Judge: Armen Tamzarian, Case: 20STCV18765, Date: 2022-07-29 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 20STCV18765    Hearing Date: July 29, 2022    Dept: 52

Tentative Ruling:

Plaintiffs Sterling West Escrow and Desiree Goodman’s Motion to Continue Trial

Plaintiffs Sterling West Escrow and Desiree Goodman move to continue the trial from August 24, 2022, to October 5, 2022.  Good cause to continue trial includes “unavailability of trial counsel because of… illness.”  (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1332(c)(3).)  Plaintiffs’ counsel Bethany Burrill was on medical leave for over two months.  (Grossman Decl., ¶ 4, Ex. B.)  “For all intents and purposes, Ms. Burrill was the only attorney working on the case.”  (Id., ¶ 7.)  Her absence has hindered plaintiffs’ ability to prepare for trial.

Courts also consider “[w]hether all parties have stipulated to a continuance.”  (Rule 3.1332(d)(9).)  Defendants Blare Romain Levoir, Rebeca Marie Coddington, and Brittany Levoir joined in plaintiffs’ motion.

The court finds good cause for a short trial continuance. 

            The motion is granted.

The court hereby continues the final status conference from August 8, 2022, to September 19, 2022, at 9:00 a.m.  The court hereby continues the jury trial from August 24, 2022, to October 5, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.