McClain

*889 *403 Plaintiffs Katie McClain and Jonothan Harrell filed suit against defendants Karen Kissler (both individually and doing business as Karen Kissler, Esquire and a medical marijuana collective called "Alternatives"), alleging defendants failed to pay them for their work growing marijuana as agreed under a contract between them. Although the summons and complaint had been served on defendants, and both before and after being served they actively participated in the case, defendants failed to file an answer or other responsive pleading. And though they claimed they had some basis to challenge the validity of service, they didn't file a motion to quash service of process either. In short, while they appeared in the case in various ways, as to the complaint they did nothing, assuming an ostrich-like posture.

About six months into the case, a case management conference (CMC) took place. The order entered immediately after the CMC is the focal point of this appeal. At the CMC, the trial court warned defendants their response to the complaint was long overdue and that to challenge the validity of service they had to file a motion to quash. In addition, because the California Rules…