing Yves Bouvier to Dmitro Rybolovlev.
Yves Klein was interviewed by Swissinfo in an article (The complex case of Tunisia’s blocked funds) about the difficulties faced in Switzerland to recover the Ben Ali funds and the new strategy developed to seek damages from facilitators, such as banks who laundered crime proceeds.
Yves Klein and James Bouzaglo were interviewed by Bloomberg and Le Temps (Tunisia Asks to Join HSBC Case to Get Embezzled Ben Ali Cash; La Tunisie réclame 114 millions de francs à HSBC pour avoir accueilli l’argent du clan Ben Ali) about the action they are bringing on behalf of the Government of Tunisia against HSBC, Geneva, for 120 million US dollars in damages in connection with the laundering of Ben Ali funds.
Yves Klein published an article for Who’s Who Legal Asset Recovery 2014 titled A Civil Perspective on Asset Recovery (with a focus on Swiss Law).
Enrico Monfrini was interviewed by Argentina’s La Nación on the parallels between the Lázaro case and the Abacha case.
The Tribune de Genève reported on the hearings of the criminal trial of Abba Abacha, in which Enrico Monfrini, David Bitton and Yves Klein represented the Federal Republic of Nigeria, seeking the confiscation of hundreds of millions of US dollars frozen in Luxembourg (Me David Bitton : « Camus a écrit l'étranger, Abba Abacha a écrit l’absent ! » / Me David Bitton : "Camus wrote the stranger, Abba Abacha wrote the absent »).
Yves Klein was interviewed by the Brazilian newspaper Estado de Sao Paulo on the decision of the Swiss Federal Court confirming the confiscation and allocation to Brazil of the account with Banco Santander Geneva of former judge Nicolau Dos Santos Neto, who was convicted in 2002 in Brazil for corruption and embezzlement (Suíça vai devolver ao Brasil parte do dinheiro desviado por ‘Lalau’ / Switzerland will return to Brazil part of the money embezzled by ‘Lalau’ Estado de Sao Paulo).
Enrico Monfrini was interviewed by Reuters on the proceedings he initiated on behalf of Tunisia to recover the assets of former President Ben Ali and his associates (Bounty hunter on the trail of Arab Spring loot Reuters).
Yves Klein was interviewed by China Economic Review on the changing landscape of Swiss law on cooperation in criminal and tax matters (Swiss Banking: do new rules threaten Chinese tax evaders ? - China Economic Review).
Enrico Monfrini was interviewed by Germany’s Tagesspiegel on the proceedings he initiated on behalf of developing nations (Nigeria, Haiti, Tunisia) to recover the assets of kleptocrats (Abacha, Duvalier, Ben Ali) (Der Milliardenjäger (The hunter of billions)).
Yves Klein was interviewed by Le Temps on the Robert Allen Stanford case, in which he represents the liquidators of the estate of Stanford International Bank Ltd, Antigua (Les liquidateurs du «mini-Madoff» doublés par la justice américaine /“Mini-Madoff”’s liquidators duped by American justice).
Enrico Monfrini was interviewed in Belgium’s L’Echo on his experience in hunting dictators’ assets, notably those of Sani Abacha (Enrico Monfrini: Traqueur de cleptocrates / Enrico Monfrini: kleptocrats hunter).
Yves Klein made a presentation on "Trust busting in Switzerland" at the 7 Bedford Row Trust Busting Seminar, London.
Enrico Monfrini was featured in Financial Times’ First Person, where he discusses his experience in hunting dictators’ assets, notably those of Sani Abacha and Jean-Claude Duvalier (First Person: Enrico Monfrini).
Yves Klein was interviewed by Swiss magazine L'Hebdo on financial fraud by unauthorized financial intermediaries in Switzerland La Suisse, nid de parasites financiers / Switzerland, a nest of financial parasites).
Enrico Monfrini is interviewed in BBC’s Outlook on his experience in hunting dictators’ assets, notably Sani Abacha and Jean-Claude Duvalier (The dictator hunter).
Enrico Monfrini is featured in Financial Times Deutschland’s Agenda and speaks on his experience in hunting dictators’ assets, notably Sani Abacha and Jean-Claude Duvalier (Monfrini - der Potentatenjäger / Monfrini – the dictators hunter).
