Budden vs. Tow Masters, Inc.

Alvarez vs. for an order sealing three exhibits submitted in support of Defendant’s motion for American Honda summary adjudication, Exhibit E, Exhibit G-1, and Exhibit G-2, is granted. Motor Company, Inc. As an initial matter, the Court notes Defendant’s proof of service for the notice and moving papers did not include the server’s email address. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1013b, subd. (b)(1).) The Court reminds the parties of their obligation to comply with CCP section 1013b when electronically serving documents.

Defendant has shown that Exhibits E, G-1, and G-2 should be sealed. (Cal. Rules of Ct., Rules 2.550 (d) and 2.551(b)(1); Memorandum, 3:5-9, 4:1-5:4; Tolmasoff Decl., ¶¶ 2-5 [Exhibits E, G-1, and G-2 contain Defendant’s confidential, proprietary, and trade-secret information, including internal warranty system data and service procedures, which are maintained as confidential by Honda in the ordinary course of business; The documents contain documents that are not publicly disseminated; The competitively sensitive information constitutes an overriding interest that overcomes the presumption of public access; Disclosure would expose internal operation processes and technical procedures not shared outside the company; Defendant will be prejudiced if the order is not granted because confidential proprietary warranty data and internal service operations would become publicly accessible; The proposed sealing is narrowly tailored to three exhibits; Nearly the entire contents of the documents consist of sensitive information; Defendant limited the requested sealing to these three documents which contain confidential corporate information; No less restrictive means exist.].)

Accordingly, the unopposed motion is granted. The unredacted exhibits lodged with the Court are ordered filed under seal in this matter.

Defendant is ordered to give notice.

105 2025-01526008 1. Motion to Be Relieved as Counsel of Record 2. Case Management Conference Budden vs. Tow Masters, Inc. The unopposed motion by Andrew J. Mallon and Joshua S. Hopps of Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP (“Counsel”), attorney of record for Defendant Tow Masters, Inc. (“Tow Masters”) for an order permitting Counsel to be relieved as attorney of record for Tow Masters in this action is granted.

Counsel has substantially complied with CRC Rule 3.1362.

The case management conference is continued to September 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in Department C27. Counsel is ordered to file a revised order including all future dates scheduled in this matter. Upon the signing of the revised order, Counsel shall serve the signed revised order on Tow Masters and all parties who have appeared. The revised order granting relief shall be effective when proof of service of the signed revised order on Tow Masters and all parties is filed with the Court.