Judge: Mark C. Kim, Case: 22LBCV00191, Date: 2023-02-14 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22LBCV00191    Hearing Date: February 14, 2023    Dept: S27

1.     Pro Hac Vice

Defendants, Matthew John Sandvig, Oak Sourcing & Logistics, LLC, and Oak Insurance Group, LLC seek permission to have Alexandra W. Wahl, Mallory A. Davis, and Brant C. Martin appear pro hac vice in this action.  The applications fully satisfy CRC 9.40.  All applicants establish they are licensed in the State of Texas and are in good standing.  They live and maintain their offices in the State of Texas.   Martin has applied to appear pro hac vice in one other case in the State of California in the past two years, and the other two applications have filed no such applications in the past two years.  A licensed California attorney, Zachary Bulthuis, is associated as counsel in this case. 

Despite the foregoing, the applications are denied without prejudice.  The Court cannot locate proof of service of the applications on the State Bar, as required by CRC 9.40(c)(1).  Additionally, the Court has not located proof that State Bar fees have been paid, as required by 9.40(e). 

2.     Motion for a Protective Order

The Court was previously scheduled to hear this motion on 12/13/22.  The Court continued the hearing to require the parties to meet and confer in good faith.  Both parties have filed declarations indicating all issues relating to the motion for a protective order have been resolved.  The Court appreciates the parties’ cooperation in this regard, and takes the motion off calendar.

3.     Discovery Referee

The Court also has an OSC re: appointment of a discovery referee on calendar today.  Plaintiff filed the Declaration of Sridavi Ganesan in connection with the OSC.  Ganesan declares there are ongoing problems with discovery, and indicates a referee would be useful in overseeing the discovery process.  Defendant did not file anything in connection with the OSC.  The Court will discuss appointment of a referee with the parties at the hearing. 

The Court asks Counsel to make arrangements to appear remotely at the hearing on the above motions and OSC.