Judge: Stephen P. Pfahler, Case: 22CHCV00628, Date: 2023-02-21 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22CHCV00628    Hearing Date: February 21, 2023    Dept: F49

Dept. F-49

Date: 2-21-23

Case #22CHCV00628

Trial Date: N/A

DEADLINE EXTENSION

MOVING PARTY: Plaintiff, Jade Mendez

RESPONDING PARTY: Unopposed/Defendant, Falcon Pictures, et al.

RELIEF REQUESTED

Motion for Extension of Time for Service of Process

SUMMARY OF ACTION

In August 2019, Plaintiff Jade Mendez began assisting with television production for Defenadnt Falco Pictures, et al. as an unpaid intern. Plaintiff was offered paid employment on a movie beginning in November 2019. Plaintiff alleges a series of comments on her appearance and uninvited physical contact.

On August 11, 2022, Plaintiff filed a complaint for Sex Discrimination/Sexual Harassment Hostile Work Environment, Sex Discrimination/Sexual Harassment Quid Pro Quo, Gender Discrimination, and Vicarious Liability/Respondeat Superior.

RULING: Continued.

Plaintiff Jade Mendez moves for an extension of deadlines to complete service of process, due to the difficulty of locating and serving defendants Freddy Sauceda, Deana Molle, and Christian Gutierrez.

As addressed in the prior motions for pro hac vice, the court will refer the subject case to Department 1 for a potential transfer. (Los Angeles Superior Court Local Rule 2.3, subd. (b)(1-2).) The business and/or individual addresses of defendants range everywhere from Madera, California (a city in Madera County California, not Los Angeles County), Irvine, in Orange County, to City of Long Beach (Los Angeles County, but not Chatsworth district). Noticeably absent from any allegation in the complaint including the number of production items is any nexus with Chatsworth and therefore the basis for the filing of the motion in this court.

The court therefore declines to consider any substantive issues regarding deadlines, service of process, appearances, and/or any other motion potentially interfering with a potential change of jurisdiction pending potential reassignment to a new district. (See Code Civ. Proc., § 395, subd. (a); Los Angeles Superior Court Local Rule 2.3, subd. (a)(1)(A).)

Plaintiff to give notice.