ALVAREZ vs RUIZ, et al.

24CV059849: ALVAREZ vs RUIZ, et al. 05/26/2026 Compliance Hearing Re: Appointment of Discovery Referee in Department 20

Tentative Ruling - 05/21/2026 Karin Schwartz

Parties to appear.

The Court will enter an order appointing a discovery referee. See Order to Show Cause issued 4/9/26.

Parties do not appear to be in compliance with the Court's Order of 4/9/26, which stated:

To facilitate timely appointment of a referee in the event that a discovery referee is appointed, the Court orders the parties to submit a joint list of six discovery referees who are available for appointment before the OSC hearing (email to Dept20@alameda.courts.ca.gov). Parties shall include (1) each referee’s hourly rate, and (2) a resume/CV for each referee. Parties shall not indicate which party is proposing which referee. The Court will allow the parties to each object to two neutrals on the list and shall choose the referee from the two that remain. In the alternative, if parties are able to agree on a referee, they may so stipulate.

Accordingly, the Court intends to exercise its discretion to appoint as discovery referee a former bench officer from the Superior Court, County of Alameda. In the absence of any submission from the parties, the Court will reach out to several bench officers to determine their availability, and prepare and sign the order.

The Court will order that the parties initially share equally in any referee-related fees and costs, but to give the discovery referee discretion to allocate fees as he or she deems appropriate on a motion-by-motion basis.