Thee Aguila, Inc. v. Century Law Grp., LLP

*256 *24 Thee Aguila, Inc. appeals from a judgment entered in a lawsuit involving proceeds awarded to its tenants, Edgar Fragoso and Eva Meneses, as part of an eminent domain proceeding. The trial court determined that the parties' lease agreement did not support Thee Aguila's claims, and that Thee Aguila's asserted claims were collaterally estopped by the judgment in the eminent domain proceeding. We agree with the trial court and affirm.

BACKGROUND

On February 1, 2008, Fragoso and his mother, Meneses, signed a 15-year lease for commercial property located at 2800 Firestone Boulevard in South Gate to open the El Parral Restaurant. Central to this dispute, the form lease provided:

"13. CONDEMNATION

"If the Premises or any portion thereof are taken by the power of eminent domain, or sold by Landlord under the threat of exercise of said power (all of which is herein referred to as 'condemnation'), this Lease shall terminate as to the part so taken as of the date the condemning authority takes title or possession, whichever occurs first.... [¶] ... [¶]

"All awards for the taking of any part of the Premises or any payment made under the threat of the exercise of the power of…