Judge: Steven A. Ellis, Case: 19STCV16639, Date: 2024-12-03 Tentative Ruling

DEPARTMENT 29 - LAW AND MOTION RULINGS IMPORTANT  (PLEASE SEND YOUR E-MAIL TO DEPT. 29 NOT DEPT. 2)

Communicating with the Court Staff re the Tentative Ruling 1. Please notify the courtroom staff by email not later than 9:30 a.m. on the day of the hearing if you wish to submit on the tentative ruling rather than argue the motion. The email address is SSCDEPT29@lacourt.org. Please do not use any other email address. 2. You must include the other parties on the email by "cc." 3. Include the word "SUBMISSION" in all caps in the Subject line and include your name, contact information, the case number, and the party you represent in the body of the email. If you submit on the tentative and elect not to appear at the hearing, the opposing party may nevertheless appear at the hearing and argue the motions. THE COURT WILL HEAR ARGUMENT UNLESS BOTH SIDES SUBMIT ON THE TENTATIVE.  4. Include the words "SUBMISSION BUT WILL APPEAR" if you submit, but one or both parties will nevertheless appear. 5. For other communications with Court Staff a. OFF-CALENDAR should appear in all caps in the Subject line where all parties have agreed to have a matter placed off-calendar. All counsel should be cc'ed (and where appropriate parties not represented by counsel) and the body of the email should state: (a) name and case number; (b) date of proceeding. b. CASE SETTLED should appear in all caps in the Subject line where all parties have agreed that the case has settled for all purposes. All counsel should be cc'ed (and where appropriate parties not represented by counsel) and the body of the email should state: (a) name and case number; (b) whether notice of settlement/dismissal documents have been filed; (c) if (b) has not been done, a date one year from the date of your email which will be a date set by the court for an OSC for dismissal of the case. c. STIPULATION should appear in all caps in the Subject line where all parties have stipulated that a matter before the court can be postponed. All counsel should be cc'ed (and where appropriate parties not represented by counsel) and the body of the email should state: (a) name and case number; (b) what proceeding is agreed to be postponed e.g. Trial, FSC; (c) the agreed-upon future date; (d) whether all parties waive notice if the Court informs all counsel/parties that the agreed-upon date is satisfactory. This communication should be used only for matters that are agreed to be postponed and not for orders shortening time. 6. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL COMMUNICATIONS WITH COURT STAFF DEAL ONLY WITH SCHEDULING AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS AND DO NOT DISCUSS THE MERITS OF ANY CASE. (UPDATED 6/17/2020) 
IMPORTANT:  In light of the COVID-19 emergency, the Court encourages all parties to appear remotely.  The capacity in the courtroom is extremely limited.  The Court appreciates the cooperation of counsel and the litigants. 
ALSO NOTE:  If the moving party does not contact the court to submit on the tentative and does not appear (either remotely or in person), the motion will be taken off calendar.  THE TENTATIVE RULING WILL NOT BE THE ORDER OF THE COURT.

Case Number: 19STCV16639    Hearing Date: December 3, 2024    Dept: 29

Pope-Morgan v Chen
19STCV16639
Plaintiffs’ Motion for Order Admitting Stephen D. Morrison, III, Esq. as counsel pro hac vice 

Tentative

The motion is granted.

Background

Plaintiffs Angela Pope-Morgan, Asia Morgan, Alma Morgan, Kirk Morgan, and Sarah Morgan (“Plaintiffs”) allege that they were injured on May 12, 2017, in a collision with a motor vehicle driven by Defendant Leilei Chen on Interstate I-40 in New Mexico. 

On May 13, 2019, Plaintiffs filed the Complaint in this action against Defendants Leilei Chen, FBM Group Corporation (collectively, “Defendants”), and Does 1 through 25. 

Plaintiffs filed the First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) on August 13, 2019. 

Defendants filed their Answer to the FAC on September 6, 2019.

On January 5, 2023, the court, at the request of Plaintiff Alma Morgan, dismissed the causes of action in the FAC asserted by Plaintiff Alma Morgan with prejudice.

On November 1, 2024, Plaintiffs filed this motion for Stephen D. Morrison, III, Esq. to be admitted pro hac vice.

No opposition has been filed.

Legal Standard

Any attorney licensed to practice before the bar of any United States court or the highest court in any state, and who has been retained to appear in a particular cause pending a court of this State, but who is not a licensee of the California State Bar may apply to appear pro hac vice in this State by submitting his or her written application and mailing notice to all interested parties, as well as notice and a $50.00 application fee to the State Bar Association in San Francisco.  (Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 9.40 (a), (c), (e).)  An applicant may neither reside nor work in California and may not perform regular or substantial business, professional, or other activities in the State.  (Id. at Rule 9.40 (a).) 

Discussion

Plaintiffs have satisfied all substantive and procedural requirements for the motion.

The motion is granted.

Conclusion

The Court GRANTS Plaintiff’s motion for counsel Stephen D. Morrison, III, Esq. to be admitted pro hac vice.

Moving party to give notice.