Notable Cases

Won an $83 million dollar judgement, one of the largest ever in a California securities case, on behalf of 600 investors defrauded in a real estate limited partnership Ponzi scheme.  Mr. Allen individually represented each of the investors; this was not a class action law suit.  Writing for the court, Judge McDonald said:..."This is a sad, tragic tale of greed and of people unwilling to take responsibility both for their acts and their failure to act.  As a result, a lot of innocent people, mostly elderly, lost a lot of money."

Represented a group of Hollywood directors and producers in a claim against Morgan Stanley (formerly Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.) in which the arbitration panel awarded attorney's fees, interest, costs, sanctions against Dean Witter, compensatory damages and an unprecedented punitive damage award of 500% of compensatory damages, one of the largest percentage awards ever made before the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD).

Represented 150 investors across the nation who were victimized by a massive California and Nevada based $20 million Ponzi scheme that precipitated the involvement of the FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission.  After battling in federal court, state court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and an arbitration claim before the NASD, the case was brought to a successful conclusion.

Represented hundreds of investors throughout the United States in arbitration in the massive Prudential Securities limited partnership scandal - the largest case of brokerage wrongdoing in the nations history.  Billions of dollars were lost by hundreds of thousands of investors.

Brought a successful arbitration claim against noted author investment Guru Charles Givens and his investment empire in a highly publicized proceeding on behalf of defrauded investors.  A San Diego Superior Court jury agreed with Salinas, Calif.-based plaintiff Cella Gutierrez and 29,000 California complainants in the class-action suit that he misrepresented his background and qualifications to give financial advice and determined the settlement.

Represented five original cast members of the original Star Trek television series and Motion Picture production of Star Trek in a dispute with Paramount Pictures; achieved a substantial out of court settlement.

Max Shapiro vs. The National Enquirer - a defamation suit brought by Elvis Presley's dentist.

  VS. 

Hilton vs. Sheraton Hotels - an antitrust law suit in the Hawaiian Islands.