"My firm, Harper Grey LLP (Vancouver, BC, Canada), acts for the a major Canadian bank which specializes in commercial financing and venture capital designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Our client had lent money to a helicopter company and took security on three helicopters as well as other assets of the borrower.
In February of 2011, we were provided with official notice that one of the helicopters, a Bell 407, had been seized by US Homeland Security in Texas and was subject to a forfeiture order. It was alleged that the helicopter was owned by a Mexican drug lord who had been convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison in the US. However, it was represented by the borrowers that they owned the helicopters and were unaware of its use for criminal activities.
We were advised that we would have 30 days in which to file a Petition in Texas to avoid losing the helicopter. Thankfully we were able to quickly retain Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. (Dallas, Texas, USA) who set to work immediately to obtain an order for the release of the helicopter to our client. Steve Harr ecommended Greg Noschese of his firm's business litigation group who has significant expertise in the recovery of assets and had dealt with Homeland Security in the past. Despite the complex criminal issues and multiple creditor claims, Greg was able to expeditiously obtain an order for recovery of the helicopter. We are happy to say that the helicopter has been returned to Canada and it is now in our client's possession.
Our client was extremely impressed with the ability of our network to respond so quickly and to obtain such an outstanding result in the face of overwhelming challenges. We are extremely grateful to Steve Harr, Greg Noschese and their colleagues at Munsch Hardt for the excellent work they did on our and our client's behalf."
—Richard Attisha; Harper Grey LLP (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
