Judge: Daniel S. Murphy, Case: 23STCV24858, Date: 2025-05-23 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23STCV24858    Hearing Date: May 23, 2025    Dept: 32

BACKGROUND

            On October 11, 2023, Plaintiff Ronald Acito filed this action against Defendants Lance Soares Incorporated and Lance Soares, alleging wage violations and retaliation.

            On April 21, 2025, Plaintiff filed the instant motion to consolidate this case with the related case Alex Velasquez, et al. vs. Lance Soares Incorporated, et al. (23STCV28499). Defendants have not filed an opposition.

LEGAL STANDARD

“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.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 1048(a).)

DISCUSSION

            With the exception of Plaintiff Acito’s claim for wrongful termination, the complaints in both cases allege substantially identical causes of action against the same employer. This will involve common questions of law and fact which would lead to inefficiency if the cases are tried separately. Thus, the Court finds good cause to consolidate the two cases.

CONCLUSION

            Plaintiff’s motion to consolidate is GRANTED. The cases Ronald Acito, et al., vs. Lance Soares Incorporated, et al. (23STCV24858) and Alex Velasquez, et al. vs. Lance Soares, et al. (23STCV28499) are consolidated for all purposes. Ronald Acito, et al., vs. Lance Soares Incorporated, et al. (23STCV24858) is the lead case.