Judge: Michael P. Linfield, Case: 19STCV36480, Date: 2023-02-24 Tentative Ruling
Case Number: 19STCV36480 Hearing Date: February 24, 2023 Dept: 34
SUBJECT: Verified Application of Peter M.
Sartorius to Appear as Counsel Pro Hac Vice
Moving Party: Defendants Big Bus Tours Los Angeles, Inc. and
Open top Sightseeing USA
Resp. Party: None
SUBJECT: Verified Application of Sahand Farahati
to Appear as Counsel Pro Hac Vice
Moving Party: Defendants Big Bus Tours Los Angeles, Inc. and
Open top Sightseeing USA
Resp. Party: None
The
Verified Applications to Appear as Counsel Pro Hac Vice are GRANTED.
BACKGROUND:
(1) Unfair competition;
(2) Intentional
interference with contract;
(3) Intentional
interference with prospective economic advantage;
(4) Negligent
interference with prospective economic advantage; and
(5) Trespass.
On February 7, 2020,
the Court struck references in the Complaint that Defendant Big Bus Tours Los
Angeles, Inc. operates as a Passenger Stage Corporation.
On February 27, 2020,
Defendants Big Bus Tours Los Angeles, Inc. and Open Top Sightseeing USA filed
their Answer.
On June 9, 2022, the
Court found this case and case number 22STCV14150 to be related, and the Court
designated this case as the lead case.
On August 31, 2022,
the Court granted summary adjudication in favor of Defendants Big Bus Tours Los
Angeles, Inc. and Open Top Sightseeing USA as to the third and fourth causes of
action in Plaintiff’s Complaint.
On January 25, 2023,
Defendants Big Bus Tours Los Angeles, Inc. and Open Top Sightseeing USA
(“Defendants”) filed: (1) Verified Application of Peter M. Sartorius to Appear
as Counsel Pro Hac Vice; and (2) Verified Application of Sahand Farahati
to Appear as Counsel Pro Hac Vice.
The Verified
Applications are unopposed.
ANALSYIS:
Applicants Peter M. Sartorius and Sahand Farahati seek admission to
appear as counsel pro hac vice to
represent Defendants in this
action, and to be associated as co-counsel with William A. Meyers.
Applicants are members in good standing of the State of New York.
Applicants are admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York, and Applicant Farahati is also admitted to
practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. (Sartorius
Verified Application, ¶ 5; Farahati Verified Application, ¶ 5.)
Applicant Sartorius has only appeared pro hac vice in California
state courts twice in the past two years, and Applicant Farahati has only
appeared pro hac vice in federal
courts based in California twice in the past two years. (Sartorius
Verified Application, ¶ 8; Farahati Verified Application, ¶ 8.) The applications also provide that the $50
fees required to be admitted pro hac vice
have been paid to the State Bar of California. (Sartorius Verified
Application, p. 2; Farahati Verified Application, p. 2.)
The proofs of service filed in
support of these applications demonstrate that service was made upon the State
Bar at its San Francisco address. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.40(c)(1).)
CONCLUSION:
the Court GRANTS the Verified
Application of Peter M. Sartorius to Appear as Counsel Pro Hac Vice and
the Verified Application of Sahand Farahati to Appear as Counsel Pro Hac
Vice.