Complaint Review: Peter Knecht and James Silverstien - Los Angeles California

I read your article and would love you to contact me

I have the same view Know this scumbag 35 years and he just ripped $75K from a friend of mine

email; [email protected]

James E. Silverstein is an unethical d****ebag. He's also stupid and he looks like a moron.

On the Popehat website it is made clear that James E. Silverstein is also a serial spammer. Karma is going to get that ugly b*****d cause he pays off judges when he gets sued. This tool never should be able to practice law but the criminal judges in the Los Angeles Superior court protect his flabby a*s and so he's free to wreak havoc still.

He works alongside and shares fees with a vicious old man named Peter Knecht. Together they are quite the crime team. Chilling to see such pricks being allowed to practice law.


Anyway, seeking a criminal attorney will be getting a criminal who is an attorney if they hire sociopath bozos like Jame E. Silverstein or Peter Knecht.

Peter Knecht stole my last 10 thousand dollars and then promptly told my daughter to plea to a worse plea than offered by the public defender. Mr Knecht pretends to be a fighter who will fight against malicious prosecutions. This is a lie. He will take your money and then try to bully you into a plea. He will leave you to rot in jail and make no motion to help the innocent. He will recommend the services of his buddy James Silverstien for less than his exorbitant fee of 30k for a misdemeanor and promise to help if you hire the bumbling b**tard, James Silverstien. Then when you sign the check and hand it over these two men will leave you flailing and even assist the prosecution to make nice. Peter Knecht dares to present as some rebel when in fact he is the worst enemy you can have if you are wrongfully accused. My daugher was aquitted of all charges by a judge after these men abandoned her to a public defender. These are disgusting amoral men and if you are looking for a lawyer do not hire these shiesters. They are evil and stupid men. When anyone dare call them on their vile and despicable theft they will lash out with lies and defame someone that did not file this 100 percent true report.

James Silverstein will write a series of lies that demand a defamation suit and his old and vicous mentor, Peter Knecht, will follow suit.

They will forget to mention that they themselves told my daughter that everyone was out to get her and that she had to plea though innocent. They will forget to mention that they never wrote one motion in the course of their involvement.

They will forget to mention that a judge aquitted my daughter in "the interests of justice" and that the public defender, who were never remotely threatened(another one of over 50 lies) said that it was a very malicious prosecution and the public defender who interviewed the witnesses that had to be interviewed by any competenct lawyer all show that the appeals was a mistake and was acheived by fraud. Tig Notaro knows and Kevin Seccia know and Micheal Griffee know that it was all a lie. That has long been proven. But, Silverstein never bothered to talk to anyone and that is why he has now opened himself up to a spectacular defamation claim. Mr. Knecth is an evil and twisted man and only due to him would anyone ever hire a foul clown like James Silverstein. That is a fact. But, Silverstein, in this case, was more visibly inept and corrupt. Mr Knecht wanted to settle the lawsuit by signing a declaration that Mr. Silverstein defrauded him as he knew and knows that he messed up but now, as lawyers do, they are lying to cover up their unspeakable vileness.

They also fail to mention that their doctors, the highly reputable, Dr. Markman and Dr. Dupee found my daughter highly competent and were appalled by what they were witnessing. That is why the whole competency charade had to be abandoned. Very essential ommission.

I won't even get into the slander against them by James Silverstein. James Silverstein will slander and libels anyone.

He repeadly mocked the city attorney's office and expressed disgust with thier clothing and lowly positions. Now, he brings up Martin Boags and Felise Kalpakian after he made fun of how hey dressed and repeatedly called them "pathetic." He repeatedly told my daughter and her sister that this city attorney must be sued for their role in a malicious prosecution and now he omits this all to libel a person who he knows was innocent and maliciously prosecuted.

What a disgusing crock. These men are liars and tortfeasors of the lowest kind.

Consumers and just any self respecting human being would have nothing to do with the likes of James Silverstein and Peter Knecht.

Mr. James Silverstein

James Silverstein is a joke. I pity those who get him as an attorney

It is a fact that the defendant was highly competent and that Peter Knecht and James Silverstein knew this and repeatedly said this was a malicious prosecution and that the competency thing was a cruel fraud.

It is a fact that these two worms, James Silverstein and Peter Knecht, were scared to alienate judges and city attorneys and sold this client out when push came to shove.

It is a fact that the defendant was not only acquitted but acquitted in a spectacular way as the final dispositions were rare ones and indicated malicious prosecution. Thank god a good judge intervened after 2 long years.

How these vile and despicable men think they can get away with such lies is a mystery. It is a fact that everything they say is a complete invention as they know that they messed up and made some very bad guesses when they abandoned the client after stealing ten thousand dollars. It is a fact that they will be sued and exposed until they fess up and make amendes to their victims.

One wonders if they have done no inquiry and are just spouting lies that they want to believe. Well, they will have a rude shock when they finally make any effort to learn the facts.

Peter Knecht will be sued for defamation on top of the other causes of action necessitated by his abuse and neglect. He is a ruthless con man as is his protege- James Silverstein.

Every thing Peter Knecht has said on Rip off report is a pitiful lie. Mr. Peter Knecht sold his client out and he has aided a malicious prosecution . Mr. Knecht is a huge phony who knows that every word he says is a lie. It is a shame that a man like him and his crony, James Silverstein are allowed to practice law and to pretend to be a defendant advocates.They are the enemy of their client as they work strictly to advance their own interests. Their interests are money and power. Nothing more or less.

The defendant in this case was a acquitted and that is a fact that they can't ignore for long.

Their response the understandable grievances of people they have screwed is indicative of what lowlifes they are. Rather than acknowledging thier abject "negligence" etc. etc. they lie and lie and hope it sticks and they try to ingratitate themselves with evil people they know to be evil. Peter Knecht and James Silverstein deserve a special place in hell.

Peter Knecht and James e. Silverstein are mentally diseased men who stole and sold out clients that trusted them and deserved some duty of care.

They can lie all they want but I have the peace of mind that other victims might not fall prey to them-- if the word is out in some capacity.

My name is Peter L. Knecht.  In October of 2009, Ms. Alisa Spitzberg came into my office seeking representation.  Based upon my brief interview with her, I determined I did not want this case.  I felt I was too busy to take on her matter, especially as I foresaw future problems based upon what I observed to be Ms. Spitzbergs mental issues.

I referred the matter to James E. Silverstein, who I felt might wish to take on the case. 

• I was never retained by Ms. Spitzberg.
• Ms. Spitzberg never signed a Retainer Agreement with me.
• I never counseled her, appeared in court for her, or otherwise done anything to further representation.  I merely referred her to another attorney, who might be willing to deal with these competency issues.

To make it over-abundantly clear, I never received a referral fee on this matter from Mr. Silverstein, who became her attorney of record.

Ms. Spitzberg has since decided to defame Mr. Silverstein and me on the internet. 

I feel I stand in good company, as in the same report that she defamed Mr. Silverstein and myself, she also defamed the following: Judge Gerald Rosenberg in Department A, Santa Monica Court; The Honorable Judge Villar in Department 56, Central Court; The Honorable Judge Stratton in Department 95, Mental Health Court; Deputy Los Angeles City Attorney Martin Boags; Deputy Los Angeles City Attorney Jennifer Waxler; and Deputy Los Angeles City Attorney Felise Cohen Kalpakian.

Ms. Spitzberg was found incompetent by the judges of the Mental Health Court, Department 95, Los Angeles Superior Court, and she was not acquitted in her criminal matter, after Mr. Silverstein recused himself as her attorney for good cause.  (The jury actually hung 11-1 for conviction.)

As far as I am concerned, if not for Mr. Silversteins representation, she would still be in custody, and confined to a mental health facility. 

For a complete description of this scenario, please refer to Mr. Silversteins rebuttal.

My name is Peter L. Knecht.  In October of 2009, Ms. Alisa Spitzberg came into my office seeking representation.  Based upon my brief interview with her, I determined I did not want this case.  I felt I was too busy to take on her matter, especially as I foresaw future problems based upon what I observed to be Ms. Spitzbergs mental issues.

I referred the matter to James E. Silverstein, who I felt might wish to take on the case. 

• I was never retained by Ms. Spitzberg.
• Ms. Spitzberg never signed a Retainer Agreement with me.
• I never counseled her, appeared in court for her, or otherwise done anything to further representation.  I merely referred her to another attorney, who might be willing to deal with these competency issues.

To make it over-abundantly clear, I never received a referral fee on this matter from Mr. Silverstein, who became her attorney of record.

Ms. Spitzberg has since decided to defame Mr. Silverstein and me on the internet. 

I feel I stand in good company, as in the same report that she defamed Mr. Silverstein and myself, she also defamed the following: Judge Gerald Rosenberg in Department A, Santa Monica Court; The Honorable Judge Villar in Department 56, Central Court; The Honorable Judge Stratton in Department 95, Mental Health Court; Deputy Los Angeles City Attorney Martin Boags; Deputy Los Angeles City Attorney Jennifer Waxler; and Deputy Los Angeles City Attorney Felise Cohen Kalpakian.

Ms. Spitzberg was found incompetent by the judges of the Mental Health Court, Department 95, Los Angeles Superior Court, and she was not acquitted in her criminal matter, after Mr. Silverstein recused himself as her attorney for good cause.  (The jury actually hung 11-1 for conviction.)

As far as I am concerned, if not for Mr. Silversteins representation, she would still be in custody, and confined to a mental health facility. 

For a complete description of this scenario, please refer to Mr. Silversteins rebuttal.

Why is James Silverstien attacking those who didn't file a report against him. Jamie E . Silverstein is dangerous liar who defamed and abused the wrong people. He is a vile buffoon whose every word is a lie .  He forgets to mention that his victim was acquitted of all the charges by the judge. This is a very very curious omission under the circumstances. James Silverstien is once again trying to befriend the adversaries to hurt innocent people. James E. Silverstien is a disgrace to humanity and the legal profession. His lies and ravings on this site will be used against him in a defamation suit.

James E. Silverstien is a bully and a  theif and the worst possible attorney once can get. Documents available to anyone who may want to hire this depraved sleazeball.

My name is James Silverstein. This malicious, false report, as well as several others posted over the past several days, has been generated by a very disturbed individual, Alisa Spitzberg. Ms. Alisa Spitzberg may also have been aided by her sister, Lauren Spitzberg and/or their mother, Henya Spitzberg.

I am an attorney who was retained by Ms. Spitzberg in late 2009 to defend her against ongoing misdemeanor criminal charges which were brought by the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office. The following information is based upon public records generated in that case.

Ms. Spitzberg was arrested in or about 2008 for violating a valid restraining order entered against her by Judge Gerald Rosenberg in the Santa Monica Court. Ms. Spitzberg appealed that order, but it was upheld by the Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division 1. The Court of Appeals written decision recites in detail the awful, disturbing behavior exhibited by Ms. Spitzberg. See  http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.%5CCA%5C2009%5C20091119_0009756.CA.htm/qx

This restraining order was granted because the protected party and victim, Mathilde "Tig" Notaro, proved allegations that Ms. Alisa Spitzberg stalked and assaulted her by way of multiple witness testimony.  The evidence adduced in that hearing suggested that Ms. Spitzberg was displeased that Ms. notaro was apparently dating Ms. Spitzberg's ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Willen. Ms. Spitzberg stalked the victim, impeded her ability to work, made criminal threats against her, and ultimately assaulted her. The following excerpt is taken directly from the Court of Appeal written decision:

"The testimony of Notaro and others shows that Notaro was not only physically assaulted by Spitzberg on one occasion in August 2007, but that Notaro received at least two credible threats of violence from Spitzberg in April 2008. Spitzberg said to Seccia that she was "`going to get'" Notaro and that any time Notaro left her home or performed, Spitzberg was "`going to be on her.'" On April 29, 2008, Spitzberg told Whitaker that she knew the license plate number, make, and color of Notaro's car, and where Notaro lived. From this evidence, the trial court reasonably could have inferred that Spitzberg was following Notaro in order to harass and intimidate her and that such conduct constituted stalking. Spitzberg also engaged in a series of acts of harassment by making personal attacks, insults, and threats by way of e-mail.

On April 12, 2008, Seccia observed Notaro to be upset, nervous, and "freaked out" because of Spitzberg's conduct. On April 29, 2008, Notaro was afraid to leave the comedy club because Spitzberg was outside the door. The trial court reasonably could have inferred that Spitzberg's conduct was willful and malicious, seriously alarmed and annoyed Notaro, caused Notaro substantial emotional distress, served no legitimate purpose, and was not constitutionally protected."

In or about 2008, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office filed a 273.6 charge against Ms. Spitzberg for violating that restraining order. Additional charges were later added by amendment, including making annoying and harrasing phone call or communications, stalking, and making criminal threats.  Ms. Spitzberg fired several attorneys she had prior to me because, regrettably, she is a paranoid, bi-polar, delusional psychopath, and in that state concluded irrationally that each attorney was not protecting her interests, and moreover, were in on some kind of "grand conspiracy" with Superior Court Judges, the Los Angeles Police Department and the City Attorney's Office to destroy her.

In or about October 2009, I was retained by Ms. Spitzberg to represent her following two free, prolonged consultations. The very next morning, I received a frantic phone call from her mother stating that the LAPD served an arrest warrant at their residence and took Ms. Spitzberg into custody. This is the beginning of the nightmare for me.

It turned out that prior to hiring me, the master arraignment court judge in the Clara Foltz Central Justice Center declared a doubt as to Ms. Spitzberg's mental competency to stand trial pursuant to Penal Code Section 1368. Ms. Spitzberg was ordered to report to Department 95 - the Los Angeles County Mental Health Court for evaluations of her competency. She was interviewed by a Dr. Sharma, who opined in no uncertain terms that Ms. Alisa Spitzberg was incompetent to stand trial. When Ms. Spitzberg learned this, she fled the Courthouse and a warrant for her arrest was issued.

After receiving this information from Mrs. Henya Spitzberg, I made immediate efforts to free her from custody. The transcripts from the numerous hearings which were held in Department 95 over the course of more than a month show that I made multiple bail motions, which were all denied without prejudice by Judge Stratton.  In the meantime, a second court-appointed doctor again opined that Ms. Spitzberg was incompetent to stand trial. It was only after exhaustive efforts I made to procure two of my own experts who concluded she was not incompetent that the District Attorney reluctantly agreed to stipulate to her competentcy. As such, criminal proceedings were reinstituted.

In or about December, 2009, the day after the District Attorney agreed to stipulate to competency, the arrignment court Judge back at the criminal courts building agreed to give Ms. Spitzberg $10,000.00 bail at my request. While I asked that Ms. Spitzberg be released upon her promise to appear ("O.R."), as had occured earlier in the case, the Judge declined that request in light of Ms. Spitzberg's wilful disobeyance of the Judge's order that she report to Department 95 until notified otherwise.

Over the next several weeks, I spent exhaustive amounts of time reading the voluminous police reports, search warrants, prior court transcripts, and other discovery materials available in an effort to fully and intimately understand the case. At the same time, I received numerous badgering phone calls from Ms. Spitzberg, her sister Lauren, and her mother Henya, as well as voluminious, irrelevant documents, including court transcripts from prior hearings from them, which they demanded I review. These documents dealt with issues that had absolutely no relevance to the merits of the case itself, but I nonetheless spent considerable time reviewing them to apieze the Spitzbergs. Out of respect for the attorney-client relationship, I will not restate the contents of any specific discussions held with Ms. Spitzberg. However, I will say that Ms. Spitzberg was pushy, rude, demanding, non-lienear in thought, and unreasonable. She could never focus on the issues that were critical to her defense, and instead continually and irrationally harped upon how everyone was out to get her, how this was all some kind of cruel conspiracy, how the numerous judges involved were corrupt, as were the City Attorneys and Police Officers who were involved.

At some point in January 2009, I had several discussions with the assigned City Attorney, Martin Boags, with an eye towards resolving the case in a manner which would best protect Ms. Spitzberg's interests. Following those discussions, Mr. Boags offered to dismiss the charges against Ms. Spitzberg if she 1) stayed out of trouble for a year, 2) attended regular mental health therapy, and 3) had no contact with Ms. Notaro and the other protected parties.  The evening before the next court hearing before the Honorable Judge Villar, I advised Ms. Spitzberg in my office of this offer because I had a moral and ethical obligation to do so. Upon doing so, Ms. Spitzberg became irrate and accused me of, amongst other things, backstabbing her, and being "in on the conspiracy with the rest of them." I told Ms. Spitzberg that I had no such motive or intention, and was simply conveying the information I received to her. I told her she was under no obligation to accept the offer, and if she did not want to, she could go to trial. I also advised her, however, that if she went to trial and lost, she would surely face a period of incarceration the County Jail, amongst other punitive features.

The next morning in court, I advised the Judge about the terms of Mr. Boag's offer, a standard practice, and I put on the record the same non-privileged information I gave Ms. Spitzberg the night before. I also advised the Judge that I was happy to try the case for Ms. Spitzberg, but I was currently engaged in a felony trial in the same court house which had legal priority. Over Ms. Spitzberg's objection, the Judge granted a continuance.

Following the Court hearing, Ms. Spitzberg confronted me in the hallway and proceeded to threaten and belittle me. Amongst other things, she mocked the law school I attended, and threated to destroy my career by posting slanderous material on the internet. I told her that her behavior was unnacceptable, and that because she threatened me, she created a conflict of interest such that I could no longer morally or ethically represent her. Shortly thereafter, I made a motion to withdraw from her representation due to that conflict of interest, and that motion was granted by Judge Villar. Judge Villar then appointed the Public Defender's Office to represent her.

At some point earlier this year, the case went to trial. While I am not certain of the specifics, I do know that the jury hung 11-1 in favor of guilt. The City Attorney's Office has not refiled the case, but the Judge left the civil restraining order in effect, which still stands today. Based upon information and belief, it is my understanding that following this outcome, Ms. Spitzberg threatened her public defender and had to be forcefully removed from the Public Defender's Office.

Ms. Spitzberg has now filed a baseless, meritless malpractice suit against me, which my legal counsel advises me she cannot win since she cannot prove factual innocense. Because the matter is pending, I cannot address it further.

This whole experience is regrettable. I take my job very seriously, and have never - and will never - do anything purosefully harmful to any of my clients. I zestfully represented Ms. Spitzberg, but because of her mental illness, there was absolutely nothing I could have done which would have satisfied her. I am now in the unfortunate position of having to protect my good name, reputation, and character; but I will do whatever is necessary to do so.

Ms. Alisa Spitzberg is a disturbed character assassin, and anyone who has dealt with her would attest to that characterization. She notoriously hides behind the seeming annoymity of the internet, and not surprisingly, did not use her name when creating these supposed "Rip Off Reports" against me. In addition, she has slandered and defamed the good names of numerous other people who were connected with this matter, including:

The Honorable Gerald Rosenberg in Department West A; The Honorable Judge Villar in Department Central 56; The Honorable Judge Jessner in Department Central 40; the Honorable Judge Stratton in Department 95; Deputy Los Angeles City Attorneys Martin Boags, Jennifer Waxler, and Felise Cohen Kalpakian; 47-year veteran Defense Attorney Peter Knecht; and others.

Ms. Spitzberg's disturbed, psychotic rants are openly plastered on the internet, including popular bloging site www.open.salon.com (see, for instance, http://open.salon.com/blog/fernsy/2010/06/17/trying_to_make_injustice_sexy_one_post_at_a_time)

If anyone has any further questions or concerns, feel free to address them to my office. To the extent I can ethically and legally do so, I am happy to discuss these meritless allegations further upon request.