Family Businesses & High Net Worth Individuals
LK advises families and high-net-worth individuals in disputes involving family businesses, trusts, private investments, fraud, asset recovery, shareholder conflict, regulatory scrutiny, and assets held across multiple jurisdictions.
Having acted for private clients and family interests in these matters for many years, we know disputes of this kind are rarely straightforward. They often involve contested control of assets, allegations of wrongdoing, strained relationships, and urgent decisions with lasting financial and personal consequences.
Our lawyers bring deep experience to these private disputes and a clear understanding of how to manage them. We help clients protect assets, contain risk, and take a considered path through matters that require both strong legal strategy and discreet handling.
Experience
Salinas
LK act for Ricardo Salinas and Corporacion RBS SA de CV (“Claimants”) in their claim in the Commercial Court. This claim arose out of a stock loan agreement entered into with Astor Asset Management 3 Limited (“Astor 3”) pursuant to which a loan of US$104 million was advanced to the Claimants secured over shares in Grupo Elektra SAB de CV belonging to Mr Salinas. Those shares were deposited with two custodians, Weiser Global Capital Markets and Tavira Monaco SAM, and worth around $400 million at the time the claim was commenced. In June 2024, the Claimants became aware that Astor 3 had directed the custodians to transfer a significant proportion of the shares to Cornelius Vanderbilt Capital Management Ltd and Astor Capital Fund Ltd, which the Claimants maintain was in breach of the agreements in place.
The Claimants obtained freezing orders and proprietary injunctions against the six Defendants in August 2024. The Claimants consider that they have been victims of a stock-lending fraud conducted by Mr Skarlov and his companies. They allege that Mr Skarlov gained control of Mr Salinas’ shares and wrongfully disposed of them contrary to the terms of the stock loan agreement.
Al Gosaibi Family & Group (AHAB) (Cayman)
LK acted for AHAB, a large group of companies run by the Al Gosaibi family, in their claims against Mr Al Sanea and his Saad Group concerning his role in an alleged fraud resulting in losses of at least US$9 billion.
AHAB contended that Mr Al Sanea used his position (as the head of a division of the company) to borrow hundreds of billions of dollars in the company’s name – using forged banking documents – and then misappropriated some of the proceeds. AHAB contended that at least US$6 billion was stolen by Mr Al Sanea.
Family Trust Dispute
Representing the directors of a family trust with substantial property and commercial holdings in a beneficiary dispute, and acting for the same Trust in concurrent Family Court proceedings. These matters involve trustee obligations to beneficiaries, the characterisation of trust assets, and family separation.
Sale of Individual Interest in Family Business
Advised shareholder in relation to the sale of his interest in a large family business pursuant to a Succession Deed involving complex family trust arrangements.
