Profil
Avi Benayoun, Chair of the Fort Lauderdale Litigation Practice, is a first-chair business litigator who represents private equity firms, investors, real estate developers, financial institutions, and business leaders in high-stakes disputes where control of a business, investment, or assets are at stake. Clients turn to him for complex matters involving corporate governance, M&A litigation, real estate disputes, and high-value commercial claims. Recognized in Best Lawyers in America for Business Litigation for four consecutive years, Avi is known for his ability to simplify complex disputes, develop creative strategies, and deliver approaches that align with clients’ broader goals. His practice spans trials, arbitrations, and negotiated resolutions — with a track record that includes securing eight-figure settlements in post-acquisition disputes, representing clients in multimillion-dollar real estate and contract cases, and handling over $1 Billion worth of commercial foreclosures and work-out matters dating back to the 2008 financial crisis.
Concentrations
- Partnership and Shareholder disputes
- Business divorce matters
- Commercial foreclosures and work-outs
- Commercial landlord/tenant litigation
- COVID-19 related litigation including applicability of force majeure provisions
- Section 230 litigation under the Computer Decency Act codified under 47 U.S.C. § 230
- Health care litigation
- Pre and post mergers litigation
- Corporate governance and disputes
- Contract disputes
- Lender liability litigation
- Construction litigation
- Real estate brokerage disputes and licensure
- Business torts
- Trademark infringement
- Insurance coverage litigation
- Deceptive and unfair trade practices
- Employer/Employee noncompetition litigation
- Trade secrets
- eDiscovery/eRetention litigation
- Corporate governance disputes
Kompetencje
Doświadczenie
- Obtained an eight-figure settlement for a private equity client in a post-M&A dispute.
- Cohen v. Google LLC, l8-2459l-CIV (S.D. Fla. 2019). Obtained dismissal with prejudice on behalf of Google as an interactive computer service provider under the Computer Decency Act codified in 47 U.S.C. § 230 for alleged defamation and hate speech claims brought under 18 U.S.C. §1981.
- Represents national health club chain in litigation matters including real estate development, construction and COVID-19 related leasing disputes under a wide range of force majeure provisions.
- Defended state-wide health care provider for alleged RICO and related tort and contract claims arising out of alleged fraudulent billing practices under Florida’s Personal Injury Protection Statute codified in §627.736, Florida Statutes.
- Defended national shopping center developer for COVID-19 related delays, including for alleged construction delays, pursuant to applicable contractual provisions including force majeure provisions.
- Defended leading CBD company in defense of claims brought by alleged minority owner including both contract and business tort claims.
- Represented commercial landlord and tenants in COVID-19 related litigation involving the interpretation and applicability of a wide array of force majeure provisions.
- Represented multi-state cannabis company in Florida licensure application matters including in administrative and appellate proceedings.
- Represented national insurer in national multimillion-dollar, multiyear agreement against the country’s largest contact lens distributor in a multi-day trial on eDiscovery issues in the Complex Business Division of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit In And For Broward County, Florida
- Represented lender in foreclosing on loan in excess of $150 million secured by several commercial properties in several counties in a single action.
- Represented lenders in numerous commercial and residential foreclosure actions.
- Defended TILA, RESPA and HOEPA claims asserted by borrowers in residential foreclosure actions.
- Represented developers in defense of multimillion-dollar, construct-defect claims, including claims brought under Chapter 558, Florida Statutes.
- Represented lenders in multimillion-dollar lender liability litigation.
- Represented real estate developers in numerous contractual disputes.
- Represented numerous clients in landlord/tenant litigation, including evictions, damage claims and lease disputes.
- Represented real estate developer in multimillion-dollar brokerage claim.
- Represented numerous clients in employer noncompetition and trade secret litigation.
- Certified Legal Intern, United States Federal Public Defender, 1998
- Judicial Intern, The Honorable David L. Levy, Third District Court of Appeal, 1996
Sukcesy i wyróżnienia
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2022-2026
- Selected, Fort Lauderdale Illustrated, "Top Lawyers," 2023
- Team Member, a Law360 "Real Estate Practice Group of the Year," 2023
- Team Member, U.S. News - Best Lawyers®, Best Law Firms Edition, "Law Firm of the Year," Real Estate - Litigation, 2017 and 2022
- Listed, South Florida Legal Guide, "Top Lawyer," 2021
- Member, Winning Team, "M&A Deal of the Year (Over $1 Billion to $5 Billion)" for Platform Specialty Products Corporation (f/k/a Platform Acquisition Holdings Limited) acquisition of MacDermid, Incorporated and related entities, The M&A Advisor’s 6th Annual International M&A Awards, 2014
- Member, Duke University School of Law Electronic Discover Reference Model (EDRM) Advisory Council, 2018-Present
- Graduate, Leadership Miami
- Member, Broward County Bar Association
- Member, The Florida Bar
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Graduate, Leadership Fort Lauderdale
- Member, Leadership Broward Class XXV
Kwalifikacje
Wykształcenie
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J.D., cum laude, University of Miami School of Law
- Assistant Articles and Comments Editor, University of Miami Inter-American Law Review
- Dean's List
- Phi Delta Phi
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B.S.B.A., Finance, cum laude, University of Florida
- Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
- President's List
- Omicron Delta Epsilon, Economics Honor Society
Posiadane uprawnienia
- Florida
Znajomość języków
- Hebrew
- Spanish