Jadira Reyes-Lopez, et al. vs Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., et al.

Defendant Erik Uribe's counsel's motion to be relieved as counsel is conditionally GRANTED on the terms set forth above. Counsel for Defendant to give notice.

et al. vs Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., et al. Application for Order Admitting Joseph A. Casteel Pro Hac Vice Moving Party: Defendants Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. and Wingmen V, LLC Responding Party: None Tentative Ruling: Grant BACKGROUND On July 22, 2026, Defendants Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. and Wingmen V, LLC ("Defendants") moved for an order granting the application for appearance pro hac vice by Joseph A. Casteel ("Casteel"). No opposition was filed. ANALYSIS I.

Legal Standard

California Rules of Court, Rule 9.40 provides that an attorney in good standing in another jurisdiction may apply to appear as counsel pro hac vice in the State of California by filing a verified application together with proof of service by mail of a copy of the application and notice of hearing on all parties who have appeared in the case and on the State Bar of California at its San Francisco office, with payment of an application fee, so long as that attorney is not a resident of the State of California, and is not employed or regularly engaged in substantial business, professional, or other activities, in the State of California.

An active licensee of the State Bar of California must also be associated as attorney of record. The application must state: (1) the applicant's residence and office addresses; (2) the courts to which the applicant has been admitted to practice and the dates of admission; (3) that the applicant is a member in good standing in those courts; (4) that the applicant is not currently suspended or disbarred in any court; (5) the title of each court and cause in which the applicant has filed an application to appear as counsel pro hac vice in this state in the preceding two years, the date of each application, and whether or not it was granted; and (6) the name, address, and telephone number of the active member of the State Bar of California who is attorney of record in the local action. (Cal.

Rules of Court, rule 9.40(d).) II.

Discussion

Applications to appear as counsel pro hac vice must contain the facts specified in California Rules of Court, rule 9.40(d). Casteel's verified

application contains the following information: 1. His office and residential addresses. (Casteel Decl. P.P. 2-3.)

2. The courts to which he has been admitted: all state courts within the State of Michigan, the State of Minnesota, and the State of Wisconsin. (Id. P. 4.)

3. Evidence that he is a member in good standing of these courts. (Id. P. 5, Exh. A.)

4. Evidence that he is not suspended or disbarred in any state. (Id. P. 6.)

5. Casteel has submitted five applications in the preceding two years. Of these five applications, two are currently pending, and Casteel otherwise been admitted pro hac vice in California in each of the following matters: a. Lola Cheree Olson, an individual v. Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., a Minnesota Corporation; Pearl Aguilar, an individual; and Does 1-100, inclusive, Superior Court of California for the County of San Bernardino, Case No. CIVVS2505294. (Id. P. 12.) b. Edgar Tsarukyan v. Moices De Jesus De Paz Camposeco, an individual; Gelco Fleet Trust; and Does 1 to 50, inclusive, Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, Central District, Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Case No. 25STCV35257. (Ibid.) c.

Noel Conde v. Angel City Bell, LLC, Taco Bell Corp., Diversified Restaurant Group, LLC, and Does 1 to 50, inclusive, Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse, Case No. 26AVCV00281. (Ibid.)

6. The name and address of Colleen A. Déziel, the associated California attorney in this matter. (Id. P. 7.) Although Casteel failed to identify Déziel's telephone number in his declaration, the Court notes that her telephone number is provided in the captions of each paper submitted and filed in support of this application. In compliance with California Rules of Court, Rule 9.40(a)'s eligibility requirements, Casteel's declaration further states that he resides in the State of Minnesota and that he is not regularly employed or engaged in the practice of law or any substantial business, professional, or other activities, in the State of California. (Casteel Decl.

P.P. 2, 8-9.) In compliance with California Rules of Court, Rule 9.40(c)'s service requirements, Casteel provided proofs of service confirming service by mail on the State Bar at its San Francisco Office. In addition, Déziel attaches a copy of the receipt paid to the California State Bar for $615.00. (See Déziel Decl. P.

5, Exh. A.) Moreover, the proofs of service reflect service on all remaining parties who have appeared in the action. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.40(c)(1).) Therefore, the application is granted. RULING Defendants Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. and Wingmen V, LLC's Application for Order Admitting Joseph A. Casteel Pro Hac Vice is GRANTED. | Home -->)" -->