Benjamin Berenji and Matthew Berenji v. Hollywood Park Management Company, LLC; Stadco LA, LLC; and Los Angeles Rams, LLC

(Santa Monica Courthouse: Dept. N) August 20, 2026 DEPARTMENT N LAW AND MOTION RULINGS

Defendants Hollywood Park Management Company, LLC; Stadco LA, LLC; and Los Angeles Rams, LLC's Motion to Continue Trial Date and Related Deadline is GRANTED. Trial is continued to a date to be determined at the hearing. The Final Status Conference is continued to a date to be determined at the hearing. All related discovery deadlines are per the new trial date. Defendants Hollywood Park Management Company, LLC; Stadco LA, LLC; and Los Angeles Rams, LLC to give notice.

Defendants Hollywood Park Management Company, LLC; Stadco LA, LLC; and Los Angeles Rams, LLC ("Defendants") move the Court for an order continuing the trial date in this action, which is currently set for October 4, 2026, on the ground that Defendant Hollywood Park Management Company, LLC was only recently brought into this case and appeared for the first time on May 28, 2026, and it needs time to assess prior discovery, time to serve discovery related to the claims against it, time to prepare dispositive motions, and time to prepare to defend at trial.

Plaintiffs Benjamin Berenji and Matthew Berenji ("Plaintiffs") oppose this motion on the ground that Defendants knew that Defendant Hollywood Park Management Company, LLC was being brought into this action as of February 23, 2026, but they delayed in seeking a continuance, as they simply seek to delay this case.

The Court finds good cause to continue the trial date. Defendant Hollywood Park Management Company, LLC is entitled to prepare to defend against this action, Defendants have the right to have their dispositive motions heard, court congestion makes it such that the Court cannot advance the hearing on motions for summary judgment, a continuance of the trial date will not significantly prejudice Plaintiffs, as this case is relatively new as far as the Court's cases are concerned, and there have been no prior continuances of the trial date. The Court advises the parties that no further continuances will be granted short of a legitimate emergency.

Accordingly, Defendants Hollywood Park Management Company, LLC; Stadco LA, LLC; and Los Angeles Rams, LLC's Motion to Continue Trial Date and Related Deadline is GRANTED. Trial is continued to _TBD_____. The Final Status Conference is continued to TBD______. All related discovery deadlines are per the new trial date.

Case Number: 25SMCV06657 Hearing Date: August 20, 2026 Dept: N TENTATIVE RULING

Defendants Barbara Bills and 11848 Venice LLC's Special Motion to Strike [CCP Sec. 425.16] is GRANTED. Defendants Barbara Bills and 11848 Venice LLC to give notice.

Application to Seal

Plaintiff moves the Court to seal certain documents filed in support of her opposition. Defendants do not object to that sealing, but the Court notes that Plaintiff has not filed a redacted version of her documents, i.e., she has simply sealed the entire opposition record. Insofar as Plaintiff seeks to seal documents that are already subject to a sealing order, the application is GRANTED. All other documents must be publicly filed. Plaintiff must file redacted versions of her opposition documents within five (5) days of entry of this order.

First Prong: Claim Arising from Protected Activity

To invoke Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16, a defendant need only demonstrate that a suit arises from the defendant's exercise of free speech or petition rights. (See Code Civ. Proc., Sec. 425.16, subd. (b); City of Cotati v. Cashman (2002) 29 Cal.4th 69, 78.) This is determined by "the gravamen or principal thrust of the action." (See In re Episcopal Church Cases (2009) 45 Cal.4th 467, 477.) "In the anti-SLAPP context, the critical point is whether the plaintiff's cause of action itself was based on an act in furtherance of the defendant's right of petition or free speech." (City of Cotati v. Cashman, supra, 29 Cal.4th at p. 78.) "In making its determination, the court shall consider the pleadings, and supporting and opposing affidavits stating the facts upon which the liability or defense is based." (Code Civ. Proc., Sec. 425.16, subd. (b)(2).)

Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16, subdivision (e), states that "(1) any written or oral statement or writing made before a legislative, executive, or judicial proceeding, or any other official proceeding authorized by law" or "(2) any written or oral statement or writing made in connection with an issue under consideration or review by a