DONE! Ventures, LLC v. Jamgotchian, et al.

Arbitration Act (Code Civ. Proc., Sec. 1280 et seq.), the venue properly lies in Los Angeles County.

On the other hand, considering the agreement is an adhesion contract, the Court finds the PAGA waiver to be unlawful. (Iskanian v. CLS Transportation Los Angeles, LLC (2014) 59 Cal.4th 348; Adolph v. Uber Technologies, Inc. (2023) 14 Cal.5th 1104.)

In the exercise of the Court's discretion, this provision is stricken. (Civ. Code Sec. 1670.5.)

Because an otherwise valid agreement exists between the parties, the Motion to Compel Arbitration is granted. This action is stayed pending the resolution of arbitration. (CCP Sec. 1281.4.) Moving party to give notice.

Judge Kevin C. Brazile Department 310 Hearing Date: August 20, 2026 Case Name: DONE! Ventures, LLC v. Jamgotchian, et al. Case No.: BC674357 Matter: Anti-SLAPP Motion Ruling: The Motion is denied. Jamgotchian to give notice. The Court encourages all parties to appear remotely via LA CourtConnect. If submitting on the Court's tentative ruling, please follow the instructions provided above.

On February 7, 2023, a jury entered verdicts in favor of Plaintiffs DONE! Ventures, LLC ("Done!") and Coastal Laundromat, Inc. ("Coastal"), and against Defendants Jerry Jamgotchian, El Segundo Plaza Associates L.P. ("ESPA"), and Theta Holding IV, Inc. ("Theta") for Plaintiffs' claims for interference with contract, negligent interference with prospective economic advantage, and breach of contract.

On May 8, 2023, the Court entered a "judgment" on the verdict.

On July 12, 2023, the Court ruled on a motion for new trial/JNOV, stating that the amount of punitive damages awarded by the jury was improper and that Coastal was either to stipulate to $525,000 or else the Court would grant a new trial only as to the amount of punitive damages. Coastal stipulated to taking less punitive damages.

On September 5, 2023, the Court ruled on Coastal's motion for attorneys' fees and prejudgment interest. Prejudgment interest was rejected, but the Court awarded $357,673 in fees.

On February 6, 2024, the Court entered a final ruling denying Defendants' motion to tax costs with respect to Done!. That ruling also rejected prejudgment interest for Done!.

On February 27, 2024, the Court entered an "amended judgment", which reduced the amount of punitive damages to be obtained by Done! and indicated the amount of fees, costs, and prejudgment interest to be awarded as discussed above.

On March 27, 2024, the Court denied Defendants' request to amend the February 27, 2024, judgment.

Subsequently, Jamgotchian and his entity Defendants decided to pursue six consolidated appeals. Jamgotchian could not perfect the record on appeal, and so the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeals. Jamgotchian attempted to vacate the dismissals but failed. Then Jamgotchian sought relief before the Supreme Court and failed there too.

On February 17, 2026, Suretec Insurance Company filed a Complaint-in-intervention for interpleader.

On May 15, 2026, Jamgotchian, ESPA, and Theta filed a Cross-Complaint against Suretec Insurance Company and Markel Insurance Company. Markel now asserts a Special Motion to Strike the entirety of the May 15, 2026, Cross-Complaint, asserting that the Cross-Complaint improperly targets Suretec's interpleader action and that Markel stands in the same shoes as Suretec.

For the reasons stated in the Court's August 13, 2026, ruling denying Suretec's anti-SLAPP motion, Markel's Anti-SLAPP Motion is also denied. Jamgotchian to give notice. |