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  • BEACON RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION VS. CATELLUS THIRD AND KING LLC et al CONSTRUCTION document preview
  • BEACON RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION VS. CATELLUS THIRD AND KING LLC et al CONSTRUCTION document preview
  • BEACON RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION VS. CATELLUS THIRD AND KING LLC et al CONSTRUCTION document preview
  • BEACON RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION VS. CATELLUS THIRD AND KING LLC et al CONSTRUCTION document preview
  • BEACON RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION VS. CATELLUS THIRD AND KING LLC et al CONSTRUCTION document preview
  • BEACON RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION VS. CATELLUS THIRD AND KING LLC et al CONSTRUCTION document preview
  • BEACON RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION VS. CATELLUS THIRD AND KING LLC et al CONSTRUCTION document preview
  • BEACON RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION VS. CATELLUS THIRD AND KING LLC et al CONSTRUCTION document preview
						
                                

Preview

_ SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO Document Scanning Lead Sheet Sep-20-2012 11:25 am Case Number: CGC-08-478453 Filing Date: Sep-20-2012 11:24 Filed by: CAROL BALISTRERI Juke Box: 001 Image: 03771551 GENERIC CIVIL FILING (NO FEE) BEACON RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION VS. CATELLUS THIRD AND KING LLC et al 001003771551 Instructions: Please place this sheet on top of the document to be scanned.Gordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 SANDY M. KAPLAN (SBN 095065) sypetior Court of California GREGORY T. HANSON (SBN 201395) Bunty of San Francisco GORDON & REES LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 SEP 2 0 2012 San Francisco, CA 94111 Telephone: (415) 986-5900 Facsimile: (415) 986-8054 CLERK OF THE GOURT, ay Er atti tn sete sal rf Attorneys for Defendants WEBCOR CONSTRUCTION, INC.; WEBCOR BUILDERS, INC; WEBCOR CONSTRUCTION, INC. dba WEBCOR BUILDERS on its own behalf and erroneously sued as WEBCOR CONSTRUCTION LP dba WEBCOR BUILDERS SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA - COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO BEACON RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY CASE NO. CGC-08-478453 ASSOCIATION, WEBCOR CONSTRUCTION, INC.; WEBCOR BUILDERS, INC; WEBCOR CONSTRUCTION, INC. dba WEBCOR BUILDERS’ REVISED ) ) a. ) Plaintiff, ) ) ; CATELLUS THIRD AND KING LLC, et al., ) SUPPLEMENTAL OBJECTIONS TO ) ) ) ) ) ) ) vs. EVIDENCE Defendants. AND RELATED CROSS-ACTIONS. DATE: August 24, 2012 TIME: 10:00 am DEPT: 304 JUDGE: Honorable Richard A. Kramer TO ALL PARTIES AND TO THEIR ATTORNEYS OF RECORD HEREIN: Defendants WEBCOR CONSTRUCTION, INC.; WEBCOR BUILDERS, INC; WEBCOR CONSTRUCTION, INC. dba WEBCOR BUILDERS on its own behalf and erroneously sued as WEBCOR CONSTRUCTION LP dba WEBCOR BUILDERS (collectively, “WEBCOR”) hereby submits its Supplemental Objections to Evidence proffered by MISSION PLACE, LLC; MISSION PLACE MEZZANINE, LLC; MISSION PLACE MEZZ HOLDINGS, LLC; and MISSION PLACE PARTNERS, LLC (collectively “MISSION PLACE”) in support of Mission Place’s Motion For Summary Adjudication (“hereinafter, “MSA”). These Objections It -l- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 R wWON are in addition to, and not in place of, the original Objections to Evidence drafted by David Webster and filed with the initial WEBCOR Opposition to the MISSION PLACE MSA. OBJECTION NO. 13: WEBCOR objects to the following evidence submitted in support of the MISSION PLACE MSA: Attached hereto as Exhibit 19 is a true and correct copy of an e- mail, and attachment, dated October 26, 2004, from HKS President Neil Vincent to Tim Carey of Catellus wherein Mr. Vincent transmitted a revised assignment agreement. Mr. Vincent’s e-mail was sent to Allen Matkins, who forwarded it to our counsel at Goodwin Proctor, who then forwarded it to me. (Supplemental Declaration of John Tashjian in Support of Mission Place MSA (hereinafter, “Tash, Supp. Decl.”) at § 4.) WEBCOR objects on the following grounds: 1) Lack of Personal Knowledge (California Evidence Code (hereinafter, “Evid. Code”) §702(a)), Improper Authentication of Documents Referenced (Evid. Code §§ 1400 et seq.), and Secondary Evidence Rule (Evid. Code §1521). Mr. Tashjian, the declarant, lacks personal knowledge to make the subject statement. (See Evid. Code §702(a).) The only statements made by the declarant regarding his knowledge base or position with respect to MISSION PLACE are as follows: I am an authorized representative of Defendants and Cross- Complainants Mission Place LLC, Mission Place Mezzanine, LLC, Mission Place Mezz Holdings, LLC, Mission Place Partners, LLC, Centurion Real Estate Investors IV, LLC, and Centurion Real Estate Partners, LLC (sued in its own name and erroneously sued as Centurion Partners LLC). (Tash. Supp. Decl., § 1.) The following facts are within my personal knowledge, except as otherwise noted, and as to those facts, I believe them to be true. If called as a witness, I could and would testify to the facts stated herein. (Tash. Supp. Decl., § 2.) Mr. Tashjian then goes on to make the statement, herein objected to, in paragraph 4 of his Supplemental Declaration. However, in examining the e-mail string (attached to Tash. Supp. Decl. as Exhibit 19), not once does the e-mail address of Mr. Tashjian appear. Further, even if, as Mr. Tashjian asserts, he was eventually forwarded the e-mail string, it does not establish that Mr. Tashjian was integral in the negotiation of the terms of the respective purported assignment -2- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 documents, or, that he had any input into drafting any e-mails (or attachments thereto) submitted as Exhibit 19 which may have affected the content of those documents. Interestingly, Mr. Tashjian does not declare that he was integral in the negotiation of terms for the purported assignment documents, let alone involved. Rather, that Declaration comes from Mr. Shine, whose testimony regarding John Tashjian’s involvement is directly contradicted by Mr. Tashjian’s own testimony. (See Objection to Evidence No. 18 following.) No other statements or assertions are included in the Declaration that establish Mr. Tashjian’s personal knowledge of the general activities of MISSION PLACE, or, MISSION PLACE’s (or his own) specific activities with respect to the subject terms of the Assignment of Contractor Agreement (“Assignment”) and/or “Consent and Agreement (“Consent”). He certainly cannot make a Declaration regarding the authenticity of the subject documents when he is not even an addressee on the e-mail chain. (Evid. Code §§ 1400 et seg. and 1521.) In order to establish personal knowledge, facts must be alleged that show that the declaration had the opportunity to perceive the matter at issue through exercise of his or her own senses. (Evid. Code §170.) Mr. Tashjian’s bald assertion of “personal knowledge” is insufficient to establish personal knowledge without specific facts that actually establish that Mr. Tashjian had reason to know personally about the details and terms of the purported assignment documents which are in dispute. (See ibid.; Well & Brown, Cal. Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group 1997) 10:106, et seq., pp. 10-43.) California courts have directly addressed the exact scenario whereby a declarant merely asserts “personal knowledge” of a contract, without more. (Snider v. Snider (1962) 200 Cal.App.2d 741.) In Snider, the plaintiff's declaration in support of summary adjudication alleged that the defendants had entered into a contract for plaintiff's benefit. (/d. at 744.) There, the plaintiffs allegation that he had “personal knowledge” of the contract was not sufficient to support a motion for summary judgment. (/d. at 749-50; see also Mamou v. Trendwest Resorts, Inc. (2008) 165 Cal. App. 4th 686, 692, fn. 1 (noting that, when a declaration contained the “usual recital” that its contents are based upon the declarant’s personal knowledge, “[w]e doubt that where a basis in personal knowledge does not otherwise appear, such a bald recital can 3. WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 satisfy the proponent’s burden to affirmatively demonstrate that the witness is testifying from his own perception of the events he describes.”).) Here, Mr. Tashjian clearly stated in his own deposition that he was not personally involved in the negotiation of the purported assignment documents, and, his name (supporting his lack of personal knowledge) appears nowhere in the e-mail string submitted as Exhibit 19. As such, Mr. Tashjian is not qualified to make the statement disputed in [ 4 of his Supplemental Declaration and his statement and documents referred to therein, should be excluded. 2) Lack of Foundation, Lack of Competency (Evid. Code§§ 402 and 403). Even more to the point, Mr. Tashjian was directly asked in his deposition if he was “personally involved in negotiating the terms” [of the purported assignment documents], Mr. Tashjian replied, “No, Jeff [Worthe] was.” (Tash. Depo, Vol. 1, p. 60: 13-15 attached as Exhibit “G” to the Declaration of Gregory T. Hanson (hereinafter, “Hanson Decl.”). This bald admission in deposition, under oath, is in direct contradiction to the statements or implications indicating involvement of Mr. Tashjian in the negotiation of the purported assignment document terms. As such, there is a lack of foundation and/or competency on the part of Mr. Tashjian, and as to the documents proffered as Exhibit 19. (Evid. Code§§ 402 and 403.) Consequently, both the documents and Mr. Tashjian’s testimony regarding the same should be excluded. 3) Hearsay (Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.). Finally, since Mr. Tashjian was not an author or even recipient of the e-mails submitted as Exhibit 19, to the extent that they are offered into evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted, they are hearsay and should be excluded. (See Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.) OBJECTION NO. 14: WEBCOR objects to the following evidence submitted in support of the MISSION PLACE MSA: Attached hereto as Exhibit 20 is a true and correct copy of an e- mail and attachment, dated November 5, 2004, from Kathleen Blank of Catellus to John Bowles of Webcor. Ms. Blank’s e-mail references a revised assignment. Mr. Bowles responded to Ms. Blank’s e-mail on November 8, 2004 with his comments on the documents. This e-mails was sent to our counsel at Goodwin Proctor, who forwarded it to me. (Tash. Supp. Decl. at 4 5.) -4- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 WEBCOR objects on the following grounds: 1) Lack of Personal Knowledge (Evid. Code §702(a)), Improper Authentication of Documents Referenced (Evid. Code §§ 1400 et seq.), and Secondary Evidence Rule (Evid. Code §1521). Mr. Tashjian, the declarant, lacks personal knowledge to make the subject statement. (See Evid. Code §702(a).) The only statements made by the declarant regarding his knowledge base or position with respect to MISSION PLACE are as follows: 1 am an authorized representative of Defendants and Cross- Complainants Mission Place LLC, Mission Place Mezzanine, LLC, Mission Place Mezz Holdings, LLC, Mission Place Partners, LLC, Centurion Real Estate Investors IV, LLC, and Centurion Real Estate Partners, LLC (sued in its own name and erroneously sued as Centurion Partners LLC). (Tash. Supp. Decl., § 1.) The following facts are within my personal knowledge, except as otherwise noted, and as to those facts, I believe them to be true. If called as a witness, I could and would testify to the facts stated herein. (Tash. Supp. Decl., § 2.) Mr. Tashjian then goes on to make the statement, herein objected to, in paragraph 5 of his Supplemental Declaration. However, in examining the e-mail string (attached to Tash. Supp. Decl. as Exhibit 20), not once does the e-mail address of Mr. Tashjian appear. Further, even if, as Mr. Tashjian asserts, he was eventually forwarded the e-mail string, it does not establish that Mr. Tashjian was integral in the negotiation of the terms of the respective purported assignment documents, or, that he had any input into drafting any e-mails (or attachments thereto) submitted as Exhibit 20 which may have affected the content of those documents. Interestingly, Mr. Tashjian does not declare that he was integral in the negotiation of terms for the purported assignment documents, let alone involved. Rather, that Declaration comes from Mr. Shine, whose testimony regarding John Tashjian’s involvement is directly contradicted by Mr. Tashjian’s own testimony. (See Objection to Evidence No. 18 following.) No other statements or assertions are included in the Declaration that establish Mr. Tashjian’s personal knowledge of the general activities of MISSION PLACE, or, MISSION PLACE’s (or his own) specific activities with respect to the subject terms of the Assignment of Contractor Agreement (“Assignment”) and/or “Consent and Agreement (“Consent”). He 5. WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 . San Francisco, CA 94111 certainly cannot make a Declaration regarding the authenticity of the subject documents when he is not even an addressee on the e-mail chain. (Evid. Code §§ 1400 et seq. and 1521.) In order to establish personal knowledge, facts must be alleged that show that the declarant had the opportunity to perceive the matter at issue through exercise of his or her own senses. (Evid. Code §170.) Mr. Tashjian’s bald assertion of “personal knowledge” is insufficient to establish personal knowledge without specific facts that actually establish that Mr. Tashjian had reason to know personally about the details and terms of the purported assignment documents which are in dispute. (See ibid.; Well & Brown, Cal. Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group 1997) 10:106, et seq., pp. 10-43.) California courts have directly addressed the exact scenario whereby a declarant merely asserts “personal knowledge” of a contract, without more. (Snider v. Snider (1962) 200 Cal. App. 2d 741.) In Snider, the plaintiff's declaration in support of summary adjudication alleged that the defendants had entered into a contract for plaintiffs benefit. (/d. at 744.) There, the plaintiff's allegation that he had “personal knowledge” of the contract was not sufficient to support a motion for summary judgment. (Jd. at 749-50; see also Mamou v. Trendwest Resorts, Inc. (2008) 165 Cal. App. 4th 686, 692, fn. 1 (noting that, when a declaration contained the “usual recital” that its contents are based upon the declarant’s personal knowledge, “[w]e doubt that where a basis in personal knowledge does not otherwise appear, such a bald recital can satisfy the proponent’s burden to affirmatively demonstrate that the witness is testifying from his own perception of the events he describes.”).) Here, Mr. Tashjian clearly stated in his own deposition that he was not personally involved in the negotiation of the purported assignment documents, and, his name (supporting his lack of personal knowledge) appears nowhere in the e-mail string submitted as Exhibit 19. As such, Mr. Tashjian is not qualified to make the statement disputed in § 4 of his Supplemental Declaration and his statement and documents referred to therein, should be excluded. 2) Lack of Foundation, Lack of Competency (Evid. Code§§ 402 and 403). Even more to the point, Mr. Tashjian was directly asked in his deposition if he was “personally involved in negotiating the terms” [of the purported assignment documents], -6- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 Mr. Tashjian replied, “No, Jeff [Worthe] was.” (Tash. Depo, Vol. 1, p. 60: 13-15 attached as Exhibit “G” to Hanson Decl.) This bald admission in deposition, under oath, is in direct contradiction to the statements or implications indicating involvement of Mr. Tashjian in the negotiation of the purported assignment document terms. As such, there is a lack of foundation and/or competency on the part of Mr. Tashjian, and as to the documents proffered as Exhibit 20. (Evid. Code §§ 402 and 403.) Consequently, both the documents and Mr. Tashjian’s testimony regarding the same should be excluded. 3) Hearsay (Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.). Finally, since Mr. Tashjian was not an author or even recipient of the e-mails submitted as Exhibit 20, to the extent that they are offered into evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted, they are hearsay and should be excluded. (See Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.) OBJECTION NO. 15: WEBCOR objects to the following evidence submitted in support of the MISSION PLACE MSA: (“Those arguments reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of the Consents. The Consents start with the language that both HKS and Webcor were consenting to the “foregoing assignment” and agreeing to “perform pursuant to its Contract for services.” There is no language in the respective Consents that would limit that performance obligation.”] (Supp. Tash. Decl., 48) WEBCOR objects on the following grounds: 1) Lack of Personal Knowledge (Evid. Code §702(a)), Lack of Foundation (Evid. Code§§ 402 and 403), Irrelevant and Immaterial (Evid. Code §§210, 350), and Legal Conclusion (Evid. Code §§ 720, 800). Mr. Tashjian, the declarant, lacks personal knowledge to make the subject statement. (See Evid. Code §702(a).) The only statements made by the declarant regarding his knowledge base or position with respect to MISSION PLACE are as follows: I am an authorized representative of Defendants and Cross- Complainants Mission Place LLC, Mission Place Mezzanine, LLC, Mission Place Mezz Holdings, LLC, Mission Place Partners, LLC, Centurion Real Estate Investors IV, LLC, and Centurion Real Estate Partners, LLC (sued in its own name and erroneously sued -7- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 ® ® as Centurion Partners LLC). (Tash. Supp. Decl., § 1.) The following facts are within my personal knowledge, except as otherwise noted, and as to those facts, I believe them to be true. If called as a witness, I could and would testify to the facts stated herein. (Tash. Supp. Decl., § 2.) Mr. Tashjian then goes on to make the statement, herein objected to, in paragraph 8 of his Supplemental Declaration. The statement at issue lacks foundation on several levels. While Mr. Tashjian may have signed the document as a matter of convenience, he has utterly failed to establish that he was an integral part of negotiating the terms of the Webcor Consent referred to in his statement. Nevertheless he then goes on to give his interpretation of the terms of said document, after the fact. Consequently, his interpretation is both irrelevant and immaterial (Evid. Code §§210, 350.) Nowhere does Mr. Tashjian declare that he was instrumental in the negotiation of terms for this purported assignment document, let alone involved (because he cannot). Rather, that Declaration comes from Mr. Shine, whose testimony regarding John Tashjian’s involvement is directly contradicted by Mr. Tashjian’s own testimony. As such, Mr. Shine’s statement must likewise be excluded. (See Objection to Evidence No. 18 following.) No other statements or assertions are included in the Declaration that establish Mr. Tashjian’s personal knowledge of the general activities of MISSION PLACE, or, MISSION PLACE?’s (or his own) specific activities with respect to the subject terms of the Assignment of Contractor Agreement (“Assignment”) and/or “Consent and Agreement (“Consent”) referenced herein. In order to establish personal knowledge, facts must be alleged that show that the declarant had the opportunity to perceive the matter at issue through exercise of his or her own senses. (Evid. Code §170.) Mr. Tashjian’s bald assertion of “personal knowledge” is insufficient to establish personal knowledge without specific facts that actually establish that Mr. Tashjian had reason to know personally about the details and terms of the purported assignment documents which are in dispute. (See ibid., Well & Brown, Cal. Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group 1997) §10:106, et seq., pp. 10-43.) Ml -8- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 Co 0D Om ND HW RB YW YD = California courts have directly addressed the exact scenario whereby a declarant merely asserts “personal knowledge” of a contract, without more. (Snider v. Snider (1962) 200 Cal.App.2d 741.) In Snider, the plaintiffs declaration in support of summary adjudication alleged that the defendants had entered into a contract for plaintiff's benefit. (Id. at 744.) There, the plaintiff's allegation that he had “personal knowledge” of the contract was not sufficient to support a motion for summary judgment. (/d. at 749-50; see also Mamou v. Trendwest Resorts, Inc. (2008) 165 Cal. App. 4th 686, 692, fn. 1 (noting that, when a declaration contained the “usual recital” that its contents are based upon the declarant’s personal knowledge, “[w]e doubt that where a basis in personal knowledge does not otherwise appear, such a bald recital can satisfy the proponent’s burden to affirmatively demonstrate that the witness is testifying from his own perception of the events he describes.”).) Here, Mr. Tashjian clearly stated in his own deposition that he was not personally involved in the negotiation of the purported assignment documents (see Tash. Depo., Vol. 1, attached as Exhibit “G” to Hanson Decl., at p. 60:13-15), and, his discussion regarding the documents, and/or reading them after the fact does not establish his ability to interpret their terms from a legal perspective. As such, Mr. Tashjian is not qualified to make the statement disputed in § 8 of his Supplemental Declaration. The subject statement should thus be excluded as Mr. Tashjian is a lay person attempting to make a legal conclusion. (See Evid. Code §§ 720, 800.) 2) Lack of Foundation and Lack of Competency (Evid. Code§§ 402 and 403). Mr. Tashjian was directly asked in his deposition if he was “personally involved in negotiating the terms” [of the purported assignment documents], Mr. Tashjian replied, “No, Jeff [Worthe] was.” (Tash. Depo, Vol. 1, p. 60: 13-15 attached as Exhibit “G” to Hanson Decl.) This bald admission in deposition, under oath, is in direct contradiction to the statements or implications indicating involvement of Mr. Tashjian in the negotiation of the purported assignment document terms. As such, there is a lack of foundation and/or competency on the part of Mr. Tashjian to submit evidence as to his interpretation of the purported assignment documents. (Evid. Code §§ 402 and 403.) -9- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCE,Gordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 3) Hearsay (Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.). Finally, Mr. Tashjian was not an author of either of the purported assignment documents, and, to the extent his statement in § 8 of his Declaration is submitted to prove the truth of the matter asserted in those documents, it is hearsay and should be excluded. (Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.) OBJECTION NO. 16: WEBCOR objects to the following evidence submitted in support of the MISSION PLACE MSA: [The second paragraph of the Consents are designed as “estoppels” certifying that certain statements of fact are correct. I know this based upon my recollection of participating in “all hands calls” between the buyer and seller and reviewing the seller’s response to questions asked by Mission Place LLC during its due diligence. A true and correct copy of September 14, 2004 email and attachment from seller’s counsel is attached hereto as Exhibit 18. This email was forwarded to me by our attorneys at Goodwin Proctor and the discussion of the HKS and Webcor contracts uses the word “estoppels” to describe the representations that these entities would need to make.”] (Supp. Tash. Decl., § 9.) WEBCOR objects on the following grounds: 1) Lack of Personal Knowledge (Evid. Code §§ 170 and 702(a)), Lack of Foundation (Evid. Code§§ 402 and 403), Irrelevant and Immaterial (Evid. Code §§210, 350), and Legal Conclusion (Evid. Code §§ 720, 800). Mr. Tashjian, the declarant, lacks personal knowledge to make the subject statement. (See Evid. Code §702(a).) The only statements made by the declarant regarding his knowledge base or position with respect to MISSION PLACE are as follows: I am an authorized representative of Defendants and Cross- Complainants Mission Place LLC, Mission Place Mezzanine, LLC, Mission Place Mezz Holdings, LLC, Mission Place Partners, LLC, Centurion Real Estate Investors IV, LLC, and Centurion Real Estate Partners, LLC (sued in its own name and erroneously sued as Centurion Partners LLC). (Tash. Supp. Decl., § 1.) The following facts are within my personal knowledge, except as otherwise noted, and as to those facts, I believe them to be true. If called as a witness, I could and would testify to the facts stated herein. (Tash. Supp. Decl., { 2.) Ml -10- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 Mr. Tashjian then goes on to make the statement, herein objected to, in paragraph 9 of his Supplemental Declaration. The statement at issue lacks foundation on several levels. While Mr. Tashjian may have been on “all hands calls,” by his own admission, those calls dealt with “reviewing the seller’s response to questions asked by Mission Place LLC during its due diligence.” He makes no connection between the alleged “estoppels,” and the subject of his discussions on the “all hands call,” but for relying on Exhibit 18. However, Mr. Tashjian does not declare that he drafted Exhibit 18, and despite his assertion that the e-mail was forwarded to him, his name appears nowhere in the subject documents’ e-mail addresses. Why, one must ask, does Mr. Tashjian not provide the e-mails that were forwarded to him? The obvious answer is, that they do not exist. He has utterly failed to establish that he was an integral part of negotiating the terms of the Webcor Consent referred to in his statement. Nevertheless he then goes on to give his interpretation of the terms of said document, after the fact. Consequently, his interpretation is both irrelevant and immaterial. Nowhere does Mr. Tashjian declare that he was instrumental in the negotiation of terms for this purported assignment document, let alone involved (because he cannot). He merely references being on “all hands calls” with no further explanation. Rather, the Declaration regarding Mr. Tashjian’s involvement comes from Mr. Shine, whose testimony regarding John Tashjian’s involvement is directly contradicted by Mr. Tashjian’s own testimony. As such, Mr. Shine’s statement must likewise be excluded. (See Objection to Evidence No. 18 following.) No other statements or assertions are included in the Declaration that establish Mr. Tashjian’s personal knowledge of the general activities of MISSION PLACE, or, MISSION PLACE?’s (or his own) specific activities with respect to the subject terms of the Assignment of Contractor Agreement (“Assignment”) and/or “Consent and Agreement (“Consent”) referenced herein. In order to establish personal knowledge, facts must be alleged that show that the declarant had the opportunity to perceive the matter at issue through exercise of his or her own senses. (Evid. Code §170.) Mr. Tashjian’s bald assertion of “personal knowledge” is -11- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 aA nA F WwW N insufficient to establish personal knowledge without specific facts that actually establish that Mr. Tashjian had reason to know personally about the details and terms of the purported assignment documents which are in dispute. (See ibid.; Well & Brown, Cal. Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group 1997) 10:106, e¢ seq., pp. 10-43.) California courts have directly addressed the exact scenario whereby a declarant merely asserts “personal knowledge” of a contract, without more. (Snider v. Snider (1962) 200 Cal.App.2d 741.) In Snider, the plaintiffs declaration in support of summary adjudication alleged that the defendants had entered into a contract for plaintiff's benefit. (/d. at 744.) There, the plaintiff's allegation that he had “personal knowledge” of the contract was not sufficient to support a motion for summary judgment. (/d. at 749-50; see also Mamou v. Trendwest Resorts, Inc. (2008) 165 Cal. App. 4th 686, 692, fn. 1 (noting that, when a declaration contained the “usual recital” that its contents are based upon the declarant’s personal knowledge, “[w]e doubt that where a basis in personal knowledge does not otherwise appear, such a bald recital can satisfy the proponent’s burden to affirmatively demonstrate that the witness is testifying from his own perception of the events he describes.”).) Here, Mr. Tashjian clearly stated in his own deposition that he was not personally involved in the negotiation of the purported assignment documents (see Tash. Depo., Vol. 1, attached as Exhibit “G” to Hanson Decl., at p. 60:13-15), and, his discussion regarding the documents, and/or reading them after the fact does not establish his ability to interpret their terms from a legal perspective. As such, Mr. Tashjian is not qualified to make the statement disputed in § 9 of his Supplemental Declaration. The subject statement, as well as Exhibit 18 should thus be excluded. as Mr. Tashjian is a lay person attempting to make a legal conclusion. 2) Lack of Foundation, Lack of Competency (Evid. Code§§ 402 and 403). Mr. Tashjian was directly asked in his deposition if he was “personally involved in negotiating the terms” [of the purported assignment documents], Mr. Tashjian replied, “No, Jeff [Worthe] was.” (Tash. Depo., Vol. 1, p. 60: 13-15 attached as Exhibit “G” to Hanson Decl.) This bald admission in deposition, under oath, is in direct contradiction to the statements or implications indicating involvement of Mr. Tashjian in the negotiation of the purported -12- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 assignment document terms. As such, there is a lack of foundation and/or competency on the part of Mr. Tashjian to submit evidence as to his interpretation of the purported assignment documents. (Evid. Code §§ 402 and 403.) 3) Hearsay (Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.). Finally, Mr. Tashjian does not declare that he was the author of either of the purported assignment documents, nor does he assert that he was the author of the document attached in Exhibit 18. The e-mails to which the document is attached, on their face, do not include Mr. Tashjian as an addressee. Therefore, to the extent his statement in {| 9 of his Declaration, and or Exhibit 18 referred to therein, is submitted to prove the truth of the matter asserted in those documents, it is hearsay and should be excluded. (See Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.) OBJECTION NO. 17: WEBCOR objects to the following evidence submitted in support of the MISSION PLACE MSA: [The second paragraph of the Consent starts with the language” Architect represents to Mission Place. . .” or “Contractor represents to Mission Place. . .” The representations that were made thereafter were crucial elements of the transaction for Mission Place in that Mission Place had to be certain that both HKS and Webcor were in agreement that their respective contracts were valid and enforceable (see, (i) and (ii)); and that there were no additional changes to be paid except for those identified (see, iii)); and that the project was substantially constructed in accordance with the contract documents (see, vi); and there were no uncured defects (see, ix); that all project documents shall be the property of Mission Place as successor (see, xi); and that Architect and Contractor had assigned to owner as guaranties and warranties relating to the project (see, xii), among others. For HKS and Webcor to argue that these representations are somehow “limitations” ignores the actual wording of the document.”(Supp. Tash. Decl., § 10.) WEBCOR objects on the following grounds: 1) Lack of Personal Knowledge (Evid. Code §702(a)), Lack of Foundation (Evid. Code§§ 402 and 403), Irrelevant and Immaterial (Evid. Code §§210, 350), and Legal Conclusion (Evid. Code §§ 720, 800). Jil Mit -13- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 Mr. Tashjian, the declarant, lacks personal knowledge to make the subject statement. (See Evid. Code §702(a).) The only statements made by the declarant regarding his knowledge base or position with respect to MISSION PLACE are as follows: I am an authorized representative of Defendants and Cross- Complainants Mission Place LLC, Mission Place Mezzanine, LLC, Mission Place Mezz Holdings, LLC, Mission Place Partners, LLC, Centurion Real Estate Investors IV, LLC, and Centurion Real Estate Partners, LLC (sued in its own name and erroneously sued as Centurion Partners LLC). (Tash. Supp. Decl., § 1.) The following facts are within my personal knowledge, except as otherwise noted, and as to those facts, I believe them to be true. If called as a witness, I could and would testify to the facts stated herein. (Tash. Supp. Decl., § 2.) Mr. Tashjian then goes on to make the statement, herein objected to, in paragraph 10 of his Supplemental Declaration. The statement at issue lacks foundation on several levels. While Mr. Tashjian may have signed the document as a matter of convenience, he has utterly failed to establish that he was an integral part of negotiating the terms of the Webcor Consent referred to in his statement. Nevertheless he then goes on to give his interpretation of the terms of said document, after the fact. Consequently, his interpretation is both irrelevant and immaterial. Nowhere does Mr. Tashjian declare that he was instrumental in the negotiation of terms for this purported assignment document, let alone involved (because he cannot). Curiously, that Declaration comes from Mr. Shine, whose testimony regarding John Tashjian’s involvement is directly contradicted by Mr. Tashjian’s own testimony. As such, Mr. Shine’s statement must likewise be excluded. (See Objection to Evidence No.18 following.) No other statements or assertions are included in the Declaration that establish Mr. Tashjian’s personal knowledge of the general activities of MISSION PLACE, or, MISSION PLACE’s (or his own) specific activities with respect to the subject terms of the Assignment of Contractor Agreement (“Assignment”) and/or “Consent and Agreement (“Consent”) referenced herein. In order to establish personal knowledge, facts must be alleged that show that the declarant had the opportunity to perceive the matter at issue through exercise of his or her own senses. (Evid. Code §170.) Mr. Tashjian’s bald assertion of “personal knowledge” is insufficient -14- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 0 Oo YN DH PB YW NY wR NY HY N KR NY KY He Be Be Be Be we Be Be Be od A A FB NH = SF O©D wow NIN DH BF Ww NY KH Oo to establish personal knowledge without specific facts that actually establish that Mr. Tashjian had reason to know personally about the details and terms of the purported assignment documents which are in dispute. (See ibid.; Well & Brown, Cal. Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group 1997) §10:106, et seq., pp. 10-43.) California courts have directly addressed the exact scenario whereby a declarant merely asserts “personal knowledge” of a contract, without more. (Snider v. Snider (1962) 200 Cal.App.2d 741.) In Snider, the plaintiff's declaration in support of summary adjudication alleged that the defendants had entered into a contract for plaintiffs benefit. (/d. at 744.) There, the plaintiffs allegation that he had “personal knowledge” of the contract was not sufficient to support a motion for summary judgment. (Jd. at 749-50; see also Mamou v. Trendwest Resorts, Inc. (2008) 165 Cal. App. 4th 686, 692, fn. 1 (noting that, when a declaration contained the “usual recital” that its contents are based upon the declarant’s personal knowledge, “[w]e doubt that where a basis in personal knowledge does not otherwise appear, such a bald recital can satisfy the proponent’s burden to affirmatively demonstrate that the witness is testifying from his own perception of the events he describes.”).) Here, Mr. Tashjian clearly stated in his own deposition that he was not personally involved in the negotiation of the purported assignment documents (see Tash. Depo., Vol. 1, attached as Exhibit “G” to Hanson Decl., at p. 60: 13-15), and, his discussion regarding the documents, and/or reading them after the fact does not establish his ability to interpret their terms from a legal perspective. Additionally, Mr. Tashjian’s recital of the purported agreement language does nothing to bolster his conclusory statement. As such, Mr. Tashjian is not qualified to make the statement disputed in § 10 of his Supplemental Declaration. The subject statement, should thus be excluded. as Mr. Tashjian is a lay person attempting to make a legal conclusion. 2) Lack of Foundation, Lack of Competency (Evid. Code§§ 402 and 403). Mr. Tashjian was directly asked in his deposition if he was “personally involved in negotiating the terms” [of the purported assignment documents], Mr. Tashjian replied, “No, Jeff [Worthe] was.” (Tash. Depo, Vol. 1, p. 60: 13-15 attached as Exhibit “G” to Hanson Decl.) This bald admission in deposition, under oath, is in direct contradiction to the statements or -15- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 implications indicating involvement of Mr. Tashjian in the negotiation of the purported assignment document terms. As such, there is a lack of foundation and/or competency on the part of Mr. Tashjian to submit evidence as to his interpretation of the purported assignment documents. (Evid. Code §§ 402 and 403.) 3) Hearsay (Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.). Finally, Mr. Tashjian does not declare that he was the author of either of the purported assignment documents. Therefore, to the extent his statement in { 10 of his Declaration, is submitted to prove the truth of the matter asserted in those documents, it is hearsay and should be excluded. (See Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.) OBJECTION NO. 18: WEBCOR objects to the following evidence submitted in support of the MISSION PLACE MSA: John Tashjian, was deposed in this action on April 27, 2011, and April 24, 2012 as Mission Place’s Person Most Knowledgeable. Mr Tashjian was involved in the negotiation and execution of the Assignment of Contractor Agreement, the Assignment of Architect Agreement, and the Consent and Agreements thereto. (Declaration of Zachary W. Shine In Support of Mission Place’s MSA (hereinafter, “Shine Decl.”), 6). WEBCOR objects on the following grounds: 1) Lack of Personal Knowledge (Evid. Code §§ 170, 702(a)), and Secondary Evidence Rule (Evid. Code §1521). While WEBCOR does not dispute that Mr. Tashjian was deposed, we strongly dispute the rest of the proffered statement. Mr. Shine, the declarant, lacks personal knowledge to make the subject statement. (See Evid. Code §702(a).) The only statements made by the declarant regarding his knowledge base or position with respect to MISSION PLACE are that he is an attorney for the Mission Place entities (Shine Decl., § 2), and: I have personal knowledge of the facts set forth in this Declaration and, if called as a witness, I could and would testify competently to such facts under oath... (Shine Decl., § 3.) -16- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 Mr. Shine then goes on to make the statement, herein objected to, in paragraph 6 of his Declaration. Mr. Shine does not assert that HE was involved in the negotiation of terms for the assignment documents, and asserts no underlying factual basis for stating that Mr. Tashjian was. No other statements or assertions are included in the Shine Declaration that establish Mr. Shine’s personal knowledge of Mr. Tashjian’s personal involvement in the negotiation, respecting the subject terms of the Assignment of Contractor Agreement (“Assignment”) and/or “Consent and Agreement (“Consent”). He certainly cannot make a Declaration regarding Mr. Tashjian’s involvement when Mr. Tashjian has not made that declaration himself. (Evid. Code § 1521.) In order to establish personal knowledge, facts must be alleged that show that the declarant had the opportunity to perceive the matter at issue through exercise of his or her own senses. (Evid. Code §170.) Mr. Shine’s bald assertion of “personal knowledge” is insufficient to establish personal knowledge, without specific facts that actually establish that Mr. Shine had ae reason to know personally about the details and terms of Mr. Tashjian’s “involvement in the negotiation of the assignment documents.” (See ibid.; Well & Brown, Cal. Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group 1997) §10:106, et seq., pp. 10-43.) California courts have directly addressed the exact scenario whereby a declarant merely asserts “personal knowledge” of a contract, without more. (Snider v. Snider (1962) 200 Cal.App.2d 741.) In Snider, the plaintiff's declaration in support of summary adjudication alleged that the defendants had entered into a contract for plaintiffs benefit. (/d. at 744.) There, the plaintiff's allegation that he had “personal knowledge” of the contract was not sufficient to support a motion for summary judgment. (Id. at 749-50; see also Mamou v. Trendwest Resorts, Inc. (2008) 165 Cal. App. 4th 686, 692, fn. 1 (noting that, when a declaration contained the “usual recital” that its contents are based upon the declarant’s personal knowledge, “[w]e doubt that where a basis in personal knowledge does not otherwise appear, such a bald recital can satisfy the proponent’s burden to affirmatively demonstrate that the witness is testifying from his own perception of the events he describes.”).) Mt -17- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 In the instant matter, Mr. Shine is not making a Declaration based upon his own personal perceptions, but rather the alleged perceptions and/or actions of Mr. Tashjian. As such, Mr. Shine’s statement in Paragraph 6 of his Declaration must be excluded. 2) Lack of Foundation, Lack of Competency (Evid. Code§§ 402 and 403). Even more to the point, Mr. Tashjian was directly asked in his deposition if he was personally involved in negotiating the terms [of the assignment documents], Mr. Tashjian replied, “No, Jeff [Worthe] was.” (Tash. Depo, Vol. 1, p. 60: 13-15 attached as Exhibit “G” to Hanson Decl.) This bald admission in deposition, under oath, is in direct contradiction to the statement of Mr. Shine in his Declaration. As such, there is a lack of foundation and/or competency on the part of Mr. Shine, and his statement should be excluded. (Evid. Code §§ 402 and 403.) 3) Hearsay (Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.). Finally, to the extent that Mr. Shine is making the declaration that Mr. Tashjian was “involved in” the negotiation of the assignment documents, based on anything other than Mr, Shine’s personal knowledge (which he cannot have since Mr. Tashjian testified that he, himself, was not personally involved in the negotiation of the documents). Mr. Shine’s assertion cannot be admitted into evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Said declaration is hearsay and should be excluded. (Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.) This Court should ask why an aitorney for Mission Place is making a Declaration that Mr. Tashjian was “involved in” (a vague and ambiguous term at best) the negotiation of the assignment documents, when Mr. Tashjian would be the best source for this statement. The answer is clear. Mr. Tashjian cannot make that Declaration because his deposition testimony directly contradicts said statement. OBJECTION 19: WEBCOR objects to the following evidence submitted in support of the MISSION PLACE MSA: (Mission Place Supplemental MPA’s at pp. 7: 5 — 8: 14) il -18- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 WEBCOR objects on the following grounds: 1) Lack of Personal Knowledge (Evid. Code §§ 170, 702(a)), Improper Authentication of Documents Referenced (Evid. Code §§ 1400 et seq.), Secondary Evidence Rule (Evid. Code §1521). Mr. Cvitanovic, in his Memorandum of Points and Authorities is certainly free to make whatever arguments he likes, however, he cannot base those arguments on the “evidence” proffered, namely, the purported e-mails involving John Bowles which are cut and pasted into said MPA’s. Mr. Cvitanovic lacks personal knowledge as to these alleged e-mails. (See Evid. Code §702(a).) While Mr. Cvitanovic is now representing Mission Place since the filing of plaintiffs’ suit, he was not representing Mission Place at the time of alleged creation of subject e- mails and/or attachments thereto. Mr. Cvitanovic relies on the e-mails in question, however, in examining the e-mail string cut and pasted into the Mission Place MPA’s not once does the e-mail address of Mr. Cvitanovic or Mr. Tashjian appear. Further, attaching the e-mails to the MPA’s does not substantiate Mr. Cvitanovic’s assertions, since Mr. Cvitanovic was clearly not involved in the purported assignment process, and therefore, not integral in the negotiation of the terms of the respective purported assignment documents (or attachments thereto). Mr. Cvitanovic does not and cannot declare that he was integral in the negotiation of terms for the purported assignment documents, let alone involved, because in fact, he was not. No other statements or assertions are included in the MPA’s that establish Mr. Cvitanovic’s personal knowledge of the general activities of MISSION PLACE, or, MISSION PLACE?’s (or his own) specific activities with respect to the subject terms of the Assignment of Contractor Agreement (“Assignment”) and/or “Consent and Agreement (“Consent”). He certainly cannot make a Declaration regarding the authenticity of the subject documents when he is not even an addressee on the e-mail chain and was not even associated with Mission Place at the time. (Evid. Code §§ 1400 et seg. and 1521.) In order to establish personal knowledge, facts must be alleged that show that the declarant had the opportunity to perceive the matter at issue through exercise of his or her own -19- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEGordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 oOo mR DH KR Ww RN NY NY YN NN N NY | B&BS ee Be Be eB Be SB oI A A FF BN = SF © eM ADH BW NY = senses. (Evid. Code §170.) Even if Mr. Cvitanovic were to make the assertion of “personal knowledge” that alone is insufficient to establish personal knowledge without specific facts that actually establish that Mr. Cvitanovic had reason to know personally about the details and terms of the purported purported e-mails which are in dispute. (See ibid.; Well & Brown, Cal. Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group 1997) 10:106, et seq., pp. 10-43.) California courts have directly addressed the exact scenario whereby a declarant merely asserts “personal knowledge” of a contract, without more. (Snider v. Snider (1962) 200 Cal.App.2d 741.) In Snider, the plaintiff's declaration in support of summary adjudication alleged that the defendants had entered into a contract for plaintiff's benefit. (/d. at 744.) There, the plaintiff's allegation that he had “personal knowledge” of the contract was not sufficient to support a motion for summary judgment. (Jd. at 749-50; see also Mamou v. Trendwest Resorts, Inc. (2008) 165 Cal. App. 4th 686, 692, fn. 1 (noting that, when a declaration contained the “usual recital” that its contents are based upon the declarant’s personal knowledge, “[w]e doubt that where a basis in personal knowledge does not otherwise appear, such a bald recital can satisfy the proponent’s burden to affirmatively demonstrate that the witness is testifying from his own perception of the events he describes.”).) Here, Mr. Cvitanovic lacks any basis for asserting his perceptions. As such, Mr. Cvitanovic is not qualified to testify regarding the redacted e-mails in the Mission Place MPA’s. As such any and all references to the alleged e-mails, any arguments based on the alleged e-mails, and the e-mails referred to in the Mission Place MPA’s, should be excluded. 2) Lack of Foundation and Lack of Competency (Evid. Code§§ 402 and 403). Per the discussion above in paragraph 1, there is a complete lack of foundation and/or competency on the part of Mr. Cvitanovic to either comment upon, or introduce into evidence the alleged e-mails. (Evid. Code §§ 402 and 403.) Consequently, both the documents and Mr. Cvitanovic’s arguments which rely upon the same should be excluded. Mit MI Mf -20- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCE1 3) Hearsay (Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.). 2 Finally, since Mr. Cvitanovic was not an author or even recipient of the e-mails submitted 3 ||in the Mission Place MPA’s, to the extent that they are offered into evidence to prove the truth of 4 || the matter asserted, they are hearsay and should be excluded. (See Evid. Code §§ 1200 et seq.) 5 6 || DATED: September 19, 2012 7 GORDON & REES LLP 8 \\ By. a 9 regory T. to Aon for Defendants 10 ‘(OR CONSTRUCTION, INC.; WEBCOR BUILDERS, INC; 1 WEBCOR CONSTRUCTION, INC. 2 dba WEBCOR BUILDERS on its Sz 12 own behalf and erroneously sued as Ses WEBCOR CONSTRUCTION LP 332 33 dba WEBCOR BUILDERS ge0 Moe 14 2a8 as = Sas 16 a “417 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 ATUHY1068975/136233460.1 -21- WEBCOR’S OBJECTIONS TO EVIDENCEoO Oem NIN DH RB WN Gordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94111 AIUH/1068375/9498167v.1 PROOF OF SERVICE Beacon Residential Community Association v. Catellus Third and King, et al. San Francisco County Superior Court Case No. CGC-08-478453 I am a resident of the State of California, over the age of 18 years, and not a party to the within action. My business address is: Gordon & Rees LLP 275 Battery Street, Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94111. On September 20, 2012, I served the within documents: WEBCOR