Adriana Riviere-Badell, Partner, Kobre & Kim

In an interview with Invest:, Adriana Riviere-Badell, partner at law firm Kobre & Kim, discussed the firm’s recent milestones, its conflict-free model, adapting to geopolitical and economic shifts, leveraging technology, serving ultra-high-net-worth clients, and priorities for maintaining quality amid growing demand.

What milestones has the firm achieved over the past year?

We’ve had a phenomenal year with several significant victories. One highlight was a six-month trial in Texas where we represented creditors, including BlackRock, JP Morgan, and Golden Gate, in a $1 billion debt dispute — one of the largest among asset managers globally. The bankruptcy court ruled in our favor, finding that our clients were harmed by breaches of agreements with debtor companies Koran and Wesco.

In California, we secured a $605 million jury verdict for Propel, a renewable fuels company, in a trade secrets case against Phillips 66. The jury agreed with our claims that Phillips 66 misappropriated Propel’s trade secrets to develop its renewable fuel business. This five-week trial reflected our team’s diversity, with nine of 12 female jurors, and our clients were thrilled with the outcome.

We also succeeded in an international arbitration against Spain, representing investors to enforce an Energy Charter Treaty award. The English Court of Appeal dismissed Spain’s challenges, affirming the award for our clients.

Additionally, in New York, we represented the founder of a prominent hedge fund in criminal proceedings, an SEC investigation, and shareholder lawsuits.

What differentiates Kobre & Kim from other firms in handling high-stakes, complex cases?

Our conflict-free model enables us to take on high-stakes, complex cases where we have one shot to get it right. Unlike traditional firms with broad client bases, we focus exclusively on cutting-edge disputes, driving us to stay at the top of our game.

We typically handle “bet-the-company” cases or existential matters for individual clients. Our independence allows us to prioritize immediate solutions without pursuing long-term engagements, fostering innovation.

This approach has built strong relationships with trusted advisers — lawyers, accountants, and family offices — who know we won’t disrupt their client relationships. We tackle critical issues and step away, deepening trust and collaboration.

We also turn down cases where we can’t add significant value, ensuring we stay dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for our clients and referrers.

How is the firm handling geopolitical changes in cross-border insolvency and restructuring?

We’re fortunate to have some of the best insolvency and restructuring lawyers globally, with about 80% of our work involving cross-border elements.

A major achievement this year was a cross-border insolvency case involving a Bermuda liquidation. We initiated a Chapter 15 proceeding in Delaware Bankruptcy Court to recognize the foreign liquidation. This case was unique because the United States IRS had levied the company’s assets, alleging it was part of the largest tax evasion scheme in U.S. history. We successfully obtained recognition of the Bermuda liquidation, resolving this complex dispute.

The global push for tax transparency has also shaped our practice. Jurisdictions once seen as tax havens, like the Cayman Islands and BVI, are now OECD-compliant financial centers. We’ve positioned ourselves in these regions and major hubs like Hong Kong, Dubai, Cyprus, and New York to provide coordinated services.

Our presence in these jurisdictions ensures we can address client needs wherever their businesses operate. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, our global footprint and expertise keep us ready to navigate these challenges effectively.

How is the firm leveraging technology to enhance litigation and investigative capabilities?

We have a technology working group of lawyers and business professionals continually evaluating advancements to improve efficiency and strengthen capabilities.

Security is a major focus, given the sensitive matters we handle and the challenging jurisdictions in which we operate. Beyond securing client data, we streamline back-office functions like budgeting, invoicing, and time management, allowing lawyers to concentrate on solving client problems.

We also apply advanced technology in practice areas like intellectual property, using tools like AI and efficient workflow systems. Substantial resources go into integrating the best tools for both operations and client service delivery.

What trends are you seeing among ultra-high-net-worth clients, and how is the firm staying ahead in this market?

Our ultra-high-net-worth clients come from diverse industries, and we’ve noticed key trends.

While we’ve long focused on asset managers and financial institutions, fintech entrepreneurs, especially in cryptocurrency, digital currency, and decentralized finance, are becoming more prominent. This reflects the evolution of the financial industry.

In Latin America, multi-generational wealth and family offices are rising, particularly in Brazil, where families are building more complex structures. Global mobility is also a trend, with families seeking golden visas or investor programs to secure citizenship in stable jurisdictions.

Conversely, some U.S. clients are concerned about political targeting, adding complexity to their needs. We adapt to these challenges with sophisticated strategies to stay ahead.

How do you maintain quality while meeting growing demand across regions?

Balancing high-quality service with increasing demand is challenging, but our staffing model gives us an edge.

With 15 locations worldwide, we draw on diverse talent and staff cases with the best lawyers for each matter. For instance, during a trial in California, teams in Asia and London handle research and strategy, while U.S. lawyers focus on courtroom and client interactions.

We’re highly selective about the cases we take to maintain the quality clients expect. This selectivity, paired with rigorous recruiting, ensures we dedicate sufficient resources to every matter.

How are you mitigating risks for clients, given the economic landscape?

The legal industry has become increasingly stratified, and firms like ours continue to operate in a higher-value space. Regardless of inflation or other economic pressures, clients recognize the value of our services and are willing to invest in them.

For example, in Brazil, we address currency transaction risks by accepting payments in local currency, shielding clients from exchange rate volatility. This flexibility provides significant benefits, particularly in fluctuating markets.

More broadly, our risk mitigation strategies remain rooted in transparency and value. We only propose work that genuinely adds value and ensure clients are fully informed about costs and expected outcomes. This approach helps clients allocate resources efficiently, even in uncertain economic times.

What are the firm’s top priorities for the near term?

Each year, we assess how to distinguish ourselves from competitors by remaining conflict-free, targeting key jurisdictions, and being recognized as subject matter experts.

In the next few years, we’ll focus on solving increasingly complex problems requiring expertise across overlapping disciplines, such as insolvency, tax, government enforcement, and asset forfeiture. We’ll address gaps in expertise through training and hiring, particularly in evolving areas like digital currency.

Priorities will also depend on factors like the next administration’s focus. While we expect a decline in securities-related work, new challenges will arise, and we’re committed to staying ahead to address the most complex client issues.