Not stated

The court is currently in trial next week. However, as this might really be 2 or three days of bench trial, the court will discuss timing with the parties.

disqualify defense counsel. The motion is DENIED. The grounds are one attorney representing defendant is her brother and the other is her husband, and that they therefore have a conflict. That is not cause for disqualification. While it is true that the husband might have a financial interest in the outcome of the case, that is not disqualifying (in that it can be waived) and not something that the other side really has standing to raise.

The court has reviewed correspondence in this case, and the court must agree with plaintiff that counsel for the defense does seem to be embroiled in the litigation to the point where communications have not been professional or civil. That needs to stop and stop now. If counsel cannot approach this case as professionals, then it might well be that defendant would be well served to obtain counsel that can. The court has confidence that on a going forward basis, all counsel will engage with one another in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Superior Court's Guidelines on Civility, appended to the local rules. However, as stated above, there are no grounds for disqualification and the motion is DENIED.

The court is aware that it has the power to disqualify counsel if counsel is so embroiled in the litigation that it threatens the legitimacy of the proceedings. There has been no showing that defense counsel's lack of civility has risen to that level--yet.

Case Number: 25SMCV02730 Hearing Date: September 1, 2026 Dept: I The motion for leave to amend the answer is GRANTED. Defendant will file the amended answer within 5 court days.

Case Number: 26SMCV01159 Hearing Date: September 1, 2026 Dept: I The motion was withdrawn by the moving party. There will be no hearing today.

Case Number: 26SMCV01199 Hearing Date: September 1, 2026 Dept: I Please call the courtroom after 8 am to obtain a copy of the court's tentative ruling.

Case Number: 26SMUD00584 Hearing Date: September 1, 2026 Dept: I The matter is here to be sure that the parties fulfilled their obligations under the settlement agreement. If so, the court expects that there will be a dismissal.

Case Number: SC123117 Hearing Date: September 1, 2026 Dept: I The court has before it a motion to be relieved, but the court would like to have a hearing with the parties to discuss the Court of Appeal's instructions on remand and whether the parties would like to be heard. | Home -->)" -->