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The Court of Appeal issued harsh criticism to both Konvitz and his client: "MMG and its counsel are equally culpable for pursuing this frivolous and bigotry-infused appeal. MMG’s counsel had numerous opportunities to dismiss the appeal and to withdraw its baseless claims, but chose not to. Instead, MMG’s counsel persisted in its efforts without any legal or factual support, filing wholly deficient briefs and nonsensical requests for judicial notice, supported by declarations from Malek and his counsel. As stated above, this court is not the forum for MMG or its counsel to rant about conspiracies or their politics. This court has wasted its time and resources considering MMG’s appeal, which has only served as a drain on the judicial system and the taxpayers of this state."<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Shaun|date=2020-12-17|title=California Appellate Report: Malek Media Group LLC v. AXQG Corp. (Cal. Ct. App. - Dec. 17, 2020)|url=http://calapp.blogspot.com/2020/12/malek-media-group-llc-v-axqg-corp-cal.html|access-date=2020-12-29|website=California Appellate Report}}</ref>
The Court of Appeal issued harsh criticism to both Konvitz and his client: "MMG and its counsel are equally culpable for pursuing this frivolous and bigotry-infused appeal. MMG’s counsel had numerous opportunities to dismiss the appeal and to withdraw its baseless claims, but chose not to. Instead, MMG’s counsel persisted in its efforts without any legal or factual support, filing wholly deficient briefs and nonsensical requests for judicial notice, supported by declarations from Malek and his counsel. As stated above, this court is not the forum for MMG or its counsel to rant about conspiracies or their politics. This court has wasted its time and resources considering MMG’s appeal, which has only served as a drain on the judicial system and the taxpayers of this state."<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Shaun|date=2020-12-17|title=California Appellate Report: Malek Media Group LLC v. AXQG Corp. (Cal. Ct. App. - Dec. 17, 2020)|url=http://calapp.blogspot.com/2020/12/malek-media-group-llc-v-axqg-corp-cal.html|access-date=2020-12-29|website=California Appellate Report}}</ref>

GLAAD has stated that it is closely allayed to the MeToo Movement<ref>https://www.glaad.org/releases/glaad%E2%80%99s-inaugural-ariadne-getty-ally-award-be-presented-lgbtq-ally-and-metoo-advocate</ref><ref>https://www.glaad.org/amp/queer-survivors-guide-after-sexual-violence</ref><ref>https://www.glaad.org/together</ref>.
GLAAD has stated that it is closely allayed to the MeToo Movement<ref>https://www.glaad.org/releases/glaad%E2%80%99s-inaugural-ariadne-getty-ally-award-be-presented-lgbtq-ally-and-metoo-advocate</ref><ref>https://www.glaad.org/amp/queer-survivors-guide-after-sexual-violence</ref><ref>https://www.glaad.org/together</ref>.
Konvitz challenged Arbitrator Huebner's failure to disclose his close ties to both GLAAD and the MeToo Movement as his client was accused of sexual harassment.
Konvitz challenged Arbitrator Huebner's failure to disclose his close ties to both GLAAD and the MeToo Movement as his client was accused of sexual harassment.

The Court of Appeal further admonished that it "is not an appropriate forum to peddle far-fetched conspiracy theories, laced with sexism and homophobia, disguised as a legitimate appeal."<ref name=":1" />


As required, the State Bar of California investigated the appeal with respect to potential disciplinary action.
As required, the State Bar of California investigated the appeal with respect to potential disciplinary action.

Revision as of 20:26, 2 August 2022

Jeffrey Konvitz
Jeffrey Konvitz
Born1944 (age 79–80)
Brooklyn, New York, United States [1]
Alma materCornell University
Columbia University School of Law
Occupation(s)Writer, Film Producer, Attorney

Jeffrey Konvitz (born 1944 in New York) is an American attorney, writer, and film producer.[2][3] He was raised in Woodmere, New York[1] and graduated from Hewlett High School in 1962. He continued his education at Cornell University (BA 1966) and the Columbia University School of Law (1969). Konvitz is probably best known for writing the novel The Sentinel,[4] published in 1974. It was followed by a film adaptation in 1977, which he produced and adapted from the novel.

He married Vicki Peters in 1980, but they were divorced after parenting one child, Kristen Nicole (1983) who is a Motion Pictures Packaging Agent in Los Angeles. Later, he married Jill McWhirter in 1998 and fathered a second child with her, Katherine Arielle (2002). He is Jewish.[5]

Konvitz was Managing Partner of VX119, a financing company in the entertainment industry.[6]

Film career

Jeffrey Konvitz 1974

Konvitz worked as an agent for CMA, general counsel for the Jerry Lewis theatre chain and a production executive for MGM. As an agent, it would have been usual for Konvitz to option properties and put a package together. Konvitz saw that anything good was being snapped up by studios before it was ever seen by him, so Konvitz set out to write original projects. Konvitz wrote the screenplay for “Silent Night, Bloody Night” which he also produced. Konvitz showed the treatment to the Producers and told them the screenplay was being typed. The Producers asked to see the script on Monday so Konvitz wrote the script himself in 4 days. [7]

Konvitz first pitched The Sentinel as a movie but was turned down by Studios. Konvitz decided to write The Sentinel as a novel, staying up writing until 4am while he practiced law in New York during the day. Simon and Schuster bought the rights to The Sentinel in September of ’73 and within six months he received an offer of $200,000 for the paperback rights and $500,000 for the movie rights from Universal. A first-time author had never before been hired by a major studio to adapt and produce a film from their own novel. [8] [9] The Sentinel would sell over 7 million copies.

Konvitz & Nielsen - Spy Hard 1996

Konvitz’s sequel to The Sentinel, The Guardian, sold out entirely in 10 days. It’s publisher, Bantam, went back to immediately print a million extra copies.[10] Konvitz dedicated The Guardian to Rufus, who is credited with editing Chapter 27. Rufus was Konvitz’s 170-Pound Great Pyrenese who ate the problematic Chapter, forcing Konvitz to successfully rewrite it.[11]

Konvitz rose to become one of the top Executives in Hollywood in the 1980s and 90s, leading two Nasdaq listed Entertainment companies: Kings Road Entertainment and Communications and Entertainment Corp [12]. Konvitz was at the forefront of a new wave of film-financing in the 1990s. This new model of film financing, packaging and gap financing spread throughout Hollywood [13].

Works

Novels

  • The Sentinel, 1974
  • The Guardian, 1979 (the sequel to The Sentinel)
  • The Apocalypse, 1979
  • Monster: A Tale of Loch Ness, 1982

Screenplays

Producer

MMG v. AXQG

Konvitz was admitted to the State Bar of California on October 27, 1983 and has been an active member in good standing since 1997.[2] Since at least 2017, Konvitz has represented Malek Media Group LLC (MMG) and Matthew Malek in a business dispute against AXQG Corp. and Anita Gou, among others.[14] Matthew is the principal of MMG, and Gou owns AXQG. The two companies had agreed to start a film production company, Foxtail Entertainment, LLC, but the relationship quickly soured.[14] The parties arbitrated their dispute, AXQG won, and the Los Angeles Superior Court confirmed the arbitration award.[14]

Konvitz proceeded to file an appeal on behalf of his clients. The appeal of the Superior Court's confirmation judgement of Arbitrator Huebner's final award was grounded on alleged violations by the arbitrator of Code of Civil Procure, Section 1286.2. There were issues raised in the appeal as to the improper exclusion of evidence but the primary challenge arose under Section 1286.2(6), which requires a potential arbitrator to disclose "grounds for disqualification of which the arbitrator was then aware." AXQG's Notice of Arbitration cited as a principal cause of action of sexual harassment of a prospective employee by Malek. The Notice was filed after the rise of the MeToomovement which was supported by GLAAD. Arbitrator Huebner was a Founding GLAAD member, general counsel and GLAAD Person of the Year.[15] Malek argued that these background facts should have been disclosed due to the Notice's harassment allegations and they were not.[14]

The Court of Appeal issued harsh criticism to both Konvitz and his client: "MMG and its counsel are equally culpable for pursuing this frivolous and bigotry-infused appeal. MMG’s counsel had numerous opportunities to dismiss the appeal and to withdraw its baseless claims, but chose not to. Instead, MMG’s counsel persisted in its efforts without any legal or factual support, filing wholly deficient briefs and nonsensical requests for judicial notice, supported by declarations from Malek and his counsel. As stated above, this court is not the forum for MMG or its counsel to rant about conspiracies or their politics. This court has wasted its time and resources considering MMG’s appeal, which has only served as a drain on the judicial system and the taxpayers of this state."[14][16]

GLAAD has stated that it is closely allayed to the MeToo Movement[17][18][19]. Konvitz challenged Arbitrator Huebner's failure to disclose his close ties to both GLAAD and the MeToo Movement as his client was accused of sexual harassment.

As required, the State Bar of California investigated the appeal with respect to potential disciplinary action. The State Bar was supplied with all the Appellate Briefs, which were reviewed by State Bar trial counsel. No disciplinary action was taken by the State Bar, and they closed the file in June 2021.

Konvitz remains a California State Bar member in good standing.[20]

References

  1. ^ a b Thomas, Bob (August 7, 1974). "Konvitz decides on job". Clarksdale Public Register. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Jeffrey Steven Konvitz #112184 - Attorney Licensee Search". members.calbar.ca.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  3. ^ The New York Times
  4. ^ "The Sentinel". Modesto Bee. August 11, 1979. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Satan at the Door: The Sinister Events Surrounding The Sentinel". The Huffington Post. 20 January 2016.
  6. ^ "Jeff Konvitz J.D." VX119. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  7. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/385546216/?terms=jeffrey%20konvitz&match=1
  8. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/145580969/?terms=jeffrey%20konvitz&match=1
  9. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/255437234/?terms=jeffrey%20konvitz&match=1
  10. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/484986716/?terms=jeffrey%20konvitz&match=1
  11. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/384965010/?terms=jeffrey%20konvitz&match=1
  12. ^ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-14-fi-740-story.html
  13. ^ https://variety.com/1997/biz/news/more-banks-fall-into-gap-1116677038/
  14. ^ a b c d e California Court of Appeal Decision (December 16, 2020). "Malek Media Group LLC v. AXQG Corp" (PDF). Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  15. ^ "Human Rights Campaign Hails Selection of David Huebner".
  16. ^ Martin, Shaun (2020-12-17). "California Appellate Report: Malek Media Group LLC v. AXQG Corp. (Cal. Ct. App. - Dec. 17, 2020)". California Appellate Report. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  17. ^ https://www.glaad.org/releases/glaad%E2%80%99s-inaugural-ariadne-getty-ally-award-be-presented-lgbtq-ally-and-metoo-advocate
  18. ^ https://www.glaad.org/amp/queer-survivors-guide-after-sexual-violence
  19. ^ https://www.glaad.org/together
  20. ^ "Jeffrey Steven Konvitz # 112184 - Attorney Licensee Search".

External links

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