Excerpt: ...e Partes abide by the rules and procedures and work together as professionals to move this matter forward. Procedural Background The Complaint in this matter was filed on July 25, 2022. Generally, a party must file a response to a complaint within 30 days after the summons and complaint are served upon them. (CCP S 412.20(a)(3).) To evidence when the complaint was served, the "proofs of service on those defendants must be filed with the court wit...

Excerpt: ...nt Young demurs to the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth causes of action, the only claims asserted against him. Defendant contends that Plaintiff has failed to alleged facts suffcient to constitute each of these causes of acton (CCP S 430.10(e)), and that the Fifth and Sixth causes of action are also uncertain (CCP S 430.10(f).) Defendant's Request for Judicial Notice is granted. (Cal. Evid. Code S 452 (d), (h).) For the follow-ng reasons, Defendant's de...

Excerpt: ...s ("ANM") filed this action for breach of settlement agreement, specific performance, and intentional misrepresentation against Defendant Nikki Bowery on June 29, 2022. On or about March 24, 2021, ANM sold Bowery a Cadillac CTS V (the "Vehicle"). Sometime thereafter, Bowery made various allegations against ANM relating to defects in the Vehicle, which culminated in a Settlement Agreement and Release on June 15, 2022 ("Agreement"). (Ex. A to Decla...

Excerpt: ... business Friday, April 7, 2023. Factual and Procedural Background Plaintiff owns a townhome located at 75 Glen Valley Circle in Danville, California (the "Property"). The Property is located within the Camino Ramon Terrace Association and is governed by the relevant CC&R's. Defendant Camino Ramon Terrace Owner's Association is the homeowner's association ("HOA") responsible for the common areas and homes in the Camino Ramon Terrace Association. ...

Excerpt: ...amended complaint by May 8, 2023. If no guardian ad litem is appointment by early May, Plaintiff's counsel shall request an extension of the time to file an amended complaint by ex parte application. The case management conference schedule for April 12, 2023 is continued to June 9, 2023. Kimberley Briggs has filed this lawsuit "as Parent and Natural Gaudian" of Trey Briggs. No guardian ad litem has been appointed in this case and no guardian ad l...

Excerpt: ...ado. Defendants are Sutter Delta Medical Center, Sutter Health, Sutter Health dba Sutter Delta Medical Center, and Irene Rodriguez. The action arises from allegations that Rodriguez improperly accessed Plaintiffs' confidential medical information and posted it on social media. Rodriguez is alleged to have been acting in the course and scope of her employment for the Sutter Defendants at the time of the events in this case. In the operative SAC, P...

Excerpt: ...mbia, Canada for Defendant's alleged failure to repay a loan. Plaintiff obtained an alternative service order allowing Defendant to be served by e-mail and Facebook. Defendant failed to appear, and Plaintiff obtained a default judgment against Defendant. Defendant now resides in Contra Costa County. Plaintiff filed this civil action to recognize the judgment obtained in British Columbia, Canada. Motion Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure S 438, D...

Excerpt: ...d by defendant East Bay Municipal Utility District ("EBMUD") needed to be relocated. This case is, at bottom, a dispute between CCTA and EBMUD concerning the cost of relocating those pipelines. The parties stipulated to, and the Court ordered, cross motions for summary adjudication. Because the cross motions address the same causes of action, the Court considers it appropriate to issue one consolidated tentative ruling, which will tentatively res...

Excerpt: ...s a cause of action for private nuisance but there is no such cause of action in the body of the Complaint.) Plaintiff moves for summary adjudication against Defendant's 35th affirmative defense which asserts that Defendant's actions are protected by the doctrine of judicial deference set forth in Lamden v. La Jolla Shores Condominium Homeowner's Ass'n (1999) 21 Cal.4th 249. Plaintiff mcwes on the ground that this affirmative defense "is inapplic...

Excerpt: ..."this policy should be applied only 'where no prejudice is shown to the adverse party.' A different result is indicated 'where inexcusable delay and probable prejudice to the opposing party' is shown." [Citations omitted.) (Magpali v. Farmers Group, Inc. (1996) 48 Cal.App.4th 471, 487.) Amendment is properly denied where there has been an unreasonable delay in seeking the amendment. (Green v. Rancho Santa Margarita Mortgage Co. (1994) 28 Cal.App....

Excerpt: ...ting this action. The Complaint alleges three causes of action under the Song- Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, Civil Code section California's vehicle "lemon law" is contained in the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, Civil Code section 1790, et seq. (the "Song-Beverly Act") which includes California's "Lemon Law." He alleges claims for breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, and failure to timely service and repair his vehicle in...

Excerpt: ...d reached agreement that County would pay plaintiff $45,000 in exchange for a dismissal of this action. At the time of the mediation, Plaintiff had appealed her termination with the Contra Costa County Merit Board. The administrative proceedings had been stayed at Plaintiff's request pending the outcome of this case. The parties never executed a written settlement agreement because they disagree as to the material terms of the settlement. County ...

Excerpt: ...f the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud, and conversion. Wittrien filed, and presumably recorded, a notice of pendency of action on June 15, 2021. In May or June of 2020, the parties entered into negotiations for Wittrien to purchase the Property at 1480 Taylor Road in Bethel Island, California (the "Property") from Defendant Teresa Jo Mazzarella. The Property was in significant disrepair and had been declared a nuisance by t...

Excerpt: ...al briefs and now re-affirms that Defendant is entitled to attorney fees. This ruling addresses some additional issues not included in the prior tentative ruling. Joseph Sahar, Nathan Sahar and Michele Sahar sue Said Shefayee and Raymond Miller for (1) malicious prosecution, (2) abuse of process, (3) negligent infliction of emotional distress, (4) intentional infliction of emotional distress and (5) declaratory relief. The complaint arises from a...

Excerpt: ...r, only two barriers remained to judicial approval: (1) submission of the entire "confidential" settlement, including provisions governing the settlement of plaintiff's individual claims, to enable the Court to review the totality of the settlement of all issues, for the reasons explained in the prior orders; and (2) provision for a compliance report establishing compliance with the settlement. The parties have now submitted an Amended Motion for...

Excerpt: ... OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 12 JUDICIAL OFFICER: CHARLES S TREAT HEARING DATE: 03/23/2023 13 In a nutshell, the fundamental problem with TEG'S cross-complaint against Agra Tech is that it is a defense masquerading as a cross- complaint. Importantly, although there are numerous parties to this litigation, the only party that has sued TEG is Agra Tech. Accordingly, there are no claims against TEG, from plaintiff Natu...

Excerpt: ...rrer to the third and fourth causes of action is overruled. Defendant shall answer the complaint within 15 days. Background On September 2, 2022 Plaintiff Shonte Herse filed this action against Defendant Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc. ("HDMC"), alleging violations of California's Song-Beverly Act (SBA, Civil Code SS 1790 et seq.), and the federal Magnuson- Moss Warranty Act (MMWA) (15 U.S.C. SS 2300 et seq.). In the operative Second Amended ...

Excerpt: ...on and PAGA case. • Chiesa v. Airgas, No. 34-2022-00325292, filed in Sacramento County on August 17, 2022 as a class action. • Chiesa v. Airgas, No. 34-2022-00328503, filed in Sacramento County on October 19, 2022 by the same plaintiff as the precedng case, as a PAGA-onl',' case. Pursuant to an order of the Chief Justice entered February 16, 2023, Contra Costa Superior Court was assigned to decide the motion, and the Presiding Judge of this c...

Excerpt: ... to review the Court's own files in this matter. Procedural Issues Initially, it is worth noting that the below analysis pertains to Plaintiff's Amended Opposition papers due to Plaintiff's failure to follow the proper procedures for filing an opposition to a motion for summary judgment. This is the second time the Court ordered Plaintiff to re-do their papers for failure to file suitable papers and appropriate evidence. As discussed in more deta...

Excerpt: ...ts be awarded based on Plaintiff Susan Clancy not being awarded any recovery by the jury. l. Except as otherwise provided, a prevailing party is entitled as a matter of right to recover costs in any action or proceeding. (S 1032, subd. (bj.) To obtain costs, the prevailing party must file and serve a memorandum of costs, which "must be verified by a statement of the party, attorney, or agent that to the best of his or her knowledge the items of c...

Excerpt: ...low Felisilda v. FCA US LLC (2020) 53 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 36 JUDICIAL OFFICER: CLARE MAIER HEARING DATE: 03/23/2023 Page 33 of 38 cal.App.5th 486 given the opinion in Ngo v. BMW of North America, LLC et al., (9th Cir. 2022) 23 F.4th 942 and the possibility that the Second Circuit will decline to follow Felisilda in Ochoa v. Ford Motor Company (8312261), and consequently create a split of autho...

Excerpt: ...ends over the single family residence located at 1751 Argonne Drive in Concord (the "Property"). In a separate unlawful detainer action, defendants Dan and Tracey Towne (the "Townes"), who own the Property, are seeking to evict the Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs filed a verified complaint initiating this action alleging nine causes of action against the Townes, including a claim for specific performance, based on an alleged oral agreement made in Septemb...

Excerpt: ...on Moraga Way when she was struck by a motor vehicle driven by defendant Daniel Kvitko. (UMF Nos. 1, 4.) She alleges she was severely injured in the collision, and defendant Daniel Kvitko fled the scene of the accident. (First Am. Compl. ("FAC") 6-8.) The FAC alleges a single cause of achon for negligence and seeks exemplary damages based on the "despicable" conduct of defendant Daniel Kvitko fleeing the scene of the accident. (FAC "1 11, 12 and ...

Excerpt: ...on of each of the first five causes of action contained in the operative first amended complaint ("IAC"), which was filed on June 21, 2022. The original complaint in this action was filed on December 15, 2021. The MSA makes two arguments. First, it says that because the easement at issue here is appurtenant, each of the first five causes of action fails as a matter of law. Second, it says that each of the first five causes of action is time-barre...

Excerpt: ...close of business Thursday, March 30, 2023. Factual and Procedural Background Plaintiff owns and resides in real property located at 163 Lakeshore Court, Richmond, California. Defendants own and reside in real properly located at 162 Lakeshore Court, Richmond, California. Defendant's residence is physically located directly over Plaintiff's residence. Both residences are members in a home owners' association ("HOA"). There apparently have been on...

Excerpt: ...law. Background Plaintiffs Salvacion Gulingan and Virgilio Gulingan own and reside at the property located at 180 Riverside Drive in Bay Point. Defendants Ying Zhong Su and Zi Wen Yao are the trustees of the Revocable Trust that owns the adjacent property located at 176 Riverside Drive in Bay Point. 80th properties had a downward slope in the backyard. Defendants' predecessor filled the slope and added a patio. To support the fill, Defendants' pr...

Excerpt: ...Defendant Rashaan Whisenton are joint-tenant owners of the single-family residence located at 128 Regency Drive in Clayton, CA. On or about June 11, 2020 Ms. Strenchock and Defendant purchased the Subject Property for $817,000.00. At the time of the purchase, Plaintiff and Defendant were in a relationship, but not married. On June 11, 2020, a grant deed transferring the Subject Property from third parties to "Rashaan Whisenton, an unmarried man a...

Excerpt: ... the defect discussed herein. Any amended pleading shall be filed and served on or before June 20, 2023. Background Dobbs filed his cross-complaint against Rusco on September 30, 2022. (See Rusco's Request for Judicial Notice, Exhibit 1.) The cross-complaint was filed using the judicial council's form complaint for a breach of contract. The caption names as plaintiff, "MICHAEL DOBBS, individually and dba ARCLIGHT CORPORATION." The pleading states...

Excerpt: ...reopened as to new claims and parties. Discovery is not reopened as between Plaintiff and Defendant Etenne. The April 18, 2023 trial, April 17, 2023 issue conference, and April 12, 2023 settlement conference dates are hereby vacated. The Court sets a Case Management Conference for the case to be at issue on August 8, 2023, at 8:30. Background Plaintiff Prosperre Berreth filed this quiet title action against Defendant Lindsay Etienne on April 19, ...

Excerpt: ...m to the Plaintiff Plaintiff requests the Court grant him a new trial on the follow-ng grounds: (1) insufficiency of evidence; and (2) error in law by allowing Dr. Hoddick to testify. Analysis A. Suffciency of the Evidence "A new trial shall not be granted upon the ground of insufficiency of the evidence to justify a verdict ... unless after weighing the evidence the court is convinced from the entre record, including reasonable inferences theref...

Excerpt: ... set forth six cause of action all related to Defendant's alleged failure to pay for legal services provided to him by Plaintiff. On February 16, 2022, Plaintiff moved for, and received, entry of default against Plaintiff. Default judgment was entered on March 9, 2022. Thereafter, on April 19, 2022, Plaintiff filed his first motion set aside default and default judgment. That motion was granted on June 20, 2022. Defendant filed his answer on June...

Excerpt: ...s as follows. SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 09 JUDICIAL OFFICER: JOHN P DEVINE HEARING DATE: 03/20/2023 15 A. Citations to Evidence. The Court's revised rulings on the parties' evidentiary objections are set forth at the end of this tentative ruling below. The Court has overruled all of plaintiffs' evidentiary objections, and has sustained some but not all of the District's evidentiary objections. Where...

Excerpt: ...ance appraisal proceeding. The parties previously went through this process and it resulted in an award. Defendant paid Plaintiffs the full amount of their insurance limits in response to the award. However, this Court vacated the award on July 20, 2022, concluding in part that the appraisal panel's decision to include Covid-related costs in the appraisal award was beyond the appraisal panel's jurisdiction. Now, Plaintiffs seek to engage in the a...

Excerpt: ... entered -nto a written residential purchase agreement (the "Contract") for real property located in Pleasant Hill, California. Paragraph 22(B) of the Contract requires, in relevant part, that "any dispute or claim in Law or equity arising between [the Parties] out of this Agreement or any resulting transaction, which is not settled through mediation, shall be decided by neutral, binding arbitration." (the "Arbitration Clause.") On February 22, 2...

Excerpt: ...y to borrow funds from a family member. Procedural Background On October 18, 2022, the parties engaged in mediation. At mediation the parties reached an agreement. The agreement was reduced to writing and signed by Plaintiff's and Defendant Miller. The agreement stated Defendant Miller would pay plaintiffs $30,000 within 90 days of signing the agreement. If Defendant Miller did not make such payment within 90 days a stipulated judgment would be e...

Excerpt: ...anDepot") in April 2019. Plaintiff alleges she was added to title and forced to sign a deed of trust securing loanDepot's loan, the proceeds of which were used to buy out Jennifer Corrigan's ex-husband's interest in the property. Plaintiff alleges she was not provided the proper loan disclosures and suffered harm when the property was sold in foreclosure. On November 21, 2022, loanDepot accepted service of the summons and complain via notice and ...

Excerpt: ... met her burden and summary adjudication is denied on the merits. Plaintiff moves for summary adjudication of affirmative defenses two through nineteen in Defendants DeLeon's and Mardel Realty's answer to the fourth amended complaint. "[T]he party moving for summary judgment bears an initial burden of production to make a prima facie showing of the nonexistence of any triable issue of material fact; if he carries his burden of production, he caus...

Excerpt: ... bus driver. The original complaint was filed on April 24, 2019 as a class action. PAGA claims were added by amendment shortly thereafter. The first amended complaint is the operative pleading. The settlement would create a gross settlement fund of $150,000. The class representative payment to the plaintiff would be $5,000. Attorney's fees would be $50,000 (one-third of the settlement). Litigation costs would not exceed $12,000. The settlement ad...

Excerpt: ...e science research and clinical SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 12 JUDICIAL OFFICER: CHARLES S TREAT HEARING DATE: 03/16/2023 6 diagnostic products. Plaintiff worked in its manufacturing operations. The original complaint was filed on January 27, 2021 as a class achon. The class claims were dismissed pursuant to an unopposed motion based on an arbitration agreement and class action waiver, but PAGA claims...

Excerpt: ...A case (not a class action), alleging a variety of violations of the Labor Cuie concerning failure to provide rest and meal breaks, failure to pay minimum wages and overtime, and cascading derivative violations. In particular, plaintiff asserts alleged violations for work outside paid SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 12 JUDICIAL OFFICER: CHARLES S TREAT HEARING DATE: 03/16/2023 10 time, and violations as t...

Excerpt: ...TMENT 36 JUDICIAL OFFICER: CLARE MAIER HEARING DATE: 03/15/2023 9 follows: (a) demurrers to 1st C/A - overruled; (b) general demurrer to the 2nd C/A - sustained, with leave to amend; and (c) demurrers to the third cause of action — overruled. Background Plaintiff Renee Cotton alleges her claims individually "and/or as the Personal Representatives, Surviving Heirs and/or Successors in Interest of" Dorothy Marshall, the decedent, "and/or as Admin...

Excerpt: ...e is granted. The City's demurrer is overruled. The City shall file an answer on or before April 5, 2023. The basis for this ruling is as follows. A. The First and Second Causes of Acton (Breach of Contract). The First Cause of Action seeks damages for breach of contract. The Second Cause of Action seeks damages for breach of the implied covenant of faith and fair dealing. Defendant City demurs to these causes of action on the ground that plainti...

Excerpt: ...d assault; (2) intentional infliction of emotional distress; (3) emotional distress; (4) breach of fiduciary duty; (5) punitive damages. Defendant Jacqulyn Sheppard filed an Answer on March 7, 2022. On June 27, 2022, Plaintiffs filed a motion for summary judgment. The caption for the motion indicated the hearing date was September 26, 2022. On that date, Plaintiffs were informed that the motion was not put on the Court's calendar as it lacked the...

Excerpt: ...fore March 30, 2023. The basis for this ruling is as follows. SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 21 (925) 608-1121 JUDICIAL OFFICER: JILL C FANNIN HEARING DATE: 03/15/2023 5 A. The First cause of Acton. The First cause of Acton is for declaratory relief. The Court overrules defendant's demurrer because plaintiffs have adequately alleged an actual controversy over how the subject leases should be interpreted....

Excerpt: ...Brief Factual and Procedural Background Respondent alleges that on October 7, 2020 he went to the Pittsburg Dermatology Clinic, because he was suffering from a loss of pigment on his face. (Inital Petition at Exhibit 1 ["Troy King's Complaint Attachment"] at p.l.) Christina Berger, NP noted that the discoloration could be from the straps of the CPAP machine petitioner was using. (ld.) On March 22, 2021 Petitioner sent a message to Dr. Jamal Julia...

Excerpt: ...aith and Fair Dealing; (5) Fraudulent Misrepresentation; (6) Negligent Misrepresentation; (7) Quantum Meruit; (8) unjust Enrichment; SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 03/13/2023 5 (9) Retaliation in violation of Labor Code 1102.5; (10) Wrongful Constructive Termination in violation of Public Policy; and (11) Defamation. Defendants demur to the FAC in its...

Excerpt: ...l suit to enforce a judgment obtained in British Columbia, Canada against Defendant Andrea Burbank. Burbank now resides in Contra Costa County. Defendant filed a cross- complaint to declare the Canadian judgment unenforceable. Demurrer Pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure SS 430.20, 430.30 and 430.60, Defendant/cross-complainant Andrea Burbank demurs to the Answer to Cross-complaint on the ground the Affirmation Defenses set forth in th...

Excerpt: ... action on August 24, 2022. Plaintiff alleges three causes of action for violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act: wrongful termination, hostile work environment harassment, and failure to prevent harassment. Plaintiff alleges he was employed by The Albatross Restaurant, owned by Defendant Mehrasa Bagheri, as a server. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant terminated his employment because he is gay. Plaintiff alleges Defendant fail...

Excerpt: ... unnecessary. The Court can review the file in this matter, including the Complaint, without need for judicial notice. Defendants' demurrer is overruled. SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 03/13/2023 14 Standard for Demurrer "The function of a demurrer is to test the sufficiency of the complaint as a matter of law." (Holiday Matinee, Inc. v. Rambus, Inc. ...

Excerpt: ...before it an unrebutted factual showing by defendant which, if true, demonstrated to the Court's satisfaction that the proposed substitute plaintiff Norma Chayrez could not assert the claims at issue in the case, could not be an adequate class representative, and did not present a timely PAGA claim. As the Court summarized in that tentative ruling: [Chayrez] in fact worked at defendant only two days, in February 2020. During that time she did not...

Excerpt: ...ons and for retaliation for asserting rights as tenants. The demurrer is and sustained with leave to amend as to the Eleventh cause of action. It is otherwise overruled. Plaintiffs shall have 30 days from the date of this order in which to amend. Defendants shall have 30 days from service of the amended complaint, or from expiration of Plaintiffs' time to amend, in which to respond. Background/procedural History On September 1, 2021, plaintiff Sa...

Excerpt: ...to strike is granted. Plaintiffs have leave to amend. Any amended complaint shall be filed and served on or before March 20, 2023. If plaintiffs opt not to amend, the defendants' time to answer will run from that date. Background Plaintiffs are tenants who have brought suit against their landlord, alleging that their landlord has neglected to repair defects in their apartment, leading to habitability issues, and that the landlord has engaged in h...

Excerpt: ...IAL OFFICER: CLARE MAIER HEARING DATE: 03/09/2023 (1) Breach of Partnership Agreement; (2) Breach of Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing; and (3) Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress. The first two causes of action are alleged against CrossDefendant Companion Comfort Care, LLC ("Defendant CCC"), while the third cause of achon is alleged against Cross- Defendant Saadat. Cross-Defendants demurrer to the second and third cause of action ...

Excerpt: ...t. Parties are ordered to submit plaintiff's individual PAGA claims to arbitration and this proceeding is otherwise stayed, pending the outcome of arbitration. (Code of Civil Procedure S 1281.4.) The Court notes that this is a PAGA-only action. The same plaintiff filed a parallel class action in this Court asserting substantively similar claims. That case was removed to federal court. Defendant filed a parallel moton in the federal case to compel...

Excerpt: ...tlement would create a gross settlement fund of $390,000. The class representative payment to the plaintiffs would be $7,500. Attorney's fees would be $130,000 (one- third of the settlement). Litigation costs would not exceed $12,500. The settlement administrator's costs are estimated at $7,000. PAGA penalties would be $40,000, resulting in a payment of $30,000 to the LWDA. The net amount paid directly to the class members would be about $185,000...

Excerpt: ... comply with rule 3.1116 of the California Rules of Court in future law and motion proceedings. Plaintiffs' Evidence. The bulk of plaintiffs' opposition evidence is of little value to the Court in deciding this motion. For example, plaintiffs' counsel attaches "Material safety data sheet[sl" and a related piece of correspondence as Exhibits 1-7 and 24, with no explanation of the nature or significance of these documents. Equally unhelpful are the...

Excerpt: ...dez does not specify the basis for his demurrer beyond citing to Code of Civil Procedure section 430.10. based on the context, however, the Court concludes that the demurrer is based on section 430.10(e), which is that the "pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action." In the Defamation claim, Bay Area Car Rental alleges that Hernandez made statements in a report, comments in social media and Yelp.com. (FACC 64, 65 69...

Excerpt: ...he suffered injuries falling off a wheel tractor-scraper, Model No. 637G, manufactured by Caterpillar (the "Scraper"). Plaintiffs complaint alleges a first cause of action for negligence and a second cause of achon for strict liability. Caterpillar moves for summary judgment on the complaint, or alternatively, for summary adjudication of each of the two causes of acton. Caterpillar filed a Separate Statement of Undisputed Material Facts ("Def. SS...

Excerpt: ...LAS HEARING DATE: 03/06/2023 5 to stay this matter. Relevant to this second demurrer, Plaintiff Anthony Astone (“Plaintiff”) entered into a purchase and sale agreement (“Agreement”) for real property located in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (“Property”). The Agreement stated that Defendant Global Mortgage Group, LLC d/b/a/ MoXi would handle the closing of the transaction. On or about April 12, 2022 Plaintiff received emails that included wir...

Excerpt: ... breach of written agreements, (4) breach of oral contract, (5) breach of implied-in-fact contract, (6) breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, (7) unjust enrichment/quantum meruit, (8) promissory estoppel, and (9) civil conspiracy. The Complaint arises out of a real estate transaction for the property at 1406 G Street, Antioch, California 94509. Plaintiffs seek an order for issuance of a writ of attachment against Defendan...

Excerpt: ...whether all of the causes of action as to which the demurrer has been sustained are genuinely necessary for cross-complainant to obtain complete relief. The basis for this ruling is as follows. 2 nd C/A. The Second Cause of Action is for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The Court overrules cross-defendant's demurrer to this cause of action, for two reasons. First, case law recognizes that there is an implied contract...

Excerpt: ...relief; (5) promissory estoppel; and (6) intentional interference with contract (Leal individually). Defendant demurs to Plaintiff's causes of action for (1) breach of contract, (5) promissory estoppel, and (6) intentional interference with contract pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure (“CCP”) § 430.10(e) on several grounds. For the following reasons, the Demurrer is sustained, without leave to amend. Request for Judicial Notice Defendant req...

Excerpt: ...A COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 03/06/2023 23 is granted with leave to amend. Plaintiff shall have 30 days from the date of this order in which to amend her complaint. Defendant Nguyen-Traxler shall have 30 days from service of the amended complaint in which to respond. Allegations of the First Amended Complaint This case arises out of injuries allegedly suffered by Dwayne Rideau ("dece...

Excerpt: ...l demurrers by PSG are overruled, unless otherwise stated below as not addressed by the Court based on the rulings on the general demurrers. SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 09 JUDICIAL OFFICER: JOHN P DEVINE HEARING DATE: 03/06/2023 11 General Factual Background The 3AC filed by Plaintiff Janice Alamillo ("Janice") alleges 26 causes of action against approximately 25 defendants. The defendants include Pla...

Excerpt: ...at the FAC only alleges a single cause of action as to Defendant Monsanto, she purports to move for judgment on the pleadings as to the whole complaint. (Notice at ¶1.) Notably, the Notice does not indicate that Defendant Monsanto is moving as to the single cause of action to which she is a party. Legal Standard The standard for granting a motion for judgment on the pleadings is essentially the same as that applicable to a general demurrer. (Bur...

Excerpt: ...and (6) (insufficiency of the evidence to justify the verdict). (The notice of motion included two other grounds, but those were not briefed in the moving memorandum.) Plaintiffs' main argument is that they were unaware that the City's Planning and Building Director Greg Wolff stated the following in 2019: “I have found nothing in the minutes of the Planning Commission's proceedings, the approving resolution or conditions of approval that state...

Excerpt: ...rth, the Court grants the motion for reconsideration. Having reconsidered its November 28, 2022 Order, the Court orders that: (a) the Court's November 28, 2022 is modified, as stated herein; (b) all claims subject to Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint are ordered to arbitration, subject to the arbitrator's determination of whether the "representative" PAGA claims are within the scope of arbitration under the parties' arbitration agreement; and (...

Excerpt: ...ngle cause of action (with 18 subparts) against all Defendants, namely violation of standards for residential construction in violation of Civil Code §§ 896 and 897. On February 22, 2022, Plaintiffs filed their Complaint for Damages (“Complaint”) against Defendants Mayari Development, LLC (“Mayari”), Henry Ortiz, Jr., Margarita Veronica Blanco, as an individual and trustee of the Margarita Veronica Blanco- Ortiz Trust (“Ms. Blanco”)...

Excerpt: ...mmissions, or that Puri otherwise interfered with Saini's ability to receive commissions from transactions involving the family and friends of Burt Benepal. (Complaint, ¶ 22 and ¶ 30.) • The parties may, but are not required to, arbitrate the claim that plaintiff Saini is owed a 30 percent referral fee for the transaction that closed on June 29, 2022. (Complaint, ¶ 22 and ¶ 23.) This action is stayed pending the outcome of the arbitration. ...

Excerpt: ...ALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 01/39 JUDICIAL OFFICER: EDWARD G WEIL HEARING DATE: 03/02/2023 tentative ruling was fully set forth in the tentative ruling and is incorporated into this tentative ruling as if set forth herein. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Court continued the matter to allow Respondent and Real Party (Respondents) to submit a supplemental opposition directed solely at the “fees on fees” issue, a...

Excerpt: ...ark Brouwer, obtained the loan in that is the subject of this action in August 2007. The loan was secured by a deed of trust against her single-family residence, located at 2610 Francisco Way in El Cerrito. Plaintiff alleges GFI is a mortgage loan servicer and lender of sorts. Plaintiff alleges Defendant Gregory Funding, LLC (GFL) is the parent company of GFI. Plaintiff also alleges the two entities are the alter ego of each other. As of February...

Excerpt: ...all not prejudice the parties' right to stipulate to arbitration for all plaintiffs, should the parties deem that a more efficient mode of proceeding. Defendants' request for judicial notice is granted. This action is stayed pending the outcome of the arbitration, and of any judicial reference, subject to further court order. The Original Purchaser Plaintiffs. The plaintiffs who were original purchasers of their homes do not dispute that their pu...

Excerpt: ...e sufficiency of the complaint as a matter of law.” (Holiday Matinee, Inc. v. Rambus, Inc. (2004) 118 Cal.App.4th 1413, 1420.) A complaint “is sufficient if it alleges ultimate rather than evidentiary facts” (Doe v. City of Los Angeles (2007) 42 Cal.4th 531, 550 (“Doe”)), but the plaintiff must set forth the essential facts of his or her case “with reasonable precision and with particularity sufficient to acquaint [the] defendant with...

Excerpt: ...nd stay further proceedings. (Some of these individuals appear in the case only as trustees for trusts.) The distinctions among these moving defendants are largely irrelevant to the motion, and unless otherwise required, they will be collectively called the “Rhoads defendants” or “Rhoads parties”. Plaintiffs in the case are John Frazer and Cecilia Cruickshank (husband and wife), both suing solely on behalf of a family trust of which they ...

Excerpt: ...2021. The Complaint alleges that Plaintiff entered into a rental agreement (“Lease”) with Defendant wherein Plaintiff would rent real property located at 2434 Sullivan Street in San Pablo, California (“Property”). Defendant is alleged to be the owner, manager, and/or agent of the owner of the Property. Shortly after taking possession of the Property, Plaintiff noticed numerous habitability and safety issues. Accordingly, Plaintiff filed h...

Excerpt: ...ors, including its former Chief Executive Officer, Sam Bankman-Fried, are the subject of numerous pending civil actions, bankruptcy proceedings, and criminal investigations. Bankman-Fried and others are alleged to have misappropriated funds invested on the FTX.com platform, in part through another company owned by Bankman-Fried, Alameda Research. On November 11, 2022, FTX.com announced that it, FTX US, Alameda, and numerous related companies file...

Excerpt: ...(King v. Huang), Defendant sued Plaintiff for various claims related to Defendant's tenancy. Defendant filed a first amended complaint on January 12, 2022. Defendant filed and recorded a lis pendens on the property where Defendant had been a tenant on March 15, 2022. The FAC has the following causes of action: (1) breach of contract, (2) breach of the covenant of quiet enjoyment, (3) intentional infliction of emotional distress, (4) negligence, (...

Excerpt: ...quired – appearance by Zoom is acceptable. Procedural Background This matter pertains to a property dispute where Plaintiffs contend that they accrued a prescriptive easement across a portion of Defendants' property in San Ramon. It is alleged that when the two adjacent properties were built in approximately 1965, a significant portion of Plaintiffs' driveway was actually built on Defendants' property. As the Plaintiffs, and their predecessors ...

Excerpt: ...complaint. Background On September 18, 2022 Defendant Ronald Cirimele, as owner-operator of the vessel Race Breed, took Plaintiff Darlene Dami out on the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta to spread the ashes of a deceased person. (Compl., ¶ 12.) Plaintiff alleges she was injured after Cirimele “navigated the Race Breed in a dangerous manner, including in a high-speed circular direction (similar to the shore-based vehicle stunt called ‘donuts') up...

Excerpt: ...ent payments specially SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 21 (925) 608-1121 JUDICIAL OFFICER: JILL C FANNIN HEARING DATE: 03/01/2023 appearing defendant Chunfu Yu, Brother Union Capital Holding, LLC ("Brother"), and Yi Dong. (Memo. ISO Mot. p. 3.) Brother was added as a defendant by a Doe amendment filed on June 18, 2022. Plaintiff filed the complaint initiating this action against Chunfu Yu and his spouse L...

Excerpt: ...25) 608-1121 JUDICIAL OFFICER: JILL C FANNIN HEARING DATE: 03/01/2023 Background Plaintiffs Jorgen Vindum and Carolyn Vindum as Trustees of the Vindum Family Trust ("Vindums" or "Plaintiffs") allege their residence in San Ramon was destroyed by a fire in December 2020. (Compl. ¶¶ 1, 6, 10.) Safeco Insurance Company of America ("Safeco") is Plaintiffs' insurer under a policy that insured the residence for loss caused by fire. (Compl. ¶¶ 1, 9-1...

Excerpt: ...this order in which to amend. Defendant shall have 30 days from service of an amended complaint in which to respond. Legal Standards “The function of a demurrer is to test the sufficiency of the complaint as a matter of law.” (Holiday Matinee, Inc. v. Rambus, Inc. (2004) 118 Cal.App.4th 1413, 1420.) A complaint “is sufficient if it alleges ultimate rather than evidentiary facts” (Doe v. City of Los Angeles (2007) 42 Cal.4th 531, 550 (“D...

Excerpt: ...the three causes of action on the basis that they fail to state facts sufficient to state a cause of action (CCP §430.10(e)), and they are uncertain (CCP §431.10(f).) Defendants' demurrer is sustained in part and overruled in part as set forth below. Standard for Demurrer “The function of a demurrer is to test the sufficiency of the complaint as a matter of law.” (Holiday Matinee, Inc. v. Rambus, Inc. (2004) 118 Cal.App.4th 1413, 1420.) A c...

Excerpt: ...t for unlawful detainer against defendant PH, a patient who received emergency medical care and was admitted to Kaiser's hospital in Walnut Creek on July 19, 2021. (Compl. ¶¶ 1, 4, 6; Plaintiff's Separate Statement of Undisputed Material Facts ("UMF") Nos. 2, 16.) Kaiser is the owner and operator of the hospital located in Walnut Creek where PH was admitted. (UMF Nos. 1, 2.) PH was discharged by her physician on July 25, 2021, but PH has refuse...

Excerpt: ...“Shulmans” or “Cross-Complainants”)'s Cross-Complaint. Specifically, Rockcliff demurs to the fourth cause of action for breach of fiduciary duty and the fifth cause of action for breach of contract, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure (“CCP”) §§ 430.10(e), § 337(a), and § 343. For the following reasons, the Demurrer is sustained, with leave to amend. Request for Judicial Notice Rockcliff's unopposed request for judicial notice is ...

Excerpt: ...set for April 18, 2022. Plaintiff was SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 09 JUDICIAL OFFICER: JOHN P DEVINE HEARING DATE: 02/27/2023 10 given notice in January, 2022 of Mr. Ortiz's intent to withdraw. Plaintiff has repeatedly sought to continue the matter to “find counsel” and has also failed to appear in court. Defendant now seeks to have the court expunge the lis pendens, in anticipation of the Court d...

Excerpt: ...ally and in their capacities as trustee of the M & K Murphy Family Trust for breach of contract and fraudulent concealment. After this lawsuit was filed, Kerry Murphy passed away and Margaret Murphy was added the personal representative of Kerry Murphy's estate. Thus, Margaret Murphy is the sole defendant in this case, but is being sued individually, as trustee of the Murphy Family Trust and as personal representative of Kerry Murphy's estate. In...

Excerpt: ... potentially adverse interests.” (In re Charlisse C. (2008) 45 Cal.4th 145, 159.) Where the potential conflict arises from successive representation the governing test requires a showing of substantial relationship between the prior case and current case. (Flatt v. Superior Court (1994) 9 Cal.4th 275, 283.) There are two different versions of this test depending on whether the attorney's prior representation was “direct and personal” or per...

Excerpt: ...inning her employment, Defendant Villalobos (her supervisor) “initiated a series of sexually inappropriate advances towards” and “frequently flirted with” Plaintiff. (¶¶10-12.) Plaintiff rebuffed Mr. Villalobos' advances. (Ibid.) The advances escalated to physical touching and attempts to embrace Plaintiff. (Id. ¶ 12-16.) His actions rose to the point where he “grabbed Ms. Lopez by her neck,” yelled at her, and called her a “bitc...

Excerpt: ...efendant Maria Carrol, who left its facility not able to care for herself or her affairs, and was discharged at the written request of her court-appointed conservator. After making attempts to serve Defendant at her residence, Plaintiff filed an application for service by publication which Judge Baskin granted on October 21, 2022. Plaintiff did not respond to the complaint and Plaintiff took her default on January 3, 2022. A default judgment in t...

Excerpt: ...LIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 02/27/2023 18 notice of entry of judgment. Defendants filed an ex parte application on January 19, 2023 explaining that the Motion was timely submitted for filing and improperly rejected by the clerk's office. Defendants' attorney includes a declaration that explains that the Motion was timely submitted for filing on September 28, 2022. (We...

Excerpt: ...ants Jeffery and Rhona Shulman (collectively, the “Shulmans” or “Cross-Complainants”). The Motion is directed towards the allegations for attorneys' fees (XC ¶¶ 38, 44, prayer for relief ¶¶ D, B) and emotional distress damages (XC ¶ 39, prayer for relief ¶ F). For the following reasons, the Motion is denied-in-part and granted-in-part as described further, below. Legal Standard Upon motion, the court may “strike out any irrelevant...

Excerpt: ...Sharing Plan v. Ticor Title Ins. Co. (1986) 185 Cal.App.3d 1149, 1155.) Further, plaintiff has failed to allege facts showing that defendant Kensok's conduct was "despicable." (See, College Hospital Inc. v. Superior Court (1994) 8 Cal.4th 704, 725.) In the opposition memorandum, plaintiff argues that the following allegations support SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 36 JUDICIAL OFFICER: CLARE MAIER HEARING...

Excerpt: ... only on those issues relating to which entity or entities were responsible as the employer(s) of plaintiff Hill – Tesoro, or co-defendant Specialty Welding and Turn Arounds, LLC (SWAT). Background This action arises out of plaintiff's employment as a journeyman pipefitter for approximately three weeks from February 28 to March 19, 2019 at an oil refinery in Martinez owned and operated by defendant Tesoro. (Second Amended Complaint (2AC) ¶ 8.)...

Excerpt: ...ht causes of action. Accordingly, the only remaining cause of action is for breach of oral contract against Defendant Dagen. Defendant Dagen's MSJ is directed toward this single remaining cause of action. For the following reasons, the MSJ is continued to allow time for corrected briefing of this matter. Procedural History Defendants filed their initial Motion for Summary Judgment, or in the alternative, Summary Adjudication on June 10, 2022. The...

Excerpt: ...a class action in this County, and amended the complaint to add a PAGA claim. NCR removed the case to federal court based on the Class Action Fairness Act. Kalaveras's class claims were then dismissed, and the action remanded to this Court. Meanwhile, Missreezadah filed a PAGA-only case in Los Angeles County. The latter case was dismissed voluntarily, and Missreezadah was added by amendment as a plaintiff in the Contra Costa action. After a succe...

Excerpt: ...d for the motion materially affected the rights of the moving party. (Code Civ. Proc., § 657.) A motion for new trial may be brought to challenge a judgment, whether based upon fact or law. (Carney v. Simmonds (1957) 49 Cal.2d 84, 90.) “The right to a new trial is purely statutory, and a motion for a new trial can be granted only on one SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 36 JUDICIAL OFFICER: CLARE MAIER H...

Excerpt: ...s alleged they purchased the residence that they and Gurpinder Kaur lived in from Gurpinder in 2006 and their purchase is reflected in a grant deed recorded in 2012. (Compl. ¶¶ 15-18.) (Because of the similarity of last names, the Court refers to some persons by their first name for clarity.) Plaintiffs alleged in 2014 Gurpinder advised them he needed to borrow money. (Compl. ¶¶ 19, 20.) He asked them to agree to convey title to 50% of the pr...

Excerpt: ... require leave of court to amend. (Proposed defendant Quam is not a party in the case.) At a previous CMC the Court had informally observed that plaintiff's existing complaint is virtually SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 12 JUDICIAL OFFICER: CHARLES S TREAT HEARING DATE: 02/23/2023 9 devoid of any factual allegations. The present motion is presumably his response to that admonition. However, the proposed ...

Excerpt: ... a procedural and jurisdictional subtext here, which neither side tries to conceal. Plaintiff sued three defendants (not counting Does) in her complaint, and again in her first amended complaint: Wal-Mart Associates, Inc.; Walmart Inc.; and Emmy Rodriguez. Plaintiff is evidently of diverse citizenship from the two corporate defendants, but not from Rodriguez. Defendants removed the case to federal court on the basis of diversity, asserting that R...