Excerpt: ...ired by the Code. In light of the filing of Ikeda's motion contesting the application, the court will exercise its discretion to consider the application on the merits. The settlement of fewer than all joint tortfeasors must be made in good faith with respect to the remaining defendants. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 877, 877.6.) “The party asserting the lack of good faith shall have the burden of proof on that issue.” (Id. § 877.6, subd. (d).) In ...

Excerpt: ...ove for summary adjudication as to one or more causes of action if the party contends there is no affirmative defense to the cause of action. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (f)(1).) The moving party bears the initial burden of establishing each element of the cause of action entitling them to judgment as a matter of law. (Id. subds. (f)(1), (p)(1).) Only if this initial burden is met will the burden shift to the opposing party to establish a tr...

Excerpt: ... The judgment conforms to the court's prior verdict and order filed May 27, 2022. Defendants includes both procedural and substantive arguments. The primary procedural argument is that the court did not issue a required statement of decision. The verdict and decision of the court is, in substance, a statement of decision. Although a statement of decision is not required unless timely requested (see C.C.P. § 632), the court may nevertheless prepa...

Excerpt: ...ations or the accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (6th Dist. 2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleadings are deemed true no matter how improbable they may seem. (Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials Co. (2d Dist. 1981) 123 Cal.App.3d 593, 604.) However, the court does not assume the truth of contentions, deductions, or conclusions of facts or law. (Evans v. City of Berkeley (2006) 38 Cal.4th 1, 6.) 8 D...

Excerpt: ... is sustained. A party may demur where the pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action or when the complaint is uncertain. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subds. (e), (f).) A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the pleadings, not the truth of the allegations or the accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (6th Dist. 2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleadings are deemed true no matte...

Excerpt: ...further disclosure of such designated documents to individuals outside of the litigation. A party responding to discovery or “any other party or affected person” may promptly move for a protective order. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2031.060, subd. (a).) Upon a showing of good cause, the court “may make any order that justice requires to protect any party or other person from unwarranted annoyance, embarrassment, or oppression,” and may include a...

Excerpt: ...tice in support of the reply were untimely filed. The court exercises its discretion to consider the untimely reply brief. The request for judicial notice in support of the reply, however, is denied as it introduces new evidence to which Ms. Chandler has not had the opportunity to respond. 5 Ruling on the Motion The Saegers' demurrer is overruled in its entirety. A party may demur where the pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a...

Excerpt: ...on. See Jones v. Kmart Corp. (1998) 17 Cal.4th 329. 6 A party may demur to a complaint where the pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action or when the pleading is uncertain. Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10(e) & (f). A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the pleadings, not the truth of the plaintiff's allegations or the accuracy of the described conduct. Bader v. Anderson (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787. The court assu...

Excerpt: ...tiff initially alleges she learned shortly after the 2005 purchase of the Oakbridge property that defendant and decedent obtained a loan to cover a portion of their $500,000 deposit. (SAC ¶¶16‐18, 20, 21, 26, 27.) However, plaintiff goes on to allege she did not learn of their failure to deposit the $500,000 into the escrow account until the filing of the original complaint in 2020. (SAC ¶40.) These conflicting allegations are insufficient t...

Excerpt: ...d to permit them to retain counsel and submit their formal opposition to the application for right to attach order. The court granted relief August 30, 2022; however, defendants later filed a notice of stay showing they had sought bankruptcy relief August 23, 2022, prior to the date the court granted the RTAO. The bankruptcy was later dismissed; plaintiff applied ex parte for issuance of the RTAO; the court set this matter for hearing, with a sch...

Excerpt: ...f Steven Alves seeks summary adjudication as to his first cause of action for breach of contract and second cause of action for misappropriation of trade secrets. A party may move for summary adjudication as to one or more causes of action within an action, one or more affirmative defenses, one or more claims for damages, or one or more issues of duty, if the party contends that the cause of action has no merit, that there is no affirmative defen...

Excerpt: ...ting “repeated conduct of failing to comply with discovery obligations may lead the court to find an abuse of the discovery process and award sanctions on that basis.” Defendants present evidence plaintiff failed to submit responses by October 14, 2022 or by the date the instant motion was filed. Defendants further present evidence plaintiff did not respond to meet and confer efforts, both prior to the motion to compel and the instant motion....

Excerpt: ... action pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 187. ABC obtained a judgment against SPC, Kevin Hengl and Stephanie Hengl on December 22, 2020. Plaintiff is unable to collect the judgment from SPC, which was apparently shut down by Kevin Hengl prior to this litigation commencing. Kevin Hengl and Stephanie Hengl both obtained a bankruptcy discharge after judgment was entered. ABC submits evidence supporting the conclusion that Kevin Hengl, the...

Excerpt: ...ded within five years from institution of the proceeding. An insured formally institutes arbitration proceedings by notification in writing sent to the insurer by certified mail. (Ins. Code § 11580.2(i)(1)(C); Santangelo v. Allstate Ins. Co. (1998) 65 Cal.App.4th 804, 811‐812.) In this case, the parties agree that claimant instituted arbitration proceedings on March 14, 2017. The parties both assert that the deadline to conclude arbitration pr...

Excerpt: ..., litigation is an adversarial process. Nonetheless, “it is vital to the integrity of our adversary legal process that attorneys strive to maintain the highest standards of ethics, civility, and professionalism in the practice of law.” (People v. Chong (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 232, 243.) Civility and courtesy are expectations of the legal profession, they are not weaknesses. “As officers of the court with responsibilities to the administration...

Excerpt: ...order consolidation of actions involving a common question of law or fact. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1048, subd. (a).) Here, both matters involve the same real property known as 8021 Eagle View Lane, Granite Bay, CA 95746. Tucker contends she is entitled to continued possession of the premises as equitable or legal owner of the subject property by virtue of her having been deemed the last and highest bidder as a statutorily eligible tenant buyer under...

Excerpt: ...r by the opposing party. Plaintiffs rely on Weiler v. Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, Inc. (2018) 22 Cal.App.5th 970 for the proposition that when a party is unable to afford to continue arbitration, that party may seek relief from the superior court. However, the Weiler case involved a party who had engaged in arbitration in good faith for years. Plaintiffs present no evidence they have engaged in arbitration. Plaintiffs pres...

Excerpt: ...motion for summary judgment where there are no triable issues of fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (c).) The defendant bears the initial burden of establishing that one or more elements of the cause of action cannot be established or that there is a complete defense to the cause of action. (Id. subd. (p)(2).) Only when this initial burden is met does the burden shift to the oppo...

Excerpt: ...aration in support of motion for preliminary injunction was filed on June 25, 2020 and Andrew R. Cassano's declaration was filed August 10, 2020, but not as to the truth of the assertions contained therein. Plaintiff's objection number 21 is sustained. Plaintiff's objections are otherwise overruled. As plaintiff correctly points out, defendant's responses to plaintiff's SSUMF and defendant's SSDMF are not formatted correctly. (Cal. Rules of Court...

Excerpt: ...f Steven Alves seeks summary adjudication as to his first cause of action for breach of contract and second cause of action for misappropriation of trade secrets. A party may move for summary adjudication as to one or more causes of action within an action, one or more affirmative defenses, one or more claims for damages, or one or more issues of duty, if the party contends that the cause of action has no merit, that there is no affirmative defen...

Excerpt: ...he commencement and prosecution of such action" are recoverable by a prevailing plaintiff. Defendants oppose the requested fees and costs and expenses. In the current request, plaintiff seeks $440,677.00 in attorney fees plus a .5 enhancement multiplier of $220,368.50, plus costs and expenses of $47,760.39, totaling $708,775.89. 4 Determination of reasonable fees begins with the lodestar method where in the court determines the number of hours re...

Excerpt: ...e of action or when the complaint is uncertain. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subds. (e), (f).) A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the pleadings, not the truth of the allegations or the accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (6th Dist. 2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleadings are deemed true no matter how improbable they may seem. (Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials Co. (2d Dist. 1981) 123 Cal.A...

Excerpt: ...ic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 850. If the moving party carries its initial burden of production to make a prima facie showing that there are no triable issues of material fact, the burden shifts to the opposing party to make a prima facie showing of the existence of a triable issue of material fact. Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co., supra, 25 Cal.4th at 850. Plaintiff submits admissible evidence which establishes the existence of a wri...

Excerpt: ...erson (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787. The court assumes the truth of all facts properly pleaded, and accepts as true all facts that may be implied or reasonably inferred from facts expressly alleged, unless they are contradicted by judicially noticed facts. Evans v. City of Berkeley (2006) 38 Cal.4th 1, 6. However, the court does not assume the truth of contentions, deductions, or conclusions of facts or law. Id. A demurrer for uncertainty is ap...

Excerpt: ...here the pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action or when the pleading is uncertain. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 430.10(e) & (f). A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the pleadings, not the truth of the plaintiff's allegations or the accuracy of the described conduct. Bader v. Anderson (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787. The court assumes the truth of all facts properly pleaded, and accepts as true all facts that may be...

Excerpt: ...tions of the complaint is dropped as moot. Subsequent to filing the motion to strike, an amended complaint was filed which appears to recast the allegations of the complaint and add at least one additional defendant. The court also notes that this matter was automatically stayed by defendant's vexatious litigant motion, infra, by operation of C.C.P. § 391.6. 9 Vexatious litigant motion Defendant Cynthia Woodburn moves to deem plaintiff Davood Kh...

Excerpt: ...he plaintiff's allegations or the accuracy of the described conduct. Bader v. Anderson (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787. The court assumes the truth of all facts properly pleaded, and 4 accepts as true all facts that may be implied or reasonably inferred from facts expressly alleged, unless they are contradicted by judicially noticed facts. Evans v. City of Berkeley (2006) 38 Cal.4th 1, 6. A plaintiff need not plead facts with specificity where th...

Excerpt: ...ial. The case proceeded as a jury trial with the jury rendering its verdict in favor of plaintiff on October 19, 2022. The notice of entry of judgment was served by mail to both parties on the same date. On November 2, 2022, defendant filed a notice of intent to move for new trial, as well as a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict. The proof of service attached to the notice of motion/notice of intent attested that counsel for plaintif...

Excerpt: ...iled October 11, 2022. The memorandum of costs states total costs in the amount of $210,246.38. “If the items appearing in a cost bill appear to be proper charges, the burden is on the party seeking to tax costs to show that they were not reasonable or necessary.” (Ladas v. Cal. State Auto. Ass'n (1993) 19 Cal.App.4th 761, 774.) Alternatively, where items are properly put in issue by objection, the burden of proof is on the party claiming the...

Excerpt: ...ill be served by the severance of the fourth, fifth, or sixth causes of action in the FACC. There has also been an insufficient showing of prejudice to warrant a severance of these causes of action. The court also finds the convenience of the parties and ends of justice support hearing these claims with the remainder of the litigation pending in Placer County. Plaintiffs'/Cross‐Defendants' (Plaintiffs') Demurrer to the First Amended Cross‐Com...

Excerpt: ...ospitals (1976) 17 Cal.3d 699, 706; Laswell v. AG Seal Beach, LLC (2d Dist. 2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 1399, 1405.) Under both federal and state law, a threshold question for any petition to compel arbitration is whether there exists an agreement to arbitrate. (Cruise v. Kroger Co. (2d Dist. 2015) 233 Cal.App.4th 390, 396.) It is the petitioner that carries this initial burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, the existence of a valid ar...

Excerpt: ...t adding several causes of action, two defendants, and many additional facts. The court may permit a party to amend a pleading in the furtherance of justice and on such terms as may be just. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 473(a)(1), 576.) Leave to amend is generally exercised liberally provided there is no showing of prejudice to the opposing party. (Howard v. County of San Diego (4th Dist. 2010) 184 Cal.App.4th 1422, 1428; Douglas v. Superior Court (4th...

Excerpt: ...ions or the accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (6th Dist. 2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleadings are deemed true no matter how improbable they may seem. (Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials Co. (2d Dist. 1981) 123 Cal.App.3d 593, 604.) An unlawful detainer complaint must be verified. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1166(a)(1).) Here, defendant contends the first amended complaint is not verified by a party...

Excerpt: ...he court file to determine that the settlement is genuine, meaningful, and consistent with the underlying purposes of the PAGA‐related statute. (Labor Code section 2699(l); O'Connor v. Uber Technologies, Inc. (N.D. Cal. 2016) 201 F.Supp.3d 1110.) The court must also determine whether the PAGA settlement appears fundamentally fair, reasonable, and adequate. (Ibid.) The court has carefully reviewed and considered the joint stipulation regarding c...

Excerpt: ...he court file to determine that the settlement is genuine, meaningful, and consistent with the underlying purposes of the PAGA‐related statute. (Labor Code section 2699(l); O'Connor v. Uber Technologies, Inc. (N.D. Cal. 2016) 201 F.Supp.3d 1110.) The court must also determine whether the PAGA settlement appears fundamentally fair, reasonable, and adequate. (Ibid.) The court has carefully reviewed and considered the settlement agreement and rele...

Excerpt: ...other parties to the action at least 75 days before the time appointed for the hearing. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (a)(2).) Defendants' motion is not supported by sufficient notice. Accordingly, Vincent Procopio and Joe Procopio's motion for summary judgment is denied; Vincent Procopio and Joe Procopio's motion for summary adjudication is denied. 3 Defendant John Procopio's Motion for Summary Judgment or, in the Alternative, Summary Adjudic...

Excerpt: ... medical negligence claim. Because mere duplication of claims is not a basis to sustain a demurrer, the demurrer is overruled. Blickman Turkus LP v. MF Downtown Sunnyvale LLC (2008) 162 Cal.App.4th 858, 890. Sean Selig's claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress is insufficiently pleaded. The allegations in the first amended complaint regarding Dr. Nelson are very few, including that she is a medical doctor (¶¶ 7‐8), that she began...

Excerpt: ...he Los Lagos community in Granite Bay; and (4) an order prohibiting attorney Meister from entering PCI's building during the pendency of these proceedings. For the reasons set forth below, the court grants the motion in part. During the pendency of this action, counsel for plaintiff shall be prohibited from contacting defendants directly other than through defendants' counsel of record. The motion is otherwise denied. The motion before the court ...

Excerpt: ...arte applications seeking the same relief, which relief was denied on October 19, 2022, November 2, 2022, and November 7, 2022. Plaintiff's second ex parte application was identical to the first ex parte application. Plaintiff's third ex parte application contained additional information. However, the third ex parte application was denied as it presented a motion for reconsideration without compliance with the requirements of Code of Civil Proced...

Excerpt: ...ainst her in a prior Placer County case, S‐CV‐0048033. Between them, defendants filed two special motions to strike. Pocklington and AREG's Special Motion to Strike Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16 On its own motion, the court takes judicial notice of the court's file in related matter SCV‐0048033. A motion brought under Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16, also known as an antiSLAPP motion, is a procedural remedy desig...

Excerpt: ...hould be limited to responding to the tentative ruling or highlighting argument from the papers. Relevant Procedural History During post‐judgment enforcement discovery, the court previously ordered sanctions against judgment debtor and/or judgment debtor's counsel for failing to meet and confer on August 29, 2019 (sanctions of $1,500), November 19, 2019 (sanctions of $1,482), and February 14, 2020 (sanctions of $1,245). The three sanctions awar...

Excerpt: ...t appear on the face of the challenged pleading or be based on facts which the court may judicially notice. C.C.P. § 438(d). As with a demurrer, the court must assume the truth of the factual allegations of the complaint. Wise v. Pac. Gas & Electric Co. (2005) 132 Cal.App.4th 725, 738. The motion is denied with respect to the first cause of action for breach of contract, the third cause of action for quantum meruit, and the tenth cause of action...

Excerpt: ...ers and argument should be limited to responding to the tentative ruling or highlighting argument from the papers. Motion for Award of Attorneys' Fees on Appeal Plaintiff and petitioner Miner's Camp filed a petition for writ of mandate and complaint for declaratory relief and restitution. Following a hearing on the petition, the court issued the peremptory writ of mandate. Subsequently, the court granted in part petitioner's motion for attorneys'...

Excerpt: ... in the pleadings are deemed true no matter how improbable they may seem. (Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials Co. (2d Dist. 1981) 123 Cal.App.3d 593, 604.) However, the court does not assume the truth of contentions, deductions, or conclusions of facts or law. (Evans v. City of Berkeley (2006) 38 Cal.4th 1, 6.) Plaintiff's complaint alleges the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (“TPA”) applies to the premises. (Complaint ¶ 7b.) Plaintiff'...

Excerpt: ...rts, LLC (hereinafter, “Alpha”) and Sierra Central Credit Union (hereinafter, “Sierra Central”) pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 1281.97 and 1281.99. Code of Civil Procedure section 1281.97(a) states: In an employment or consumer arbitration that requires, either expressly or through application of state or federal law or the rules of the arbitration administrator, the drafting party to pay certain fees and costs before the ar...

Excerpt: ...ses or where breach occurs, or where the principal place of business is located. Code of Civil Procedure § 395.5. In support of the motion, Balboa relies cites to a portion of its contract with plaintiff and arguments concerning the nature of the claims and its role in the facts giving rise to the complaint. Balboa's reliance on the contract language is unavailing. The language cited includes an agreement that the subject contract is "deemed to ...

Excerpt: ...e no triable issues of fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (c).) The defendant bears the initial burden of establishing that one or more elements of the cause of action cannot be established or that there is a complete defense to the cause of action. (Id. subd. (p)(2).) Only when this initial burden is met does the burden shift to the opposing party to show a triable issue of mate...

Excerpt: ....40. The notice of motion does not indicate the amount of costs sought as required. (Code Civ. Proc., § 685.080, subd. (b).) The court requested supplemental briefing on the effect of a defective notice. Judgment creditors contend an omission in a notice may be overlooked if the supporting papers make clear the relief sought. (Luxury Asset Lending LLC v. Philadelphia Television Network, Inc. (2020) 56 Cal.App.5th 894; Luri v. Greenwald (2003) 10...

Excerpt: ...iency of punitive damages allegations. (see Turman v. Turning Point of Central Calif., Inc. (2010) 191 Cal.App.4th 53, 63.) Punitive damages may be asserted where there are allegations of oppression, fraud, or malice. “Oppression”, for the purposes of seeking punitive damages, refers to despicable conduct that subject a person to cruel and unjust hardship in conscious disregard of that person's rights. (Civil Code section 3294(c)(2).) “Frau...

Excerpt: ...es allegations and prayer alleged in relation to plaintiff's claim for defamation. A review of the allegations in the complaint show they are sufficient to plead the malice necessary to support punitive damages related to the defamatory statements. Defendants shall file and serve the answer or general denial by December 2, 2022. Defendants' Anti‐SLAPP Motion Ruling on Request for Judicial Notice Defendants' request for judicial notice is grante...

Excerpt: ... September 8, 2021. On or about November 8, 2021, Commissioner Holley issued a decision finding in favor of respondent, and dissolving the temporary restraining order. Larson filed and served a Notice of Entry of Judgment or Order with respect to Commissioner Holley's decision on November 29, 2021. Larson subsequently moved for attorneys' fees as the prevailing party. Commissioner Holley heard Larson's motion for attorneys' fees on January 20, 20...

Excerpt: ... factors: (1) balancing of the hardships of the parties and (2) a showing by the plaintiff of a reasonable probability of prevailing on the merits. (Hunt v. Superior Court (1999) 21 Cal.4th 984, 999‐1000; Robbins v. Superior Court (1985) 38 Cal.3d 199.) The plaintiff has the burden of showing plaintiff would be harmed if the preliminary injunction were not granted. (Casmalia Resources, Ltd. v. County of Santa Barbara (1987) 195 Cal.App.3d 827, ...

Excerpt: ..., the court encourages the moving defendant, real party California Highway Patrol, and plaintiff to meet and confer further regarding the submission of any appropriate protective order related to these documents. The parties may submit any such stipulated protective order to the court for review and entry. The court acknowledges defendant has withdrawn its Request No. 1 [all payroll records for plaintiff from January 1, 2010 through the present] ...

Excerpt: ...93, 604.) The court, however, does not accept the truth of contentions, deductions, or conclusions of law. (Genesis Environment Services v. San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District (2003) 113 Cal.App.4th 597, 603.) The court reviews the demurrer keeping this in mind. Plaintiff alleges a single cause of action for negligence. A plaintiff in any negligence suit must demonstrate a legal duty to use due care; breach of such legal dut...

Excerpt: ...App.4th 1292, 1307‐ 1308.) Ruling on Motion The motion is denied. In the current request, plaintiffs seek to sever the fourth, fifth, and sixth causes of action pleaded in the first amended cross‐complaint (FACC) and change venue for those claims to Los Angeles County. Plaintiffs have not made a sufficient showing that convenience, expediency, or economy support severance of a portion of the FACC to be heard in Los Angeles County while the re...

Excerpt: ... party and plaintiff and judgment creditor Kari Martinez move the court for leave to late‐file a renewal of judgment for a money judgment entered for plaintiffs and against defendant on January 20, 2012. Moving party sought to file a renewal of judgment in August 2022 and was denied. Moving party filed the instant motion on September 28, 2022. The motion is denied. A renewal of a lump sum money judgment must be filed before the expiration of 10...

Excerpt: ...iled two oppositions to the motion, as explained further, infra. The court thereafter set the motion for hearing and served notice of hearing as required by Code of Civil Procedure 661. No reply to the two oppositions or to the request for judicial notice was filed. Caputo's request for judicial notice is granted. The notice of intention to move for new trial was not timely filed. Judgment was entered by the court August 3, 2022, and served by th...

Excerpt: ...demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the pleadings, not the truth of the allegations or the accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (6th Dist. 2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleadings are deemed true no matter how improbable they may seem. (Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials Co. (2d Dist. 1981) 123 Cal.App.3d 593, 604.) However, 12 the court does not assume the truth of contentions, deductions, or ...

Excerpt: ...n Motion In the current challenge, defendants seek to strike the entirety of the complaint and all pleaded causes of action pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16(c)(1). Section 425.16, commonly referred to as the anti‐SLAPP statute, applies to causes of action brought against a defendant arising from acts in furtherance of a person's right of petition or free speech. The anti‐SLAPP statute creates “a two‐step process for dete...

Excerpt: ...'s chosen allegations do not meet the basic pleading requirements in this instance. Specifically, plaintiff does not sufficiently allege the basis for recovery against defendant. Plaintiff alleges there was a prior lease agreement involving a former tenant and defendant occupied the premises with the former tenant. However, plaintiff does not allege any of the terms of this prior lease agreement or whether that agreement identified other occupant...

Excerpt: ...efendants challenge both the sufficiency of the allegations within all three pleaded causes of action along with challenging the standing of the plaintiffs to bring the wrongful death and survivor claims. A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the pleading, not the truth of the plaintiff's allegations or accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleading are deemed to be true...

Excerpt: ...l Procedure section 430.10(e).) This is compared to a motion to strike, which challenges a portion of a pleading that is irrelevant, false, or improperly pleaded. (Id. at section 437(a).) A motion to strike is the common method used to challenge the sufficiency of punitive damages allegations. (see Turman v. Turning Point of Central Calif., Inc. (2010) 191 Cal.App.4th 53, 63.) The court reviews the request as seeking to strike the punitive damage...

Excerpt: ...act (RISC) executed by plaintiffs and Auburn Honda. Plaintiffs purchased a new 2022 Honda Civic from Auburn Honda, who is not named as a defendant in this action. Defendant relies on the arbitration provision found in the RISC, where plaintiffs agreed to arbitrate with Auburn Honda regarding: “Any claim or dispute, whether in contract, tort, statute or otherwise (including the interpretation and scope of this Arbitration Provision, and the arbi...

Excerpt: ... notice are granted. Plaintiff's objections thereto are overruled. Plaintiff submits “judicial notice of facts,” which the court considers to be a request for judicial notice. Plaintiff's requests for judicial notice are denied as they are not proper for judicial notice pursuant to Evidence Code sections 452 or 453. Further, the request does not comply with California Rules of Court rule 3.1306(c). Plaintiff's objections to defendants' exhibi...

Excerpt: ...n Associates LLC. Although the motion also sought summary adjudication of the 3d and 4th causes of action for fraudulent concealment and fraudulent misrepresentation, Steele and Sackheim have dropped their request for that relief. A party may move for summary adjudication as to one or more causes of action. Code Civ. Proc. § 437c(f)(1). The moving party has the burden of showing undisputed facts establishing every element necessary to sustain a ...

Excerpt: ... fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action and liability against them is preempted by the Graves Amendment. (49 U.S.C. § 30106.) The demurrer is sustained. A party may demur where the pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subd. (e).) A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the pleadings, not the truth of the allegations or the accuracy of the described conduc...

Excerpt: ...the prior demurrer was sustained, Weaver filed a second amended cross‐complaint on July 29. This document includes a caption identifying 11 causes of action and, within the cross‐complaint, includes 9 causes of action numbered 1 through 7, 11 and 12. It includes 117 paragraphs of allegations with a prayer of 14 paragraphs and approximately 30 pages of exhibits. Later the same day, Weaver filed a "notice of errata" explaining that the previous...

Excerpt: ...complaint, granting plaintiff leave to amend. On April 14, 2022, the court sustained defendants' demur to plaintiff Grand's FAC. In doing so, the court specified that plaintiff Grand was granted leave to amend only as to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and tenth causes of action. The court sustained defendants' demur to the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth causes of action without leave to amend. Plaintiff Grand obtained an extension of t...

Excerpt: ...ay or must take judicial notice.” (Aaronoff v. Martinez‐Seftner (2006) 136 Cal.App.4th 910, 918.) The court reviews the complaint keeping this in mind. The applicable statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the wrongful act. (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1.) A review of the allegations within the complaint shows that each of the two causes of action for motor vehicle negligence are based upon injuries that o...

Excerpt: ...ing does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subd. (e).) A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the pleadings, not the truth of the allegations or the accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (6th Dist. 2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleadings are deemed true no matter how improbable they may seem. (Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials Co. (2d Dist. ...

Excerpt: ...or the accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (6th Dist. 2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleadings are deemed true no matter how improbable they may seem. (Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials Co. (2d Dist. 1981) 123 Cal.App.3d 593, 604.) However, the court does not assume the truth of contentions, deductions, or conclusions of facts or law. (Evans v. City of Berkeley (2006) 38 Cal.4th 1, 6.) Plaintiff'...

Excerpt: ....P. § 877, the settlement of a joint tortfeasor must be made in good faith with respect to the remaining defendants. Id. & C.C.P. § 877.6. "The party asserting the lack of good faith shall have the burden of proof on that issue." Id. at subdiv. (d). In determining whether a settlement was entered into in good faith, the court will consider several factors: a rough approximation of plaintiff's total potential recovery and the settling defendant'...

Excerpt: ...vil Procedure section 685.080(b). The motion is continued to permit the moving party the opportunity to provide further briefing on the issue. Judgment creditors' further briefing shall be filed by October 25, 2022. Any response from judgment debtors shall be filed by November 1, 2022. Judgment Creditors' Motion for Enforcement Costs (filed 7‐11‐2022) Judgment creditors seeks recovery of enforcement costs from judgment debtor Mark Ellis. Judg...

Excerpt: ... for judicial notice is granted as to the three exhibits attached to the request only. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1306(c).) Defendant's objection to the declaration of counsel Kelsey Fischer and Exhibit 1 thereto is sustained and the same are stricken. Ruling on the Motion Defendant moves for judgment on the pleadings. A motion for judgment on the pleadings has the same function as a demurrer but is brought when the time for a demurrer has expi...

Excerpt: ...ing to defendants' affirmative defenses or the allegations in plaintiff's complaint and information regarding recordings of the incident. Defendant provided responses in April 2022. The parties met and conferred and defendant provided further responses in July 2022 including video surveillance from September 13, 2021. In preparation for these further responses, defendant had reviewed the surveillance footage and produced surveillance from the dat...

Excerpt: ... be accompanied by a copy of the answer or other pleading proposed to be filed therein, otherwise the application shall not be granted[.]” (Ibid.) A motion to set aside default must be made “within a reasonable time, in no case exceeding six months” from the entry of default. (Ibid.) Here, defendant's motion does not provide grounds of mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect leading up to the entry of default. While defendant ...

Excerpt: ...2) states that a court may dismiss the complaint after a demurrer is sustained with leave and the plaintiff fails to amend within the time allotted by the court. Dismissal here is discretionary; the court has discretion to accept an untimely amended pleading. (Harlan v. Department of Transportation (2005) 132 Cal.App.4th 868, 873.) The delay in filing the SAC was brief. Plaintiff filed the SAC five days after the timeline set by the court. The em...

Excerpt: ...t of fraud, overreaching parties, or collusion and that the settlement, as a whole, is fair, reasonable, and adequate. (7‐Eleven Owners for Fair Franchising v. Southland Corp. (2000) 85 Cal.App.4th 1135, 1145.) A presumption of fairness exists where: (1) the settlement was reached through armslength bargaining; (2) the investigation and discovery were sufficient to allow class counsel and the court to act intelligently; (3) class counsel is exp...

Excerpt: ...ublic policy in favor of arbitration that is frequently approved and enforced by the courts. (Madden v. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (1976) 17 Cal.3d 699, 706; Laswell v. AG Seal Beach, LLC (2d Dist. 2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 1399, 1405.) Under both federal and state law, a threshold question for any petition to compel arbitration is whether there exists an agreement to arbitrate. (Cruise v. Kroger Co. (2d Dist. 2015) 233 Cal.App.4th 390, 396.) It is ...

Excerpt: ...uest for judicial notice is granted. Plaintiffs' request for judicial notice is granted. Plaintiffs' objections to portions of the declaration of Matthew Recore are overruled. Plaintiffs' objection 1 to the declaration of Chris Airola is sustained; all other objections are overruled. Defendants' objections to the declaration of Lina Drake are overruled. 3 Ruling on the Motion A party is entitled to bring a motion for summary judgment where there ...

Excerpt: ... move for summary adjudication as to one or more causes of action. Code Civ. Proc. § 437c(f)(1). The moving party has the burden of showing undisputed facts establishing every element necessary to sustain a judgment in favor of the party. Consumer Cause, Inc. v. Smilecare (2001) 91 Cal.App.4th 454, 468. If the moving party carries its initial burden of production to make a prima facie showing that there are no triable issues of material fact, th...

Excerpt: ...showing of new or different facts, circumstances, or law along with a satisfactory explanation as to why the evidence was not presented at an earlier time. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1008; Shiffer v. CBS Corp. (1st Dist. 2015) 240 Cal.App.4th 246, 255.) The moving party bears the burden of showing that the 2 information supporting reconsideration is such that the moving party could not, with reasonable diligence, have discovered or produced it at trial...

Excerpt: ...25) and nos. 136‐137 (following the original ¶ 137). Where the court refers to repeated paragraph numbers herein, the second instance of each number is designated by an asterisk (e.g., 115*). If the complaint is amended (see below), the amended complaint should comply with all applicable Rules of Court. Demurrer to complaint by First American, Bernier, and McDermott Defendants First American Title Company, Jessica Bernier, and Caryn McDermott ...

Excerpt: ...n The arbitration statutes evidence a strong public policy in favor of arbitration that is frequently approved and enforced by the courts. (Madden v. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (1976) 17 Cal.3d 699, 706; Laswell v. AG Seal Beach, LLC (2d Dist. 2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 1399, 1405.) Under both federal and state law, a threshold question for any petition to compel arbitration is whether there exists an agreement to arbitrate. (Cruise v. Kroger Co. (2d...

Excerpt: ...sufficient to constitute a cause of action. C.C.P. § 430.10(e). A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the pleadings, not the truth of the allegations or the accuracy of the described conduct. Bader v. Anderson (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787. The court assumes the truth of all facts properly pleaded, and accepts as true all facts that may be implied or reasonably inferred from facts expressly alleged, unless they are contradicted by judicial...

Excerpt: ...ative or duplicative; or is obtainable from some other source that is more convenient, less burdensome, or less expensive; or whether the discovery method employed is unduly burdensome or expensive taking into account the need of the case and the importance of the issues at stake. Code of Civil Procedure section 2019.030. Church's request for an order excusing it from responding to any of plaintiff's special interrogatories is denied except as pr...

Excerpt: ... for sanctions, while acknowledging the need for production as described below. A party demanding inspection, copying, testing, or sampling of documents, tangible things, electronically store information and other property— here referred to as a request for production—may move to compel a further response to the demand where the responding party's statements of compliance or representations of inability to comply are incomplete or otherwise i...

Excerpt: ... the Motion Defendants' demurrer to the SAC is overruled. A party may demur where the pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. (Code Civ. Proc., § 430.10, subd. (e).) A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the pleadings, not the truth of the allegations or the accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (6th Dist. 2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleadings are deemed true no ma...

Excerpt: ...ts from threatening plaintiff with legal action. Evidentiary Rulings Plaintiff's requests for judicial notice are granted and defendants' objection thereto is overruled. Defendants' objections to portions of the Wiener declaration are overruled. Ruling on the Motion The court may grant a preliminary injunction when it appears from the complaint the plaintiff is entitled to the demanded relief and the plaintiff would suffer irreparable injury if t...

Excerpt: ...defendant bears the initial burden of establishing that one or more elements of the cause of action cannot be established or that there is a complete defense to the cause of action. (Id. subd. (p)(2).) Only when this initial burden is met does the burden shift to the opposing party to show a triable issue of material fact. (Ibid.) In reviewing a motion for summary judgment, the trial court must view the supporting evidence, and inferences reasona...

Excerpt: ...rty is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 437c, subd. (c); 1170.7.) The moving party has the burden of showing, by affidavit, facts establishing every element necessary to sustain a judgment in its favor. (Consumer Cause, Inc. v. SmileCare (2d Dist. 2001) 91 Cal.App.4th 454, 468.) In reviewing a motion for summary judgment, the court must view the supporting evidence, and inferences reasonably drawn from such evidence...

Excerpt: ...ded in California Rules of Court, rule 3.1324. Furthermore, the declaration in support of the motion was untimely filed. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1005.) Ms. Dolmo filed a “First Amended Cross‐Complaint” on July 19, 2022 without leave of court to do so. This filing is ordered stricken. Finally, Ms. Dolmo lodged several exhibits with the court in support of this motion designated as “sealed exhibits.” No notice of motion to seal was filed and...

Excerpt: ...ome. The matter was set for hearing and, at defendants' request, continued to permit them to retain counsel and submit their formal opposition to the application for right to attach order. Prejudgment attachment is available on a contract claim for money where the claim is fixed or readily ascertainable in an amount not less than $500. Attachment is not available where the claim is fully secured by real property. Where attachment is sought agains...

Excerpt: ...Rules of Court, Rule 7.955(a)(1); Schulz v. Jeppesen Sanderson, Inc. (2018) 27 Cal.App.5th 1167, 1174.) This includes the court weighing the factors set forth in Rule 7.955. (Ibid.) The court has carefully considered and weighed the factors, determining that a reduction is necessary to reflect a reasonable award. Anson's injuries arise from a high speed collision where he was a passenger in his parents' vehicle. Anson, his brother Alden, his moth...

Excerpt: ... in light of plaintiff's agreement to arbitration pursuant the terms of defendant's dispute resolution program. A petition seeking to compel arbitration under the FAA may be brought in state court. (Southland Corp. v. Keating (1984) 465 U.S. 1, 16; Main v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (1977) 67 Cal.App.3d 19, 24, disapproved of on other grounds in Rosenthal v. Great Western Financial Securities Corp. (1996) 14 Cal.4th 394.) The FAA...

Excerpt: ...property taxes for the subject property. Defendant's response stated an inability to either admit or deny. Plaintiff later prevailed on her motion for summary adjudication as to defendant's twelfth affirmative defense for adverse possession. Plaintiff asserts the failure to admit to RFA no. 24 negated a key element to the adverse possession defense. The purpose of requests for admissions is to resolve triable issues, short of trial, to expedite t...

Excerpt: ...e of summons and first amended complaint is granted. Defendant seeks to quash service based on defective service and the doctrine of tribal sovereign immunity. As to defective service, this court previously granted a motion to quash based on sovereign immunity. Plaintiff's proof of service filed April 22, 2022 showing mailed service on defense counsel on March 26, 2022. However, following a successful motion to quash, service must be personally s...

Excerpt: ... for $70,056.50 is reasonable. Determining the reasonable amount of attorney's fees begins with the lodestar method, that is, the number of hours reasonably expended multiplied by the reasonable hourly rate. (PLCM Group v. Drexler (2000) 22 Cal.4th 1084, 1095.) The lodestar figure may then be adjusted, based upon factors specific to the case, to fix the fees at a fair market value for the legal services provided. (Ibid.) The court carefully revie...

Excerpt: ...nduct. Bader v. Anderson (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787. The court assumes the truth of all facts properly pleaded, and accepts as true all facts that may be implied or reasonably inferred from facts expressly alleged, unless they are contradicted by judicially noticed facts. Evans v. City of Berkeley (2006) 38 Cal.4th 1, 6. However, the court does not assume the truth of contentions, deductions, or conclusions of facts or law. Id. The demurrer ...

Excerpt: ... shall grant a motion for summary judgment if “all the papers submitted show that there is no triable issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” (Code of Civil Procedure section 437c(c).) The moving party bears the initial burden of establishing that one or more elements of a cause of action cannot be established or there is a complete defense to the cause of action. (Id. at 437c(p)(2).) ...