Excerpt: ....3d 159, 164.) With respect to punitive damage allegations, mere legal conclusions of oppression, fraud or malice are insufficient and therefore may be stricken. (Perkins v. Superior Court (1981) 117 Cal.App.3d 1, 6; see also Spinks v. Equity Residential Briarwood Apartments (2009) 171 Cal.App.4th 1004, 1055.) In this context, “fraud” means intentional misrepresentation, deceit, or concealment of a material fact known to the defendant with th...

Excerpt: ...efendant Kuldip Singh Preet Marok, as defendant was not properly named in the complaint at the time he was served, and thus was not a party to the action. “A person or entity may become a party defendant only in two ways: by being named as a defendant, or by being properly named and served as a fictitiously named defendant pursuant to [Code of Civil Procedure] section 474.” (Kerr‐Mcgee Chemical Corp. v. Superior Court (1984) 160 Cal.App.3d ...

Excerpt: ... to Plaintiff and Cross‐Defendants' ability to raise the challenge to the alleged failure to abide by the pre‐filing requirements of Civil Code section 1714.10 through a more appropriate procedural vehicle. The Court declines to award sanctions. Explanation: Plaintiff and Cross‐Defendants move for sanctions pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 128.5 and 128.7. Code of Civil Procedure section 128.5, subdivision (a), states: A trial c...

Excerpt: ...omplaint of plaintiff Douglas Jackson alleges that on 3/17/15 at Nashville's Bar and Grill (owned and operated by defendant Nashville Investment Group, LLC), defendants Raustyn Hurst, Sharonja Curry, Elizabeth Ferreira, Luke Coghlan, John Hurst, III, and Doreen Duinkerken aka Doreen Hurst (referred to herein as “Doreen”) assaulted and battered plaintiff by striking his face and body. Against the individual defendants plaintiff alleges causes ...

Excerpt: ... the demurring defendants. Explanation: The court will address these two actions together. Aside from the addresses and dates, the relevant facts, causes of action, allegations and arguments are the same in each action. Trustee's Privilege Defendants contend that all claims against them are barred by the Trustee's privilege. As in the demurrers to the original complaints, plaintiffs do not respond to this argument. Civil Code § 2924(d) states th...

Excerpt: ...y LLP's general and special demurrer to the entire “Bill in Equity” without leave to amend. (Code Civ. Proc. §430.10(e), (f).) To grant State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company's motion for sanctions. (Code Civ. Proc. §128.7.) Claimant Andrew Arthur Wysotski is ordered to pay monetary sanctions in the amount of $2,000 to Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, LLP within 30 days of notice of this order. Claimant has filed and then subseq...

Excerpt: ...f evidence showing that a class action is proper. Luckey v. Superior Court (2014) 228 Cal. App. 4th 81 (rev. denied). See also Newberg, Newberg on Class Actions (T.R. Westlaw, 2017) Section 7:3: “The parties' representation of an uncontested motion for class certification does not relieve the Court of the duty of determining whether certification is appropriate.” The case so requiring is Amchem Prods., Inc. v. Windsor (1997) 521 U.S. 591, 620...

Excerpt: ...mages. (Ibid.) Explanation: Motion for Summary Judgment The summary judgment procedure “is drastic and should be used with caution.” (Buehler v. Oregon‐Washington Plywood Corp. (1976) 17 Cal.3d 520, 526.) Accordingly, the affidavits of the moving party are strictly construed, while those of the opposing party are liberally construed. (Huynh v. Ingersoll‐Rand (1993) 16 Cal.App.4th 825, 830.) “[A]ny doubts as to whether summary judgment i...

Excerpt: ...., there is house on the property and as a result, the property cannot be physically divided. But, there are no facts pleaded regarding attempts to obtain an agreement to sell. More importantly, CCP § 872.510 states: The plaintiff shall join as defendants in the action all persons having or claiming interests of record or actually known to the plaintiff or reasonably apparent from an inspection of the property, in the estate as to which partitio...

Excerpt: ...he Summons and Complaint. (Summers v. McClanahan (2006) 140 Cal.App.4th 403, 414 [“[N]o California appellate court has gone so far as to uphold a service of process solely on the ground the defendant received actual notice when there has been a complete failure to comply with the statutory requirements for service.”].) On the other hand, it is also true that if the evidence supports a finding that defendants were properly served, then their a...

Excerpt: ...n as to the Sixth Affirmative Defense. Defendant is directed to submit to this court, within 5 days of service of the minute order, a proposed judgment consistent with this order. Explanation: The court disregards defendant's “Objections” to plaintiff's amended Separate Statement filed on March 19, 2019, which amounts to a “reply separate statement,” which the summary judgment statute does not provide for or allow. (Nazir v. United Airlin...

Excerpt: ...nation: A special motion to strike provides a procedural remedy to dismiss nonmeritorious litigation meant to chill the valid exercise of the constitutional rights to petition or engage in free speech. (Code Civ. Proc. §425.16, subd.(a); see Martinez v. Metabolife Intern., Inc. (2003) 113 Cal.App.4th 181, 186.) The court engages in a two‐step process in determining whether an action is subject to the anti‐SLAPP statute: first, the court deci...

Excerpt: ...complaint. All new allegations in the amended complaint are to be set in boldface type. Explanation: Demurrer Breach of Fiduciary Duty To adequately allege breach of fiduciary duty, a plaintiff must allege a fiduciary relationship, its breach, and damage proximately caused by that breach. (Knox v. Dean (2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 417, 432.) Where a person was once a limited partner, but then sells his or her partnership interest, the “mere fact that...

Excerpt: ...430.10(e).) Explanation: Though the pleadings are somewhat vague, it is clear that the trespass claim is premised on judicial orders issued by defendants Judge Pro Tem Amy Lopez and Judge David Kalemkarian in other cases involving plaintiff. "[A] plaintiff must allege facts demonstrating or excusing compliance with the claim presentation requirement." (State of California v. Superior Court (2004) 32 Cal.4th 1234, 1243.) "Otherwise, hi...

Excerpt: ...entatives for such claim, and 3) show manageability for trial of all claims. Plaintiff must file that motion by April 17, 2019. Any opposition is due by May 1, 2019, and a reply may be filed on or before May 10, 2019. Explanation: There is no trial date in this action. The claim under Labor Code section 203 is derivative of and dependent on the success of the already‐pled certified claims. The fact that class members have separated from their e...

Excerpt: ...Act is to enable a party to obtain evidence in the control of [her] adversary in order to further the efficient, economical disposition of cases according to right and justice on the merits. Its purpose is not to provide a weapon for punishment, forfeiture and the avoidance of a trial on the merits.” (Caryl Richards, Inc. v. Superior Court In and For Los Angeles County (1961) 188 Cal.App.2d 300, 303, internal citations and quotation marks omitt...

Excerpt: ...��In any action on a contract, where the contract specifically provides that attorney's fees and costs, which are incurred to enforce that contract, shall be awarded either to one of the parties or to the prevailing party, then the party who is determined to be the party prevailing on the contract, whether he or she is the party specified in the contract or not, shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees in addition to other costs.�...

Excerpt: ...he planned cohabitation did not occur. Plaintiff alleges that despite requests to the Defendant for the return of his property, the items remain in her possession. As a result, on October 29, 2018, he filed a Complaint entitled “Possession of Personal Property and for Damages.” On October 31, 2018, Defendant was personally served with the summons, complaint and other documents. She did not file a response. On December 3, 2018, default was ent...

Excerpt: ...ettlement also requires certification of a preliminary settlement class. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.769, subd.(d).) Fairness of the Settlement Settlements preceding class certification are scrutinized more carefully to make sure that absent class members' rights are adequately protected. (Wershba v. Apple Computer, Inc. (2001) 91 Cal.App.4th 224, 240.) The Court has a fiduciary responsibility as guardian of absent class members' rights to ensur...

Excerpt: ...ld that witness statements obtained as a result of interviews conducted by an attorney, or by an attorney's agent at the attorney's behest, constitute work product protected by section 2018.030. (Caito v. Superior Court, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p. 494.) However, the Court also held that the identities of the witnesses are discoverable, absent a showing that privilege applies. (Id. at p. 502.) Here, plaintiff seeks production of documents and...

Excerpt: ...int within 10 days of the date of this order. Explanation: “The court may, in furtherance of justice, and on any terms as may be proper, allow a party to amend any pleading or proceeding by adding or striking out the name of any party, or by correcting a mistake in the name of a party, or a mistake in any other respect; and may, upon like terms, enlarge the time for answer or demurrer. The court may likewise, in its discretion, after notice to ...

Excerpt: ...ral demurrer admits the truth of all material allegations and a Court will “give the complaint a reasonable interpretation by reading it as a whole and all its parts in their context.” (People ex re. Lungren v. Superior Court (1996) 14 Cal.4th 294, 300.) A demurrer can be used only to challenge defects that appear on the face of the pleading under attack or from matters outside the pleading that are judicially noticeable. (Blank v. Kirwan (19...

Excerpt: ...ied on the merits on September 18, 2018. (See minute order adopting tentative ruling dated September 18, 2018.) A motion that seeks the same relief as a previously denied motion is “an application for the same order” within the meaning of Code of Civil Procedure section 1008, subdivision (b), regardless of “‘“the label attached to it. The law is not a mere game of words.”'” (California Correctional Peace Officers Assn. v. Virga (201...

Excerpt: ...�Jurisdiction of all interested parties may be had by publication of summons pursuant to Section 6063 of the Government Code in a newspaper of general circulation designated by the court, published in the county where the action is pending and whenever possible within the boundaries of the public agency, and in such other counties as may be ordered by the court, and if there be no such newspaper in any such county or counties then in some adjoini...

Excerpt: ...tion: Code of Civil Procedure section 473 authorizes the trial court, in its discretion, to allow amendments in furtherance of justice. (Code Civ. Proc., § 473; Cherrigan v. City etc. of San Francisco (1968) 262 Cal.App.2d 643, 653.) However, where no prejudice is shown to the adverse party, “courts are bound to apply a policy of liberality in permitting amendments to the complaint at any stage of the proceedings, up to and including trial. (A...

Excerpt: ...ts the truth of all material allegations and a Court will “give the complaint a reasonable interpretation by reading it as a whole and all its parts in their context.” (People ex re. Lungren v. Superior Court (1996) 14 Cal.4th 294, 300.) A demurrer can be used only to challenge defects that appear on the face of the pleading under attack or from matters outside the pleading that are judicially noticeable. (Blank v. Kirwan (1985) 39 Cal.3d 311...

Excerpt: ...fifth and sixth causes of action, with leave to amend. Plaintiff is granted 10 days' leave to file an amended pleading. The time in which the complaint may be amended will run from the clerk's service of the minute order. All new allegations in the amended complaint are to be set in boldface type. Explanation: Demurrer Special demurrer to first through fourth causes of action “Following an order sustaining a demurrer … with leave to amend, th...

Excerpt: ...996) 48 Cal.App.4th 1544, discussed the definition of prevailing party under Code of Civil Procedure 1032 and held that, where one meets that definition, fees are to be awarded as a matter of right. There is no discretion to deny fees under such circumstance. (Rancho Mirage Country Club Homeowners Ass'n. v. Hazelbaker (2016) 2 Cal.App.5th 252, 263.) The arguments made by cross‐complainant Westcare California, Inc. (“WestCare”) against any f...

Excerpt: ...on the pleadings. The arbitration agreement attached to the previous motion indicated it was between Plaintiff and an “employer,” but nothing in the submitted papers indicated that “employer” meant Defendant. Therefore, the Court denied the motion to compel arbitration by a minute order dated December 20, 2018. On February 13, 2019, Defendants filed a second motion to compel arbitration. The second motion does not mention the first motion...

Excerpt: ...lly and dba GSS Truck Parking Terminal. Each court has the power to “control in furtherance of justice, the conduct of its ministerial officers, and of all other persons in any manner connected with a judicial proceeding before it, in every matter pertaining thereto.” (Code Civ. Proc. § 128(a)(5).) This power permits courts to disqualify an attorney based upon a conflict of interest on the motion of another party. (In re Complex Asbestos Lit...

Excerpt: ...ace type. Explanation: A demurrer brought pursuant Code of Civil Procedure section 430.10, subdivision (e), contends that the pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. In ruling on a demurrer, “the trial court may take into account in addition to the complaint itself any matter that may be properly considered under the doctrine of judicial notice[.]” (Cruz v. County of Los Angeles (1985) 173 Cal.App.3d 1131, 11...

Excerpt: ...pation (“SLAPP”) provides a procedural remedy to dismiss nonmeritorious litigation meant to chill the valid exercise of the constitutional rights to petition or engage in free speech. (Code Civ. Proc. §425.16(a); see Martinez v. Metabolife Intern., Inc. (2003) 113 Cal.App.4th 181, 186.) The court engages in a two‐step process in determining whether an action is subject to the anti‐SLAPP statute: first, the court decides whether defendant...

Excerpt: ... mutually agreed upon between him and plaintiff's counsel, or (2) a date, time and place as directed in a Notice of Deposition which is properly served upon him. To order defense counsel, G. Andrew Slater, to refrain from advising Mr. Lee not to answer questions where the objection is not based on privilege. To award monetary sanctions against defense counsel, G. Andrew Slater, in the amount of $2,310, payable within 20 days. In the event a heari...

Excerpt: ...icient to establish a class for settlement purposes. There must be an independent assessment by a neutral court of evidence showing that a class action is proper. (Luckey v. Superior Court (2014) 228 Cal.App.4th 81; see also Newberg, Newberg on Class Actions (T.R. Westlaw, 2017) § 7:3 [“The parties' representation of an uncontested motion for class certification does not relieve the Court of the duty of determining whether certification is app...

Excerpt: ...as a result, Defendant has not met his burden pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 437c(p)(2). Explanation: On December 7, 2018, Defendant Samuel Lucido filed a Notice of Motion seeking summary judgment. The date listed on the Notice for the hearing was February 21, 2019. On the same day, a Memorandum of Points and Authorities, a Request for Judicial Notice, a Separate Statement of Undisputed Facts, the Declaration of Walt Whelan and the D...

Excerpt: ...y defendant LiDestri Foods, Inc., he fell from an unguarded and elevated height while dumping waste into a lower level recycling dumpster due to lack of proper or adequate guardrail or other safeguards to prevent falls. The cause of action alleges counts of negligence and willful failure to warn. The moving papers show that plaintiff was in fact an employee of employment agency Select Staffing, assigned to work at LiDestri Foods providing sanitat...

Excerpt: ...oposed judgment consistent with the court's summary judgment order. Explanation: In this action plaintiff Amandeep Sandhu dba Akal Carriers, Inc. essentially alleges that defendant Benjamin Ama converted plaintiff's tractor and trailer that plaintiff provided him in connection with his employment. The complaint alleges causes of action for breach of contract, common counts, and conversion. Defendant HST, who was brought into this action through a...

Excerpt: ...y defendant LiDestri Foods, Inc., he fell from an unguarded and elevated height while dumping waste into a lower level recycling dumpster due to lack of proper or adequate guardrail or other safeguards to prevent falls. The cause of action alleges counts of negligence and willful failure to warn. The moving papers show that plaintiff was in fact an employee of employment agency Select Staffing, assigned to work at LiDestri Foods providing sanitat...

Excerpt: ...d upon a defendant within three years after the action is commenced against the defendant. For the purpose of this subdivision, an action is commenced at the time the complaint is filed.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 583.210, subd. (a).) However, in computing the time within which service must be made pursuant to section 583.210, if “[s]ervice, for any other reason, was impossible, impracticable, or futile due to causes beyond the plaintiff's con...

Excerpt: ...petition. (Super. Ct. Fresno County, Local Rules, rule 2.8.4.) Explanation: The petition indicates that the minor has recovered. The only medical reports provided are from the day of the accident. These records clearly show that the minor had a right tibial plateau fracture and was to follow‐up with Dr. Wiemann in the ortho clinic. The billing attached to the MediCal lien clearly shows services provided in July and August of 2016 yet those reco...

Excerpt: ...injuries. See Declaration of Plaintiff at ¶ 7 and see the deposition of Arenas at page 31 lines 10‐16 attached as Exhibit A to the Declaration of Milligan. Explanation: In support of its motion, the Defendant relies extensively on the case of Peralta v. The Vons Companies, Inc. (2018) 24 Cal.App.5th 1030. In that case, Ms. Peralta fell in the bakery section of Vons. An assistant store manager was summoned. She observed that Ms. Peralta was wea...

Excerpt: ...s of Possession: Plaintiff has met all of the requirements for issuance of the writs of possession under Code of Civil Procedure section 512.010. Plaintiff's claim is based on two written loan agreements and the associated guaranties executed by defendants. The claim appears to be probably valid, as plaintiff loaned defendants money pursuant to the written contracts, defendants promised to repay the loans, and defendants have allegedly failed to ...

Excerpt: ...sident's [Greg Bray's] consent, instruction and/or durable power of attorney,” and she stated, “I hereby certify that I am authorized to act as Resident's agent in executing and delivering of this Arbitration Agreement.” Defendant argues that it relied on Sarah's statement of her authority to sign as Greg's agent. However, defendant bore the burden of establishing a valid agreement to arbitrate. (Pagarigan v. Libby Care Center, Inc. (2002) ...

Excerpt: ...order by the clerk, to file and serve a first amended complaint. All new allegations in the amended complaint are to be set in boldface type. Explanation: Demurrer In testing a pleading against a demurrer, the facts alleged are deemed to be true, as it is “not the ordinary function of a demurrer to test the truth of the plaintiff's allegations or the accuracy with which [plaintiff] describes the defendant's conduct. A demurrer tests onl...

Excerpt: ...tion is proper. Luckey v. Superior Court (2014) 228 Cal. App. 4th 81 (rev. denied). See also Newberg, Newberg on Class Actions (T.R. Westlaw, 2017) Section 7:3: “The parties' representation of an uncontested motion for class certification does not relieve the Court of the duty of determining whether certification is appropriate.” The case so requiring is Amchem Prods., Inc. v. Windsor (1997) 521 U.S. 591, 620 (“Amchem”): “Confronted wit...

Excerpt: ... a single cause of action for retaliation in violation of Government Code section 12940, subdivision (h). As a condition of plaintiff being granted leave to file a Second Amended Complaint alleging two new causes of action, this motion is being treated as one for summary adjudication of the retaliation cause of action. Plaintiff objects to the motion on the ground that the moving papers were not timely served. The proof of service of the motion s...

Excerpt: ... court … determines that it is necessary for the court to appoint a referee to hear and determine any and all discovery motions and disputes relevant to discovery in the action and to report findings and make a recommendation thereon.” (Code Civ. Proc. § 639, subd. (a)(5).) On the other hand, Rule of Court 3.920, subdivision (c) provides that a discovery referee may not be appointed under Code of Civil Procedure section 639, subdivision (a)(...

Excerpt: ... Civ. Proc. §2025.450(g)(1).) Plaintiffs to pay sanctions to the Betts & Rubin law firm, within 30 days of the clerk's mailing of the minute order. Explanation: “The Civil Discovery Act provides litigants with the right to broad discovery. In general, any party may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, that is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action or to the determination of any motion made in that actio...

Excerpt: ...hearing is required and plaintiff does not prevail, for plaintiff's bad faith opposition and his refusal to withdraw or modify his subpoena. (Code Civ. Proc. § 1987.2.) Plaintiff shall pay monetary sanctions to defendants within 30 days of the date of service of this order. Explanation: “If a subpoena requires … the production of books, documents, electronically stored information, or other things before a court, … the court, upon motion r...

Excerpt: ..., upon motion of the injured party, or its own motion, correct clerical mistakes in its judgment or orders as entered, so as to conform to the judgment or order directed, and may, on motion of either party after notice to the other party, set aside any void judgment or order. (Id., emphasis added.) Defendant argues that the “default is void” because the summons served on him named the person served as “Lawrence K. Logan.” Neither the comp...