Judge: Thomas D. Long, Case: 25STCV01998, Date: 2025-06-03 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 25STCV01998    Hearing Date: June 3, 2025    Dept: 48

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - CENTRAL DISTRICT

On January 24, 2025, Plaintiff Itria Ventures LLC filed this action against Defendants Real Food Daily LLC, Tessa Hanna Bettcher, Jason Flores, Melanie Beth Hanna, and ANewHope LLC.  The Court entered defaults against all defendants in March 2025.

On May 22, 2025, Plaintiff and Melanie Beth Hanna filed a stipulation for relief from default, and on June 2, 2024, Hanna filed an answer.  Accordingly, the proposed judgment cannot be entered against her.

Additionally, the Complaint alleges some causes of action against all defendants jointly.  “Where parties are jointly liable on the same obligation, it is improper to enter a default judgment against one while the action remains pending against others.”  (6 Witkin, Cal. Proc. (6th ed. March 2024 Update) Judgment by Default, § 171(2)(b).)  Therefore, the Court cannot enter a default judgment against the defaulted defendants.

The request for entry of default judgment is DENIED.

Moving party to give notice.

Parties who intend to submit on this tentative must send an email to the Court at SMCDEPT48@lacourt.org indicating intention to submit.  If all parties in the case submit on the tentative ruling, no appearances before the Court are required unless a companion hearing (for example, a Case Management Conference) is also on calendar.

         Dated this 3rd day of June 2025