Plessinger
Plessinger v. Castleman and Haskell
Opinion
Opinion
Smith, J.
ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT ALLSTATE INSURANCE INC.’S MOTION TO DISMISS
BACKGROUND
Plaintiff is an attorney licensed to practice in California. He has filed a complaint against his former employers, defendants Castleman & Haskell, Lorin Castleman and William Haskell (“law firm defendants”), and against a client of the law firm defendants, Allstate Insurance Inc. (“Allstate”). Plaintiff contends that in July 1992, the law firm defendants reduced his compensation and told him to plan to leave the firm altogether. The law firm defendants allegedly told Plaintiff such action was necessary because Allstate indicated it wanted its files handled by younger attorneys in the firm. Plaintiff has alleged age discrimination and related claims against the law firm defendants, and has alleged both intentional and negligent interference with business relations against Allstate (Seventh and Eighth Claims for Relief).
Allstate now moves to dismiss the claims for relief alleging intentional and negligent interference with business relations on the grounds that the complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
DISCUSSION
I. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Under Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6), a…