Case Number: BC645960 Hearing Date: January 25, 2019 Dept: 3

MICHAEL V. JEHDIAN,

Plaintiff(s),

vs.

TERRACE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE, LLC, ET AL.,

Defendant(s).

Case No.: BC645960

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

Dept. 3

1:30 p.m.

January 25, 2019

Defendant propounded RPDs, form interrogatories, and special interrogatories on Plaintiff on 8/01/18. Extensions of time to respond were granted, and responses were ultimately due on or before 11/09/18. On 12/06/18, Defendant filed these motions to compel; Defendant moves to compel responses to the outstanding discovery on the ground that no responses have been served; Defendant also seeks imposition of sanctions.

While not directly relevant to the issues presented by way of this motion, the Court notes that, at the time Defendant propounded the discovery and served the motions, Plaintiff was represented by attorney Joe Nalbandyan. However, on 12/13/18, Plaintiff filed a substitution of attorney, and he is currently representing himself. Plaintiff is a licensed California attorney.

Defendant’s motions are granted. Plaintiff is ordered to serve verified responses to form interrogatories, special interrogatories, and RPDs, without objections, within 20 days. CCP §§2030.290(a),(b), 2031.300(a),(b).

Sanctions are mandatory. §§2030.290(c), 2031.300(c). Defendant seeks sanctions in the amount of $1320 (form interrogatories) and $420/motion (special interrogatories and RPDs). Defense Counsel bills at the rate of $180/hour. The Court awards one hour to prepare each form discovery motion. No opposition was filed so no reply was necessary. Defendant seeks to recover four hours for appearance at the hearing. Counsel is located in West Los Angeles. The Court awards three hours of appearance time. The Court therefore awards a total of six hours of attorney time at the rate of $180/hour, for a total of $1080 in attorneys’ fees. The Court also awards three filing fees of $60 each, or $180 in costs.

Sanctions are sought and imposed against Plaintiff and his former attorney of record, jointly and severally; they are ordered to pay sanctions to Defendant, by and through counsel of record, in the total amount of $1260, within 20 days.

Defendant is ordered to give notice.