Law Offices of Alain V. Bonavida

I am happy to report another successful settlement, this one resulting in $495,000 for my two, whistleblower clients in a very contentious matter. Resolving matters either through mediation or arbitration/trial allows clients to conclude a difficult chapter in their lives and to move on.

Beverly Hills Attorney - Law Offices of Alain V. Bonavida Law firm located in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles handles all civil matters including business litigation, contracts, fraud, landlord and tenant issues, real estate,family law, estate law,wills,trusts

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Family,

I am happy to report that I have been selected to the 2023 Southern California Super Lawyers list, an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice. Only 5% of attorneys in Southern California receive this distinction.

I'm here to help you.

Send a message to learn more

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that I have been selected to the 2022 Southern California Super Lawyer's list - a distinction given to less than 5% of attorneys in SOCAL.

I love what I do and I'm here for you in your time of need.

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Family,

I am happy to report that I have been selected to the 2021 Southern California Super Lawyers list, an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice. Only 5% of attorneys in Southern California receive this distinction.

Do I get better tables at restaurants now?

Pretty cool:

My last trial resulted in, apparently, the 19th largest plaintiff jury trial verdict in California for 2020.

19
Amount: $2,742,128.00
Attorneys: Alain V. Bonavida of Law Offices of Alain V. Bonavida
Case: Stanton v. Marques
Type: Breach of Contract, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Fraud, Negligent Misrepresentation, Conversion, Intentional Tort, Fraudulent Transfer, Commercial Litigation, Constructive Fraud, Negligent Tort

Top 100 Verdicts in California in 2020 - TopVerdict.com We are pleased to present to you the list of top 100 plaintiff jury verdicts obtained in California in the year 2020. The list is comprised of various case types that were tried either in state or federal courts of CA.

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to announce that I have been selected to the 2021 Southern California Super Lawyer's list - a distinction given to less than 5% of attorneys in SOCAL.

I love what I do and I'm here for you in your time of need.

I am pleased to announce that the good guys won another one. I represent a surgeon whose trusted mother-daugher (unrelated to the surgeon) bookkeepers/business partner (the mother) embezzled significant sums from his surgical practice. I concluded phase two of the trial today, i.e., the punitive damages phase.

As to the principal thief of the two, the mother, the jury found in favor of my client 12 - 0 for breach of contract,12-0 for conversion (theft) and 11 to 1 for breach of fiduciary duty. The jury found against the daughter for conversion.

Compensatory damages awarded as to the mother's conduct: $1,652,128.

Compensatory damages awarded as to the daughter's conduct: $50,000. Punitive damages:

Punitive damages awarded as to the mother's conduct: $1,000,000.

Punitive damages awarded as to the daughter's conduct: $40,000.

Total damages awarded $2,742,128.

and...

we locked down one of the mother's houses purchased with stolen funds that will satisfy the judgment.

Embezzlement, especially in the medical profession, is a widespread problem. I specialize in fraud matters within my business litigation practice. I am unrelenting in my pursuit of justice for my clients. I enjoy this work. I relish this work. I love going to trial.

Onto the next battle...

Make this a crime:

"So why the emergency declaration? Because measles is a highly contagious disease. The virus can live for up to two hours wherever an infected person has coughed or sneezed. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 90 percent of non-vaccinated individuals exposed to someone with the disease will also become infected.

Once upon a time, the United States had eliminated the measles, but outbreaks have increased as the anti-vaccine movement takes hold — and 18 states now allow for non-medical “philosophical” vaccination exemptions.

Here’s why the current outbreak in Washington is a perfect example of what can happen when parents do not vaccinate their children for philosophical or religious reasons — and how exactly that can put their own kids, and others, at risk."

There's A State Of Emergency In Washington Thanks To Anti-Vax Parents A growing measles outbreak in Washington state led the governor to declare a state of emergency on Friday.

Justice is best served BIG!

I am extremely pleased to announce today that my and my clients' long-fought battle has resulted in unanimous jury verdicts for both Craig Smith and Claudia Cirillo, a married couple, in the amount of $92,861,112.03 (of which $50 million is for Craig's emotional distress and $1 million is for Claudia's emotional distress), exclusive of prejudgment interest for their respective economic damages and attorney fees and costs of suit which will also be awarded.

Craig, a former NBA player, was victimized by his former business managers, Louis Lookofsky and his son, Noah Lookofsky, who embezzled and mismanaged his monies, leaving him in horrendous financial shape and causing him tremendous emotional distress. Noah Lookofsky also defrauded Claudia.

Thankfully, Noah is in prison serving a sentence albeit for only part of the crimes he committed against my clients.

This has been a long battle and I take tremendous pride in representing victims of financial and other crimes. These verdicts are phenomenal results for very deserving people.

Dear fellow litigators and BK practitioners. Please seriously consider attending this very relevant and informative event TOMORROW evening at the BHBA:

When a Party Files for Bankruptcy:
Bankruptcy Law for Litigators

You're litigating a multi-party dispute and one of the parties just filed for bankruptcy. Now what? Which portions of the lawsuit are stayed? Can you conduct discovery against the debtor? What are the pros, cons and tactics of moving for stay relief, or for removal, remand, or withdrawal of the reference? Can you preserve a right to a jury trial? How does filing a proof of claim or complaint for nondischargeability impact the right to a jury trial and the bankruptcy court's jurisdiction? What's the impact of the Supreme Court's decision in Stern v. Marshall? Experienced business bankruptcy attorneys Howard Madris and John Monte of the Law Office of Howard N. Madris, A P.C. will address these and other issues in a fast-paced hour over dinner.
Speakers:
Howard Madris, Esq.
John Monte, Esq.

https://bhba.org/index.php/component/jevents/icalrepeat.detail/2017/Jul/Wed/646/-/when-a-party-files-for-bankruptcy-bankruptcy-law-for-litigators

When a Party Files for Bankruptcy: Bankruptcy Law for Litigators The Beverly Hills Bar Association is dedicated to serving the professional needs of its attorney members, improving the administration of justice, and serving the general welfare of the community.

Dear Friends,

I am happy to report that I successfully represented my client in a 7-day jury trial against Yehuda Berg (former Co-Director of the the Kabbalah Centre) and the Kabbalah Centre (“KCI”). My client alleged Battery, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, Breach of Fiduciary Duty against Yehuda Berg and Negligent Supervision of Yehuda Berg as to KCI.

The judge made rulings prior to trial that handicapped us and then knocked out my expert before he had a chance to testify as to his opinion – deciding that the parties do not need experts (all appealable). Nonetheless, we powered through and the jury found damages for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress against Yehuda Berg and that Mr. Berg acted with malice, oppression or fraud and subsequently awarded my client punitive damages. The jury also awarded my client damages against KCI for Negligent Supervision.

KCI was represented by two law firms split amongst three offices.

Yehuda Berg was represented by a criminal defense attorney.

I am very happy for my client and very proud of her for going through this difficult litigation when so many victimized women never come forward:

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-kabbalah-centre-lawsuit-20151124-story.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/25/us-california-kabbalah-idUSKBN0TE0CM20151125 .97

Feel free to keep my firm in mind for matters like this in addition to my substantial business litigation/fraud practice and my representation of employees in employment matters.

I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving.

Jury orders Kabbalah Centre and former director to pay $177,500 in sexual assault lawsuit

Dear Colleagues: Please consider attending a great lunch talk by the wonderful Jacob Stein this Thursday (4.23.15) at the Beverly Hills Bar Association titled Asset Protection in the Face of Litigation:

You can find out more and purchase your ticket (includes lunch) here: https://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3704

Beverly Hills Bar Association

For those that voted for me, you have my sincere appreciation.

http://digital.superlawyers.com/superlawyers/lxsl15

Super Lawyers - Southern California 2015 Super Lawyers magazine features the list and profiles of selected attorneys and is distributed to attorneys in the state or region and the ABA-approved law school libraries. Super Lawyers is also published as a special section in leading city and regional magazines across the country. Consumers can…

Dear Colleagues,

Please consider joining me TONIGHT (01.23.15) to hear Ellen Wolf give a fascinating talk on collections titled: Secret Liens, "Innocent" Fraudulent Transfers, and Other Fun Surprises in Post-Judgment Enforcement.

Dinner is included.

You may register online via the link below, by paying at the door or by calling the Beverly Hills Bar Association directly at: (310) 601-2422.

I look forward to seeing you this tonight.

https://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3636

www.bhba.org

Dear Colleagues,

Please consider joining me to hear Ellen Wolf give a fascinating talk on collections titled: Secret Liens, "Innocent" Fraudulent Transfers, and Other Fun Surprises in Post-Judgment Enforcement.

You may register online via the link below.

I look forward to seeing you this Thursday.

https://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3636

www.bhba.org

Dear Colleagues:

Please consider coming to the following, very interesting talk tomorrow evening at the Beverly Hills Bar Association:

Crisis & Reputation Management:
Protecting Your Clients In & From the Media

https://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3558

Beverly Hills Bar Association

Dear Colleagues and other interested persons:

Please consider coming to a very interesting talk on commercial damages set for 6 p.m. TONIGHT at the Beverly Hills Bar Association:

Commercial Damages: Ex*****on in an Era of Challenges to Admissibility of Expert Opinions

We will discuss the ground rules for expert admissibility under the current rules and court opinions, trends in the number and success rates of expert challenges, and common themes leading to success or failure for expert challenges. We will then discuss generally used methodologies for estimating damages and use case examples to highlight potential hurdles where an expert needs to be careful to avoid a successful expert challenge against him or her. Our discussion of the basics of damages analysis will cover examples of past and future lost profits plus lost future business value.

https://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3530

Beverly Hills Bar Association

Dear Colleagues and other interested persons:

Please consider coming to a very interesting talk on commercial damages set for 6 p.m. on July 28, 2014 at the Beverly Hills Bar Association:

Commercial Damages: Ex*****on in an Era of Challenges to Admissibility of Expert Opinions

We will discuss the ground rules for expert admissibility under the current rules and court opinions, trends in the number and success rates of expert challenges, and common themes leading to success or failure for expert challenges. We will then discuss generally used methodologies for estimating damages and use case examples to highlight potential hurdles where an expert needs to be careful to avoid a successful expert challenge against him or her. Our discussion of the basics of damages analysis will cover examples of past and future lost profits plus lost future business value.

https://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3530

Dear Colleagues:

Please note that the BHBA has extended its section member pricing of $80.00 for tonight's dinner-included MCLE (a $95.00 discount): Utilizing Video and Audio Evidence In Criminal and Civil Litigation.

Please contact Shelly Rosen at the BHBA [310-601-2422 x212] to confirm your attendance:

Utilizing Video and Audio Evidence In Criminal and Civil Litigation.

Video surveillance systems now proliferate our private and public lives. This means attorneys must understand the legal and illegal use of such recordings in court. This class reviews California laws and common misunderstandings about admissibility of audio and video evidence. It also focuses on the best practices for finding, handling, and preparing audio and video evidence to best utilize it in court.

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Please consider attending the following, very interesting MCLE:
Utilizing Video and Audio Evidence In Criminal and Civil Litigation
Video surveillance systems now proliferate our private and public lives. This means attorneys must understand the legal and illegal use of such recordings in court. This class reviews California laws and common misunderstandings about admissibility of audio and video evidence. It also focuses on the best practices for finding, handling, and preparing audio and video evidence to best utilize it in court.


https://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3518

Beverly Hills Bar Association

ATTORNEYS AND EMPLOYERS

Please consider coming to the following MCLE tomorrow night at the Beverly Hills Bar Association.

Spotting Class Actions in Your Everyday Life and Practice

The program will cover the basic requirements for a class action: numerosity, commonality, typicality and adequacy; arbitration agreements, heightened class certification requirements, and other obstacles: the impact of Concepcion, Dukes, and Comcast; specific practice areas: wage & hour, consumer/17200, privacy; and hot topics in class actions: developing practice areas, the future of class actions and the potential for mass actions.

https://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3502

Beverly Hills Bar Association

Dear friends and colleagues:

I am pleased to announce that I have been selected again this year as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. I look forward to growing my practice and assisting those with legal challenges, both small and complex. Feel free to review my website: WWW.AVBESQ.COM

Beverly Hills Attorney - Law Offices of Alain V. Bonavida Law firm located in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles handles all civil matters including business litigation, contracts, fraud, landlord and tenant issues, real estate,family law, estate law,wills,trusts

To my attorney friends and anyone else who has an interest:

Please consider attending tomorrow night's CLE I organized as Co-Chair of the Beverly Hill Bar Association Litigation Section titled:

Social Media as Evidence: Cases, Practice Pointers And Techniques

A critical primer for civil litigators in the use of Social Media Data as Evidence in a Civil Action.

You can register via the link below:

https://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3429

Beverly Hills Bar Association

Law Offices of Alain V. Bonavida Update:

Two of my current cases involving the Kabbalah Centre made ABC News in San Diego. Please see the video clip below:

http://www.10news.com/news/some-local-residents-former-supporters-file-lawsuit-claim-kabbalah-centre-misused-donations

Some local residents, former supporters file lawsuit, claim Kabbalah Centre misused donations Several local residents and former supporters of the Kabbalah Centre have sued the Los Angeles-based spiritual center, alleging it misused more than $1 million, including donations earmarked for a Kabbalah Centre building in San Diego that was never built.

Law Offices of Alain V. Bonavida Update:

Online now and in print tomorrow:

“My clients have, bravely, decided to not allow themselves to become another of Kabbalah Centre’s many silent victims and look forward to resolving this matter at trial wherein they will not only seek compensation for their financial losses but also look forward to exposing the Kabbalah Centre’s true nature,” said Alain Bonavida, the plaintiffs’ lawyer.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-kabbalah-centre-misused-million-in-contributions-20131203,0,6993431.story

Kabbalah Centre misused more than $1 million in contributions, suit alleges Former supporters of the Kabbalah Centre have sued the Los Angeles-based spiritual organization for fraud, alleging the misuse of more than $1 million they contributed to a building fund and charitable causes.

As a number of you know, fraud matters are a subspecialty within my business litigation practice. In one of my current cases, I represent former NBA player, Craig Smith, and his fiancée, Claudia Cirillo for breach of contract, fraud and related causes of action resulting from the gross mismanagement and theft by his former father-son business management team.

TMZ Sports reported on this case today and I look forward to the trial come November, 2014.:

http://www.tmz.com/2013/11/12/los-angeles-clippers-craig-smith-25-million-lawsuit/

Ex-L.A. Clipper Craig Smith -- I Want $25 MILLION ... I Was Bilked by a 'Clinical Sociopath' Former L.A. Clippers forward Craig Smith says he was financially gutted by a couple of twisted business managers -- one of whom could easily qualify as a…

I am proud to present another fantastic MCLE talk for the Beverly Hills Bar Association Litigation Section titled:

Discovery Prerequisites For Computer Forensic Examinations:

Don't Let Possibly Crucial Evidence Disappear From Your Reach

Forensic discovery of computer evidence including computers, tablets, cell phones, hard drives and internet use.

The talk takes place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday Night at the beautiful new BHBA headquarters.

Please consider coming as any business attorney or litigator should be aware of the potential goldmine of data that may exist to benefit a client...or hurt a client.

Please use the following link to register online:

http://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3389

Beverly Hills Bar Association

As Co-Chair of the Beverly Hills Bar Association Litigation Section, I cordially invite you to attend the exciting CLE titled:

Show Me The Money: International Asset Search and Recovery Methods - International asset search and recovery methods for collecting judgments and arbitration awards.

Please register online:

http://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3360

Beverly Hills Bar Association

As Co-Chair of the Beverly Hills Bar Association's Litigation Section, I cordially invite you to attend a great CLE:

THE FORENSIC INTERVIEW

How do you get the interviewee to provide you the information that you need to strengthen your case? This talk will provide critical information on how to make the most of the interview process in tough situations.

Leonard H. Lyons, JD/MBA, CFE, CVA, MAFF, Cr.FA Principal & General Counsel-Pun & McGeady, LLP

http://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3339

Beverly Hills Bar Association

Dear Colleagues,

As Co-Chair of the Beverly Hills Bar Association's Litigation Section, I cordially invite you to attend tomorrow's CLE titled "You Hired Your Expert. Now What? Engaging The Expert And Preparing The Expert For Cross Examination." Leonard Lyons, a well known forensic specialist and expert witness for myriad litigation and financial matters, will give a nuts and bolts talk on making the best use of your expert witness.

http://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3328

Beverly Hills Bar Association

I am pleased to announce that I have been named a 2013 Rising Star by Super Lawyers. Only 2.5% of attorneys 40 and under have received this honor. I love practicing law and helping those facing legal challenges. Now, back to work.

I am pleased to report that after a nine-day trial including compensatory and punitive damages phases, the jury awarded my client $348,500 for a breach of contract/fraud suit against two producers associated with the movies "Catch Me If You Can" and "I Robot." Press release to follow.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0704-kabbalah-investigation-20120704,0,4279422.story

Kabbalah Centre case taken up by federal authorities, police say Federal authorities have taken over an investigation into the management of an elderly heiress' fortune by a key figure at the Kabbalah Centre, police said Tuesday.

Please consider attending the talk I co-produced taking place at 12 pm tomorrow (Thursday) at the BHBA:

Technology Start Up Companies:

Counseling the Entrepreneur, Structuring the Entity, Securities Issues and Protecting Your Client's Ideas

Beverly Hills Bar Association

Dear Friends,

I have had the privilege of playing a role in putting together another talk for the Beverly Hills Bar Association Business Law Committee. This talk, Technology Start Up Companies, will cover a number of areas (see link below) and I am certain that many of you will find it relates to your practice.

Please consider attending the talk on Thursday, June 7th for what will be a fantastic talk by two accomplished attorneys.


http://www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=3076

Beverly Hills Bar Association

Perhaps you read the front page LA Times article about John Larkin and the Kabbalah Centre. John Larkin and the Kabbalah Centre are both defendants in a case my firm filed in which my client alleges fraud, among other causes of action, against John Larkin and the Kabbalah Centre for $500K she forwarded to the Kabbalah Centre for a children's program that was never developed. If you know of anyone who has information on John Larkin or the Kabbalah Centre related to any kind of financial impropriety, please contact me off of facebook either through my website or via a direct email or message via FB.

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/apr/09/entertainment/la-et-kabbalah-larkin-20120409

Widow with dementia gave $600,000 to Kabbalah Centre charity Susan Strong Davis, an 87-year-old widow, spends the day inside her Palos Verdes Estates home, tended round-the-clock by nurse's aides. For company, relatives say, she has her dog, the television...

Alain V. Bonavida is mentioned in a front page article in today's LA Times:


http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-kabbalah-investigation-20110506,0,6476645.story

The Kabbalah Centre in Los Angeles is the focus of an IRS investigation into tax evasion The Kabbalah Centre, the Los Angeles -based spiritual organization that mingles ancient Jewish mysticism with the glamour of its celebrity devotees, is the focus of a federal tax evasion investigation probing, among other things, the finances of two charities connected to Madonna , the center's mo