Excerpt: ...urt if good cause is shown. (See Shapira v. Superior Court (1990) 224 Cal.App .3d 12491256.) Plaintiff objects to the examination because Plaintiff has already agreed to an examination by Defendant's orthopedic expert on 3/27/24 and a remote mental examination on 3/18/24. Plaintiff also contends the examination must be conducted within 75 miles of Plaintiff's residence, which is in North Carolina. Defendant has shown good cause for its scar revis...

Excerpt: ... be awarded reasonable attorney's fees and costs.” “This language has been interpret ed to allow recovery of not only litigation costs, but also reasonable attorney fees and costs expended in prelitigation alternative dispute resolution (ADR) pursuant to the Davis -Stirling Act. [Citation.]” (Rancho Mirage Country Club Homeowners Assn. v. H azelbaker (2016) 2 Cal.App.5th 252, 258.) A homeowner association's complaint seeking relief in the f...

Excerpt: ...cts sufficient to constitute a cause of action and uncertainty. Initially, the op posing points and authorities is over the 15- page limit under California Rules of Court, rule 3.1113(d). The Court disregards the last three pages (pages 21 -23). (California Rules of Court, rule 3.1300(d).) First Cause of Action for Disability Discriminati on in Violation of the FEHA A prima facie case of disability discrimination requires a plaintiff to show that...

Excerpt: ...ly noticed. ( Javor v. State Board of Equalization (1974) 12 Cal.3d 790, 796 [117 Cal.Rptr. 305, 527 P.2d 1153]; Code Civ. Proc., §§ 430.30, 430.70.) “Accordingly, a complaint otherwise good on its face is subject to demurrer when facts judicially noticed render it defective.” ( Iram Enterprises v. Veditz (1981) 12 6 Cal.App.3d 603, 608 [179 Cal.Rptr. 1].) Taking judicial notice of a document is not the same as accepting the truth of its co...

Excerpt: ...et seq., (6) quiet title, and (7) injunctive relief. I. All filings were untimely. As an initial matter, the Demurrer, Opposition, and Reply were all untimely. First, the First Amended Complaint was served by email on November 8, 2022. Thus, the declaration for the automatic 30 -day extension was due December 8, 2022. Defendant did not file its declaration for an extension until a month later on January 8, 2023. This was untimely. Since the dea...

Excerpt: ...#39;s breach, and (4) the resulting damages to the plaintiff.” (D'Arrigo Bros. of Calif ornia v. United Farmworkers of America (2014) 224 Cal.App.4th 790, 800.) As to the First Cause of Action, Plaintiff has demonstrated (1) the existence of the Loan Agreement with Media Graphix, (2) Plaintiff's performance, (3) Media Graphix breach of the L oan Agreement, and (4) resulting damages in the amount of $364,874.72. (Undisputed Facts 1, 5, 6, 10...

Excerpt: ... third causes of action in the F AC. For the reasons set forth below, both motions are DENIED. Because the motions and oppositions raise essentially the same arguments, involve very similar evidence, and are directed to the same pleading, the court will discuss both motions together. Th e 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 fa...

Excerpt: ...Defendant Smith Investment Group, LLC. (¶4 of Yun Declaration and E xhibit 2 thereto.) The Commercial Guarantee is a written contract which provides that “Guarantor absolutely and unconditionally guarantees full and punctual payment and satisfaction of the Indebtedness of Borrower [Smith Investment Group, LLC] to Lender [F irst Bank].” (Id.) Based on the above, the relevant claim is a “claim for money based on a contract,” as required. C...

Excerpt: ...f action. Plaintiff sues Defendants for (1) actual fraud, (2) fraud in the inducement, (3) breach of contract, (4) breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, (5) breach of implied in fact contract, (6) work, labor, and services rendered, (7) recovery of stolen property received pursuant to Penal Code § 496, (8) intentional interference with contractual relations, (9) intentional interference with prospective economic relation...

Excerpt: ...ssica J. Gallardo Celis. Standard for Demurrer A demurrer challenges only the legal sufficiency of the affected pleading, not the truth of the factual allegations in the pleading or the pleader's ability to prove those allegations. (Cundiff v. GTE Cal., Inc. (2002) 101 Cal.App.4th 1395, 1404- 05.) For this reason, the court will not decide questions of fact on demurrer. (See Berryman v. Merit Prop. Mgmt., Inc. (2007) 152 Cal.App.4th 1544, 1556.) ...

Excerpt: ... (which includes exhibits attached and incorporated therein) or from matters outside t he pleading which are judicially noticeable under Evidence Code §§ 451 or 452. Although California courts take a liberal view of inartfully drawn complaints, it remains essential that a complaint set forth the actionable facts relied upon with sufficient precision to inform the defendant of what plaintiff is complaining, and what remedies are being sought. (L...

Excerpt: ...toppel; and (2) Plaintiff failed to exhaust administrative remedies. (Defense Supplemental Brief: 2:17 -21.) While Defendant does not include an additional request for judicial notice, which addresses the resolution of this appeal, a copy of the relevant opinion is attached to a Notice of Ruling which was filed by Defendant on Augus t 15, 2023. (ROA No. 147.) The Court takes judicial notice of this opinion, pursuant to Evidence Code section 452,...

Excerpt: ...in connection with a Motion for Summary Judgment (¶23, ¶24, ¶28, ¶30, ¶31, ¶32, ¶34, ¶35, ¶39, ¶40, ¶41, ¶43, ¶44- ¶83, ¶85-¶97 and ¶99 -¶103 of SAC) and Declarations filed in support of Plaintiff's Ex Parte Application for a TRO. (¶30, ¶31, ¶32, ¶33 and ¶36 of SAC.) As a demurrer assumes the truth of factual allegations (Blank v. Kirwan ( 1985) 39 Cal.3d 311, 318), Plaintiffs' intention in offering these citations is uncl...

Excerpt: ...y Patrol. 181 Cal. App. 4th 856, 868 (2010) (c itation omitted). Defendant Kenneally contends that the Complaint does not allege that he disclosed facts to the public, but rather that he only disclosed them to Defendant Ladd. Kenneally also contends that the facts disclosed were not private facts since the information was found in records that can be obtained by members of the public pursuant to Govt. Code § 6254. In opposition, Plaintiff conten...

Excerpt: ...a. 42 and Para. 3 of the Prayer. I. DEMURRER 1st cause of action: Gender/Pregnancy Dis crimination (vs. EWL) A prima facie case for a discrimination requires a showing by the plaintiff of the following elements: (1) that he or she was a member of a protected class; (2) that he or she was qualified for the position he or she sought or that he or she was performing competently in the position he or she held; (3) that he or she suffered an adverse ...

Excerpt: ...n 1: Sanctions Motion by Defenda nts Defendants' request for sanctions under Code of Civil Procedure section 128.7 is DENIED because Defendants failed to comply with the safe harbor requirements. Section 128.7, subdivision (c)(1) requires notice of motion to be served as provided in Sect ion 1010, but shall not be filed or presented to the court unless, within 21 days after service of the motion the challenged paper is not withdrawn. Section 101...

Excerpt: ... and 14- 16. With respect to the evidentiary objection numbers 2- 3, 5, 6, 7, 11-12, and 14- 16, Defendant Newport Mesa Unified School District did not quote the portions of the evidence to which it was objects but did provide a brief description of what it found to be objectionable. (See Cal. Rules of Ct., rule 3.1354(b).) Based on the limited des cription, the court sustains these objections only to the extent that they seek to challenge evide...

Excerpt: ...022- 01291747). The court clerk is ORDERED to file this ruling in each of the above cases. Defendant, Cross -Complainant, and CrossDefendant Jennifer Landsman (Defendant Landsman) moves to consolidate the following cases: 1) Rangel v. Landsman (Case Number 30 - 2022- 01252534); 2) State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company v. Landsman (Case Number 30-2022- 01259393); and 3) Nielsen v. Landsman (Case Number 302022- 01291747). Standard to Cons...

Excerpt: ...nses to Defendant ClearChoice Management Services, LLC's Form Interrogatories —Employment, Set One, without objections and within 30 days of service of the notice of ruling. Plaintiff Susanne Feusi is ORDERED to serve full, complete, and verified responses to Defendant ClearChoice Management Services, LLC's Special Interrogatories, Set One, without objections and within 30 days of service of the notice of ruling. Plaintiff Susanne Feusi is ORD...

Excerpt: ... records. (See Evid. Code, § 452, subd. (d).) Attorney Tony Wong of Wong & Associates Lawyers are ORDERED to produce to Plaintiff Wei He, Plaintiff Xizoning Ren, Plaintiff Yueli Zhao, and Defendant Qiaoyun Zhang any retainer agreement(s) between himself and/or Wong & Associates, on the one hand, a nd Plaintiff Wei He, Plaintiff Xizoning Ren, Plaintiff Yueli Zhao, Defendant Qiaoyun Zhang, Neede Education Investment Management, Inc., and/or Irvine...

Excerpt: ...D to file this ruling in each of the above cases. Defendant, Cross -Complainant, and CrossDefendant Jennifer Landsman (Defendant Landsman) moves to consolidate the following cases: 1) Rangel v. Landsman (Case Number 30 - 2022- 01252534); 2) State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company v. Landsman (Case Number 30-2022- 01259393); and 3) Nielsen v. Landsman (Case Number 302022- 01291747). Standard to Consolidate “When actions involving a commo...

Excerpt: ...istake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect. Application for this r elief…shall be made within a reasonable time, in no case exceeding six months, after the judgment, dismissal, order, or proceeding was taken…Notwithstanding any other requirements of this section, the court shall, whenever an application for relief is made no more than six months after entry of judgment, is in proper form, and is accompanied by an attorney's swor...

Excerpt: ... by Plaintiff Yenely Lopez are MOOT in part and GRANTED in part. (1) Plai ntiff seeks an order from the Court compelling Defendant Home Express Delivery Service, LLC to provide further responses to Form Interrogatories -General, Set One. Additionally, Plaintiff seeks monetary sanctions against Defendant and its attorneys of reco rd, Shannon Finley, esq., Greg Feldman, Esq. and PETTIT KOHN jointly and severally in the sum of $2,060.00. (ROA No. 47...

Excerpt: ...mjula”) and non -party Tulsan Partners LLC (“Tulsan”), and compelling third- party witness, Ump qua Bank to comply with Strategic's deposition subpoena for production of business records, issued November 3, 2023. The Motion to Compel is DENIED except as to Request Nos. 9 and 13. Plaintiff Strategic and Cross -Defendants, Farshad Hashemi aka Sean Hashemi and Jeanette Hashemi (collectively, the “Sellers”) were the sellers of the assets an...

Excerpt: ... treat a motion by the nature of the relief sought rather than the title given. (See Sole Energy Co. v. Petrominerals Corp. (2005) 128 Cal.App.4th 187, 193.) In addition, when the Court continued the trial date on 1/17/24, it stated in its order, “[t]he Court does NOT extend any discovery or motion deadlines other than deadlines associated with the motion to compel independent medical examination.” (ROA 400.) Based on this, Plaintiff's argume...

Excerpt: ...th Edon who is a “Manager, HR Operations” for ELEVANCE “(f/k/ a Anthem, Inc.)” who attests as follows: --In her role as Manager, HR Operations, she is responsible for managing technology processes for all new hire activities from the verbal and written offer through their start date; --Throughout he employment and i ncluding 2022 to the present, ELEVANCE has utilized an online applicant tracking system called “Taleo” to facilitate emp...

Excerpt: ...so should provide a red -lined version of any revised papers, inc luding the class notice. Counsel also should provide the court with an explanation of how the pending issues were resolved, with references to any corrections to the settlement agreement and the class notice, rather than with just a supplemental declarati on or brief that simply asserts the issues have been resolved. The moving papers do not include a copy of the letter that was se...

Excerpt: ... can be clarified under modern dis covery procedures.” (Ibid.) 1st cause of action, trespass. The complaint states facts sufficient to state this cause of action. “‘The essence of the cause of action for trespass is an ‘unauthorized entry' onto the land of another . . . . regardless of the actor's motivation.'” (Hensley v. San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (2017) 7 Cal.App.5th 1337, 1355.) Here, the complaint alleges the subsidence of d...

Excerpt: ...does not know” why her employment was terminated. However, paragraph 36 of the complaint alleg es, “Plaintiff is informed and believes and thereon alleges that her race and/or national origin and her complaint about discrimination and harassment due to race were substantial, motivating and/or determining factors in the discriminatory treatment Defen dant subjected her to, including the termination of her employment.” Plaintiff also alleges ...

Excerpt: ..., ¶¶ 5, 6.) Defendant contends Plaintiff fails to allege compliance with paragrap h 15 of the contract, which requires the parties to attend mediation before initiating a lawsuit. However, paragraphs 11 -17 of the FAC allege Plaintiff asked Defendant to attend mediation and proposed a tolling agreement, and Plaintiff filed suit to preser ve its claims when Defendant did not promptly agree. Plaintiff has adequately alleged an attempt to comply ...

Excerpt: ...ed, a redline version showing all changes, deletions and additions must be submitted as well. In addition, Plaintiff must provide proof of service of any revised settlement agreement and supplemental papers on the LWDA. 1. In a supplemental declaration, Plaintiffs' counsel Millay Kogan states tha t no depositions were taken. But the prior declaration of Plaintiffs' counsel Vincent Granberry says Plaintiffs' depositions were taken. (ROA 131, ¶ 12...

Excerpt: ...hours on this case. Objector Andrew Mapes' Objection to Settleme nt is overruled. Plaintiff has adequately explained the large increase in the number of class members, and has justified the gross settlement amount remaining unchanged. Objector argues that plaintiff failed to provide sufficient information for the cour t to evaluate the validity of the Pick Up Stix settlements in this case. Objector concedes there is no controlling authority perm...

Excerpt: ...is GRANTED. The Reeds are ordered to file and serve t he FAXC (Rubin Decl., Ex. A) by March 22, 2023. The Court finds no prejudice will result from consideration of Azadian's untimely opposition. GROUNDS FOR RULING A court “may, in the furtherance of justice . . . allow a party to amend any pleading.” (CCP § 473(a)(1).) “[C]ourts are bound to apply a policy of great liberality in permitting amendments to the complaint at any stage of the...

Excerpt: ...edline showing all changes, deletions and additions must be submitted as well. In addition, please provide proof of service of any revised agreement on the LWDA. As to the Settlement: 1. Please provide copies of all PAGA notice letters sent by Plaintiff to the LWDA. 2. Per a notice of related cases, there are two cases in Los Angeles titled Garibaldo vs. Ware Disposal, Inc. that are related to this matter. How will this settlement affect the Gari...

Excerpt: ...r any applicable statute. (Crestwood Behavioral Health, Inc. v. Superior Court (2021) 60 Cal.App.5th 1069, 1075.) “Venue is determined based on the complaint on file at the time the motion to change venue is made.” (Brown v. Superior Court (1984) 37 Cal.3d 477, 482; Malloy v. Superior Court (2022) 83 Cal.App.5th 543, 553.) Code of Civil Procedure section 395, subdivision (a) sets forth the general venue rule. It states in relevant part: “E...

Excerpt: ...RA cap for non -economic damages;” and (2) “ Defendant, FIRST LIGHT RECOVERY, LLC (First Light) is not a health care provider, contrary to what is asserted by the First Light in their Eleventh Affirmative Defense in their Answer to Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint, thus, First Light would not be s hielded by the $250,000 MICRA cap for non -economic damages”. (Not. of Motion, p. 2, lines 7 -16, emphasis added.) Defendant argues that the i...

Excerpt: ...fendant's motion to stay proceedings pending the outcome of the arbitration of plaintiff Piplack's individual PAGA claim. Defendant's Objections to the Robinson Declaration are sustained as to #6, and overruled as to #1 - 5 and 7- 11. Defendant's Objections to the Sherrod Declaration are sustained as to #1 -3, and o verruled as to #4. Defendant's Request for Judicial Notice is denied as irrelevant. Zucchet v. Galardi (2014) 229 Cal. App. 4th 1466...

Excerpt: ...ogatory No. 12.1 and Special Interrogatory No. 18 are evasive and incomplete. Code of Civil Procedure section 2030.220(a) requires that “[e]ach answer in a response to interrogatories shall be as complete and straightforward as the information reasonably available to the responding party permits. ( Code Civ. Proc., § 2030.220(a).) GM, who failed to respond to these motions regarding interrogatories, failed to meet its burden to justify the obj...

Excerpt: ... responses were provided on 03 -08- 23. (Mem. at 3.) Accordingly , as Defendant Home Depot points out, Plaintiff has relied upon the incorrect statutory provision (CCP § 2030.290), as what this motion actually seeks is to compel further responses pursuant to CCP § 2030.300. Plaintiff failed to comply with the statutor y requirements for seeking further responses. Motion related to Special Interrogatories Plaintiff's Motion to Compel The Home De...

Excerpt: ...d on Defendant Beverly Mitchell; Request for Monetary Sanctions Against Beverly Mitchell in the Amount of $1,560.00 ROA 832 3. Plaintiff Zenith Insurance Company's Notice of Motion and Motion to Compel Responses to Requests for Productions, Set One Propounded on Defendant Beverly Mitchell; Request for Monetary Sanctions A gainst Def endant Beverly Mitchell in the Amount of $1,560.00 ROA 833 Zenith Insurance Company has filed three motions co...

Excerpt: ...ave standing to bring this motion, let a lone adequate grounds for disqualification of plaintiff's counsel as class counsel in this action. Standing generally requires that the party be able to allege an invasion of a legally protected interest. Great Lakes Construction, Inc. v. Burman (2010) 1 86 Cal. App. 4th 1347, 1356. Generally, before the disqualification of an attorney is proper, the complaining party must have or have had an attorney -c...

Excerpt: ...notice of continuance of Plaintiff's deposition; (6) notice of taking Plaintiff's deposition off calendar ; (7) proposed order granting motion to compel further responses to demands for inspection of documents; (8) proposed order granting motion to compel further responses to form interrogatories; (9) proposed order granting motion to compel further responses to special interrogatories; (10) statement of special interrogatories; (11) statement of...

Excerpt: ...e is also a judgment against the general partner.” (Corp. Code, § 15904.05, subd. (b); accord Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 17 -21 -307, subd. (c).) Even “[w]here a judgment has been obtained against both the partnership and a general partner, the judgment creditor may not levy against the general partner's assets based on a claim against the partnership unless the general partner is personally liable for the claim” and at least one of several speci�...

Excerpt: ...section 426.50. However, when a defendant seeks to file a cross-complaint against another party, not the plaintiff, the cross -complaint is not compulsory. Rather, the defendant will be permitted to file a cross - complaint if the cause of action asserted: “(1) arises out of the same transaction, occurrence, or ser ies of transactions or occurrences as the cause brought against him or (2) asserts a claim, right, or interest in the property or...

Excerpt: ...ises liability claim are the same: a legal duty of care, breach of that duty, and proximate cause resulting in injury.” (Kesner v. Superior Court (2016) 1 Cal.5th 1132, 1158; Castellon v. U.S. Bancorp (2013) 220 Cal.App.4th 994, 998.) “[L]andowners are required ‘to maintain land in their poss ession and control in a reasonably safe condition' [citation], and to use due care to eliminate dangerous conditions on their property [citations].”...

Excerpt: ...inst cross -defendants Joel Farkas (“Farkas” indivi dually), Gateway American Resources, LLC, Kings Co. LLC, Latitude Accounting LLC (“CD” all together), and their attorneys Todd C. Theodora, Esq., Christopher J. Harney, Esq., Adrian L. Canzoneri, Esq. and Theodora Oringher PC. This matter involved a perso nal dispute between an Farkas and his former love interest (Smith). The pair did not split amicably and Farkas accused Smith of using ...

Excerpt: ...tion to strike was continued to this date because the parties had fail ed to engage in a proper meet and confer. It does not appear that defendant's counsel has taken advantage of this extended time to comply with its obligations under the statutes. Accordingly, the court sets an Order to Show Cause re Sanctions against def endant's counsel. The hearing is set for April 11, 2024, at 8:30 am. Any declaration in response shall be filed at least �...

Excerpt: ...f of service (ROA 138) does not reflect service of these documents on the LWDA. Plaintiff must file a proof of service reflecting service of the Order Granting Preliminary Approval and the motion for final approval and its supporting documents on the LWDA. 18 19 2. Has the deadline for exclusions, objections and disputes for the 22 remailed notices elapsed? If so, were any exclusions, objections or disputes received for the remailed notices? ...

Excerpt: ...e Code section 583.310, (ii) continuing the trial date from July 1 5, 2024 to January 15, 2025, and (iii) continuing all trial -related deadlines to track the new trial date. Plaintiffs oppose. For the following reasons, defendants' motion is denied. 11 Section 583.310 provides that “[a]n action shall be brought to trial within five years after the action is commenced against the defendant.” For certain cases, including this one, this period...

Excerpt: ... which was opposed by defendant Philippe G. Delbar, as noticed on Febr uary 22, 2024. At that time, it held that plaintiff is entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys' fees under Civ. Code § 5975 but that fees and costs would only be awarded up to the time of the initial entry of default judgment on the complaint on Marc h 1, 2002 and on the instant fees motion. The Court therefore continued the hearing on the motion to March 14, 2024, and o...

Excerpt: ...ion: intentional interference with prospective economic relations, intentional interferenc e with contractual relations, and negligent interference with prospective economic advantage. For the following reasons, defendants' demurrers are sustained with leave to amend. allege facts demonstrating or excusing compliance with the claim presentation requirement. Otherwise, [their] complaint is In ruling on a demurrer, a court must accept as true all a...

Excerpt: ...g the claim has no merit, that the plaintiff cannot prove an element of the claim, or that the defendant has a complete defense entitling it to judgment as a matter of law. (Code Civ. Proc. § 437c(p)(2); Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 850- 51.) Issue 1: first cause of action for negligence Plaintiffs allege that in May 2018, Decedent Richard Arnold (Plaintiff Lisa Arnold's husband) sustained injuries at work from whic...

Excerpt: ... “What are the last four digits of your Social Security number?” Ob jections: “Irrelevant and not discoverable, and instruct Ms. Mora not to answer.” Ruling: Motion to compel denied. See discussion below. 2. Mora Depo. at 15:14 -18: Question No. 2: “Do you understand that you actually sued my client because they would no t use the last four digits of your Social Security number?” Objections: “Argumentative; harassing witness. I inst...

Excerpt: ...egations of the plaintiff's complaint. (FPI Development v. Nakas hima (1991) 231 Cal.App.3d 367, 381 -382 (pleadings serve as the outer measure of materiality in a summary judgment motion)). Once a defendant meets its prima facie showing, the burden shifts to the plaintiff to show by reference to specific facts the exist ence of a triable issue as to that affirmative defense or cause of action. (Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4...

Excerpt: ...c performance of that contract. Little v. Pullman (2013 ) 219 Cal.App.4th 558, 565. The petitioner bears the burden of proving the existence of a valid arbitration agreement by the preponderance of the evidence, and a party opposing the petition bears the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence any fact necessary to its defense. Id. Plaintiff argues defendant has not carried its burden of proving the existence of a valid arbitration ...

Excerpt: ...o. 7, and awarding monetary sanctions in the amount of at least $1,387.57 against Defendant. Plaintiff additionally moves for an order compelling further responses to Request for Production of Documents, Set One (“RFP”), Nos. 4 -6, 8, 9, 15, and 19, and compelling compliance with RFP, Nos. 1 -3, 7, 10, 14, 16, and 17, as well as awarding monetary sanctions in the amount of at least $3,862.57 against Defendant. Lastly, Plaintiff moves for an o...

Excerpt: ...atory no. 4.1. (Exhibit D, F to Declaration of Troy Candio tti; Exhibit 4, 6, 9 to Declaration of Richard Angel.) Thus, the Court grants Plaintiff's Motion as to Form Interrogatory no. 4.1. Given the October 30, 2023 deadline for Plaintiff to file his Motion, it was not wholly unreasonable for Plaintiff to file h is Motion when Defendant advised he would not serve a supplemental response until November 3, 2023. (Exhibit 9 to Declaration of Rich...

Excerpt: ...Exhs., Exh. 2].) The settlement agreement provides, in relevant part, that: “No later than 45 days after execution of this Settlement Agreement, the Parties will jointly cooperate and cause to be performed the below described work of improvement for the mutual benefit of their adjoining Properties (the ‘Re medial Work')…” These competing motions were filed after the parties failed to “jointly cooperate” to cause the Remedial Work to...

Excerpt: ...ntional Infliction Emotional Distress 8. Mental Disability Discrimination 9. No Reasonable Accommodation/Mental Disability 10. Failure to Pay Wages When Due In the complaint, she mentioned the term “sexual harassment” in paragraphs 11, 15- 16, 22, 40, 57- 59, 78, 81-84, 122, 128- 129, and 146. The claims of sexual harassment are general. They are for the most part non -specific. She alleges she was sexually harassed by two non - employees w...

Excerpt: ...urt to recover as part of the judgment a sum equal to the aggreg ate amount of costs and expenses . . . determined by the court to have been reasonably incurred by the buyer in connection with the commencement and prosecution of such action.” (Civ. Code § 1794(d).) “If the items appearing in a cost bill appear to be pro per charges, the burden is on the party seeking to tax costs to show that were not reasonable or necessary. On the other ha...

Excerpt: ...“RFP”) is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. On 01/25/24, the court continued the h earing on these motions and ordered Defendants to produce an updated privilege log that complied with the requirements laid out in Catalina Island Yacht Club v. Superior Ct. (2015) 242 Cal. App. 4th 1116 (“Catalina”). (ROA #131.) The court first notes De fendants did not produce a timely privilege log that permitted Plaintiff to review prior to the deadl...

Excerpt: ...s required to be given, evidence is required to be taken, and discretion in the determination of facts is vested in the infe rior tribunal, corporation, board or officer…” (Code Civ. Proc., §1094.5, subd. (a).) “The inquiry in such a case shall extend to the questions whether the respondent has proceeded without, or in excess of, jurisdiction; whether there was a fair trial; an d whether there was any prejudicial abuse of discretion.” (C...

Excerpt: ...amily Trust failed to pay sanctions as ordered by this Court on 10- 19-23. Thus, Defendants violated the 10- 19-23 and 11 -16- 23 orders. Therefore, Defendants' conduct is sanctionable. Nonmonetary Sanctions Defendants' conduct does not warrant terminating sanctions. Terminating sanctions are appropriate wh en the “violation is willful, preceded by a history of abuse, and the evidence shows that less severe sanctions would not produce complianc...

Excerpt: ...� 1021.5. The court has reviewed the time entries of Plaintiff's counsel [Hanassab Decl., Ex. 1] and the specific objections raised by Defendant. Upon this review, the court has reduced the fees from those requested for a billing error, fees incurred on claims Plaintiff did not prevail on, time billed for clerical work, time billed for duplicative/unnecessary work, and time billed for which the task description was too uninformative for the cour...

Excerpt: ...he factual allegations in the pleading or the pleader's ability to prove those allegations. (Cundiff v. GTE Cal., Inc. (2002) 101 Cal.App.4th 1395, 14041405.) Questions of fact cannot be decided on demurrer. (Berryman v. Merit Prop. Mgmt., Inc. (2007) 152 Cal.App.4th 1544, 1556.) A demurrer tests only the sufficiency of the complaint; a court will not consider facts that have not been alleged in the complaint unless they may be reasonably inferre...

Excerpt: ...pages. (ROA 108.) The maximum allowance is 15 pages, absent leave of court. (Cal. R. Ct. Rule 3.1113.) The Court will exercise its discretion to consider the oversized memorandum, this time, but future violations of the Rules may result in the Court's refusal to consider the offending p apers. Merits Defendant generally and specially demurs to the negligence cause of action in the First Amended Complaint. (To be clear, the Court construes the gen...

Excerpt: ...ler Agreement and Personal Guarantors breached the personal guaranty. F or the following reasons, UACC's motion is DENIED in its entirety. Relevant Facts Plaintiff purchases automotive retail installment contracts from car dealerships. (Compl. ¶ 9; Reza Decl. ¶ 2.) On or about January 20, 2022, UACC and Galaxy Auto Sales en tered into a written agreement entitled the “United Auto Credit Corporation Independent Dealer Agreement” (the “Deal...

Excerpt: ...is carried on with a willful and conscious di sregard of the right and safety of others. (Civ. Code § 3294(c)(1).) At the pleading stage, the complaint must allege facts supporting circumstances of oppression, fraud, or malice. See Grieves v. Superior Court (1984) 157 Cal.App.3d 159, 166 (“The mer e allegation an intentional tort was committed is not sufficient to warrant an award of punitive damages. [Citation] Not only must there be circumst...

Excerpt: ... 850.) A “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. . . .” (Ibid.) “A prima facie showing is one that is sufficient to support the position of the party in question.” (Id. at p. 851.) A defendant moving for s ummary judgment satisfies his or her initial burden by showing that one or more elements of the cause of action c...

Excerpt: ...e neglect. Application for this relief shall be accompanied by a copy of the answer or other pleading proposed to be filed therein1, otherwise the application shall not be granted, and shall be made within a reasonable time, in no case exceeding six months, after the judgment, d ismissal, order, or proceeding was taken.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 473, subd. (b).) The court has wide discretion to grant relief under the statute authorizing relief fro...

Excerpt: ...‘scienter'); (c) intent to defraud, i.e., to induce reliance ; (d) justifiable reliance; and (e) resulting damage.” (Lazar v. Superior Court (1996) 12 Cal.4th 631, 638.) Fraud must be plead with particularity and requires “pleading facts which show how, when, where, to whom, and by what means the representations wer e tendered.” (Id. at 645 (cleaned up).) Plaintiffs plead on August 10, 2020, Fluidfi and Li entered into a contract with M...

Excerpt: ...h based on Defendant's alleged failure to disclose that the vehicle an d its lithium-ion battery were defective and susceptible to sudden and premature failure. SAC, ¶¶ 83 -94; 95- 112. Defendant argues the 5th c/a and 6th c/a are barred by the applicable three -year statute of limitations. CC § 338; CC § 1783. The claims are su bject to a three- year statute of limitations and, absent any delayed discovery, equitable estoppel or tolling, the...

Excerpt: ...al of $1,210,647.00. As PFS was the prevailing party both in defending against P laintiff PAR's Breach of Contract cause of action, and in prosecuting its own Breach of Contract cause of action in the FAXC, the Court finds PFS is entitled to attorney's fees pursuant to CC§1717 and the governing contract. Although there is some dispute as to whether the negotiations for “consumables” was a separate contract, this Court finds that because th...

Excerpt: ...ed their Request for Judicial Notice as ordered on January 12, 2024. The Request for Judicial Notice is GRANTED. (Evid. Code §§ 451(f), 452(g), 452(h) 452(c); Gong v. City of Rosemead (2014) 226 Cal.App.4th 363, 376 [“If a plaintiff alleges compliance with the claims presentation requirement, but the public records do not reflect compl iance, the governmental entity can request the court to take judicial notice under Evidence Code section 45...

Excerpt: ...vidence regarding Defendant's purpose and motive for creating speci al b en efi ts fo r Bl a ck emp l oyees ; an d c. A ny ev i d en c e of re ason s for p l ai n ti ff's termination other than the reasons alleged in plaintiff's notice of termination. The Motion also seeks appointment of a discovery referee and an order requiring Defendant to pay for a neutral third -party ESI vendor. The Court may impose a monetary, issue, evidence, or terminat...

Excerpt: ...ne Faalafua, John Utu, and Elva Utu, indivi dually and as the successor -in -interest and personal representative of Lucy Utu, move under Code Civ. Proc. § 128.7(b) and (c) for an order imposing a monetary sanction of $3,060.00 against defendant Denise Lorenzo and her attorneys of record. Lorenzo opp oses the motion and asks for a sanction of $4,202.50 against plaintiffs and their counsel under Code Civ. Proc. § 128.7(h). Under section 128.7, a...

Excerpt: ...ing and Ridgeway Defendants alternatively move for summary adjudication as to the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and/or Sixth Causes of Action as alleged in the Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”). As a threshold matter, Plaintiffs make two procedural arguments for a denial of the motion. Procedural Arguments First, Plaint iffs argue that the motion should be denied because it violates the Court's August 30, 2023 Instruction. Plaintiffs fa...

Excerpt: ...issed its third and fourth causes of action on 11/15/23. Code of Civil Procedu re section 437c(c) states, “The motion for summary judgment shall be granted if all the papers submitted show that there is no triable issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. In determining if t he papers show that there is no triable issue as to any material fact, the court shall consider all of the evide...

Excerpt: ...he Law Offices of Dennis Dascanio, APC move to comp el defendants Benjamin Arsenian and the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian, PC to provide further responses to Plaintiffs' Form Interrogatories (Set One), without objections, is CONTINUED to 05/28/24 in Dept. C32 at 9:00 a.m. Plaintiffs Dennis Dascanio and the Law Offices of Dennis Dascanio, APC move to compel defendants Benjamin Arsenian and the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian, PC to provide fur...

Excerpt: ... Strike on 10/3/23. Code of Civil Procedure section 430.40(a) states, “ A person against whom a complaint or cross -complaint has been filed may, within 30 days after service of the complaint or cross- complaint, demur to the complaint or cross- complaint.” The same deadline applies to a motion to strike the complaint. (Code C i v. Proc. § 435(b)(1).) It is within the Court's discretion whether to consider an untimely demurrer. (Jackson v. ...

Excerpt: ...hall not recover his or her postoffer costs and shall pay the defendant's costs from the time of the offer. In addition, in any action or proceeding other than an eminent domain action, the court or arbitrator, in its discretion, may require the plaintiff to pay a reasonable sum to cover postoffer c osts of the services of expert witnesses, who are not regular employees of any party, actually incurred and reasonably necessary in either, or bo...

Excerpt: ... beneficial to its preparation' are disallowed. [Citation.]” ( D o e v. Los Angeles County Dept. of Children & Family Services (2019) 37 Cal.App.5th 675, 693 (Doe).) “The losing party may dispute any or all the items in the prevailing party's memorandum of costs by filing a motion to strike or tax costs. [Citation.]” (Doe, supra, 37 Cal.App.5th at. p. 693.) “‘[T]he mere filing of a motion to tax costs may be a “proper objection...

Excerpt: ...��lings is GRANTED. Plaintiff's request for judicial notice ( ROA 1100) of official records of the Secretary of State, Department of Real Estate, and County Recorder, is granted. The Court declines to rule on Movant's objections (ROA 1118) as immaterial to the Court's ruling but the objections are preserved for pur poses of appeal. (See Reid v. Google, Inc. (2010) 50 Cal.4th 512, 526 [“the trial court's failure to rule expressly on any of Googl...

Excerpt: ... procedures, including enforcement proced ures, for each discovery method. The issue here is that Genera moves to compel a non- party to produce further documents pursuant to a subpoena. Non -party discovery is governed by CCP §§ 1985, et seq. and 2020.010, et seq. Where a non- party refuses to co mply with a deposition subpoena, the requesting party must move under the appropriate code section seeking enforcement of said subpoena, and not CCP ...

Excerpt: ...nts' request for judicial notice, Nos. 1 -4. It is unnecessary to ask the court to take judicial notice of materials previously filed in this case. “[A]ll that is necessary is to call the court's attention to such papers.” (Weil & Brown, Cal. Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group 2014) ¶ 9.53.1a, p. 9(l) -3 3.) Plaintiff's Evidentiary Objections. The Court declines to rule on plaintiff's objections as such rulings w...

Excerpt: ...ry objections to the declaration of Stefan Chacon are OVERRULED. Plaintiff SSSHT Opco SE Division Street, LLC's evidentiary objections to the declarations of Tracee DeGrande and Collette Gray are OVERRULED. Defendant Integral Senior Living, LLC (Defendant Integral) moves to compel arbitration of the claims brought by SSSHT Opco SE Division Stree t, LLC and to stay these proceedings pending completion of arbitration. Defendant Integral Senior Livi...

Excerpt: ...te covered by the agreement. Code Civ. Proc. § 1281.2. “The trial court m ay resolve motions to compel arbitration in summary proceedings, in which ‘[t]he petitioner bears the burden of proving the existence of a valid arbitration agreement by the preponderance of the evidence, and a party opposing the petition bears the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence any fact necessary to its defense. In these summary proceedings, the ...

Excerpt: ...n the deposition notice if, after service of a deposition notic e and without having served a valid objection, the party fails to appear for examination. A motion under Code of Civil Procedure § 2025.450(a) must be accompanied by a declaration under Code of Civil Procedure § 2016.040 or, when the deponent fails to att end the deposition and produce documents, by a declaration stating that the moving party contacted the deponent to inquire about...

Excerpt: ...discovery by taking in California the oral deposition of any person, including any party to the action. (See Code Civ. Proc., § 2025.010.) A party desiring to take an oral deposition of a person who is under the jurisdiction of the court shall give written notice of the deposition. (S ee Code Civ. Proc., § 2025.2 20, subd. (a).) ”If, after service of a deposition notice, a party to the action or an officer, director, managing agent, or employ...

Excerpt: ... From Defendant Cheol Kim, etc. (“Motion 2” below , filed as ROA 66); (3) Motion to Compel Further Responses Without Objections to Special Interrogatories (Set One) From Defendant Cheol Kim, etc. (“Motion 3” below, filed as ROA 94); (4) Motion to Compel Further Responses Without Objections to Special In terrogatories (Set One) From Defendant Pinebrook Acupuncture, etc. (“Motion 4” below, filed as ROA 78); (5) Motion to Compel Furth...

Excerpt: ...Gold Rain Foundation (Defendant GRF) and Defendant Seal Beach Mutu al Eleven (Defendant SBME) move to strike punitive damages allegations and claims from the First Amended Complaint for Damages (FAC) filed by Plaintiffs John Dennis Mulvihill, Breda Marie Mulvihill -Hernandez, and Julia Geraldine Mulvihill. Standard for Mo tion to Strike A court may strike out any irrelevant, false, or improper matter inserted in any pleading or strike out all or...

Excerpt: ...terms and conditions as the court shall declare inclu ding protective orders. In addition, the court may make any other order as may be appropriate to protect the moving party from unreasonable or oppressive demands including unreasonable violations of the moving party's right of privacy. Code Civ. Proc. §1 987.1. Further, in connection with a subpoena for consumer records: Any consumer whose personal records are sought by a subpoena duces tecum...

Excerpt: ...iller contained in Plaintiff Judy P. Fisher's Compendium of Evidence in Support of Opposition to Defendant Deloitte Services LP's Motion for Summary Judgment or Summary Adjudication, (ROA #225), and the information contained therein. The court ORDERS that, within 15 days of this ruling, Plaintiff Judy P. Fisher s hall file redacted versions of: 1. Plaintiff Judy P. Fisher's Statement in Opposition to Defendant Deloitte Services LP's Amended Sepa...

Excerpt: ...marily to chill the defendant's exercise of First Am endment rights.” Finton Construction, Inc. v. Bidna & Keys, APLC, 238 Cal. App. 4th 200, 208 (2015). The trial court engages in a two -step process to determine whether a special motion to strike should be granted. Code Civ. Proc., § 425.16(b)(1). First, the court decides whether the defendant has met its initial burden of establishing a prima facie showing that defendant's acts, of whic...

Excerpt: ...t Max Berreyesa pursuant to the Agreement between the parties dated February 22, 2023, in the amount of $34,417 plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs of $2,660. Plaintiff Virginia Kumpe moves to vacate the dismissal of this action and to enter judgment against Defendants Dandelion Enterprises, LLC dba Tappin Roots and Max B erreyesa pursuant to the Agreement between the parties dated February 22, 2023 and the Stipulation for Entry of Judgment...

Excerpt: ...l Numbers 4.1, 4.2, and 15.1, within 30 days of service of the not ice of ruling. Defendant RML Properties is ORDERED to serve full, complete, and verified responses to Form Interrogatories – General Numbers 4.1, 4.2, and 15.1, within 30 days of service of the notice of ruling. Plaintiff Sharon Galasso's Motion to Compe l Defendant Maya Linda II, LLC's Further Responses to Requests for Production is DENIED without prejudice. Plaintiff Sharon G...

Excerpt: ...aintiff Luis Alberto Garcia is ORDERED to serve fu ll, complete, and verified responses and responsive document to Inspection Demand Set No. 1, without objections, within 30 days of service of the notice of ruling. Plaintiff Luis Alberto Garcia is ORDERED to pay to Defendant Amber Ashley Melville sanction s in the amount of $978 (0.5 hours x $500 per hour and 2.5 hours x $375 per hour in reasonable attorney's fees and $60 in motion filing fees)...

Excerpt: ...heir agents, assigns, partners, employees, employers, and any individual or entity acting in concert with them from engaging acting in concert with them from engaging in the following is GRANTED: 23 1. Withdrawing, transferring, disposing, concealing and/or otherwise accessing any money in any bank or financial acco unt where any Plaintiff is identified as an account holder including checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, C...

Excerpt: ...ce infliction of emotional distress alleged in the second amended complaint (SAC) of plaintiff Stella Tritakis (Plaintiff). The is DENIED as set forth below. “In applying this statute, a court generally is required to engage in a two -step process. ‘First, Civil Procedure Code section 425.16 , subdivision (b), provides in relevant part: “A cause of action against a person arising from any act of that person in furtherance of the person's r...

Excerpt: ..., 49 (2018). “It then falls to plaintiff to counter with evidence creati ng a dispute about a fact relevant to that defense.” Id. “That is, the plaintiff must submit evidence that would allow a ‘reasonable trier of fact [to] find in plaintiff[‘s] favor on the statute of limitations issue.” Id. This is a wrongful death and surv ival action. Plaintiffs allege that the Decedent died from injuries sustained in an electrical fire that oc...