In this Sept. 24, 2018, file photo, Michael Avenatti, attorney for porn actress Stormy Daniels, talks to reporters after a federal court hearing in Los Angeles. A California judge on Monday, Oct. 22, ordered Avenatti to pay $4.85 million to an attorney at his former law firm--the first time the potential presidential candidate is being held personally liable in the case. (AP Photo/Amanda Lee Myers) **FILE**