Hinshaw Attorneys Obtain Precedent Setting Opinion Concerning Venue in a Multi-Defendant Lawsuit

On April 29, 2015, California's Third District Court of Appeal granted the petition filed by Hinshaw's Lawyers for the Profession® attorneys Edward Donohue and Jared Matheson on behalf of their client, in a precedent setting opinion concerning venue in a multi-defendant lawsuit. The Court held that both the purpose and the policy of California's venue rule, California Code of Civil Procedure section 396b, favors an interpretation that requires answers of all proper defendants be filed before an opposition to a motion to transfer venue to a correct court will be considered by the court on the basis of convenience of witnesses or the ends of justice. The decision implements a new civil procedure standard, applicable to all lawsuits involving more than one defendant and affecting all areas of civil practice. The opinion has been certified for publication.