Judge: Peter A. Hernandez, Case: 24STCV20137, Date: 2025-01-13 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 24STCV20137    Hearing Date: January 13, 2025    Dept: 34

1.               Damon Suden’s Application to Appear Pro Hac Vice is GRANTED.

2.               Michael Lynch’s Application to Appear Pro Hac Vice is GRANTED.

Background

            On August 9, 2024, Plaintiff Marks Capital, Inc. (“Plaintiff”) filed a complaint against Defendant Harry Strauss Zelnick alleging causes of action for:

1.                 Violations of California Corporate Securities Law of 1968; and

2.                 Fraud.

On September 17, 2024, Plaintiff filed a First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) against Defendants Harry Strauss Zelnick (“Zelnick”) and B&C Retail Ventures, LLC (erroneously sued as Kairos Industries, LLC and collectively with Zelnick as “Defendants”) alleging causes of action for:

1.               Violations of California Corporate Securities Law of 1968;

2.               Fraud;

3.               Sexual Harassment in Violation of Civ. Code §§51.9, 52;

4.               Sexual Harassment in Violation of Cal. Gov. Code § 12940 et seq.;

5.               Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress;

6.               Violations of Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200 et seq. (Unfair Competition Law); and

7.               Wrongful Termination.

On November 6 and 14, 2024, Damon Suden and Michael Lynch filed their respective Applications to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Defendants.

On November 12, 2024, Defendants filed a Motion to Compel Arbitration. On November 21, 2024, the court granted the parties’ Stipulation to Stay the Proceedings until a court ruling on Defendants’ Motion to Compel Arbitration, without affecting the pending Applications to Appear Pro Hac Vice.

Application

Client: Defendants

Proof of Service: OK (all applications) 

Conditions:  

1.               Associated with California attorney: Yes 

Rebecca Durrant

Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP

350 S. Grand Ave., Suite 3800

Los Angeles, CA 90071

(Suden Application, ¶ 5; Lynch Application, ¶ 5; Durrant Decl., ¶ 3.)

2.               Verified declarations: Yes (all applications) 

3.               Service on State Bar at SF Office: Yes

(Suden Application, Service List; Lynch Application, Service List.)

4.               Payment of $50 fee to State Bar: Yes

(Suden Application, ¶ 6; Lynch Application, ¶ 6.)

5.               Good standing and not currently suspended/disbarred: Yes

(Suden Application, ¶ 2; Lynch Application, ¶ 2.)

Number of California appearances in last 2 years: 1 (Suden Application, ¶ 4; Lynch Application, ¶ 4.)

6.               Residence address:      

(Suden Application, ¶ 1; Lynch Application, ¶ 1.)

7.               Office address:                         

Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP

3 World Trade Center

175 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10010

(Suden Application, ¶ 1; Lynch Application, ¶ 1.)

Discussion

Counsel Applicants, Damon Suden and Michael Lynch, seek admission to appear as counsel pro hac vice to represent Defendants Harry Strauss Zelnick and B&C Retail Ventures, LLC and to be associated with Counsel Rebecca Durrant.

Counsel Applicants are members in good standing of the State of New York and various federal courts.

Counsel Applicants have appeared once in the United States District Court, Northern District of California on November 2, 2023.

Each Counsel Applicant has individually provided proof that the $50.00 fee required to be admitted pro hac vice has been paid to the State Bar of California and that the State Bar has been served with their Application. 

Conclusion

1.               Damon Suden’s Application to Appear Pro Hac Vice is GRANTED.

2.               Michael Lynch’s Application to Appear Pro Hac Vice is GRANTED.