Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Adjudication

Factual and Procedural Background

Plaintiff Vinh Duc Nguyen aka Vince D. Nguyen, individually and doing business as Newton Law Group (“Nguyen”), is a licensed California real estate broker. (Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”), ¶2.) In July 2011, plaintiff Nguyen and his wife, Teri Ha (“Ha”), entered into discussions with the principals of Vallco Shopping Mall, LLC (“VSM”), owners of real property known as the Vallco Fashion Mall located at 10123 North Wolfe Road in Cupertino (“Subject Property”), to exclusively represent VSM in connection with the sale of the Subject Property. (SAC, ¶¶7 – 8.)

On or about August 2, 2011, VSM and plaintiff Nguyen entered into an exclusive right to sell agreement entitled “Owner-Broker Agreement-Vallco Shopping Center” (“Listing Agreement”). (SAC, ¶9.) Pursuant to the Listing Agreement, VSM agreed plaintiff Nguyen would have the exclusive right to list and sell the Subject Property and procure a buyer to purcha