Judge Bruce G. Iwasaki, Case Number: 24STCV16686, Date: 2024-10-03 Tentative Ruling

Responding Party: None

Tentative Ruling: Defendant’s Motion to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice (for Jillian Ambrose) is GRANTED.

On July 5, 2024, Plaintiff Cheryl M. Stone (“Plaintiff”) filed this action against Defendant The Rand Corporation (“Defendant”). Plaintiff, an ex-employee of Defendant, alleges she was wrongfully terminated after complaining of gender discrimination. The Complaint alleges the following causes of action: (1) Violation of Labor Code §§ 1102.5-1105, (2) Retaliation (FEHA), (3) Gender Discrimination, (4) Gender Harassment, (5) Wrongful Termination in Violation of Public Policy, (6) Failure to Prevent and/or Remedy Retaliation and Discrimination.

On August 27, 2024, Defendant filed this unopposed motion for Jillian Ambrose to be admitted pro hac vice.

California Rules of Court Rule 9.40 provides that an attorney in good standing in another jurisdiction may apply to appear pro hac vice in this State by way of written application with proof of service by mail and notice of hearing on the application to all parties who have appeared in the case and on the State Bar of California at its San Francisco office, so long as that attorney is not a resident of California, does not work in California, and does not perform regular or substantial business, professional, or other activities in the State. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.40(a), (c)(1).) The State Bar of California may set an appropriate application fee to by paid by counsel pro hac vice, which is currently $500. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.40(e).)

The written application must provide the following information: (1) applicant attorney’s residence and office addresses; (2) the courts to which the applicant attorney has been admitted and dates of admission; (3) representation that the attorney applicant is a member in good standing in the courts of admission; (4) representation that the attorney is not currently suspended or disbarred in any court; (5) the title of each court and action in which the applicant attorney has appeared pro hac vice in this State in the preceding two years, if any; and (6) the name, address, and telephone number of the active California State Bar member who is counsel of record in the local action. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.40(d).)

Attorney Jillian Ambrose (Ms. Ambrose) has complied with all pro hac vice application requirements.

Ms. Ambrose does not reside, practice, or perform substantial activities in California (Ambrose Decl., ¶4.) Ms. Ambrose resides at 218 South Jackson Street, Arlington, VA 22204 (Id. at ¶5.) Ms. Ambrose’s office address and telephone number are1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20004-2595; 202-624-2500. (Id.) She is admitted to and is in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar and Maryland State Bar (Id. at ¶6.) Ms. Ambrose is not currently suspended or disbarred in any court. (Id. at ¶8.) She has not appeared pro hac vice for an action in California in the last two years. (Id. at ¶9.) The counsel of record in the local action is designated as:

The service requirements are also met. Legal Secretary at the law firm Crowell & Moring LLP, counsel of record for Defendant, submitted the pro hac vice application to the State Bar of California. (Castillo Decl.) The appropriate fee of $500 was paid to the State Bar. (Notice of Errata, Exh. A.) Notice of hearing and proof of service of this application were provided to Plaintiff’s counsel.

Defendant’s Motion to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice (for Jillian Ambrose) is GRANTED.

Department 58