Excerpt: ...ez Avenue, Goleta (the Property). The complaint alleges that plaintiff Ham and defendant Dawn Williamson (Williamson) are sisters. (Complaint, ¶ 4.) At the time of the filing of the complaint, Williamson was the personal representative of the Estate of Robert William Williamson, which probate case was pending in this court as case number 15PR00378 (Probate Case). (Complaint, ¶ 5.) On March 23, 2017, a Notice of Proposed Action was filed in the ...

Excerpt: ...d their putative class action complaint against defendant Ken's Foods Inc. The complaint alleges three causes of action: (1) violation of California Consumers Legal Remedies Act (“CLRA” – Civil Code §§ 1750 et seq.); (2) violation of California Fair Advertising Law (“FAL” – B&P Code §§ 17500 et seq.); and, (3) violation of California Unfair Competition Law (“UCL” – B&P Code §§ 17200 et seq.). On July 23, 2018, after the co...

Excerpt: ...ts Alma del Pueblo Owners Association and The Management Association, Inc., to Second Amended Complaint ATTORNEYS: For Plaintiff Jane Doe: James F. Scafide, Tyler J. Sprague, Scafide Law Firm, PC For Defendants Margaret Cafarelli, Jan Hill, Thomas Bonomi, and Urban Developments, LLC: Cary L. Wood, Rand D. Carstens, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP For Defendants Santa Barbara Public Market, LLC, and Victoria Street Partners, LLC: Thomas P. Gme...

Excerpt: ...rike portions of plaintiffs' complaint and civil cover sheet is granted in part, with leave to amend. The motion is granted to strike the check from the box in paragraph 14(a)(2) of the complaint (asserting a claim for punitive damages). In all other respects the motion is denied. Plaintiffs Paul H. Gularte and Emily Gularte shall file and serve their first amended complaint on or before July 10, 2019. Background: On April 5, 2019, plaintiffs Pau...

Excerpt: ...ty of Santa Maria Diesel Service, Inc. when defendant's forklift hit his diesel bus while he was in it. He seeks one million actual and one million punitive damages from Santa Maria Diesel Service Inc. In addition, in what appears to be an unrelated incident, plaintiff states that he contacted Pollard, Mavredakis and Cranert, who were “supposed to be his defense attornies (sic) in the Zyprexa medication lawsuit.” Plaintiff also allegedly “c...

Excerpt: ... not capable of judicial notice. (See Evid. Code, §§ 451-452.) Moreover, absent compelling reason otherwise, the court takes judicial notice of the case records as they exist through the San Luis Obispo Superior Court Attorney Portal. San Luis Obispo Superior Court Case No. 17CVP-0260 (“SLO Case”) On September 28, 2017, Frank Macciola and Domenica Macciola as trustees of the Macciola Trust, James Cella, Holly Lundbeck, trustee of the Holly ...

Excerpt: ...ements and the Court preliminarily approves the settlement pursuant to CRC 8.769(c). 2. The Court conditionally certifies the class, as defined in the settlement agreement: all persons who work or worked for defendant in California as independent contractor owner-operator drivers during the class period— from May 31, 2013, through the date the Court preliminarily approves the settlement, presumably June 25, 2019. 3. A final hearing on the settl...

Excerpt: ...n and Sober, Inc. Paul D. Singer for Defendant Community Solutions, Inc. TENTATIVE RULING: The motion for summary judgment of defendant Stalwart Clean and Sober, Inc. is denied. The court finds that there are triable issues of fact as to plaintiffs' claims in the matter. BACKGROUND: This is an action for wrongful death. Plaintiffs John Strumfler and Tracy Morris are the parents of the decedent, John Charles Strumfler, a parolee with a severe hero...

Excerpt: ...ffice of the City Attorney; Eugene P. Ramirez, G. Craig Smith, Nicole M. Threlkel, Manning & Kass Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP TENTATIVE RULING: Counsel for all parties are to appear, in person or by telephone, for the hearing on this motion. Background: Plaintiff Bridget Bryden filed her complaint against defendant City of Santa Barbara (City) on April 7, 2017, asserting in her complaint five causes of action: (1) violation of Labor Code section...

Excerpt: ...eposition to go forward on June 19 at 1:30 p.m. absent an express agreement among counsel for plaintiffs, counsel for defendant, and Powers. 2. Plaintiffs' Linea Polk and Shannon Morgan Polk's motion to augment/amend their expert witness designation is withdrawn and off calendar. 3. The court grants plaintiffs' Linea Polk and Shannon Morgan Polk's motion to strike defendant David Gerrity's supplemental declaration of expert witnesses and orders s...

Excerpt: ...d range of repairs and modifications for his 1964 Corvette, including brake and suspension work. Plaintiff paid defendant $5,000.00 towards the costs of the repairs and upgrades he wanted and left the car with defendant. Plaintiff contends that he told defendant that he had a budget of $35,000.00 for the work to be performed, but was ultimately charged over $57,000.00. Plaintiff contends that he never received written estimates for the labor and ...

Excerpt: ...t, LLC, and Victoria Street Partners, LLC to Second Amended Complaint (3) Motion of Defendants Santa Barbara Public Market, LLC, and Victoria Street Partners, LLC to Strike Portions of Second Amended Complaint (4) Demurrer of Defendants Samuel Hedgpeth and Sonia Rosenblum to Second Amended Complaint (5) Motion of Defendants Samuel Hedgpeth and Sonia Rosenblum to Strike Portions of Second Amended Complaint ATTORNEYS: For Plaintiff Jane Doe: James ...

Excerpt: ...8 and continued by request of the parties to allow them an opportunity to complete necessary discovery and due to trial conflicts of defendants' counsel. Trial was continued to April 2, 2018. Trial was again continued to August 27, 2018 by the parties' request to allow them to complete a vehicle inspection and due to trial conflicts of plaintiffs' counsel. The parties again requested a trial continuance because the vehicle inspection was only com...

Excerpt: ...unt of $50,000. The bond was cancelled on July 2, 2018 with an effective cancellation date of August 4, 2018. Numerous claims of which the aggregate exceeds $50,000 have been submitted to Hudson seeking recovery of damages and losses. The claims allegedly occurred during the pendency of the Hudson bond. Consequently, Hudson filed its complaint in interpleader on August 2, 2018 pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Section 386, subdivision (b). Huds...

Excerpt: ...a for Defendant Tom Shultz RULING: The motion of defendants Nancy Kaplan and Paddlers, Inc. for good faith settlement determination is granted. The motion of defendant Marc Medina for good faith settlement determination is granted. The motion of defendant Tom Shultz for good faith settlement determination is granted. Any and all present or future claims for equitable or comparative indemnity or contribution against the settling defendants are dis...

Excerpt: ... Warren B. Campbell, Long & Delis TENTATIVE RULING: The application of plaintiff 660 BVD, LLC for a right to attach order is granted as requested in the amount to be attached of $528,047.32. A writ of attachment shall be issued upon the filing of an undertaking in the amount of $10,000. Background: This is an application for a right to attach order and issuance of a writ of attachment arising out of plaintiff's complaint for nonpayment on a guara...

Excerpt: ...timatebrands, Inc. (3) Application of Right to Attach Order and for Issuance of Writ of Attachment against Defendant Ultimate Franchises, Inc. ATTORNEYS: For Plaintiff 660 BVD, LLC: Todd A. Amspoker, Ryan D. Zick, Price, Postel & Parma LLP For Defendants Ultimate Brands, Inc., 2Ultimatebrands, Inc., and Ultimate Franchises, Inc.: John A. Dells, Warren B. Campbell, Long & Delis TENTATIVE RULING: For the reasons set forth herein, the applications o...

Excerpt: ...eph, Maranga Morgenstern TENTATIVE RULING: The motion of plaintiff Sharon E. Green to sequester and review records filed under seal in criminal cases is denied. Background: This is the lead case consolidated with Franciscan Oaks Condominium Association, Inc., etc. v. Berry, case number 17CV01524. On May 24, 2017, plaintiff Sharon Green filed her complaint in this action against defendant Mary Long Berry. The complaint alleges causes of action for...

Excerpt: ...tive Enhancement Awards ATTORNEYS: Garry M. Tetalman for Plaintiffs and Class Rafael Gonzalez for Defendant Santa Barbara Brewing Company, LLC TENTATIVE RULING: Plaintiffs' motion for final approval of class action settlement and class certification is granted. Plaintiffs' motion for approval of class counsel's fees, litigation costs, class representative enhancement awards, and claims administrator fees is granted as set forth herein. BACKGROUND...

Excerpt: ...C (BMW NA) and GMG Motors, Inc., d.b.a. BMW of San Diego. It alleges that the vehicle was delivered to him “with serious defects and nonconformities to warranty, including, but not limited to, one or more faulty Takata airbags.” The complaint alleges a long history of the Takata company's manufacture of automotive safety devices, including airbags, and the company's early knowledge that its use of ammonium nitrate to inflate the airbags would...

Excerpt: ...he matters identified by the court. The court grants plaintiff leave to amend the complaint, if so desired, with an amended complaint to be filed on or before June 21, 2019. Background: On September 14, 2018, plaintiff Kim Ham filed her complaint in this action seeking partition of real property located at 456 Valdez Avenue, Goleta (the Property). The complaint alleges that plaintiff Ham and defendant Dawn Williamson (Williamson) are sisters. (Co...

Excerpt: ...munication with La Cumbre Junior High School as to the purchase of the subject bottle of sulfuric acid; 4) PMK re: the distribution process of the subject bottle of sulfuric acid; and 5) PMK re: the subject incident. At the hearing, the court will ask the parties to agree to the dates, times, and places of the depositions. Absent an agreement, the court will set the dates, times, and places of the depositions. The court imposes a monetary sanctio...

Excerpt: ...onal Medical Center, where it was discovered that as a result of the fall, Charles suffered multiple fractures to his left hip. On November 10, 2018, he passed away. On November 21, 2018, this complaint was filed by Charles' successor in interest, Lee Levins, against Dignity Health, alleging the following causes of action: (1) elder abuse; and (2) negligent hiring and supervision. On April 16, 2019, the court set aside the default of Dignity Heal...

Excerpt: ... defaulted, and presently owes $2,573.42, plus costs and fees. Plaintiff alleges it is the successor-in-interest to Citibank. On May 3, 2019, defendant filed an answer on standard Judicial Council forms. He admitted all the statements in the complaint. In addition, he alleges: "I have been unable to work because of my disability as a result of a work incident. I also have been unable to receive my worker comp." (Answer, ¶ 5.) In his pray...

Excerpt: ...ts Jackson and Engberg Medical Corporation, dba Jackson Medical Group, Inc., and Nancy Warner, NP, to plaintiff Laurie Ann Humberd's first amended complaint. As to these defendants only, the Court overrules the demurrer to the first cause of action for negligence; the Court sustains the demurrer to the second cause of action for strict liability without leave to amend, and the Court strikes the third cause of action without leave to amend but wit...

Excerpt: ...Zubin Farinpour, Manning & Kass Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP For Defendants Charles Miller, Pierre Chao, John Mei, David Oldham, and Christopher Holmes: Howard J. Steinberg, Greenberg Taurig, LLP For Defendant Lynn Chen: Stephen F. McAndrew, Kaufman McAndrew LLP For Defendant Mark Shaw: Timothy J. Trager, Meghan K. Woodsome, Reicker, Pfau, Pyle & McRoy LLP RULING: For the reasons set forth herein, the general and special demurrers of defendant Ke...

Excerpt: ...ckground: Plaintiff Laura Dewey filed this action against defendant Tarek Suleimanagich for breach of written contract and common counts for account stated and services rendered. Motion: Plaintiff moves for an order declaring defendant a vexatious litigant under CCP § 391(b)(3),which defines a vexatious litigant as a person who “In any litigation while acting in propria persona, repeatedly files unmeritorious motions, pleadings, or other paper...

Excerpt: ...to Demand for Production of Documents and Request for Monetary Sanctions Attorneys: For Plaintiff: Eric A. Woosley Defendant: self represented Tentative Ruling: 1. The court grants plaintiff/cross-defendant Pico Rivera First Mortgage Investors, LP's motion to compel further responses to form interrogatories and orders defendant/cross-complainant Henry Aguila to provide further responses to form interrogatories ##12.1 and 12.2 in each of the two s...

Excerpt: ...nted TENTATIVE RULING: The motion of plaintiffs for terminating sanctions against defendant Sal Espinoza is granted in part and denied in part. The court orders that, on or before August 9, 2019, defendant Sal Espinoza shall serve on counsel for plaintiffs written, verified responses, without objection, to plaintiffs' form interrogatories, set one, and to plaintiffs' demand for production and inspection of documents, set one. On or before June 17...

Excerpt: ...o Trial ATTORNEYS: For Plaintiffs The Hollister Ranch Cooperative and the Hollister Ranch Owners' Association:Steven A. Amerikaner, Beth Collins, Hillary H. Steenberge, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP For Plaintiffs Tim Behunin, Trustee of the Behunin Family Trust, Carolyn Pappas, Patrick L. Connelly, individually and on behalf of the Plaintiff Classes:A. Barry Cappello, Wendy D. Welkom, Cappello & Noel LLP For Defendants California Coastal ...

Excerpt: ...d causes of action. The motion to strike is denied as improperly made. The sanction request is denied. Background Plaintiff's complaint, filed April 8, 2019, alleges causes of action for professional negligence, unfair business practices, and fraud, arising from defendant Dewey's brief representation of plaintiff in a family law matter involving issues of child custody, support, and visitation. Plaintiff alleges that Dewey performed very little w...

Excerpt: ...r Defendant Angelina Dettamanti: Marc E. Angelucci For Defendant David Farmer, Trustee: James C. Buttery, Elizabeth A. Culley, Andre, Morris & Buttery TENTATIVE RULING: For the reasons set forth herein, the motion of defendant Angelina Dettamanti to quash service and to vacate orders is denied. Counsel for the parties are to be prepared to discuss the issue of mootness at the hearing of this motion as identified by the court. Background: This civ...

Excerpt: ...fs Greg Smith and Judith Smith Robin L. Lewis, Assistant City Attorney, for Respondents City of Santa Barbara and Brian D'Amour Janet K. McGinnis for Real Parties in Interest Herbert Barthels and Herbert E. Barthels Trust TENTATIVE RULING: The motion for order augmenting the administrative record and/or admitting extra-record evidence is granted. The petition for writ of mandate challenging the determination by City Engineer Brian D'Amour that th...

Excerpt: ...nna Dyriam for Defendant Max Baril Barry Z. Brodsky for Defendant Meridian Group Real Estate Management, Inc. TENTATIVE RULING: Defendant's motion for order compelling plaintiff to provide further responses to form interrogatories is granted. Plaintiff shall provide its further responses, without objections, on or before June 13, 2019. Defendant is awarded monetary sanctions in the amount of $1,413.40. BACKGROUND: Plaintiff Filippini Wealth Manag...

Excerpt: ...filed their putative class action complaint against defendant Ken's Foods, Inc., alleging causes of action for (1) violation of the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act (Civ. Code §1750 et seq.), (2) violation of the California False Advertising Law (Bus. & Prof. Code §17500 et seq.), and (3) violation of the California Unfair Competition Law (Bus & Prof. Code §17200 et seq.) Plaintiffs allege that they purchased a variety of salad dressing...

Excerpt: ...ent Services to Second Amended Cross-Complaint of Dario L. Pini and for Award of Sanctions ATTORNEYS: For Plaintiff People of the State of California etc.: Ariel Pierre Calonne, John Doimas, Office of the City Attorney, City of Santa Barbara; Matthew R. Silver, Daniel J. Pasek, Silver & Wright LLP For Defendant, individually and as trustee, and Cross-Complainant Dario L. Pini and Defendants D.L.P. Properties, Nonnie Investments, LLC, 104 Las Aqua...

Excerpt: ...r, motion to strike, and motion to quash, was dismissed without prejudice on January 28, 2019. In the current action, a First Amended Complaint (FAC) was filed on April 15, 2019, to correct the defect in the original complaint, which impermissibly been filed without having been verified. The FAC alleged that the parties entered into a written agreement under which defendant was to pay $2,900/month for a period of 5 years. It alleged further that ...

Excerpt: ...fendant. The complaint sought damages of $3,525.09. Defendant filed his Answer on October 5, 2018, generally denying the allegations of the complaint. The Answer asserted affirmative defenses of latches, that any recovery should be denied based upon plaintiff's breach of the agreement, that the matter is subject to arbitration in lieu of litigation, that plaintiff has failed to mitigate its damages, and unjust enrichment. Plaintiff served request...

Excerpt: ...response to his removal, he filed a petition for writ of mandate seeking reinstatement as principal and all lost benefits arising from his removal from that position, combined with a complaint for (1) violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging a violation of his liberty interest protected by the Due Process clause, and (2) unlawful retaliation in violation of Labor Code section 1102.5(c), for which he seeks compensatory and punitive damages. This C...

Excerpt: ... documents, set one, on or before June 12, 2019. BACKGROUND: This is an action for alleged breach of an insurance contract and bad faith. Plaintiff Jian Chen is the owner of residential property located at 361 Oliver Road, Santa Barbara, California 93109. At the time of the events in this case, plaintiff was insured under a homeowner's policy issued by defendant Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club. The insurance policy covered plaintif...

Excerpt: ...s, attorney Paul P. Tashnizi, in the amount of $2,090.00, to be paid to counsel for plaintiffs on or before June 13, 2019. In all other respects, including defendants' request for an award of monetary sanctions, the motion is denied. Background: On November 7, 2018, plaintiff Subiono Wasito served defendant Harry Kazali by electronic service with a first set of form interrogatories (W-FI) and a first set of special interrogatories (W-SI). (Malone...

Excerpt: ...hew H. Conley, Henderson & Borgeson, in the amount of $1,000, to be paid to counsel for opposing parties on or before June 13, 2019. Background: Defendant Sandra Castellino, individually and as trustee of the Sandra Castellino Living Trust 1/29/15, issued a deposition subpoena for business records to third party deponent custodian of records for Joseph Migliore, D.C., on October 16, 2018. (Conley decl., exhibit A.) (Note: The exhibits to the movi...

Excerpt: ...q., a violation of Business and Professions Code section 17500, et seq., and a violation of the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act. Briefly, defendants allegedly sold a defective automobile to plaintiffs pursuant to a vehicle purchase agreement without disclosing the defects. The matter was originally filed in Santa Barbara, but was transferred to this court on February 21, 2019. Defendants have filed a joint motion to compel arbitration purs...

Excerpt: ...in L. Baumer of Lowthorp, Richards, McMillan, Miller & Templeman for plaintiffs Daniel Antu and Lisa Henry Robert T. Mackey/Gregory B. Selarz / Clara L. Porter of Veatch Carlson LLP for defendant James Patrick Lynch RULING: For the reasons explained below, the motion to quash is granted. No sanctions will be awarded. Background: This action arose from a motor vehicle accident which occurred on March 10, 2018, on Los Positas Road in Santa Barbara,...

Excerpt: ...LLP RULING: (1) For the reasons set forth herein, the demurrer of defendants John Paullin and Bianca Jamgochian is sustained, with leave to amend, as to the second and third causes of action of plaintiff Lyn Gianni's first amended complaint. Leave to amend includes leave to state other causes of action arising from the same underlying facts as now alleged. (2) For the reasons set forth herein, the motion of defendants to strike portions of the fi...

Excerpt: ...rs Bill of Rights and a violation of T.I.L.A. The court sustained the demurrer with leave to amend as to the Homeowners Bill of Rights violation under Civil Code section 2923.7 as there were no facts to show that the group of three were anything but a single point of contact as contemplated by the statutory scheme. The court sustained the T.I.L.A. violation as to defendant Specialized Loan Serving without leave to amend, as it was not the owner o...

Excerpt: ...d the sheriff attempt service at a large complex of numerous businesses and the sheriff sought more direction. Plaintiff then had the sheriff attempt service at defendant's residence on three occasions on November 14, 15, and 16, 2017, between 1:40 p.m. and 2:50 p.m. On April 11, 2017, the court entered an order for publication of summons. Notice was published in the Montecito Journal. Plaintiff requested and the court entered defendant's default...

Excerpt: ...bicycle east on Sueno Road approaching the intersection of Camino Pescadero on November 15, 2017. (Complaint, ¶ 8.) Seife stopped at the stop sign and looked to the left and right. (Ibid.) Defendant Sina Faravashi was driving south on Camino Pescadero at an unsafe speed. (Complaint, ¶ 12.) At the time Seife had reached roughly the middle of Camino Pescadero, Seife was hit by the vehicle driven by Faravashi, causing serious bodily injuries to Se...

Excerpt: ...oseph P. McMonigle, Jennifer A. Becker, Long & Levit LLP TENTATIVE RULING: As set forth herein, defendants shall appear at the hearing on this motion and present a completed application for order in compliance with Santa Barbara County Superior Court Local Rules, rule 1303(a). The court will further address this motion at the hearing. Background: On June 1, 2017, plaintiff Michael S. Little filed his original complaint in this action against defe...

Excerpt: ...4) wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, and 5) failure to allow inspection of personnel file against defendants Santa Barbara Corporate Fitness, Inc. (“SBCF”), a franchisee of Gold's Gym, and Angel Banos (first and third causes of action only). On October 22, defendants answered the complaint. In February 2019, defendants substituted in new counsel and, on March 20, filed a motion to compel arbitration and stay proceedings. Defen...