Jeffrey Konvitz

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.

Jeffrey Konvitz
Born1944 (age 76–77)
Brooklyn, New York, United States [1]
Alma materCornell University
Columbia University School of Law
OccupationWriter, film producer

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

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

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

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.[7] 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.[7] The parties arbitrated their dispute, AXQG won, and the Los Angeles Superior Court confirmed the arbitration award.[7] Konvitz proceeded to file an appeal on behalf of his clients, which the Second Appellate District dismissed.[7] The Court of Appeal sanctioned both MMG and Konvitz for filing a frivolous appeal: $46,000 in attorney's fees, payable to AXQG, and $10,000 payable to the clerk of the court.[8] And it ordered Konvitz to report those sanctions to the State Bar.

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."[7][8]

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."[7]

Sanctions like these can lead to a disciplinary investigation by the State Bar of California.[9]

References
  1. Thomas, Bob (August 7, 1974). "Konvitz decides on job". Clarksdale Public Register. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  2. "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.
  6. "Jeff Konvitz J.D." VX119. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  7. California Court of Appeal Decision (December 16, 2020). "Malek Media Group LLC v. AXQG Corp" (PDF). Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  8. 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.
  9. "MCLE Self Study". apps.calbar.ca.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
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