Excerpt: ... Superior Ct. (2003) 114 Cal.App.4 th475, 480-81 (financial records are protected by individual's right to privacy); Valley Bank of Nev. v. Superior Ct. (1975) 15 Cal.3d 652, 656 (individual has right to privacy in his or her confidential financial affairs). Plaintiff has not identified countervailing interests that outweigh Defendant's privacy interests in his financial records with respect to much of the information sought by the subpoenas. See...

Excerpt: ...Defendants' demurrer is overruled. Plaintiff law firm alleges that a third party minor's father signed a contingency fee agreement with Plaintiff in February 2017. Plaintiff alleges that approximately two months later, Plaintiff was informed the third party had decided to retain another attorney to pursue her personal injury claims. Whether the third party's initial fee agreement with Plaintiff is valid is immaterial to Defendants' demurrer. In c...

Excerpt: ...1) 91 Cal. App. 4th 875, 882. Defendants' Request for Judicial Notice: Granted as to taking judicial notice of the language of Judicial Council Form Interrogatory No. 4.1. See, Evidence Code § 452(h). Plaintiff's Objection to and Motion to Strike Motion for JNOV and Associated Documents: Plaintiff objected and moves to strike the following pleadings for failure to comply with the rules of court: (1) the declaration of Jenos-Heidari filed in supp...

Excerpt: ...potential prejudice to Defendants, trial is continued from 4/30/18 to 10/1/18 and the MSC is continued to 8/31/18. All other pretrial dates are continued consistent with the new trial date. Plaintiff to give notice. Motion to Compel Compliance with Business Records Subpoena The Motion by Defendant Fotona, LLC's (“Fotona”) to Compel Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry's (“IALD”) compliance with business records subpoena is GRANTED in pa...

Excerpt: ...f action for Malicious Prosecution and new allegations regarding the express written release currently pled in the Cross Complaint. The court finds no prejudice to Cross Defendants resulting from Cross Complainant's delay from July to January in seeking this leave. If delay in seeking the amendment has not misled or prejudiced the other side, the liberal policy of allowing amendments prevails. Indeed, it is an abuse of discretion to deny leave in...

Excerpt: ...sn. v. Touchstone Ins. Servs.(1994) 27 Cal. App. 4th 1085, 1091. No party has filed Opposition to this motion. Regardless, the settlement by Cross-Defendant Lonerock, Inc. appears does not appear to be “so far 'out of the ballpark' in relation to these factors as to be inconsistent with the equitable objectives of the statute.'” Id. Liability of Lonerock, the general manager of the construction site, appears questionable. And the law concerni...

Excerpt: ...the prevailing party, and award costs of suit and statutory attorney fees, at the conclusion of a litigation, after all the claims are resolved. [See CCP §1033.5(a)(10), (c)(5)); Cal.R.Ct. 3.1702(a),(b), 8.104(a); Civ. Trials & Evid. §§ 17:151-52, 17:166 (Rutter Group 2017); P R Burke Corp. v. Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (2002) 98 Cal.App.4th 1047, 1052.] Here, the case is not over, and Plaintiff still has one undisposed-of ...

Excerpt: ...arvig requests from this Court an order relieving it from further participation in this case. An attorney may withdraw as counsel of record if the client breaches the agreement to pay fees, insists on pursuing invalid claims or an illegal course of conduct, or when other conduct by the client renders it unreasonably difficult for the attorney to do his job, including when there is a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship. California Rules ...

Excerpt: ...ued hearing. The court also ordered plaintiff to give notice. Nothing in the court file indicates that plaintiff gave notice, or met and conferred as ordered. Plaintiff's counsel is ordered to engage in the meet and confer required by Code of Civ. Proc. § 430.41 as to the issues raised by this demurrer, and to file and serve a declaration evidencing such efforts not less than nine court days before the continued hearing. Plaintiff to give notice...

Excerpt: ...following reasons, Defendant's motion is granted. A. Vicarious Liability California law generally imposes liability on the owner of a vehicle, albeit there is a limitation on the amount of damages that may be collected for any resulting death or injury. See Cal. Veh. Code §§ 17150, 17151. The Graves Amendment, however, precludes liability based on the law of any state against an owner that is in the business of renting vehicles, if the harm occ...

Excerpt: ...ged. The Demurrer to the Sixth Cause of Action For Rescission is SUSTAINED without leave to amend, on the basis that rescission is a remedy not a free-standing cause of action. This is without prejudice to the pleading of the remedy of rescission in connection with an appropriate supporting cause of action. The Demurrers to the Eighth and Ninth Causes of Action For Concealment and Fraud are SUSTAINED with leave to amend, on the basis that the fac...

Excerpt: ...eveal that an actual controversy exists between the parties.'” D. Cummins Corp. v. United States Fid. & Guar. Co. (2016) 246 Cal. App. 4th 1484, 1489. “[A] home loan borrower has standing to claim a nonjudicial foreclosure was wrongful because an assignment by which the foreclosing party purportedly took a beneficial interest in the deed of trust was not merely voidable but void, depriving the foreclosing party of any legitimate authority to ...

Excerpt: ...C does allege facts to support its claim as to her “creditor” status. (FAC ¶¶ 9 & 10.) Nor is the TILA claim clearly time-barred. Buyers argue that even if she is a creditor, there is a 3-year limitation on the right to rescind. But a demurrer on statute of limitations grounds will not lie where the action is not necessarily barred – the defect must appear clearly and affirmatively upon the face of the complaint. (Lee v. Hanley(2015) 61 C...

Excerpt: ...ently in her position. (Guz v. Bechtel National, Inc. (2000) 24 Cal.4 th 317, 355.) The complaint also fails to allege facts showing a discriminatory motive. (Id.) Rather, this is alleged as a conclusion only. (Complaint at Para. 10.) Statutory claims must be alleged with specificity. (Covenant Care, Inc. v. Superior Court (2004) 32 Cal.4th 771, 790; Fisher v. San Pedro Peninsula Hospital (1989) 214 Cal.App.3d 590, 604.) The second cause of actio...

Excerpt: ...Act) and breach of contract. In doing so, Plaintiff alleges unlawful acts that can serve as a basis for violations of section 17200. See Lueras v. BAC Home Loans Servicing(2013) 221 Cal.App.4th 49, 81. Indeed, Plaintiff specifically alleges that “[b]y violating the Act, Neff has engaged in unlawful activities, thereby satisfying the ‘unlawful prong' of the UCL [section 17200 et seq.].” FAC ¶ 38. Relying on Prudential Home Mortgage Co. v. S...

Excerpt: ... service filed on January 19, 2018, show the notice of hearing was served via substitute service, deemed effective as of January 18, 2018. (See Code Civ. Proc., § 415.20 [substitute service deemed complete on the 10th day after mailing].) The last day to timely notice the hearing was January 9, 2018. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1005, subd. (b).) Plaintiffs to give notice. Future Hearings: CMC: 4/10/18 8:30 am ...

Excerpt: ... Moving Parties claim summary adjudication is appropriate as to both cross-defendants, Antonio Medina and GNA on the first and fourth causes of action. Moving Parties argue the indemnity provisions of the contracts between Pelican and Responding Parties include RPs' duty to defend Pelican in this action. MPs imply they are entitled to collect the cost of their defense in this suit. It could very well be that Medina and GNA did owe MPs a duty to d...

Excerpt: ...ose employing broker is Lee Humphrey Durst. As a matter of law in CA, only a licensed real estate broker may receive the commissions in connection with real estate transactions; any other procedure is a violation of B&P 10138, and subjects Bianca Espinoza to discipline, including suspension and/or revocation of her license. (Miller & Starr, 2 CA Real Estate, Section 5:56.) Thus, all real estate commissions paid for her services as a real estate a...

Excerpt: ...tate Automobile Assn. (2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 947, 975.) Plaintiff Luke Slovenec's (plaintiff) request for judicial notice is DENIED as to items 1 and 2, and GRANTED as to item 3. Items 1 and 2 require a copy of the docket from the underlying dissolution proceedings. Plaintiff has failed to provide the court with a copy of that docket and nothing indicates plaintiff has made arrangements with the clerk to have the docket available at the time of t...

Excerpt: ... narrowly tailored; and (5) No less restrictive means exist to achieve the overriding interest.” Additionally, pursuant to CRC 2.551, a Court may not permit a record to be filed under seal based solely on the agreement or stipulation of the parties; rather, a party seeking to file a record under seal must file a motion for an order sealing the record, accompanied by a memorandum and declaration containing facts sufficient to justify the sealing...

Excerpt: ...200.00 per hour x 4 hours) + $150.00 for no-show fee + $60.00 for filing fee + $9.95 for e-filing fee] within fifteen (15) days of the date of notice of this order. Defendants to give notice. ...

Excerpt: ...in issue and the burden of proof is on the party claiming them as costs. [Citations.]” (Ladas v. California State Auto. Ass'n (1993) 19 Cal.App.4th 761, 774-776 [citations omitted].) Here, Plaintiff has properly put at issue some deposition costs claimed by Defendants as being duplicative and unnecessary. Thus, the burden shifts to Defendants to show that the claimed costs were necessary to the litigation. Defendants have met their burden. No d...

Excerpt: ...ng averment for punitive damages. Initially, there continues to be a concern over standing. Although defendants have not raised the issue, this lingers on from the prior unsuccessful application for appointment of a guardian ad litem. As indicated in the operative pleading and opposition papers, it appears this litigation is being handled by plaintiff's daughter, Dellia Montgomery. The “authorization” presented by her to this Court specifies ...

Excerpt: ...ode of Regulations for the subject premises. Evidence Code § 669 codifies the “negligence per se” doctrine as a presumption affecting the burden of proof: i.e., defendant's failure to exercise due care is presumed if: • Defendant violated a statute, ordinance or safety regulation of a public entity; • The violation legally caused injury or death; • The occurrence resulting in the injury or death was of a nature that the statute, ordina...

Excerpt: ... an act from which she know, or should have known, it was highly probable harm would result. SKF Farms v. Superior Court(1984) 153 Cal.App.3d 902, 907. The Case Management Conference remains on calendar. Defendants to give notice. ...

Excerpt: ...dants. Both of these causes of action also include, respectively, a conclusory allegation that (i) Defendants' conduct “was the result of willful and wanton acts or omissions and/or done with a conscious disregard for the safety of the users of the Product involved in the ACCIDENT,” FAC ¶ 37, and (ii) Defendants' acts were done “willfully, wantonly and/or with a conscious disregard of others.” Id. ¶ 47. In order to survive a motion to s...

Excerpt: ...n, by and through her Guardian Ad Litem, Theresa Nguyen's motion to reduce Medi- Cal Lien is CONTINUED to 3-15-18, at 1:30 p.m., in Department C- 33. First, plaintiff Nguyen is ordered to serve her motion to reduce Medi- Cal lien on the Office of Legal Services, Department of Health Care Services, P.O. Box 997413, Sacramento, CA 95899- 7413, as well as the Department of Health Care Services, P.O. Box 997425, Recovery Section, MS 4720, Sacramento,...

Excerpt: ...tion, the costs requested are proper and the undertaking is to be scaled to Bounds' resources. Defendant New Albertson's, Inc. Motion to File an Undertaking pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure §1030 is DENIED. Defendant has not shown a reasonable possibility of obtaining a judgment in its favor. Even if it had, it has not adequately stated the nature and the amount of the costs requested. Documentation of past costs should be provided. Anticipat...

Excerpt: ...895671) filed 1/05/17 5. Palatinus v. Casa Apts. (2017-932144) filed 7/18/17 CCP 1048 (a) provides that: “When actions involving a common question of law or fact are pending before the court, it may order a joint hearing or trial of any or all the matters in issue in the actions; it may order all the actions consolidated and it may make such orders concerning proceedings therein as may tend to avoid unnecessary costs or delay.” The court DENI...

Excerpt: ...red to provide full, complete, and verified responses, without objection, to Special Interrogatories, Set One, Special Interrogatory Nos. 7-21, to the offices of counsel for moving party, within 20 days. Defendant Robert Payne is also ordered to provide full, complete, and verified further responses, without objection, to Special Interrogatories, Set One, Special Interrogatory Nos. 2, 4 and 5, to the offices of counsel for moving party, within 20...

Excerpt: ...within 15 days of service of the notice of ruling. Baum Vision did not meet its burden to justify its objections. Plaintiff's request for sanctions against Baum Vision, LLC is granted in the amount of $2,170.92, which shall be paid to Plaintiff within 30 days. Motion to Compel Further Responses and Production to Second Set of RFPs (Shane Baum) The unopposed Motion by Plaintiff Barton Perreira LLC to Compel Further Responses and Production to Seco...

Excerpt: ... The requests are overbroad as framed, however, and are narrowed as follows: 37. Documents reflecting all complaints by owners of 2012 BMW 328i vehicles regarding the coolant light repeatedly illuminating, for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2016. The documents are to be redacted to exclude personal identifying information of the buyer(s)/owner(s). 39. Documents reflecting all repurchases or replacements by YOU of 2012 BMW 328i vehicles,...

Excerpt: ...very request and all the responses to it that are at issue. The separate statement must be full and complete so that no person is required to review any other document in order to determine the full request and the full response.” Next, the mutual requests for sanctions are denied given the legitimate dispute over whether the documents being withheld are privileged or not. See, C.C.P. § 2031.310(h). Prevailing party to give notice. Future Hear...

Excerpt: ...orizon facility for an event sponsored by Defendant. Defendant initially objected to this interrogatory and responded “hotel venue vendor;” in its supplemental response, Defendant objected again and responded that it “is not ‘affiliated' with Horizon Resort & Casino” and that Defendant “has used Horizon as a hotel venue vendor on two occasions.” Plaintiff's motion to compel is granted. Interrogatory No. 1 seeks relevant information....

Excerpt: ...o amend; 5 th cause of action [CC§2923 et seq]: Ruiz is not a borrower; Pltfs do not allege materiality of any purported violation; Has Trustee's deed been recorded? If not, Pltfs may only obtain an injunction; Sustain with 10 days leave to amend; 6 th cause of action [quiet title]: Pltfs have not paid the debt so this remedy is not available; Sustain with 10 days leave to amend; Strike Portions of Complaint Moot based on above. ...

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Excerpt: ...nds of uncertainty; Pltf failed to allege facts showing that Deft published a defamatory statement of fact; Sustain with 10 days leave to amend; Strike Portions of Complaint Grant as to Item 1 [page 1, line 25 to page 2, line 2]; Grant as to Item 2 [page 2, lines 2-5] specifically the word ‘similarly'; Deny balance of Item 2; Deny as to Item 3 [page 3, lines 25-26]; Moot as to Item 4 [page 16, line 1]; Deny as to Item 5 [page 16, lines 3-4]; Gr...

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Excerpt: ...ook steps reasonably calculated to apprise Pltfs of the existence of the program at the time of warranty disputes; Deny. ...

Excerpt: ...ests for mandatory injunctive relief that Plaintiff is simply not entitled to. With respect to request to prohibit Defendant from using corporate funds to pay its attorney fees, the harm lies in Defendant's favor. Essentially, Defendant Corporation may only appear by way of counsel (i.e., it cannot appear in pro per), and as a separate legal entity, it should be able to hire and pay for an attorney to defend itself from Plaintiff's lawsuit. At mi...

Excerpt: ...e judgment, dismissal, order, or proceedings was taken.” Here, a copy of the proposed answer was not attached to the application. Further, the Proof of Service does not comply with Code of Civil Procedure section 1013a, subdivision (a), because the affidavit did not contain “. . . the name and address of the person served as shown on the envelope . . . .” Defendant is to file a proper Proof of Service of the moving papers no later than Febr...

Excerpt: ...eglect.” “Section 473 is often applied liberally where the party in default moves promptly to seek relief, and the party opposing the motion will not suffer prejudice if relief is granted. [Citation.] In such situations ‘very slight evidence will be required to justify a court in setting aside thre default.' [Citation.]” (Elston v. City of Turlock (1985) 38 Cal.3d 227, 233; see also, Fasuyi v. Permatex, Inc. (Fasuyi) (2008) 167 Cal.App.4 ...

Excerpt: ...es, “(a) If a deponent fails to . . . produce any document, electronically stored information, or tangible thing under the deponent's control that is specified in . . . a deposition subpoena, the party seeking discovery may move the court for an order compelling that . . . production. [¶] (b) The motion shall be made no later than 60 days after the completion of the record of the deposition, and shall be accompanied by a meet and confer declar...

Excerpt: ...ng party may move for an order compelling a further response if the propounding party deems that any of the following apply: [¶] (1) An answer to a particular interrogatory is evasive or incomplete . . . [¶] (3) An objection to an interrogatory is without merit or too general.” Code of Civil Procedure section 2030.220, provides, “(a) Each answer in a response to interrogatories shall be as complete and straight forward as the information re...

Excerpt: ...essional Conduct, rule 3-700, subdivisions (C)(1)(d) and (C)(1)(f). Moving Counsel will remain the attorney of record for Air802, LLC until Moving Counsel files proof of service of the signed order upon Air802, LLC. The order will become effective upon the filing of the proof of service upon Air802, LLC. Moving counsel to give notice. Moving Counsel's (Law Offices of Thomas F. Nowland) unopposed Motion to be Relieved as Counsel for Defendant—Mi...

Excerpt: ...his litigation and prepare the case for trial. Client has also failed to assist counsel in the litigation and there is currently a breakdown of the attorney-client relationship.” The declaration submitted in support of this Motion supports withdrawal under Rules of Professional Conduct, rule 3-700, subdivisions (C)(1)(d) and (C)(1)(f). Moving Counsel will remain the attorney of record for Mr. Lee until Moving Counsel files proof of service of t...

Excerpt: ...s or her burden of showing that a cause of action has no merit if that party has shown that one or more elements of the cause of action, even if not separately pleaded, cannot be established, or that there is a complete defense to that cause of action. Once the defendant . . . has met that burden, the burden shifts to the plaintiff . . . to show that a triable issue of one or more material facts exists as to that cause of action or a defense ther...

Excerpt: ...iable issue of material fact. Plaintiffs having not filed any opposition hereto, fails to sustain their burden and the motion is granted. MP to give notice. MP has sustained its burden of establishing it had no ownership or possessory interest in the vehicles involved in the accident. As such, it could not give permission to Defendant Stine to use the vehicle and thus, there was no duty owed by MP. Plaintiffs fail to sustain their burden to creat...

Excerpt: .... . . .” Code of Civil Procedure section 576 provides, “Any judge, at any time before or after the commencement of trial, in the furtherance of justice, and upon such terms as may be proper, may allow the amendment of any pleading . . . .” “A court, at any time before or after commencement of trial, may allow an amendment to a pleading in furtherance of justice. [Citation.] Where no prejudice is shown to the adverse party, the liberal rul...