Excerpt: ...pal and its attorneys refused to wear face masks despite repeated requests from Ms. Amde's counsel. Ms. Amde seeks a protective order directing Plaintiff to take the deposition of Ms. Amde remotely. In the alternative, Ms. Amde, seeks an order requiring all persons present at the deposition to wear face masks should the deposition take place in person. On August 27, 2021, Plaintiff Marble One, LLC filed a motion to compel the Deposition of Defend...

Excerpt: ...ng affected by the settlement and the date on which the affected pleading was filed.” (CRC Rule 3.1382.) “Any party to an action in which it is alleged that two or more parties are joint tortfeasors or co-obligors on a contract debt shall be entitled to a hearing on the issue of the good faith of a settlement entered into by the plaintiff or other claimant and one or more alleged tortfeasors or co-obligors, upon giving notice in the manner pr...

Excerpt: ... widow and is also representing the estate of Guy Cognein. Defendants Kathi Dolan and Fire Insurance Exchange filed separate demurrers to the FAC. The demurrers are unopposed. LEGAL STANDARD “Before filing a demurrer . . . the demurring party shall meet and confer in person or by telephone with the party who filed the pleading . . . for the purpose of determining whether an agreement can be reached that would resolve the objections to be raised...

Excerpt: ...nt, promissory fraud, quantum meruit, and common count arising out the construction and sale of a piece of real property. On October 20, 2020, Plaintiffs filed second amended complaint (labeled first amended complaint). Defendants Alan I. Schimmel, and S&B Investments, LLC filed a demur and motion to strike to this complaint, which the Court will identify as the FAC. LEGAL STANDARD A demurrer for sufficiency tests whether the complaint alleges fa...

Excerpt: ...aterproofing Forensics Person Most Qualified (PMQ), (ii) that Mr. Vanderslice is the individual that they expect to designate as an expert witness, and (iii) Folger Roofing can (only) take the deposition of Mr. Vanderslice as an expert witness should they designate him (and then only on the eve of trial). Folger Roofing Noticed the Deposition of the PMQ of Roofing and Waterproofing Forensics for September 24, 2020. (Morssion Decl. ¶ 2.) Counsel ...

Excerpt: ...nsider the matter and modify, amend, or revoke the prior order.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 1008(a).) “[F]acts of which the party seeking reconsideration was aware at the time of the original ruling are not ‘new or different.'” (In re Marriage of Herr (2009) 174 Cal.App.4th 1463, 1468 [citing Garcia v. Hejmadi (1997) 58 Cal.App.4th 674, 690].) “The party making the application shall state by affidavit what application was made before, when an...

Excerpt: ...iled in December 2019. Plaintiffs alleges six causes of action, including: (1) violation of Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (Neglect); (2) strict liability – failure to warn; (3) breach of fiduciary duty – fraud by concealment; (4) professional negligence (medical malpractice); (5) wrongful death; and (6) unfair business practices in violation of California Business and Professions Code Sections 17200-17208. On December 2...

Excerpt: ...��Cross-Complainant” or “BRF”) counsel of record, Jeffrey Konvitz, from testifying at trial or, in the alternative, for an order shortening time for a noticed hearing on the matter. At the hearing on the ex parte applications filed by both parties, the Court held that the ex parte application needed to be fully briefed and set a hearing date. (See 08/26/2021 Minute Order.) LEGAL STANDARD Rule 3.7(a) of the Rules of Professional Conduct prov...

Excerpt: ...(“Amir”) and Bonnie Rejaei (“Bonnie”), and Does 1 -5. This is a dispute between a lawyer and his former clients. (See FAC ¶2:3-6.) On February 18, 2021, the Court held an IDC wherein “counsel for defendants agree[d] to supplement his response to Special Interrogatories 14.1 and 15.1, correct procedural defects in his response to the RFPs, and respond to form interrogatory 17.1 Counsel further agree to provide responses by March 1” (S...

Excerpt: ... Does 1 -10. Defendant Jake Dempsey was served on February 22, 2021. Default was entered against Defendant Jake Dempsey on March 25, 2021. Dempsey filed a motion to set aside default on April 12, 2021. LEGAL STANDARD Under Code of Civil Procedure, section 473(b), an application for relief based on a party's mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect must be made no more than six months after entry of the order from which relief is soug...

Excerpt: ...Code of Civil Procedure section 1060. The trial in this action is set for September 27, 2021. On April 9, 2021, Cross-Complainant filed a motion to invoke the crime-fraud exception to attorney-client privilege. On September 6, 2020, BRF served its Request for the Production of Documents, Set No. 1, on Geringer. Geringer responded on November 3, 2020 (after an extension). (See Konvitz Decl. ¶ 34, Ex. K.) There were five document demands and the a...

Excerpt: ... ¶1.) Petitioner has filed this petition as a writ of mandate and for declaratory relief. Petitioner alleges the “Assessor has sought 11 continuances of the hearings, pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code section 1604, subdivision 12(c), on these applications over the past seven years due to the criminal prosecution of the former Assessor and the Assessor's representative, the Assessor's appraiser, and Petitioner's former agent, Ramin Salari, ...

Excerpt: ...for accounts that she worked on. The court also granted a motion for judgment on the pleadings with leave to amend. On June 4, 2021, the Court granted Plaintiff Adrienne Doustkam's motion for leave to file a second amended complaint (SAC). Plaintiff's SAC is a 14-count complaint against Defendants Tax Credit Group and Pejman J. Sage.[1] LEGAL STANDARD A demurrer for sufficiency tests whether the complaint alleges facts sufficient to constitute a ...

Excerpt: ... Does 1 – 100, and Marina City Club Condominium Owners Association (nominal defendant) for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and accounting. The first cause of action was against the “Director Defendants,” who were identified as defendants Kelliher, Bergmann, Pesce, Rahmati and Bryce (see FAVDC ¶ 16, p. 11:27), and the third cause of action was against all defendants for an accounting. The Court deemed the FAVDC filed on Februa...

Excerpt: ...tatement of compliance with the demand is incomplete. (2) A representation of inability to comply is inadequate, incomplete, or evasive. (3) An objection in the response is without merit or too general. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2031.310(a).) Motions to compel further responses must be timely to be considered. (See Code Civ. Proc., § 2031.310(c).) A party filing a motion to compel further needs to comply with two requirements. First, a party filing a...

Excerpt: ...y September 1, 2021, and reply to be filed by September 3, 2021. (See id.) On August 25, 2021, Cross-Defendant and Cross-Complainant Nadel Residential and Commercial, Inc.'s filed its motion for a determination of a good faith settlement between itself and Shores. Cross-Complainant/Cross-Defendants Trademark and Railcraft filed limited oppositions. LEGAL STANDARD “A motion or application for determination of good faith settlement may include a ...

Excerpt: ...nd amended complaint (“SAC”) against Defendant Terramar Retail Centers, LLC (“Terramar”), Operating Co., and Does l-10 alleging claims for (1) breach of fiduciary duty, (2) breach of contract, (3) breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, (4) declaratory relief, and (5) derivative liability. On April 12, 2021, Terramar filed an answer to the SAC. LEGAL STANDARD Upon a properly noticed motion of a party made no later than the ...

Excerpt: ...endant BW Partners, II, LLC ("BW"), a California limited liability company that owns the real property located at 1104 North Tigertail Road, Los Angeles, CA, 90049. (Id. ¶ 2.) On July 12, 2021, the Court held a hearing on an ex parte application for a temporary restraining order and order to show Cause re preliminary injunction. The Court denied the TRO application. In Defendant's opposition to this motion, Defendant notes that counsel orally st...

Excerpt: ...nt (“FAVDC”) against Neil Kelliher, Peter Bergmann, Louise Pesce, Lahdan Rahmati, Mahvash Rahmati, Donna Bryce, Seabreeze Management Company, Essex Marina City Club, Does 1 – 100 and Marina City Club Condominium Owners Association (nominal defendant) for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and accounting. The first cause of action was against the “Director Defendants,” who are identified as defendants Kelliher, Bergmann, Pesce...

Excerpt: ...Court for Tarrant County, Texas (the “Texas Action”). (Peña Decl. ¶2, Ex. A.) Petitioner alleges third- party claims in Texas state court against Rick Finkelstein, individually and against Entertainment Factory, LLC, Death House Movie, LLC, Entertainment Factory Music, LLC and Entertainment Factory Studios, LLC for breach of contract, common law and statutory fraud, unjust enrichment/money had and received, violation of statutory securities...

Excerpt: ...sly finds facts that establish: (1) There exists an overriding interest that overcomes the right of public access to the record; (2) The overriding interest supports sealing the record; (3) A substantial probability exists that the overriding interest will be prejudiced if the record is not sealed; (4) The proposed sealing is narrowly tailored; and (5) No less restrictive means exist to achieve the overriding interest.” (McGuan v. Endovascular ...

Excerpt: ...te, Law Office of Stephen White, and Stephen Edward White (collectively “Cross-defendants”) filed a demurrer to the cross-complaint. LEGAL STANDARD “Before filing a demurrer . . . the demurring party shall meet and confer in person or by telephone with the party who filed the pleading . . . for the purpose of determining whether an agreement can be reached that would resolve the objections to be raised in the demurrer.” (Code Civ. Proc., ...

Excerpt: ...nnon Hathaway as employees of Westwood Gateway I, LLC and/or Westwood Gateway II, The Irvine Company, LLC, Capital Group and Nina Hosea as an employee of Capital Group. Plaintiff alleges false arrest against Officer Hale and the City. The second and third causes of action are against all Defendants except for Officer Hale and the City and are for (2) malicious prosecution and (3) negligence. On June 15, 2021, Defendants Capital Group and Nina Hos...

Excerpt: ...fornia Usury Law, (4) violation of California Usury Law, (5) unfair business practices, (6) an accounting, (7) violation of California Uniform Commercial Code § 9623, (8) violation of California Uniform Commercial Code §§ 9610-11, and (9) breach of oral agreement concerning an alleged rare 2018 Mercedes G650 Landaulet, also known as a G-Wagen. For the declaratory relief claim, VBPI alleges “[a]n actual controversy has arisen and now exists b...

Excerpt: ...e current operative pleading is the First Amended Complaint (“FAC”), which alleges causes of action for (1) negligence, (2) negligent supervision, (3) sexual battery, (4) sexual harassment, (5) gender violence against Mainwaring and Regents. The FAC alleges, in pertinent part, as follows. Mainwaring competed in the Olympics in hurdling in 1976. (FAC, ¶ 10.) In the mid- 1970s Mainwaring began training teenage athletes, by flaunting his own ac...

Excerpt: ...sing to pay the rent due. Belkin alleges damages according to proof but no less than $167,134.79. On April 23, 2021, Plaintiff Belkin International filed an application for a writ of attachment. Ordermark's opposition was filed on August 6, 2021. LEGAL STANDARD A party may apply for a prejudgment writ of attachment based an “action on a claim or claims for money, each of which is based upon a contract, express or implied, where the total amount...

Excerpt: ...nn, and Does 1 -10. The fourth and fifth causes of action for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress (“IIED”) are against Tandy and Dunn. Relevant here, Plaintiff alleged, on January 6, 2018, “MR. CHITWOOD went to The Victorian with his mother and friend at approximately 10:00 p.m. After about an hour, MR. CHITWOOD'S mother left the Victorian, and MR. CHITWOOD and his friend congregated in the basement tavern for drinks an...

Excerpt: ...es of action against Defendant for (1) conversion, (2) fraudulent deceit, (3) intentional misrepresentation, (4) breach of fiduciary duty (5) and accounting. In the first amended complaint, Plaintiff alleged that Defendant was Plaintiff's attorney in an employment matter, where Plaintiff was alleging wrongful termination and disability discrimination. Defendant allegedly received a retainer of $7,000.00 from Plaintiff, pursuant to a written conti...

Excerpt: ...e case, keep costs reasonable, and promote effective decision making by the court, the parties, and counsel.” (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.400(a).) Local Rule 3.3(k)(4) provides, “If a party wishes to seek a designation that a case is a complex case, the party may seek to transfer the case to the Complex Litigation Program in the following manner. The party must complete the Complex Civil Case Questionnaire designated by the Assistant Supervi...

Excerpt: ...ct, and (3) the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The cross-complaint itself contains five unlabeled counts. American Express filed a demurrer to the cross-complaint. LEGAL STANDARD “Before filing a demurrer . . . the demurring party shall meet and confer in person or by telephone with the party who filed the pleading . . . for the purpose of determining whether an agreement can be reached that would resolve the objections to be raised in the...

Excerpt: ...ntract; and (2) negligence/breach of implied covenant to perform work in a good and competent manner. On September 21, 2020, Mr. Build filed a first amended cross-complaint. LEGAL STANDARD “Before filing a demurrer . . . the demurring party shall meet and confer in person or by telephone with the party who filed the pleading . . . for the purpose of determining whether an agreement can be reached that would resolve the objections to be raised i...

Excerpt: ...Edenland, LLC (“Edenland”) and Does 1 through 30 for (1) breach of contract, (2) account stated, (3) reasonable value of goods and services, (4) work, labor, and services, and (5) open book account. CMF alleges it entered into a written agreement with Edenland to remodel real property owned by Edenland. CMF alleges Edenland provided CMF with a written notification to halt all work at the property while Edenland attempted to make arrangements ...

Excerpt: ...sance against Defendants Semhar Amde (“Amde” or “Defendant”)), Walter Girstantas (“Walter”), Carrie Girstantas (“Carrie”), and Austin Girstantas (“Austin”) (collectively the “Girstantas”). The Complaint alleges in pertinent part that on October 20, 2005, an Agreement Imposing Restrictions on Rent and Occupancy of Real Property was filed and recorded with the Los Angeles Recorder's Office (the “Agreement”). (Compl., ¶ ...

Excerpt: ...FAC”). Defendant Cobrae was served with copies of the Summons and Complaint on February 28, 2019. To date, Defendant Cobrae has not responded to this action's operative pleading. The FAC asserts several causes of action against the defendants, including for the enforcement of an attorney's lien. With respect to Cobrae, this action arises from allegations that Cobrae owes Plaintiff a sum amount of money due to Plaintiff's previous legal represen...

Excerpt: ...) false advertising (Bus. & Prof. Code § 17500). Plaintiff is a manufacturer of electronic equipment who maintains contractual relationships with its authorized resellers. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant has sold Plaintiff's products on an Amazon Marketplace store without first entering into an authorized seller relationship with Defendant. Plaintiff further alleges that the products Defendant is selling are refurbished and lack a manufacturer'...

Excerpt: ...Home Owners Association, and Does 1-75, for (1) dangerous conditions of public property and (2) negligence. The operative First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) was filed on February 5, 2021. The FAC removed County of Los Angeles as a defendant and added Michael Lieppman, M.D., Inc. and Michael Lieppman, M.D. The FAC also adds a third cause of action for medical negligence against the newly added defendants. This is a wrongful death action that aris...

Excerpt: ...72, 281-86.) While a default has the effect of “confessing” the properly pleaded facts in the complaint and as such, treated as true, the allegations of the complaint must still state a proper cause of action or the plaintiff is not entitled to a default judgment. (Id. at 282, 286.) This is true because while the default confesses those properly pleaded facts, that is all a default does. (Id. at 281.) “And if the well-pleaded allegations of...

Excerpt: ...ation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 51-53). Plaintiff alleges he suffers from cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, walker, or cane for mobility. Plaintiff alleges that he planned on making a trip in October of 2020 to Los Angeles and chose the Huntley Hotel for his stay, which is owned and operated by Defendant. Plaintiff alleges he needed an accessible guest room because of his physical disabilities, but was unable to deter...

Excerpt: ...sary to resolve their dispute.” (Aguilar v. Atl. Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal. 4th 826, 843.) “Code of Civil Procedure section 437c, subdivision (c), requires the trial judge to grant summary judgment if all the evidence submitted, and ‘all inferences reasonably deducible from the evidence' and uncontradicted by other inferences or evidence, show that there is no triable issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to ...

Excerpt: ...uction of a 544-unit apartment complex owned by Defendant. In pertinent part, Defendant retained Plaintiff, a general contractor, to perform all work associated with the construction of the subject property, including the installation of fire alarms and smoke detectors. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant failed to pay for services rendered relating to the construction of the subject property. On March 6, 2014, Plaintiff filed a Motion to Compel Arb...

Excerpt: ...eks summary judgment on its UD complaint, or in the alternative, summary adjudication as to the following affirmative defenses on the basis that there is no valid defense to the action, there is no triable issue as to any material fact, and Plaintiff is entitled to judgment as a matter of law: (1) Twelfth Affirmative Defense (Non-Performance); and (2) Fifteenth Affirmative Defense (Frustration of Purpose/Plaintiff's Breach). LEGAL STANDARD The pu...

Excerpt: ... Labor Commissioner's Office (the “Office”) for unpaid overtime wages, unpaid meal and rest premiums, and waiting time penalties against Appellant. (Engelhardt Decl., ¶ 2.) On July 26, 2019, the Office issued a Notice of Order, Decision, or Award in favor of Respondent and Respondent was awarded $123,311.99. (Engelhardt Decl., ¶ 4.) On August 22, 2019, pursuant to Labor Code § 98.2, Appellant filed a notice of appeal regarding the Office's...

Excerpt: ...ing Jacques Wylan Plumbing, Inc. (JWP) are liable for negligence, premises liability, private nuisance, and trespass. Jacques Wylan Plumbing, Inc. filed a demurrer with a motion to strike the first amended complaint (FAC). LEGAL STANDARD “Before filing a demurrer . . . the demurring party shall meet and confer in person or by telephone with the party who filed the pleading . . . for the purpose of determining whether an agreement can be reached...

Excerpt: ...and negligence against various contractors and subcontractors, including Cherry Hill. LEGAL STANDARD The purpose of a motion for summary judgment or summary adjudication “is to provide courts with a mechanism to cut through the parties' pleadings in order to determine whether, despite their allegations, trial is in fact necessary to resolve their dispute.” (Aguilar v. Atl. Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal. 4th 826, 843.) “Code of Civil Procedure...

Excerpt: ...tion. LEGAL STANDARD Compelling arbitration A party to an arbitration agreement may seek a court order to compel the parties to arbitrate a dispute covered by the agreement. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1281.2) “The court shall order the petitioner and the respondent to arbitrate the controversy if it determines that an agreement to arbitrate the controversy exists, unless it determines that: (a) The right to compel arbitration has been waived by the p...

Excerpt: ...scobedo, individually and as successor-in-interest to the Estate of Christina Stephenson and Christian Escobedo (“Plaintiffs”) filed a First Amended Complaint (“FAC”), asserting causes of action against Defendants Emanate Health Medical Center dba Citrus Valley Medical Center Inter-Community Campus (“Emanate”), Robinson V. Baron, M.D. (“Baron”), Ower Castro, M.D. (“Castro”), Mojtaba Moghadam, M.D. (“Moghadam”), Adam J. Sny...

Excerpt: ...of the EJG Family Trust dated January 25, 2018, and Does 1 -20 for (1) nuisance, (2) invasion of privacy, (3) spite fence abatement – Civil Code 841.4, (4) violation of LAMC 41.30 (pursuant to Govt. Code 36900), (5) violation of LAMC 12.22.C.20(f) (pursuant to Govt. Code 36900, (6) violation of LAMC 12.08.C.2 (pursuant to Govt. Code 36900), and (7) declaratory relief. Plaintiff alleges that in 2006 Plaintiff transferred title of Plaintiffs Prop...

Excerpt: ... Plaintiff Guy Abramov is the son of Plaintiff Amir Abrmov. (See Compl. ¶ 2.) On October 16, 2020, GEICO filed an answer to the complaint. On October 19, 2020, GEICO filed a notice of removal of this action to federal court. On December 2, 2020, the matter was remanded back to this Court. In their complaint, Plaintiffs allege that a 2019 BMW M5 was insured by GEICO under two policies – (1) an umbrella policy and (2) a family automobile insuran...

Excerpt: ... not to respond to questioning on grounds other than privilege; (2) For a protective order prohibiting untoward behavior, improper objections, and coaching; (3) An order appointing a Discovery Referee/Special Master (paid for by the Defense) to chaperone the event, keep the process moving, and prevent improper behavior; and (4) An order awarding sanctions against Defendants and their counsel (Dentons US LLP) in the amount of $10,008.87 for costs/...

Excerpt: ...endants Lynard Chris Hinojosa, Hinojosa & Forer, LLP, and Does 1 -60. Plaintiff alleges that Lynard Chris Hinojosa is an attorney, that Hinojosa & Forer, LLP is a law firm, and that Plaintiff employed Defendants as his lawyers (See Compl. ¶¶ 2, 3, 12.) Plaintiff seeks damages for legal malpractice and elder abuse related to Defendants' conduct in the controversy between Plaintiff and Aviva Leneman Weiner. (Compl. ¶ 8.) Plaintiff alleges that D...