Judge: Stephen I. Goorvitch, Case: 20STCV42326, Date: 2022-12-05 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 20STCV42326    Hearing Date: December 5, 2022    Dept: 39

730 Kingsley, LLC v. Su H. Hyon

Case No. 20STCV42326

Motions to Bifurcate Trial

Plaintiff 730 Kingsley, LLC (“Kingley”) filed this action on November 4, 2020, for breach of contract and related causes of action against Su H. Hyon (“Hyon”).  Kingley alleges that it is the landlord of a property, and Defendant was the resident manager and a tenant.  Kingley alleges that Defendant did not vacate the premises as required.  Hyon and Sung Taek Lim (“Lim”) filed a cross-complaint against Kingsley, as well as Citywide Management and Consulting Services, Inc. (“Citywide”).  The cross-complaint also named B.W. Brody Construction Company, Inc., Greg Brody, and Brody, Inc. (collectively, the “Brody parties”).  The cross-complaint alleges violations of the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance, negligence, negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress, housing discrimination, and elder abuse.

Kingsley and Citywide move to bifurcate the trial.  The Court’s tentative decision is to grant the motions with respect to any issues of res judicata and collateral estoppel, e.g., whether there is res judicata/collateral estoppel of any issue based upon Case Number 20STCV42319, Hyon’s administrative claim, etc.  The Court’s tentative decision is to grant the motions to the extent they seek to bifurcate punitive damages.  The Court’s tentative decision is to deny the motions in all other respects. 

The parties should be prepared to discuss whether the Court should stay the instant case pending the outcome of Case Number 20STCV42319.