Case Number: 19STCV20149 Hearing Date: November 20, 2019 Dept: 3

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES – CENTRAL DISTRICT

DOUGLAS HART,

Plaintiff(s),

vs.

ALTA VISTA GARDENS, INC., ET AL.,

Defendant(s).

CASE NO: 19STCV20149

[TENTATIVE] ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S UNOPPOSED MOTIONS TO COMPEL

Dept. 3

1:30 p.m.

November 20, 2019

Plaintiff, Douglas Brown propounded form interrogatories and RPDs on Defendant, Alta Vista Gardens, Inc. on 9/05/19. To date, despite two attempts to meet and confer, Defendant has not served responses. Plaintiff therefore seeks an order compelling Defendant to respond, without objections, to the outstanding discovery and to pay sanctions.

Plaintiff’s motions are granted. Defendant is ordered to serve verified responses to form interrogatories and RPDs, without objections, within ten days. CCP §§2030.290(a),(b), 2031.300(a),(b).

Sanctions are mandatory. §§2030.290(c), 2031.300(c). Plaintiff seeks sanctions in the amounts of $3310 (RPDs) and $5260 (interrogatories). Plaintiff’s attorney bills at the rate of $650/hour. The Court reduces the rate to $200/hour, which is more in keeping with what attorneys in the personal injury courts typically charge. The Court awards one hour to prepare each form motion to compel. No opposition was filed and therefore no reply was necessary. The Court awards the requested three hours to appear at the hearing on the motion. The Court therefore awards a total of five hours of attorney time at the rate of $200/hour, or $1000 in attorneys’ fees. The Court also awards two $60 filing fees, or $120 in costs.

Sanctions are sought and imposed against Defendant and its attorney of record, jointly and severally; they are ordered to pay sanctions to Plaintiff, by and through counsel of record, in the total amount of $1120, within twenty days.

Plaintiff is ordered to give notice.