Castillo

FACTS

In December 2009, Castillo filed an action against the City of Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) and a number of LBPD officers2 alleging “police brutality” during an arrest. Attorney Benjamin Wasserman represented Castillo. The first trial date, October 31, 2011, was set approximately two years after the lawsuit was filed. Thereafter, Castillo through Wasserman initiated a series of trial continuances. On October 28, 2011, Wasserman filed the first ex parte motion to continue. It explained a continuance was necessary because Castillo’s expert witness on police practices, David Dusenbury, was unavailable “due to medical reasons.” Dusenbury was expected to be available in “approximately two weeks.’ A stipulation to continue trial was signed by counsel for both parties moving the date to January 30, 2012. The trial date was thereafter moved again. On May 23, 2012, Wasserman initiated the second continuance. A stipulation to continue trial was signed by counsel for both parties moving the trial date to October 1, 2012. On September 27, 2012, Wasserman filed another ex parte motion to continue the trial date of October 1, 2012 for 120 days. In support of the motion, a…