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Paula Salinger divorce lawyer Sacramento attoney violates court rules, attorney ethical standards - including moral turpitude - and state law. Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Matthew Gary ignored the violations. Salinger is a Sacramento County Superior Court sworn temporary judge and officer of the Sacramento County Bar Association Family Law Executive Committee. Memorandum filed by unrepresented opposing party detailing illegal conduct by the attorney and partner at Woodruff, O'Hair, Posner & Salinger Inc. All partners at the firm are sworn temporary judges in Sacramento County Superior Court. Document 2 of 2.Sacramento County Family Court watchdogs and whistleblowers allege that the public court is operated by, and for the financial interests of the Sacramento County Bar Association Family Law Section. The organization dictates court policies and procedures, including local rules, which work to the advantage of member attorneys and to the disadvantage of "outsider" attorneys and especially the 70 percent of litigants who cannot afford counsel and are self-represented. This memorandum of points and authorities details some of the unlawful tactics used by SCBA Family Law Section officer Paula. D. Salinger. Sacramento Family Court Judge Matthew Gary ignored the violations. This is the second document in a two-document set consisting of the responsive declaration (document 1) and this memorandum (document 2). For additional information about Paula Salinger, Woodruff, O’Hair, Posner & Salinger, Inc., and Sacramento County Family Court: Sacramento Family Court News: http://sacramentocountyfamilycourtnews.blogspot.com/$1 million legal malpractice case against Woodruff, O’Hair, Posner & Salinger, Inc., referred for trial and settlement conference dates: http://sacramentocountyfamilycourtnews.blogspot.com/2013/06/Woodruff-OHair-Posner-and-Salinger-Wei-Jen-Luan-Litigaton-Legal-Malpractice-D-Thomas-Woodruff-Family-Law-Attorneys-Judge-Pro-Tem-Paula-Salinger-Robert-OHair-Jeffrey-Posner-Sacramento-Family-Court-Judge-David-I-Brown.htmlDivorce lawyer Paula Salinger and other officers of the Sacramento County Bar Association Family Law Executive Committee decline to comment on massive conflict of interest disclosure violations by judge pro tem divorce attorneys: http://sacramentocountyfamilycourtnews.blogspot.com/2013/02/Sacramento-Bar-Association-Family-Law-Section-FLEC-attorneys-Russell-Carlson-Elaine-Van-Beveren-Fredrick-Cohen-Paula-Salinger-Judge-Pro-Tem-Sacramento-Superior-Court-Family-Court-Temporary-Judge-Conflict-Of-Interest.htmlSacramento lawyer Paula Salinger files counterfeit entry of judgment paperwork with court: http://sacramentocountyfamilycourtnews.blogspot.com/2013/02/Paula-Salinger-Attorney-Judge-Pro-Tem-Notice-of-Entry-Family-Law-Woodruff-OHair-Posner-and-Salinger-Color-of-Law-Julie-Setzer-Lollie-Roberts-Family-Court-Sacramento-Family-Law-Facilitator-Bar-Association.htmlWoodruff, O’Hair, Posner & Salinger, Inc., $1 million legal malpractice case set for trial: http://sacramentocountyfamilycourtnews.blogspot.com/2013/03/D-Thomas-Woodruff-Family-Law-Attorneys-Woodruff-OHair-Posner-and-Salinger-Wei-Jen-Luan-Litigaton-Legal-Malpractice-Judge-Pro-Tem-Paula-Salinger-Robert-OHair-Jeffrey-Posner-Sacramento-Family-Court-Judge-David-I-Brown.htmlMore articles about family law attorney Paula Salinger: http://sacramentocountyfamilycourtnews.blogspot.com/search/label/PAULA%20SALINGERMore articles about Woodruff, O’Hair, Posner & Salinger, Inc.: http://sacramentocountyfamilycourtnews.blogspot.com/search/label/WOODRUFF%20O%27HAIR%20POSNER%20and%20SALINGER
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2012 MAY -9 AM If: 29
Telephone: (916) Fax: (
FAH!L Y LAW #6 �SUPERIOR COURT Of ¢Al1FORHIA
COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO Email: . gmail.com
IN PRO PER
II
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOR THE COUNTY O F SACRAMENTO
In re the Marriage of: Case No.:
RESPONDENT'S SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO PETITIONERS' MARCH 28, 2012 MOTION FOR SEVEN ORDERS
Petitioner:
and
Respondent: Date: May 9, 2012 Time: 9:00a.m. Dept: 121
I. INTRODUCTION
This is a marital dissolution matter which began in May 2010. The case
involves complex issues including deferred compensation, the valuation of work
product , intellectual property and a business. (See Respondent's Request For
Judicial Notice in Opposition To Petitioner's March 28, 2012 Motion For Seven
Orders, ("RJN"), RJN #2, p. 24 lines 8-25, p. 29 lines 21-28, p. 30 lines 1-12, p. 33
lines 17-28, p. 34 lines 1-6, p. 1 Item 4-E lines 19-20.) Petitioner is represented b
- 1 ..:. RESPONDENT'S SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO PETITIONER'S MARCH 28, 2012
MOTION FOR SEVEN ORDERS
- 2 - RESPONDENT’S SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO PETITIONER’S MARCH 28, 2012
MOTION FOR SEVEN ORDERS
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a veteran family law attorney and judge pro tem. (Declaration of in
Opposition to Petitioner’s March 28, 2012 Motion for Seven Orders (“
Dec.”), ¶ 3, 4 and Exhs. A, B (filed herewith).)
Respondent is indigent and involuntarily pro per because Petitioner is the
managing spouse, controls all community assets and income, and refuses to
release community funds to enable Respondent to retain counsel. (See RJN #6 p.
11 ¶ 29; RJN #1 p. 8 ¶ 27; RJN #2 p. 1 ¶ 1; RJN #7 Exh. L.) Petitioner also refuses
to provide Respondent with copies of household financial records she controls and
that he requires to complete his declarations of disclosure. (See, e.g.,
Dec. ¶ 29, 30 and Exhs. L, M.) The record reflects that, since before the case was
filed in May 2010, Petitioner has carried out a scheme to misappropriate
community assets and dispossess Respondent of his property and possessory
rights. (See, e.g., Dec. ¶ 27-30 and Exhs. F-M.)
In the present proceeding, Petitioner seeks harsh and significant evidentiary
and monetary sanctions, and other relief. Petitioner also effectively requests the
Court’s ex post facto acquiescence to her January 2011 unilateral division and
transfer of community property - her third and fourth unpunished violations of the
automatic temporary restraining orders since the case began. (See RJN #1) On its
face, Petitioner’s pleading is void. It does not comply with state and local rules of
court and other procedural statutes. The errors are substantive, non-trivial, and
unreasonably obstruct Respondent’s ability to respond to the motion.
It also is reasonable to infer that the errors are deliberate. The court rule and
statute violations work to Petitioner’s advantage and disadvantage Respondent.
- 3 - RESPONDENT’S SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO PETITIONER’S MARCH 28, 2012
MOTION FOR SEVEN ORDERS
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The pleading was drafted by a veteran family law attorney and judge pro tem. ( .
Dec. ¶¶ 3, 4 and Exhs. A, B.) The attorney has made virtually identical
errors in all prior court filings. The errors are calculated to gain a litigation
advantage by, inter alia, precluding Respondent’s ability to rebut, impeach or
challenge inadmissible evidence under Code of Civil Procedure §§ 436 and 431.10,
and Cal. Rules of Court Rule 3.1354(b)(2)(written objections must state line
number of material objected to).
As set forth below, the strategy sets a trap where Respondent cannot lawfully
make written evidentiary objections - and the objections are therefore waived, and
the inadmissible evidence admitted. By law, under Code of Civil Procedure §§
437c(b)(5) and 437c(d) objections not made are waived. (See also Weil & Brown,
Cal. Prac. Guide: Civ. Pro. Before Trial (TRG-2011) ¶10:210 [failure to make
evidentiary objections waives right to challenge ruling based on inadmissible
evidence].)
Taken together with Petitioner’s prior defective court submissions, the
motion constitutes repeated and deliberate violations of court rules and is
therefore sanctionable conduct under Code of Civil Procedure §§ 583.150 and
575.1. For the reasons set forth herein, Respondent respectfully requests that the
motion be dismissed with prejudice, denied or stricken as a sanction for
Petitioner’s serial violations of court rules and statutory pleading requirements.
Alternatively, the motion should be dismissed, denied or stricken until it complies
with the law.
- 4 - RESPONDENT’S SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO PETITIONER’S MARCH 28, 2012
MOTION FOR SEVEN ORDERS
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II. PETITIONER’S CURRENT AND PRIOR VIOLATIONS OF COURT RULES STATUTES, and DECISIONAL LAW
A. Violations of Court Rules and Family Code § 2335
1. Court Rule and Family Code Violations in the Present Proceeding
Petitioner’s pending motion for seven orders relies in large part on her six-
page declaration. The declaration was filed without line numbers in the left margin
in violation of Cal. Rules of Court (CRC) Rule 2.108(4) , is single-spaced in violation
of CRC Rule 2.108(1) and does not contain a footer, violating Rule 2.110. The
violations constitute a violation of Local Rule 3.02 [failure to comply with CRC].
The two declarations included with Petitioner’s motion contain false,
immaterial, or irrelevant material facts, and omit important material facts. ( .
Dec., ¶ 5.) The false, immaterial, irrelevant and omitted material facts are
dispositive to the orders requested by Petitioner. (Id. ¶ 6.) Removal of the
improper, inadmissible material and inclusion of the omitted material will render
both declarations insufficient to support the relief requested in the motion. (Id.).
The declaration submitted by Petitioner also contains fabricated, or
otherwise inadmissible misconduct, or “fault” evidence. (Id., ¶ 7.) Subject to
statutorily proscribed exceptions, the use of fault evidence is prohibited by Family
Code § 2335. The impropriety and consequences of attempting to use fault
evidence is emphasized throughout the leading family law treatise. (See Hogoboom
& King, Cal. Prac. Guide: Family Law (The Rutter Group 2011) ¶¶ 2:34, 3:239-40;
6:823; 13:90; 13:121; 14:265.1.) “Any attempt to ‘sneak in’ fault evidence in
violation of § 2335 is likely to result in strong reprimand and may even draw
monetary sanctions (Fam. C. § 271).” (Id., at ¶ 13:122, emphasis in original). The
- 5 - RESPONDENT’S SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO PETITIONER’S MARCH 28, 2012
MOTION FOR SEVEN ORDERS
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fault evidence recited by Petitioner does not fall within the statutorily proscribed
exceptions, which arise in domestic violence, child custody and specified support
matters. Family Code §§ 3011(b)&(d), 3041, 4320(i),(m), 4325 and 6300. (See also
Hogoboom & King, ¶¶ 6:823.1-824.6; 11:195).
If the Court does not strike the motion with prejudice, to effectively respond
to Petitioner’s motion, to preserve his rights of trial and appellate review, and to
provide the basis for a sanctions request based on the use of prohibited fault
evidence and other grounds, Respondent will concurrently file with his response
written evidentiary objections under Code of Civil Procedure §§ 436 and 431.10.
Dec., ¶ 9, 12.) In addition to general and specific Family Code fault
evidence objections, Respondent will make written Evidence Code-based
objections. (Id.). Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 3.1354(b)(2) requires for each objection
reference to the line number of the objectionable material. (See also Weil & Brown,
Cal. Prac. Guide: Civ. Pro. Before Trial (TRG-2011) ¶9:102.5 [reference to page and
line number required for evidentiary objections].) It is self-evident that until
Petitioner’s declaration is drafted in compliance with CRC Rule 2.108(4),
Respondent cannot make lawful and effective evidentiary objections.
In responding to Petitioner’s motion, Respondent also cannot file a
supporting memorandum which complies with Cal. Rules of Court until
Petitioner’s declaration complies with Cal. Rules of Court Rule 2.108(4).
Respondent’s memorandum will reference specific portions of Petitioner’s
declaration. ( . Dec., ¶ 15.) Cal. Rules of Court Rule 3.1113(k) requires
such references to specify the paragraph or line number in the declaration.
- 6 - RESPONDENT’S SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO PETITIONER’S MARCH 28, 2012
MOTION FOR SEVEN ORDERS
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In addition, the points and authorities filed with Petitioner’s motion do not
comply with Cal. Rules of Court Rule 3.1113(b) [memorandum must contain
statement of facts and concise statement of the evidence relied on]. The
memorandum appears to misstate the record and to rely on false, misleading or
omitted material facts, and makes no specific, identifiable references to the record.
Respondent cannot effectively respond to, and rebut or impeach the references
referred to in Petitioner’s memorandum until it complies with Rule 3.113(b) .
Petitioner’s memorandum also violates Cal. Rules of Court Rule 3.113(k)
[reference to supporting declarations must reference page, paragraph and line
number]. The memorandum appears to reference Petitioner’s declaration and
exhibit, but does not provide the information required by Rule 3.1113(k).
2. Court Rule and Family Code Violations in Prior Proceedings
a. The Defective September 2010 Motion to Compel
On September 24, 2010 Petitioner filed a motion to compel which relied on a
declaration with the same defects and violations of Cal. Rules of Court and the
Family Code as the current declaration. (See RJN #3, Dec. of p. 1-2.)
The motion to compel requested attorney fee sanctions. Petitioner did not file
an income and expense declaration as required by CRC Rules 5.118(b) and
5.128(b), and Local Rule 14.11(9).1 (RJN #3.) The circumstances - including the
training, experience and related conduct by Petitioner’s attorney - logically infer
1 The only arguable exception to the mandatory income and expense declaration requirement is where the declaration is already on file with the court from prior proceedings. See Burkle v. Burkle (2006) 144 Cal.App.4th 387; Marriage of Corona (2009) 172 Cal.App.4th 1205, 1227 [failure to file income and expense declaration excused where court had several years of income and expense declarations
- 7 - RESPONDENT’S SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO PETITIONER’S MARCH 28, 2012
MOTION FOR SEVEN ORDERS
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that the income and expense declaration omission was deliberate and calculated to
gain a litigation advantage by, inter alia, concealing from the Court the stark
economic disparity between the parties.
b. The October 2010 Defective Responsive Declaration
On October 14, 2010 Petitioner filed a responsive declaration with the same defects
and violations of court rules and the Family Code as the current declaration. (RJN
#4 Dec. of pp. 1-5.) The Family Code § 2335 fault evidence
violations were particularly egregious in the Oct. 14 responsive declaration, and
Respondent attempted written evidentiary objections to the declaration. (RJN #5.)
The Court failed or refused to rule on the objections.
Taken together with Petitioner’s declaration in the current matter, where,
among other improbable claims, Petitioner claims to have “discovered items which
are used to create explosives…among Respondent’s personal property,” the
content of the declarations show by Petitioner an unusual preoccupation with
bringing misconduct evidence before the court. The preoccupation should call
Petitioner’s credibility into question. (See, generally, Hogoboom & King, Cal. Prac.
Guide: Family Law (TRG 2011) ¶ 7:296.15 and ¶ 7:493 [in child custody context,
court may question credibility of party with general recalcitrance and
preoccupation to submit irrelevant fault evidence].)
B. Violations of Decisional Law
1. The Present Proceedings
prior to hearing at issue]. Until the present proceeding, Petitioner did not have an income and expense declaration on file with the court.
- 8 - RESPONDENT’S SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO PETITIONER’S MARCH 28, 2012
MOTION FOR SEVEN ORDERS
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Petitioner’s motion includes a request for $7,290 in attorney fee sanctions
and costs. The attorney fees accounting submitted by Petitioner’s trial court
attorney is unsworn. An unsworn attorney fee request is invalid. In re Marriage of
Duris and Urbany (2011) 193 Cal.App.4th 510, 515; In re Zeth S. (2003) 31 Cal.4th
396, 413-414, fn. 11. [“It is axiomatic that the unsworn statements of counsel are
not evidence”].
2. Prior Proceedings
a. The September 2010 Defective Motion to Compel
On September 24, 2010 Petitioner filed a motion to compel which included a
request for attorney fee sanctions which was unsworn (RJN #3.), and did not
include an income and expense declaration.
b. The Four October 2010 Defective Responsive Declarations
On Oct. 29, 2010 Petitioner filed four responsive declarations. Each
declaration requested attorney fee sanctions. None of the declarations included an
accounting of the attorney fees requested. None of the declarations included a
sworn accounting of the attorney fees requested (RJN #9, 10, 11, 12.), nor an
income and expense declaration.
III. PETITIONERS REPEATED AND DELIBERATE VIOLATIONS OF COURT RULES, STATUTES AND DECISIONAL LAW WARRANT SANCTIONS OR
OTHER RELIEF
Petitioner’s violation of court rules and statutory law are significant, relevant
and not trivial. Petitioner’s history of consistent, repeated violations strongly infers
that the violations are deliberate and calculated to gain a litigation advantage. The
- 9 - RESPONDENT’S SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO PETITIONER’S MARCH 28, 2012
MOTION FOR SEVEN ORDERS
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natural and expected consequence of the violations includes impeding and
obstructing Respondent’s due process and appeal rights.
Code of Civil Procedure, section 583.150 permits the court to dismiss an
action or impose other sanctions under local rules adopted by the court pursuant
to Section 575.1 or by the Judicial Council pursuant to statute, or otherwise under
the inherent authority of the court. Code of Civil Procedure, section 575.1 provides
for the presiding judge of each superior court to promulgate local rules designed to
expedite and facilitate the business of the court. Sacramento County Superior
Court Local Rule 3.02 states:
Failure to comply with any Local Rule or California Rules of Court may subject the party to sanctions pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 2.30; Code of Civil Procedure sections 177.5, 575.2.
Petitioner’s clear violations of Cal. Rules of Court violate Local Rule 3.02. Rule 3.02
and Code of Civil Procedure § 575.2 authorize the court to strike out all or part of
any pleading, or dismiss an action or proceeding or any part thereof for non-
compliance with local rules. CCP § 583.150 permits a court to dismiss an action or
impose other sanctions for local and state court rule violations under the inherent
power of the court. CCP § 436(b) permits a court to - at any time in its discretion
and upon terms it deems proper – strike all or any part of any pleading not drawn
or filed in conformity with the laws of the state or a court rule. (See Weil & Brown,
Cal. Prac. Guide: Civ. Pro. Before Trial (TRG-2011) ¶ 9:1275-1282; 11:280.7a-
11:280.10a.) Violation or disregard of local rules is ground by itself for denial of a
motion. (Id. ¶ 9.9.1.)
II
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In the context of a civil action, a terminating sanction of the entire action,
should only be ordered where there has been previous non-compliance with rules
or orders and it appears less severe sanction would not be effective. Wantuch v.
Davis (App.2 Dist. 1995) 32 Cal.App.4th 786. As set forth above, and in the
declaration submitted in support hereof, Petitioner has previously, and serially not
complied with both state and local court rules. If an entire civil action is subject to
dismissal for repeated court rule violations, it is fair and appropriate to dismiss or
deny, with prejudice, Petitioner's motion. These remedies are applicable to family
court cases. (Family Code§ 210; Cal. Rules of Court Rule 5.20-21; Cal. Rules of
Court Rule 3.10.)
IV. CONCLUSION
Over the history of this case, Petitioner has been rewarded and gained
litigation advantage for her serial misconduct. In view of the above facts and
authorities, and the attached Declaration of Respondent submits
that Petitioner's motion is subject to dismissal with prejudice, denial, or should
otherwise be stricken for Petitioner's willful and repeated failures to comply with
local and state rules of court, statutes and decisional law. Respondent hereby
respectfully requests dismissal of the motion with prejudice, denial of the motion,
or that the motion be stricken on these grounds.
24 Dated: May 2, 2012 Respectfully submitted,
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RESPONDENT'S SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO PETITIONER'S MARCH 28, 2012
MOTION FOR SEVEN ORDERS