Bard

Yoni Bard

Partner
Boston

I help clients navigate high-stakes business disputes, insolvency situations, and government enforcement actions.

Yoni Bard is a Boston-based litigation attorney and partner at Foley Hoag LLP whose practice centers on complex commercial litigation, debtor-creditor disputes, bankruptcy and restructuring, and white-collar criminal defense. As an experienced litigator, Yoni represents companies and individuals in high-stakes matters in federal and state courts, arbitrations, and government investigations—from pre-suit demands and government inquiries through trial and appeal.
 

Yoni’s debtor-creditor disputes and bankruptcy practice encompasses receivership actions, chapter 7 and chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, out-of-court debt restructurings, and fraudulent transfer litigation. He counsels secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, and other stakeholders navigating financial distress and insolvency proceedings in Massachusetts, New York, and across the country. Yoni has extensive experience with Massachusetts cannabis receivership actions, including creditor, debtor, and receiver representation.A recognized white-collar practitioner, Yoni defends clients in federal enforcement actions and investigations involving allegations of healthcare fraud (including under the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback statute), securities violations, and other financial offenses. . His white-collar practice spans DOJ investigations, congressional inquiries, internal corporate investigations, and federal court litigation.

Yoni is also an active participant in the firm’s pro bono program and has helped noncitizens challenge unlawful detention and deportation, including through federal habeas corpus litigation. In 2017, Yoni served as a Special Assistant District Attorney in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, where he represented the Commonwealth in felony and misdemeanor criminal prosecutions and tried approximately a dozen cases before judges and juries. During law school, he served as an immigration law research assistant and as a judicial intern for the U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review.

Education

  • Boston College Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2016
  • McGill University, B.A., 2010


 

Bar and Court Admissions

BAR ADMISSIONS
  • Massachusetts
  • New York
COURT ADMISSIONS
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Languages

  • Spanish
  • Portuguese

Experience

DEBTOR-CREDITOR DISPUTES AND BANKRUPTCY
  • Represent secured creditors, debtor, and receiver in various cannabis receiverships pending in Massachusetts state court
  • Represent secured creditor in chapter 11, subchapter V bankruptcy case
  • Represented cannabis company in potential acquisition of assets from receivership estate
  • Represented music catalog financing company in litigation related to royalty rights
  • Represented multi-national bus manufacturer as creditor in out-of-court debt restructuring
  • Represented biomass energy facility in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases
  • Represented secured and unsecured creditors in chapter 7 bankruptcy cases
  • Represented multiple clients in litigation involving fraudulent transfer claims
INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT ENFORCEMENT
  • Represented hedge fund in responding to SEC subpoenas and voluntary information requests
  • Represented regenerative medicine company in False Claims Act investigation
  • Defended medical practice in litigation involving claims under the Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act
  • Represented former chief financial officer of major national sports team in congressional and other investigation
  • Defended co-founder of cryptocurrency derivatives exchange in federal criminal action based on alleged Bank Secrecy Act violations
  • Defended genetic testing company in investigation initiated by OIG, Health & Human Services subpoena concerning potential False Claims Act violations
  • Defended business owner in federal criminal litigation and trial involving charges of bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud
  • Served as counsel to government-appointed monitor of major international financial institution with responsibilities including investigation and assessment of compliance program
  • Conducted internal investigation for digital therapeutics company concerning allegations of potential misrepresentations to investors
  • Conducted internal investigation for philanthropic organization concerning allegations of misappropriation of funds by employee
  • Advised investment advisory firm concerning potential violations of Controlled Substances Act and Money Laundering Control Act arising from international cannabis investments
  • Advised municipalities concerning federal enforcement of immigration laws and compliance with grant conditions
BUSINESS DISPUTES
  • Represent cannabis company and managers in closely held business litigation
  • Represented various entities in connection with disputes arising from business email compromises and other data security events
  • Represented financial services firm in dispute related to consulting agreement
  • Represented genetic testing company in arbitration concerning allegations of improper billing practices
  • Represented plaintiffs challenging Massachusetts Governor and Department of Public Health’s ban on medical marijuana vaping products
PRO BONO
  • Secured release of immigration detainees through habeas corpus litigation and settlement negotiations with Department of Justice
  • Negotiated favorable settlement agreement on behalf of small business owner in commercial eviction action
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Served as Special Assistant District Attorney in Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office
  • Guest lectured on federal immigration litigation at Boston College Law School

Other Publications

Honors & Involvement

HONORS
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
    • Commercial Litigation (2023-2027) and Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2023-2027)
  • Senior Editor, Boston College Law Review
INVOLVEMENT
  • Boston Bar Association
  • Senior Editor, Boston College Law Review

Other Events

  • Speaker, “Cannabis Disputes/Restructuring & Regulatory,” Foley Hoag Webinar (September 2025)
  • Panelist, “Cannabis Debt Finance & Transactions,” Foley Hoag Webinar (September 2025)
  • Panelist, “Trends in Privacy Litigation and Tips for Minimizing Risk,”, Foley Hoag Webinar (April 2024)
  • Panelist, “How to Navigate a Congressional Investigation,” Foley Hoag Webinar (July 2021)
  • Speaker, “California Dreaming: California Consumer Privacy Act – Compliance Issues for Asset Managers,” Boston Bar Association, (December 2019)
  • “Life in the Fast Lane: Cruising Through the CCPA’s Draft Regulations,” Podcast: Volume Two (November 2019)
  • “Welcome to the Hotel California (Consumer Privacy Act): You can check out any time you’d like, but you may still be liable,” Podcast: Volume One (August 2019)