Rowen v. Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, Inc.

CASE NUMBER: 25CV-0209519 Tentative Ruling on Motion for Stay of Proceedings: Defendant Northern Valley Catholic Social Services, Inc. moves to stay these proceedings pending the outcome of Thompson vs. Northern Valley Catholic Social Services, Inc., Butte County Case No. 24CV02468. Plaintiff Robert Rowen received proper notice of the motion and did not file an Opposition.

Request for Judicial Notice. Defendant requests the Court take judicial notice of the Complaint filed July 24, 2024 and the Second Amended Complaint filed in Thompson vs. Northern Valley Catholic Social Services, Inc., Butte County Case No. 24CV02468. Both requests are granted pursuant to Evid. Code §§ 452(d) and 453. 7

Merits. Under this Doctrine of Exclusive Concurrent Jurisdiction, when two or more courts have subject matter jurisdiction over a dispute, the court that first asserts jurisdiction assumes it to the exclusion of the others. Franklin & Franklin v. 7-Eleven Owners for Fair Franchising (2000) 85 Cal. App. 4th 1168. In this matter, Thompson was filed on July 24, 2024, which is seventeen months prior to this matter which was filed on December 29, 2025. The cases assert the same wage and hour causes of action and PAGA claim, with Thompson asserting one additional cause of action. The class definition for both is nearly identical. Whether the doctrine applies to PAGA actions was specifically addressed in Shaw v. Superior Court (2022) 78 Cal. App. 4th 245 and the Court of Appeal held that the doctrine applies to PAGA actions.

Plaintiff did not oppose the motion. The Court has not been made aware of any steps taken to coordinate the actions. The Court finds that the Doctrine of Exclusive Concurrent Jurisdiction applies to this matter and exercises its discretion to stay the Rowen matter pending the outcome of the Thompson matter.

The motion is GRANTED. This matter is stayed pending final adjudication of Thompson vs. Northern Valley Catholic Social Services, Inc. Butte County Case No. 24CV02468. When a judgment or dismissal occurs in the Thompson matter, Defendants must notify Plaintiff and the Court within twenty days. All future hearing dates are vacated. The matter will be on calendar on Monday, March 1, 2027 at 9:00 a.m. in Department 63 for status of the Thompson matter. The parties are to file status statements no less than five court days prior to the review hearing. Defendant provided a proposed Order that will be modified to reflect the Court’s ruling. Defendant is to provide notice to Plaintiff of this ruling and the future hearing date.

SATHER VS. SATHER