Judge: Daniel M. Crowley, Case: 22STCV25874, Date: 2022-10-12 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22STCV25874    Hearing Date: October 12, 2022    Dept: 28

Defendant Rakim Meyer’s Application for Pro Hac Vice Admission of Joseph Tacopina

Having considered the moving papers, the Court rules as follows. 

BACKGROUND

On August 10, 2022, Plaintiff Terell Ephron (“Plaintiff”) filed this action against Defendant Rakim Mayers (“Defendant”) for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence/negligence per se.

On September 15, 2022, Defendant filed an answer.

On September 19, 2022, Defendant filed an application for Pro Hac Vice Admission of Joseph Tacopina, to be heard on September 28, 2022.

Trial is currently set for October 19, 2022.

PARTY’S REQUESTS

Defendant request the Court admit Joseph Tacopina, pro hac vice.

LEGAL STANDARD

California Rule of Court, rule 9.40 provides that an attorney in good standing in another jurisdiction may apply to appear as counsel pro hac vice in the State of California by filing a verified application together with proof of service by mail of a copy of the application and notice of hearing on all parties who have appeared in the case and on the State Bar of California at its San Francisco office, with payment of a $50.00 fee, so long as that attorney is not a resident of the State of California, and is not regularly engaged in substantial business, professional, or other activities in the State of California.

The application must state: (1) the applicant’s residence and office addresses; (2) the courts to which the applicant has been admitted to practice and the dates of admission; (3) that the applicant is a member in good standing in those courts; (4) that the applicant is not currently suspended or disbarred in any court; (5) the title of each court and cause in which the applicant has filed an application to appear as counsel pro hac vice in this state in the preceding two years, the date of each application, and whether or not it was granted; and (6) the name, address, and telephone number of the active member of the State Bar of California who is attorney of record in the local action.  (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.40, subd. (d).)

DISCUSSION

Tacopina is in good standing in New York and Connecticut and will be associated with California attorney Sean Riley. He is not regularly employed in California and does not regularly engage in substantial business, professional, or other activities in the State of California.

Tacopina filed an application to be admitted Pro Hac Vice, which included the following information: Tacopina’s residential and office address, the courts that Tacopina is admitted to (along with dates of admissions), assurance he is in good standing, a record of all California pro hac vice appearances in the last two years, and information on the local attorney of record. Defendant submitted proof of service on all parties, including the California State Bar.

Defendant also attached proof of payment to the California State Bar. As such, Defendant has satisfied all requirements. The Court grants the motion.

CONCLUSION

Defendant Rakim Meyer’s Application for Pro Hac Vice Admission of Joseph Tacopina is GRANTED.

            Moving party is ordered to give notice of this ruling.

Moving Party is ordered to file the proof of service of this ruling with the Court within five days.

The parties are directed to the header of this tentative ruling for further instructions.