Excerpt: ...division (a), for terminating sanctions against Plaintiff Maria RINlriguez, dismissing Plaintiff's claim with prejudice, on grounds that "Plaintiff repeatedly violated this Court's order compelling her to serve code-compliant discovery responses and to pay monetary sanctions; failed to prosecute or participate in the lawsuit; and failed to respond to any communication from this defendant related to to discovery, among other issues." (Notice of Mo...

Excerpt: ...IED. The Court orders the Clerk to STRIKE the First Amended Complaint filed on July 25, 2023 on the grounds that it was filed without leave of Court. (Code Civ. Proc, S 435, subd. (b).) Plaintiff is granted 5 Court days' leave to file the First Amended Complaint in substantially the same form as attached as Exhibit A to the Thomas Decl. Plaintiff Daniel Novella moves, pursuant to Code of Civil procedure section 473, subdivisions (a)(l) and (2), f...

Excerpt: ...t be held in contempt of this Court's order to pay sanctions. The Court finds that the Declaration of Matthew R. Mraule is suffcient to make a prima facie showing of (1) a valid order, (2) the alleged contemner's knowledge of the order, and (3) noncompliance. (See Inland Counties Reg'l Ctr„ Inc. v Super. Ct. (2017) 10 CA5th 820, 827.) Defendants are directed to submit a proposed order to show cause (OSC) re contempt that is directed to the accu...

Excerpt: ...rey Willis. The moving party failed to include in the notice of this motion proper notce of the Court's tentative ruling system as required by Rule 2.9. Moving party is directed to immediately provide, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for requesting oral argument under Local Rule 2.9 remain in effect. However, the Court may grant belated requests for oral argument or continuance of ...

Excerpt: ... and "Plaintiff does not have the capacityto sue (C.C.P. 430.1(b)) because he has already compromised his claims and said compromise was approved by a judge of the Worker's Compensation Appeals Board." (See Demurrer.) By Minute Order dated July 25, 2023, the Court sustained with leave to amend Tesla's previous demurrer to Plaintiff's original complaint on the ground that all four of Plaintiff's causes of action were barred by the Worker's Compens...

Excerpt: ...ice of Non-opposition, filed on or before September 20, 2023, the matter will be CONTINUED to September 26, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. in Dept. A. As the Motion stands, August 23, 2023 was the last day for service, by electronic means, of a notice and papers filed in support of a motion set for hearing on September 19, 2023. (See Code Civ. Proc., SS 12c, subds. (a) and (b), 1005, subd. (a), and 1010.6, subd. (a)(3)(B).) The evidence of service before the ...

Excerpt: ...dar days of service of notice of entry of order, sanctions in the amount of $1,21W. Plaintiff is ordered to provide notice to Defendant. 1 The Court acknowledges Footnote 2 in Plaintiffs' Reply brief which states that "[t]here is no dispute among the parties that . . does not . Exhibits 8 and E to the Voronin Declaration may be sealed." (Reply at 2.) However, this remedy the notice defect because (1) it is not a waiver by Voronin, as it is merely...

Excerpt: ...f Civil Procedure secton 437c, for summary judgment on Plaintiff's Complaint, or in the alternative, summary adjudication on each of the three causes of action asserted against Mahers therein. Mahers so- move on grounds that undisputed evidence establishes that Plaintiff "purchased his property...in 2021 knowing [Plaintiff] had no easement rights to use a private driveway...on the Mahers' property" and as a result, Plaintiff is unable to prevail ...

Excerpt: ...e alter ego allegations are insufficient is OVERRULED. Defendants Kalaris and Kalaris Family Vineyard LLC's ("LLC") (collectively, "Defendants") demurrer as to the first cause of achon is OVERRULED. Defendants' demurrer as to the second, third, fourth, and fifth causes of action is SUSTAINED. Plaintiff is granted 10 days' leave from notice of entry of order to amend. (See Rules of Court, rule 3.1320, subd. A. Introduction Kalaris generally demurs...

Excerpt: ...aith and fair dealing, bad faith denial of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and constructive fraud on grounds that allegations in the Complaint, "negate the existence of a partnership" and that "any purported partnership was superseded by the alleged creation of limited liability companies." (Notice of Demurrer at i:11-14.) Defendant demurs to the claim for bad faith denial of the existence of contract "because no such cause of achon exists un...

Excerpt: ...Judgment), for an order enforcing the Judgment by "(1) adopting the People's proposed restitution notice form; (2) compelling Defendant to produce declaration under penalty of perjury that it exercised reasonable diligence in compiling its list of restitution eligible customers; and (3) requiring Defendant to replenish the restitution fund for the costs incurred in reprinting the restitution notice form which were caused by Defendant's unjustifia...

Excerpt: ...ed dates. Plaintiff Larry Bratcher moves for an order vacating the Mandatory Settlement Conference, Trial Management Conference, and Trial Dates in the matter, and setting the matter for a Case Management Conference for purposes of setting a new trial date. Plaintiff further requests an order that all discovery cutoff dates will be recalculated from the continued trial date. The Court has a statutory "responsibilityto eliminate delay in the progr...

Excerpt: ...e burden of persuasion that there is no triable issue as to a material fact. (Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. 25 Cal.4th 826, 850.) A defendant meets this burden by showing that one or more elements of plaintiff's cause of action cannot be established, or that there is a complete defense thereto. (Ibid.) The moving party also bears an initial burden of production to make a prima-facie showing of the nonexistence of any triable issue of material...

Excerpt: ... pleadings. A. Preliminary Matters Plaintiff Michael Phegley moves, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 473 and 576, for leave to "amend/file a First Amended Complaint for the sole purpose of adding a class representative." (Notice of Motion at 2:1-2.) However, there is no indication in either the Complaint or proposed amended complaint that the action is being brought on behalf of a class. Rather, it appears from the moving papers that ...

Excerpt: ...es thereto. Defendants' Request for Judicial Notice is GRANTED as to Exhibits A and C, but not for the truth of matters alleged in those exhibits, GRANTED as to Exhibit B and DENIED as to Exhibit E. 8. LEGAL ANALYSIS To adequately state a claim for pun-tive damages, a complaint must contain allegations that the defendant has guilty of oppression, fraud or malice. (Civil Ctxle S 3294, subd. (a) (Section 3294); Turman v. Turning Point of Central Ca...

Excerpt: ...ling. Defendant WE HAUL, LLC moves, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 2030.290, and 2031.300, for an order compelling Plaintiff Cynthia Ison to provide responses, without objection, to Form Interrogatories, Set One, Special Interrogatories, Set One, and Request for Production of Documents, Set One propounded by Defendant (Subject Discovery). Defendant further moves, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 2030.290, subdivision (c)...

Excerpt: ...'s tentative ruling system as required by Gwal Rule 2.9. The moving party is therefore directed to immediately prov-de, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for requesting oral argument under Local Rule 2.9 remain in effect. However, the Court may grant belated requests for oral argument or continuance of hearing, made by any party who represents it did not timely receive the required n...

Excerpt: ...: Preliminary Injunction were to be filed by August 4, 2023. On August 4, 2023, Plaintiff filed a Mohon for Permanent Injunction. Through the moving papers Plaintiff uses the terms "permanent injunction" and "preliminary injunction" interchangeably without discussion, explanation, or apparent reason. While this would ordinarily create significant procedural issues, such issues are avoided here because Plaintiff's evidence, discussed below, establ...

Excerpt: ...er, the Court may grant belated requests for oral argument or continuance of hearing, made by any party who represents it did not timely receive the required notice, regardless of whether or not moving party is present at the hearing. The Notice of Moton does not clearly set forth either the precise nature of the relief sought or the grounds therefore. (See Code Civ. Proc. 51010 ["the notice of a motion, other than for a new trial, must state...t...

Excerpt: ...July 31, 2023, the Court (Hon. Victoria granted Plaintiff's attorneys' motion to withdraw and continued, to this date, Plaintiff's request for an extension of the 5-year statute. Through the Opposition, Defendant confirms its representation to Plaintiff that Defendant "will not raise any five-year statute issues so long as trial commences on or before September 30, 2023." (ld. at 3:9-10.) Section 583.310, et seq. govern the mandatory time within ...

Excerpt: ...rounds that Plaintiffs agreed, by contract, to arbitrate their claims against Defendant. The moving party failed to include in the notice of this motion proper notce of the Court's tentative ruling system as required by Gwal Rule 2.9. The moving party is therefore directed to immediately prov-de, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for requesting oral argument under Local Rule 2.9 rema...

Excerpt: ...ntiff John A. Tudal moves, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 473 and 576, for an order granting Plaintiff leave to file the Proposed SAC on grounds that permitting the subject filing will serve the interests of justice. 1 For file management reasons the Court does not permit attachments to become operative pleadings. The moving party failed to include in the notice of this motion proper notce of the Court's tentative ruling system as r...

Excerpt: ...agreement exists and, if any defense to its enforcement is raised, whether the agreement is enforceable. (Rosenthal v. Great Western Financial Sec. Corp. (1996) 14 Cal.4th 394, 413.) The moving party bears the burden of proving the existence of the agreement by a preponderance of the evidence. (Ibid.) This represents Pe
Ÿ
Ÿoner 's second a
©empt to compel arbitra
Ÿon of the present dispute. Pe
Ÿ
Ÿoner again fails to carry its ini
Ÿal burde...

Excerpt: ...this matter on April 20, 2023" on grounds that the parties agreed to such terms orally at a judicially supervised settlement conference. "If parties to pending litigation stipulate...orally before the court, for settlement of the case, or part thereof, the court, upon motion, may enter judgment pursuant to the terms of the settlement. If requested by the parties, the court may retain jurisdiction overthe parties to enforce the settlement until pe...

Excerpt: ...and that the failure to timely serve such responses was the result of mistake, inadvertence, or excusable neglect.2 The subject discovery consists of requests for production of documents, requests for admission, and form and special interrogatories propounded by Defendant Valley Rock Foundantion (VRF) and special interrogatories propounded by Defendant Dr. Robert White (Dr. White). (The foregoing discovery is referred to herein as Subject Discove...

Excerpt: ...uce to Defendants' counsel of record a further verified, code-compliant response to Form Interrogatory No. 17.1; and (3) pay to Defendants, care of their attorneys of record, monetary sanctons in the amount of $2,160. Defendants Michael L Holcomb and Maria C. Holcomb move, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 2030.300, subdivision (a) and 2033.290, subdivision (a) for an order compelling Plaintiff Joan Traverso (Plaintiff) to provide furt...

Excerpt: ...intiff ha[s] not pled any facts that support their request for attorney's fees against [GPIA]." (Mohon to Strike at 3:12-15.) Through the SAC, Plaintiff purports to assert claims of (Sixth) Negligent Misrepresentation and (Seventh) Professional Negligence against Defendant GPIA (See SAC at 14:19-16:12.) On these claims Plaintiff prays for, among other relief, "compensatory damages in an amount to be proven at trial, including attorneys' fees allo...

Excerpt: ...uired by Gwal Rule 2.9. The moving party is therefore directed to immediately prov-de, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for requesting oral argument under Local Rule 2.9 remain in effect. However, the Court may grant belated requests for oral argument or continuance of hearing, made by any party who represents it did not timely receive the required notice, regardless of whether or n...

Excerpt: ...Amended Complaint (TAC) the prayer for punitive damages and all references thereto. The Court notes that Defendant Sean Stapleton filed, together with Brad Stapleton and WCPS, an answer in response to the TAC. However, Sean Stapleton does not join in the present motion. (See Notice of Motion.) The Court rules on Defendants' Request for Judicial Notce as follows: Exhs. A and C: GRANTED, but not for the truth of matters alleged in the subject docum...

Excerpt: ...al Examination." Defendants concede that they are required, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 2032.310, to obtain leave of Court in order to conduct the desired examination. "The court shall grant a motion for a physical or mental examinaton under Section 2032.310 only for good cause shown." (Code Civ. Proc., S 2032.320, subd. (a).) The Court finds as follows. On February 25, 2022, Plaintiff served Defendants with his Supplemental Respo...

Excerpt: ... demand nos. 1, 2, 5, 7, 13, 14, and 15 of Defendants' First Demand for Inspection of Documents (Subject Discovery).2 Defendants move on grounds that OHC has failed, without justification, to comply with its representation that it would produce all responsive documents. Defendants also move, pursuant to sections 2023.030, subdivision (a), 2031.310, subdivision (h) and 2031.320, subdivision (b) for an award of monetary sanctions against OHC in the...

Excerpt: ... call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for requesting oral argument under Local Rule 2.9 remain in effect. However, the Court may grant belated requests for oral argument or continuance of hearing, made by any party who represents it did not timely receive the required notice, regardless of whether or not moving party is present at the hearing. "[A]ny party shall be entitled as a matter of right to c...

Excerpt: ...e ruling system as required by Gwal Rule 2.9. The moving party is therefore directed to immediately prov-de, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for requesting oral argument under Local Rule 2.9 remain in effect. However, the Court may grant belated requests for oral argument or continuance of hearing, made by any party who represents it did not timely receive the required notice, rega...

Excerpt: ...arties' dispute regarding the proper scope of the document requests attached to the deposition subpoena. The reference pursuant to this order is limited to the proper scope of the document requests attached to the deposition subpoena of Aaron Pott, and the deposition notice of Spencer Hoopes which is the subject of the concurrent motion to compel. The parties are directed to meet and confer to select a discovery referee. "If the parties do not ag...

Excerpt: ...s, without objections, and documents in compliance with the Court's April 18, 2023 discovery order within 15 calendar days of service of notce of entry of order. This represents Defendant's second motion to compel the subject discovery. On May 24, 2023, the Court granted each of Defendant's respective motions to compel Plaintiff to to form interrogatories, special interrogatories, and requests for production of documents. The Court further ordere...

Excerpt: ...ses...." (Notice of Motion at 2:8-10.) The moving party failed to include in the notice of this motion proper notce of the Court's tentative ruling system as required by Rule 2.9. The moving party is therefore directed to immediately prov-de, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for requesting oral argument under Local Rule 2.9 remain in effect. However, the Court may grant belated requ...

Excerpt: ...equired by Local Rule 2.9. The moving party is therefore directed to immediately provide, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for requesting oral argument under Local Rule 2.9 remain in effect. However, the Court may grant belated requests for oral argument or continuance of 1 hearing, made by any party who represents it did not timely receive the required notice, regardless of whether...

Excerpt: ...q„ "to stay, quash, and/or for a protective order regarding the insurance broker depositions of (1) Martha Carruth and (2) Brad Clark." (Notice of Motion at 3:3-7.) Plaintiffs so-move "on the basis that Plaintiffs have objected and sought to limit the depositions of Ms. Carruth and Mr. Clark, who are both insurance brokers, in accordance with the Court's May 2, 2023 Order Which addressed similar issues." (ld. at 3:8-10.) On May 15, 2023, the Co...

Excerpt: ...endant California Department of State Hospitals ("DSH") demurs to each cause of action asserted through the First Amended Complaint (FAC) by Plaintiff Rosela Lee ("Plaintiff"), an individual and as Successor-in-Interest to Victoria Jarvis, an individual, deceased ("Decedent"). DSH demurs on grounds that "Plaintiff lacks standing to assert causes of action one through four" and that Plaintiff's fifth cause of action for intentional infliction of e...

Excerpt: ...t to show a reasonable probability that they will prevail on the merits of their claims, they will be ordered to furnish a security in the amount of $72,395 m, no later than 15 court days' following notice of entry of the Court's ruling on the motion. (S 391.3, subd. (a).) The stay of proceedings pending outcome of the present motion shall continue "until 10 days after the required security has been furnished and Defendants have given written not...

Excerpt: ...s, Set One; and Request for Production of Documents, Set One. Plaintiff is further directed to pay to Defendant, care of Defendant's counsel of record in the action, no later than 10 calendar days after notice of entry of the present ruling, monetary sanctions in the amount of $1,460.00. Defendant Robert Jordan moves for an order compelling Plaintiff Orlando Ricardo Sanchez dba El Dorado Roofing to respond to Jordan's Form Interrogatories, Set On...

Excerpt: ...nd/or for a protective order regarding the insurance broker depositions of (1) Martha Carruth and (2) Brad Clark." (Notice of Motion at 3:3-7.) Plaintiffs so-move "on the basis that Plaintiffs have objected and sought to limit the depositions of Ms. Carruth and Mr. Clark, who are both insurance brokers, in accordance with the Court's May 2, 2023 Order Which addressed similar issues." (ld. at 3:8-10.) On May 15, 2023, the Court granted Defendant L...

Excerpt: ... in the notice of this motion proper notce of the Court's tentative ruling system as required by Gwal Rule 2.9. The moving party is therefore directed to immediately prov-de, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for requesting oral argument under Local Rule 2.9 remain in effect. However, the Court may grant belated requests for oral argument or continuance of hearing, made by any party ...

Excerpt: ..."If a subpoena requires the attendance of a witness or the production of books, documents, electronically stored information, or other things before a court, or at the trial of an issue therein...the court, upon motion reasonably made by [a party]...after giving counsel notice and an opportunity to be heard, may make an order quashing the subpoena entirely, modifying it, or directing compliance with it upon those terms or conditions as the court ...

Excerpt: ...e of this motion proper notce of the Court's tentative ruling system as required by Gwal Rule 2.9. The moving party is therefore directed to immediately prov-de, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for requesting oral argument under Local Rule 2.9 remain in effect. However, the Court may grant belated requests for oral argument or continuance of hearing, made by any party who represent...

Excerpt: ...to produce responsive documents and to serve supplemental and/or amended responses to Request for Production of Documents, Set 2 (Subject Discovery)l . Czap so moves on grounds that Plaintiffs have failed to serve proper responses to the Subject Discovery. Finally, Czap moves, pursuant to sections 2023.010, 2023.030, and 2031.320, for an award of monetary sanctions against Wang in the sum of $13,487.50. The moving party failed to include in the n...

Excerpt: ...edure, section 430.41, subdivision (b); and whether they may assert a novel argument in support of their demurrer to the sixth cause of action for wrongful death, as discussed below. Plaintiff is granted leave to serve and file, no later than June 8, 2023, a supplemental opposition addressing the same issues and/or DSH's arguments thereon. A. PRELIMINARY MATTERS Defendant California Department of State Hospitals ("DSH") demurs to each cause of ac...

Excerpt: ... remain in effect. However, the Court may grant belated requests for oral argument or continuance of hearing, made by any party who represents it did not timely receive the required notice, regardless of whether or not moving party is present at the hearing. Defendants Gino Bartalotti and Christopher Bartalotti move for an order setting aside judgments entered in fawr of Plaintiff Gordon Flesch Company in this action on the grounds of "improper a...

Excerpt: ...erence date, and all related pre- trial dates, on grounds that a new Plaintiff has recently been added to the case, Plaintiffs recently filed a Third Amended Complaint, and Plaintiff Todd Wentzel recently testified, at deposition, that he is seeking damages in the form of lost wages which testimony is purportedly inconsistent with earlier discovery responses. The Court has a statutory "responsibilityto eliminate delay in the progress and ultimate...

Excerpt: ...other portions of the SAC. Plaintiffs are granted 10 days' leave, from notice of entry of the present order, to amend the SAC forthe exclusive purpose of supporting a claim for punitive damages. Defendants David John Campbell, Jr. Bradford Stapleton and We Care Pest Solutions, Inc. move, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Sections 435 and 436, "to strike the prayer for punitive damages, and all references thereto, from the Second Amended Complai...

Excerpt: .... The demurrer to each cause of achon is brought pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 430.10, subdivision (e). Defendant further contends that the third cause of action, for wrongful termination in violation of public policy, fails, in part, based on the sham pleadings doctrine. Defendant previously demurred to each of Plaintiffs original Complaint and First Amended Complaint (FAC). Each of these demurrers was sustained by the Court with l...

Excerpt: ...g. (b) Strike out all or any part of any pleading not drawn or filed in conformity with the laws of this state, a court rule, or an order of the court." (Code Civ. Proc. 5436.) The matters Defendants object to fall into two categories: (a) allegations regarding Robert Mueller's role in Zinfandel, LLC and Plaintiff's alter ego theory of liability (Notice of Motion at 2:4-14); and (b) allegations relating to Plaintiff's prayer for attorneys' fees (...

Excerpt: ... 1:25-27.) The Court appreciates counsel's efforts at resolving what can fairly be described as a conundrum. However, the Court is unpersuaded that Code of Civil Procedure section 473, subdivision (b) provides authority for such resolution. The section of the statute relied upon provides that "[t]he court may, upon any terms as may be just, relieve a party or his or her legal representative from a judgment, dismissal, order, or other proceeding t...

Excerpt: ...ious Diseases at the time of mutual and simultaneous exchange of expert witness information"; (b) "the need for the Augmented Witness List was recently discovered based on the deposition testimony of non- retained experts"; and (c) "Plaintiff will not be prejudiced by the proposed Augmented Expert List." (Motion at 1:21-2:2.) The conditions for granting leave to augment an expert witness list are prescribed by statute. (See Code Civ. Proc„ S 20...

Excerpt: ...oper notce of the Court's tentative ruling system as required by Rule 2.9. The moving party is therefore directed to immediately prov-de, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for requesting oral argument under Local Rule 2.9 remain in effect. However, the Court may grant belated requests for oral argument or continuance of hearing, made by any party who represents it did not timely rece...

Excerpt: ...r her legal representative from a judgment, dismissal, order, or other proceeding taken against him or her through his or her mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect." (Code Civ. Proc., S 473, subd. (bj.) 3 Plaintiffs designated the case as complex upon filing and Defendants agree with that designation. (See Opposition at 12:9-14.) As Defendants assert, the Court confirmed the complex designation before all parties at the end of the...

Excerpt: ...time is GRANTED IN PART. Plaintiffs and Defendants are directed to meet and confer in faith with the Deponents to schedule the first seven (7) hours of their depositions on a mutually- agreeable date no later than May 10, 2023. While the Court believes it would be more efficient to depose Ms. Rodgers first, it declines to order this. The party that subpoenaed the Deponents, in this case Defendants, shall begin the depositions, unless otherwise ag...

Excerpt: ...Investors LLC (collectively, "Plaintiffs") move, pursuant to Rules of Court, rules 2.550 and 2.551, for an order sealing certain documents and portions of documents which Defendant Interstate Fire & Casualty Company ("Interstate") conditionally filed under seal on March 23, 2023 in opposition to Non-party Marsh USA's ("Marsh") Motion for Protective Order (filed on February 22, 2023 and withdrawn on March 30, 2023 prior to the April 5, 2023 hearin...

Excerpt: ...CE REQUIRED to set a hearing date and briefing schedule for both motions. As noted in the Court's April 18, 2023 Minute Order, all discovery proceedings are stayed until notice of entry of an order ruling on Plaintiffs anti-SLAPP motion. [3] MOTION TO STRIKE PURSUANT TO CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTION 425.16 TENTATIVE RULING: The motion is DENIED. A. Procedural Matters Cross-Defendants County of Napa ("County") and David Morrison and Akenya Robin...

Excerpt: ...e of entry of the present order. As to the "Alter Ego Requests" (defined below), within 15 calendar days of notice of entry of the present order, Cross-Defendants shall produce copies of all responsive documents, withholding only those that it contends are, in their entirety, subject to one or both of the objections discussed herein, and redacting those that are partially subject to one or both of the objections. Cross-Defendants shall, within th...

Excerpt: ...o later than 15 calendar days after notice of entry of the present order. Plaintiffs and their counsel are ordered to pay $1,020.00 payable to Defendants' counsel within 15 calendar days of notice of entry of order. A. Procedural Matters Defendants Suresh C. Malhotra and Lamya Malhotra (collectively, "Defendants") move for an order to compel Plaintiffs Raghu Sawkar and Sudha Sawkar (collectively, "Plaintiffs") to further respond to Defendants' Re...

Excerpt: ...ess Easement, Enforcement of Express Easement, and Declaratory Relief. The motion is brought on the grounds that each cause of action fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. The moving party failed to include in the notice of this motion proper notce of the Court's tentative ruling system as required by uycal Rule 2.9. Moving party is directed to immediately provide, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to oppo...

Excerpt: ... First, Fultz moves, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 877.6, for an order determining that "the settlement between plaintiffs, Fultz and Settled Cross-defendants (Daniel Strening; Alco Iron & Metal Co.; BC Designs, Décor Shower, Door and Glass; Julio Delgado dba Delgado Masonry; Dooley's Heating Air; Edgewater Plumbing of Benicia, Inc.; Finish with Style; Ivers Electric; Mark Jackson dba Jackson Drywall; Plough Construction; SLF Concr...

Excerpt: ...han 10 calendar days after notice of entry of the present ruling, monetary sanctions in the amount of $855.00. Based on the evidence produced in support of the motion the Court finds that: (a) Defendant Dalton Totty served Form Interrogatories, Set One, on Plaintiff on January 11, 2023; (b) Plaintiff did not respond in any manner to the subject interrogatories by the statutory deadline; and (c) Despite Defendant's counsel's several efforts at mee...

Excerpt: .... Defendants shall provide notice of entry of the order to Plaintiff. Plaintiff shall file, within 10 days from the notce of entry of order, an amended complaint which removes Paragraph D of the Prayer on page 3 of the Complaint. Defendants shall file an answer to the amended complaint within 10 days from service thereof. Defendants Luis Rosas and Maria Lezama (collectively, "Defendants") move, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 431.10,...

Excerpt: ...ross- Defendant RLM Construction Services, Inc. ("RLM") as to the First Cause of Acton for Breach of Express Contractual Indemnity, Second Cause of Acton for Declaratory Relief Regarding Duty to Defend, and Third Cause of Acton for Declaratory Relief Regarding Duty to Indemnify asserted in Third Street's Cross-complaint. Third Street advances two grounds for the motion. First, the express terms of the written subcontract agreement governing RLM's...

Excerpt: ...Code of Civil Procedure section 430.10, to the First Amended Complaint ("FAC") filed by Plaintiff Napa County ("Plaintiff") on the grounds that the FAC and the two causes of action stated therein for Public Nuisance Per Se and Unfair Competition fail to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against Defendants. Defendants' 17-page memorandum exceeds the maximum page limit. (See Rules of Court, rule 3.1113, subd. (d) ["no opening o...

Excerpt: ...n for Writ of Mandate ("Cross-complaint") on the ground that the proposed Cross- Complaint arises out of the same transaction or occurrence as the underlying Complaint in this action and is a related cause of action as defined in Code of Civil Procedure secton 426.50 but was not pleaded as a result of the District engaging in discussion with Plaintiff in an attempt to resolve the matter outside of litigation. "A party who fails to plead a cause o...

Excerpt: ...ence of witnesses and ends of justice will be promoted by the change and that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had in this county. (Motion at 1-2.) The moving party failed to include in the notice of this motion proper notce of the Court's tentative ruling system as required by uycal Rule 2.9. Moving party is directed to immediately provide, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for ...

Excerpt: ...aint "was [filed] for improper purposes relating to Sarah Solorio's exercise of her Constitutional rights, including the right to speech and the 'basic right of filing litigation.' [Citation.]" (Support Memo at 2:24-27; see also Rules of Court, rule 3.1110 ["La] notice of motion must state in the opening paragraph the nature of the order being sought and the grounds for issuance of the order"].) A. PROCEDURAL MATTERS The moving party also failed ...

Excerpt: ...hall be held no later than April 7, 2023, unless stipulated otherwise. Congdon shall produce, by the agreed-upon date of her deposition, the documents requested in the subpoena subject to her previously-asserted objections. Plaintiffs' request for sanctons is GRANTED IN PART. Congdon is ordered to pay to Plaintiffs, care of their attorney of record, within 15 calendar days of notice of entry of this order, sanctions in the amount of $2,060. Plain...

Excerpt: ...barred as a matter of law, (3) the Second3 through Sixth Causes of Action for childhood sexual assault, negligence, negligent hiring, supervision, and retention, battery, and sexual battery are barred by Government Code section 815, and (4) the complaint fails to state a cause of action against DSH under the doctrine of superior because the alleged acts of its purported employees were not within the scope of their employment. As a procedural matt...

Excerpt: ...of Defendant Gene Webb's ("Defendant") financial circumstances for purposes of exemplary damages and to allow inquiry and testimony into two new defenses presented by Defendant for his failure to correct the slide condition: advice of counsel and reliance on consultant writings. The Court discusses the topics of discovery separately below. A. Discovery of Defendant's Financial Condition "No pretrial discovery by the plaintiff shall be permitted w...

Excerpt: ...dant and Cross-complainant Fultz moves for three distinct forms of relief. First, Fultz moves, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 877.6, for an order determining that "the settlement between Fultz and Settled Cross-defendants (Daniel Strening; Alco Iron & Metal Co.; BC Designs, Décor Shower, Door and Glass; Julio Delgado dba Delgado Masonry; Dooley's Heating Air; Edgewater Plumbing of Benicia, Inc.; Finish with Style; Ivers Electric; Ma...

Excerpt: ... costs. A. PROCEDURAL MATTERS 1. The Interests of Justce are Served by a Consideration of Defendant's Motion on the Merits "A notice of motion to claim attorney's fees for services up to and including the rendition of judgment in the trial court...must be served and filed within the time for filing a notice of appeal under rules 8.104 and 8.108 in an unlimited civil case...." (Rules of Court, rule 3.1702, subd. (b)(l).) With exceptions not releva...

Excerpt: ... the grounds that Altamura is the prevailing party in the action and is entitled to fees pursuant to contract between the parties. "Code of Civil Procedure section 1021 provides the basic right to an award of attorney fees." 2 (Xuereb v. Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (1992) 3 Cal.App.4th 1338, 1341 (Xuereb).) "Except as attorney's fees are specifically provided for by statute, the measure and mode of compensation of attorneys and counselors at law is ...

Excerpt: ...Code of Civil Procedure sections 473 and 576, for "an order granting leave to amend their verified first amended cross-complaint to add causes of achon for breach of the contracts at issue in this litigation and for the purpose of adding certain real property as necessary and proper subject matter of this litigation." (Notice at 1-2.) Specifically, Cross-complainants argue that they are entitled to a judicial declaration of their interests in cer...

Excerpt: ... for Declaratory Relief 2 asserted in their Fourth Amended Complaint (“4AC”) filed on November 2, 2022, “interpreting paragraph 3 of the parties' 2005 water sharing agreement to mean that plaintiffs' right to take water from defendants' property pursuant to said agreement did not terminate upon plaintiffs' reconstruction of the house and renovation of the barn on their property.” (Notice at 2.) “The motion is made on the grounds that th...

Excerpt: ...pect to the attorney's fees. A. PROCEDURAL MATTERS Defendants Kathryn Luebcke (“Luebcke”) and David Danza (“Danza”) move, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 435 and 436 for an order to strike the following portions of the amended complaint filed by Plaintiff Lan T T Nguyen (“Plaintiff”) on December 27, 2022: (1) the claims for punitive damages on page 44, line 18 to page 45, line 10 and as requested in the Prayer for Relief,...

Excerpt: ...ainst Defendant on each of Plaintiff's causes of action, on the grounds that Plaintiff has established each element of each said cause of action and there is no triable issue of fact as to any such cause of action or any defense thereto. Wells Fargo's request for judicial notice is GRANTED. The Court takes judicial notice of the Complaint filed in this action, but not for the truth of any matters alleged therein. A. LEGAL AUTHORITY The party movi...

Excerpt: ...able attorneys' fees in the amount of $43,550.70. Plaintiffs failed to include in the notice of this motion proper notice of the Court's tentative ruling system as required by Local Rule 2.9. Plaintiffs attempted to cure this failure by providing the notice on February 22, 2023. However, this does not comply with the timing requirements under Local Rule 2.9. Therefore, Plaintiffs are directed to immediately provide, by telephone call AND email, t...

Excerpt: ...”) First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) and Prayer for Relief on the grounds that the First and Second Causes of Action are not drawn in conformity with the Order of the Court and Plaintiff's request for punitive damages is barred by Code of Civil Procedure section 425.14. A. The Motion Regarding Punitive Damages is Granted “No claim for punitive or exemplary damages against a religious corporation or religious corporation sole shall be includ...

Excerpt: ...A to permit the moving party to provide adequate notice of the hearing and file proper proof of service of such notice and the moving papers. Defendant Plough Construction, Inc. (Plough) moves for an order: 1) “determining that the settlement they have entered into was made in good faith pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 877 and 877.6”; and 2) “dismissing and/or barring all pending or future complaints or cross-complaints against...

Excerpt: ...to rule on the matter. “The court lacks jurisdiction to rule on a motion that has not been properly noticed for hearing on the date in question.” (Diaz v. Prof. Community Management, Inc. (2017) 16 Cal.App.5th 1190, 1204-05.) “Unless otherwise ordered or specifically provided by law, all moving and supporting papers shall be served and filed at least 16 court days before the hearing.” (Code Civ. Proc. §1005, subd. (b).) Where service by ...

Excerpt: ...ord Hanna v. Little League Baseball, Inc. (2020) 53 Cal.App.5th 871.) On September 13, 2021, Plaintiff filed a motion pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure section 391.1 in the related case number 19CV000046. Plaintiff presents no authority suggesting that the pendency of the motion in that case stays the proceedings in this case. Neither authority cited supports the proposition. On November 24, 2020, Defendants applied ex parte for an o...

Excerpt: ...bit 1 to the Memorandum be deemed filed. The moving party failed to include in the notice of this motion proper notice of the Court's tentative ruling system as required by Local Rule 2.9. The moving party is therefore directed to immediately provide, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for requesting oral argument under Local Rule 2.9 remain in effect. However, the Court may grant bel...

Excerpt: ...Sixth Cause of Action for Wrongful Death is OVERRULED. Defendant California Department of State Hospitals (“CDSH”) moves for an order sustaining its demurrer to two of the causes of action alleged in the Complaint filed on November 15, 2022 by Plaintiff Rosela Lee (“Plaintiff”), an individual and as Successor-in- Interest to Victoria Jarvis, an individual, deceased (“Decedent”). CDSH demurs to the Fifth Cause of Action for Intentional...

Excerpt: ...andum filed February 6, 2023. Defendants are also granted leave to file additional declarations in support of their opposition. However, the Declaration of Adam K. Tanouye filed 5 February 6, 2023, will remain before the Court and the matters declared therein need not be reasserted. If Defendants file an amended opposition memorandum, then Plaintiffs may serve and file, no later than March 3, 2023, an amended reply memorandum of points and author...

Excerpt: ...unless otherwise noted. 2 Section 631, subdivision (b) provides that “[a]t least one party demanding a jury on each side of a civil case shall pay a nonrefundable fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150), unless the fee has been paid by another party on the same side of the case.” “A party waives trial by jury...[b]y failing to timely pay the fee described in subdivision (b)....” (Id. at subd. (f).) With exceptions not relevant here, “[t...

Excerpt: ...iffs are ordered to pay to Defendants, care of their attorney of record, within 10 calendar days of notice of entry of this order, sanctions in the amount of $430. Defendants Suresh C. Malhotra and Lamya Malhotra (collectively, “Defendants”) move, pursuant to “the Civil Discovery Act,” for an order to compel Plaintiffs Raghu Sawkar and Sudha Sawkar (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) to (1) deem admitted the truth of facts to Defendants' Req...

Excerpt: ...IONS TENTATIVE RULING: The motion is GRANTED IN PART. Defendant and attorney Kurt Harris are ordered to jointly pay additional monetary sanctions in the amount of $3,410, to Plaintiff, no later than 10 calendar days after notice of entry of the present order. As noted in the Court's January 4, 2022 Order Granting, in Part, Plaintiff's Motion to Compel Further Responses to Special Interrogatories and to Compel Answers to Deposition Questions and f...

Excerpt: ...Minute Order.) On February 6, 2023, at 1:08 p.m., Defendants filed a declaration stating that the Court set an abbreviated briefing schedule for the motion on January 27, 2023, that Defendant had not received Plaintiff's moving papers which were due by February 2, 2023, and, therefore, the motion should be denied. On February 6, 2023, at 4:47 p.m., Plaintiff filed additional briefing. The Court notes that the grounds for Plaintiff's motion, and e...

Excerpt: ...”), and Calistoga Ranch Club (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) move for judgment on the pleadings with respect to Defendants and Cross-Complainants AIG Specialty Insurance Company (“AIG”), Arch Specialty Insurance Company (“Arch”), Landmark American Insurance Company (“Landmark”), Homeland Insurance Company of New York (“Homeland”), and Interstate Fire & Casualty Company's (“Interstate”) (collectively, “Insurers”) two cau...

Excerpt: ...low further briefing as discussed herein. Plaintiffs Auberge Resorts LLC (“Auberge”), Calistoga Ranch Owner LLC, Calistoga Ranch Investors LLC, and Calistoga Ranch Club (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) move, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 2031.310, for an order compelling further responses to Plaintiffs' Requests for Production of Documents and Tangible Things, Set One, to Defendants AIG Specialty Insurance Company (“AIG”), A...

Excerpt: ...s RLM Construction Services, Inc. (“RLM”) and Michael Reyes (“Reyes”) (collectively, “Defendants”). Third Street's Request for Judicial Notice of the court records (Exhibits 1-7) is GRANTED. Defendants' Request for Judicial Notice of corporate documents (Exhibits A-F) is DENIED on the grounds that none of the subject documents are relevant to the Court's resolution of the issues raised by the present motion. B. Parties' Contentions Th...

Excerpt: ... Local Rule 2.9. The moving party is therefore directed to immediately provide, by telephone call AND email, the missing notice to opposing party/ies forthwith. The requirements for requesting oral argument under Local Rule 2.9 remain in effect. However, the Court may grant belated requests for oral argument or continuance of hearing, made by any party who represents it did not timely receive the required notice, regardless of whether or not movi...

Excerpt: ...oves for an order requiring Plaintiff the People of the State of California (the People) to produce the person most qualified for deposition pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure, section 2025.010, and 2025.230.1 EVIG also requests that the Court impose monetary sanctions on Plaintiff for their refusal to produce such person. Plaintiff first argues that the motion is time barred pursuant to section 2025.480, and the line of caselaw interpreting tha...

Excerpt: ...rder and Defendants thereafter deny or delay coverage. A. Procedural Matters Defendants Hallmark Specialty Insurance Company (“Hallmark”), Western World Insurance Company (“Western World”), and AXIS Surplus Insurance Company (“AXIS”) (collectively, “Moving Defendants”) demur, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 430.10, subdivision (e), to the Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) filed by Plaintiff Spring Mountain Vineyards...

Excerpt: ...t to constitute a defense as required by [Code of Civil Procedure section] 430, subdivision (a), misstates facts or asserts an inapplicable defense.” (Notice at 1‐2.) As an initial matter, the Court notes that Code of Civil Procedure section 430 was repealed in 1972. That said, Plaintiff provides the applicable statutory grounds for her demurrer in her support memorandum. (See Support Memo at 1:19‐21, citing Code Civ. Proc., § 430.20.) The...

Excerpt: ...ex parte application seeking an order to, among other relief, continue the deadline by which Plaintiffs were required to file the FAC. The matter came on ex parte on August 23, 2022, with Micheal A. Thompson appearing on behalf of Plaintiffs and Nathaniel Bigger appearing on behalf of Defendants. (See August 23, 2022 Minute Order (8/23 M.O.). The 8/23 M.O. states, “Counsel advised the Court that they had entered into a Stipulation as follows:.....