Sondra Sweeney v. Paramount Global

I. Introduction

On December 19, 2023, Sondra Sweeney, Hue Banh, Jessica Derie, Adam Sauer and Sharon Manier (“Plaintiffs”), on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, filed a putative class action against Paramount Global (“Defendant”) and Does 1–100, in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Dkt. 1-1 (“Complaint”). The Complaint advances one cause of action: violation of Cal. Civ. Code § 1670.8. Id. ¶ 2. On January 25, 2024, Paramount removed the action pursuant to the Class Action Fairness Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d) (“CAFA”). Dkt. 1 ¶ 1.

On May 1, 2024, Defendant filed a Motion to Dismiss Case, or Alternatively to Transfer Venue. Dkt. 18 (the “Motion”). On May 29, 2024, Plaintiffs filed an opposition to the Motion. Dkt. 20 (“Opposition”). On June 5, 2024, Defendant filed a reply. Dkt. 26 (“Reply”).

A hearing on the Motion was held on July 1, 2024, and the Motion was then taken under submission. Dkt. 29. On July 19, 2024, an Order issued deferring a ruling on the Motion and granting the request for limited jurisdictional discovery. Dkt. 32 at 7–8. The Order stated that upon completion of jurisdictional discovery, supplemental briefing as to Article III standing could…