Gonzalo S. Zeballos focuses on sophisticated cross-border fraud investigations, asset tracing and asset recovery. He works closely with internal and external resources from various disciplines to address jurisdictional challenges, develop innovative investigative tools and implement novel approaches to applying the laws of sovereign states to root out fraud and corruption.
Recommended by The Legal 500 2017 in the area of international-litigation, and listed by Who’s Who Legal for asset recovery in 2017, he has been involved in litigation, investigations and recovery efforts in dozens of jurisdictions. These include civil and common law jurisdictions and involve civil, criminal and arbitral proceedings.
Since 2009, he has led and managed international investigations and foreign recovery efforts in the representation of Trustee Irving H. Picard for the SIPA liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC. Through his efforts, along with those of the BakerHostetler asset-recovery team, more than $11 billion in assets have been recovered from the decades-old Madoff Ponzi scheme – the largest of its kind in U.S. history
Well-versed in all aspects of international litigation, he often presents on fraud, asset tracing and recovery tools and cross-border investigations.
Experience :
- Lead attorney for international recovery efforts of misappropriated assets and related litigation in the representation of Trustee Irving H. Picard for the SIPA liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC.
- Coordinated with Canadian co-counsel in cross-border asset recovery action for H.M.B. Holdings, a corporate victim of illegal expropriation by a sovereign government.
- Advised the court-appointed receiver on international aspects relating to misappropriated global assets from international hedge funds created and run by Michael Kenwood Group, LLC.
- Advised a large Middle Eastern bank during a multinational contract dispute arising from the mortgage-backed securities crisis.
- Successfully represented Zaha Hadid, renowned international architect, in a defamation and trade-libel case.
Memberships :
- The International Academy of Financial Crime Litigators: Founding Member (2018)
- American Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- Hispanic National Bar Association
- Departmental Disciplinary Committee, New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division First Judicial Department: Appointed Member (2012 to 2017)
Community : SUNY Center for Latin American Studies: Former Advisory Board Member
Education :
- J.D., Columbia University School of Law, 2000; Senior Editor, Columbia Law Review; Class of 1912 Prize for Contracts; Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar; Certificate of Achievement, The Parker School of Foreign and Comparative Law
- M.A., University of Chicago, 1997, History
- M.A., University of Chicago, 1994, Latin American Studies, FLAS Fellowship
- B.A., College of the Holy Cross, 1992, English, College Honors Program
Admissions :
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 2003
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2001
- New York, 2001
Cost
Rate : $$$