Sympathy for the Devil, LLC v 1170 Broadway Tenant LLC 2024 NY Slip Op 34378(U) December 15, 2024 Supreme Court, New York County Docket Number: Index No. 650213/2021 Judge: Andrea Masley Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York State and local government sources, including the New York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. INDEX NO. 650213/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 228 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/15/2024
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK: COMMERCIAL DIVISION PART 48 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X
SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL, LLC, INDEX NO. 650213/2021
Plaintiff, MOTION DATE - V - MOTION SEQ. NO. 002 003 1170 BROADWAY TENANT LLC,
Defendant. DECISION+ ORDER ON MOTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X
HON. ANDREA MASLEY:
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 002) 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83,84,85,86,87, 88,89,90,91,92, 93,94,95,96,97,98,99, 100,101,102,103,104,105,106,107, 108,109,110,111,112,113,117,171,174,175,176,177,178,179,180,181,182,183,184,185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 217, 218, 219,220,221,222,223,226 were read on this motion to/for PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 003) 114, 115, 116, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 172, 173, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210,211,212,213,214,215,216,224 were read on this motion to/for SUMMARY JUDGMENT(AFTER JOINDER
Upon the foregoing documents, it is
This is a contract dispute between defendant 1170 Broadway Tenant LLC (Broadway
Tenant), the former owner of the NoMad Hotel, located at 1170 Broadway, New York,
NY and plaintiff Sympathy for the Devil, LLC (SFTD), the manager of the NoMad Hotel
food and beverage facilities. 1 (NYSCEF Doc. No. [NYSCEF] 77, Joint Statement of
Undisputed Fact [JSUF] ,-I,J 1, 3.)
1 SFTD and former plaintiff Hot Lips, LLC settled their case against 649 South Olive, owner of the Los Angeles NoMad Hotel. (NYSCEF 172, MOL in Opp at 4; NYSCEF 77, JSUF ,i 2; see also NYSCEF 225, Stipulation of Partial Discontinuance.) Hot Lips and 650213/2021 SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL, LLC vs. 1170 BROADWAY TENANT LLC Page 1 of 13 Motion No. 002 003
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In motion sequence number 002, SFTD moves for partial summary judgment on
its second cause of action against Broadway Tenant for breach of the New York
Restaurant Management Agreement (NY RMA), alleging that Broadway Tenant failed
(1) "to pay SFTD the fees and reimbursable expenses owed" and (2) "to reimburse or
indemnify SFTD the $3 million it paid to settle the class action lawsuit." (NYSCEF 78,
Notice of Motion [mot. seq. no. 002].) In motion sequence number 003, Broadway
Tenant moves, pursuant to CPLR 3212, to dismiss the complaint. (NYSCEF 114,
Notice of Motion [mot. seq. no. 003].)
Background
Daniel Humm and Will Guidara established SFTD to manage and operate a
restaurant in the NoMad Hotel. (NYSCEF 173, Plaintiff's Response to Defendant's 19-A
Statement [SFTD Response] ,I3 [undisputed].) On June 10, 2013, SFTD and Broadway
Tenant entered into the NY RMA. 2 (NYSCEF 104, NY RMA.)
Relevant provisions of the NY RMA
The NY RMA entitles SFTD to certain fees, including a Food and Beverage Fee
defined as an "Operating Expense in the sum of four percent (4%) of Net Revenue paid
649 South Olive entered into a Restaurant Management Agreement whereby they agreed that Hot Lips would manage the Los Angeles NoMad Hotel food and beverage facilities. SFTD and Hot Lips also alleged a claim for unjust enrichment against Broadway Tenant and 649 South Olive; that claim was dismissed. (NYSCEF 45, Decision and Order [mot. seq. no. 001 ]. ) In addition, SFTD and Hot Lips have elected not to pursue their first cause of action for breach of settlement agreement against both 649 South Olive and Broadway Tenant. (NYSCEF 172, MOL in Opp at 1.) Thus, all that remains is SFTD's claim against Broadway Tenant for breach of the NY RMA. 2 The parties entered into the NY RMA, which amended the February 1, 2011 Restaurant Management Agreement to address the development and operation of additional space. (NYSCEF 104, NY RMA at 6 ["Whereas, the parties desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement to address the development and operation of the Addition and to modify the operation of the Library ... "].) 650213/2021 SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL, LLC vs. 1170 BROADWAY TENANT LLC Page 2 of 13 Motion No. 002 003
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to [SFTD] monthly in arrears," a "Hotel Room Revenue Fee," defined as 1% of the Hotel
Room Revenue 3 paid monthly in arrears in accordance with Section 1.5 of the NY RMA,
and an "Incentive Fee," defined as 50% of Net Revenues minus Operating Expenses
(NOi) "after deducting Working Capital Distributions, paid to [SFTD] quarterly in arrears
as provided in Section 1.6(c). (Id. at 11.) The NY RMA defines Operating Expenses as
expenses actually incurred by SFTD or Broadway Tenant as to specifically enumerated
items, including "manager's accounting, legal and other professional fees to the extent reasonably required in
connection with the operation of the Food and Beverage Facilities (including the costs of defense, settlement and
judgments with respect to legal actions)." (Id. at 13-14 [full enumerated list of items].)
Sections 1.1 (b) 4 and 2.6(a) 5 of the NY RMA require Humm and Guidara to be
present regularly at the NoMad Hotel's "Food and Beverage Facilities" and actively
involved in operations. 6 (Id. at 19, 26-27 [§§1.1(b) and 2.6(a)].)
3 Hotel Room Revenue is defined as gross revenues collected by the NoMad Hotel for
guests' use of hotel rooms, including retail and mini bar purchases, and in room movie and game rentals, but not Room Service. (NYSCEF 104, NY RMA at 10.) 4 Section 1.1 (b) provides that "Manager shall cause Guidara and Humm to be at the Food and Beverage Facilities on a regular and consistent basis, and to actively and personally oversee the operation and development Uointly with Owner) of the Food and Beverage Facilities; (subject to the provisions of Section 2.6 hereof, it being understood, however, that the services of Guidara and Humm are not provided on an exclusive basis and each remains free to engage in other activities to the extent not expressly prohibited from doing so under the terms of this Agreement)." (NYSCEF 104, NY RMA at 19.) 5 Section 2.6(a) provides that "[c]ausing Guidara and Humm to actively and personally
oversee the operation and development of the Food and Beverage Facilities and Manager Provided Services. Manager's services will include the active and personal selection by Manager or its designees, where applicable, of the related menus, and the staffing and levels of service of the Food and Beverage Facilities, as applicable." (NYSCEF 104, NY RMA at 27.) 6 The NY RMA defines Food and Beverage Facilities collectively as the Primary and Secondary Outlets. (NYSCEF 104, NY RMA at 9.) Primary Outlets are identified as the Addition, Bar, Library, Herbier, Atrium, Orient Room, Cellar Areas, and Ground Floor Kitchen, and when operated as a restaurant, the Penthouse Level. (Id. at 16.) Secondary Outlets are identified as the Lobby area dedicated to food and beverage, 650213/2021 SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL, LLC vs. 1170 BROADWAY TENANT LLC Page 3 of 13 Motion No. 002 003
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Class Action Lawsuit
In March 2019, a NoMad Hotel food and beverage employee informed SFTD that
she was filing a class action lawsuit. (NYSCEF 77, JSUF ,I13.) The class action
involved claims arising from a catering and events administrative fee that SFTD
implemented in their catering contracts and training materials. ( See NYSCEF 132,
Class Action Complaint.) Specifically, the class action plaintiffs "alleged that [SFTD]
charged special events customers an automatic 'administrative fee' that was not paid to
employees as a gratuity, and that [SFTD] failed to adequately disclose this fact in
special event receipts, order forms, and contracts presented to those customers."
(NYSCEF 173, SFTD Response ,i 35 [undisputed].) SFTD sent a copy of class action
complaint to Josh Babbitt, counsel for The Sydell Group (Sydell). 7 (Id. ,I52
[undisputed].) Ultimately, SFTD paid a $3 million settlement to settle the class action.
(NYSCEF 77, JSUF ,I15.)
Termination
On July 29, 2019, Humm and Guidara announced the end of their professional
partnership; after this, Guidara was no longer present at or involved in the operations of
the NoMad food and beverage facilities. (NYSCEF 173, SFTD Response ,i,i 80-81
[undisputed].) On October 18, 2019, Broadway Tenant sent SFTD a default notice
claiming that SFTD was in default of Sections 1.1 (b), 1.1 (d), 2.6(a), and 27.1 (c) of the
NY RMA, citing Guidara's lack of involvement in the operation of the NoMad Hotel's
Meeting Room, Room Service, and the Penthouse Level when not operated as restaurant. (Id. at 17.) 7 Sydell was hotel manager of the NoMad Hotel. (NYSCEF 173, SFTD Response ,i 5
[undisputed].) Babbit executed the NY RMA on behalf of Broadway Tenant. (NYSCEF 104, NY RMA.) 650213/2021 SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL, LLC vs. 1170 BROADWAY TENANT LLC Page 4 of 13 Motion No. 002 003
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food and beverage facilities. (NYSCEF 173, SFTD Response ,i 87 [undisputed];
NYSCEF 142, Default Letter at 5-6.) On December 4, 2019, Broadway Tenant sent
SFTD a notice of termination pursuant to Sections 16.2 and 27.1 of the NY RMA,
effective as of December 20, 2019. (Id. ,i 88 [undisputed]; NYSCEF 150, Notice of
Termination.)
On January 11, 2021, SFTD commenced this action. As stated above, all that
remains is SFTD's claim against Broadway Tenant for breach of the NY RMA. (See
supra n 1.)
Discussion
Legal Standard
Summary judgment is a drastic remedy that will be granted only where the
movant demonstrates that no genuine triable issue of fact exists. ( See Zuckerman
v City of New York, 49 NY2d 557, 562 [1980].) On a motion for summary judgment,
"the proponent of a summary judgment motion must make a prima facie showing of
entitlement to judgment as a matter of law, tendering sufficient evidence to demonstrate
the absence of any material issues of fact." (Alvarez v Prospect Hosp., 68 NY2d 320,
324 [1986] [citation omitted].) In deciding a summary judgment motion, the "evidence
must be analyzed in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion." (Martin
v Briggs, 235 AD2d 192, 196 [1st Dept 1997] [citation omitted].) The motion should be
denied if there is any doubt about the existence of a material issue of fact. ( Vega
v Restani Constr. Corp., 18 NY3d 499, 503 [2012].) However, bare allegations or
conclusory assertions are insufficient to create genuine issues of fact to
defeat the motion. (Zuckerman v City of New York, 49 NY2d 557, 562 [1980].) "A
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motion for summary judgment should not be granted where the facts are in dispute,
where conflicting inferences may be drawn from the evidence, or where there are issues
of credibility." (Ruiz v Griffin, 71 AD3d 1112, 1115 [2d Dept 201 O] [internal quotation
marks and citations omitted].)
Breach of NY RMA for Management Fees and Operating Expenses
SFTD alleges that Broadway Tenant breached the NY RMA by failing to pay
SFTD management fees and operating expenses from July 2019 to January 2020
despite SFTD's continuing performance after Guidara's departure.
Management Fees
The NY RMA clearly entitles SFTD to management fees, including a Food and
Beverage Fee, a Hotel Room Revenue Fee, and an Incentive Fee. (NYSCEF 104, NY
RMA at 20-21 [§1.6]; Id. at 11.) Broadway Tenant does not dispute that the NY RMA
provides for payment of these fees; rather, it asserts that SFTD cannot recover these
fees for the requested period because SFTD was in violation of Sections 1.1 (b), 1.1 (d),
and 2.6(a) of the NY RMA, which require the involvement and presence of both Humm
and Guidara. Thus, since SFTD failed to perform under the Agreement, Broadway
Tenant argues that it had no obligation to pay these fees.
It is undisputed that, on July 29, 2019, Humm and Guidara publicly announced
the end of their business relationship, and after that date, Guidara was no longer
involved in managing the NoMad Hotel's food and beverage facilities. (NYSCEF 77,
JSUF ,I1 O; NYSCEF 173, SFTD Response ,I,I81-82 [undisputed]; see also NYSCEF
183, tr at 46:3-18, 47:14-50, 48:23-25, 49:2-5 [Guidara depo].) It is also clear that the
terms of the NY RMA require both Guidara and Humm to be regularly present at the
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NoMad Hotel. (NYSCEF 104, NY RMA at 18-19, 26-28 [§§1.1 (b) ("Manager shall cause
Guidara and Humm to be at the Food and Beverage Facilities on a regular and
consistent basis, and to actively and personally oversee the operation and development
(jointly with Owner) of the Food and Beverage Facilities"), 2.6(a) (Manager shall be
solely responsible and liable for ... causing Guidara and Humm to actively and
personally oversee the operation and development of the Food and Beverage Facilities
and Manager Provided Services")].) Thus, the issue is whether Broadway Tenant was
obligated to pay SFTD's management fees while the food and beverage facilities
continued to operate after Guidara's departure. Specifically, whether they elected to
continue performance under the Agreement or waived any breach of the Agreement
caused by Guidara's admitted departure.
"Under the election of remedies doctrine, a party, upon learning of a material
breach of a contract, must choose between terminating the contract and continuing
performance. The innocent party has a reasonable time to make the election." (Parlux
Fragrances, LLC v S. Carter Enters., LLC, 204 AD3d 72, 86 [1st Dept 2022] [citations
omitted].) Here, an issue of fact exists as to whether Broadway Tenant's conduct
following Guidara's departure "amounted to an election ... to affirm the contract." (Id.)
Although Broadway Tenant admits to negotiating to keep Humm "in place" (NYSCEF
129, tr at 152:7-153:24 [Zobler8 Depa]), it cannot be determined on this record, as a
matter of law, that by doing so there was an election to continue to perform under the
existing Agreement during that time period.
8 Andrew Zobler is the founder of Sydell. 650213/2021 SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL, LLC vs. 1170 BROADWAY TENANT LLC Page 7 of 13 Motion No. 002 003
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There are also issues of fact as to whether Broadway Tenant waived
enforcement of Sections 1.1 (b) and 2.6(a) by accepting SFTD's continued performance
by Humm alone.
Section 23 of the NY RMA provides that "[n]o provision of this Agreement shall
be deemed to have been waived by Owner or Manager, unless such waiver is in writing
and signed by such party." (NYSCEF 104, NY RMA at 46 [§23].) There is no evidence
of such a writing. Nevertheless, "a contracting party may orally waive enforcement of a
contract term notwithstanding a provision to the contrary in the agreement. Such waiver
may be evinced by words or conduct, including partial performance." (Bank Leumi Trust
Co. v Block 3102 Corp., 180 AD2d 588, 590 [1st Dept 1992] [citations omitted], Iv
denied 80 NY2d 754 [1992].)
"Contractual rights may be waived if they are knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally abandoned .... Such abandonment may be established by affirmative conduct or by failure to act so as to evince an intent not to claim a purported advantage .... However, waiver should not be lightly presumed and must be based on a clear manifestation of intent to relinquish a contractual protection .... Generally, the existence of an intent to forgo such a right is a question of fact." (Fundamental Portfolio Advisors, Inc. v Tocqueville Asset Mgt., L.P., 7 NY3d 96, 104 [2006] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted].)
While the evidence shows that Broadway Tenant was aware of issues with
Guidara and Humm's professional relationship and offered to assist Humm in buying
Guidara out (see NYSCEF 94, Email from Sydell to Humm), this email does not
conclusively establish as a matter of law that Broadway Tenant knowingly, voluntarily,
and intentionally abandoned its contractual right to require that Guidara be present as
Zobler, the email's author, stated that Humm would "need a lot of consents to get this
done." (Id.) Zobler also testified that Broadway Tenant "entertained" the idea of Humm
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continuing to operate the NoMad Hotel food and beverage facilities after Guidara's
departure and started to negotiate a new business arrangement but "at some point it
became clear that what we kind of were prepared to do was not acceptable to [Humm]."
(NYSCEF 129, tr at 152:7-18 [Zobler Depa].) Thus, SFTD was terminated. (Id. at
152:18-22; NYSCEF 150, Notice of Termination.) Again, it cannot be determined on
this record that Broadway Tenant's negotiation with Humm, while the operations of the
NoMad food and beverage facilities continued, was a manifestation of "a clear intention
to relinquish" Broadway Tenant's right to enforce Sections 1.1 (b) and 2.6(a). (Parlux
Fragrances, LLC, 204 AD3d at 87 [citation omitted].)
Operating Expenses
Prior to opening, SFTD established an operating account over which it had
exclusive signing authority. (NYSCEF 104, NY RMA at 40 [§ 17.1].) The operating
expenses of the food and beverage facilities were to be paid out of the operating
account "funded primarily by gross sales of the food and beverage facilities, in
accordance with an approved budget." (NYSCEF 173, SFTD Response ,i 15
[undisputed]; see also NYSCEF 104, NY RMA at 40 [§§ 17.1, 17.3].) Section 17.4(a)
provides that "[n]othing in this Agreement shall be construed as to require [SFTD] to
provide its own funds for the provision of Manager Provided Services or the operation of
the Food and Beverage Facilities." (NYSCEF 104, NY RMA at 40 [§ 17.4(a)].) SFTD
was to maintain adequate funds in the operating account to pay for day-to-day
expenses in accordance with an approved budget. (Id.[§ 17.1].) Broadway Tenant was
to fund shortfalls in the operating account. (NYSCEF 173, SFTD Response ,i 15
[undisputed]; see also NYSCEF 129, tr at 57: 11-14, 57:20-58.3 [Zobler Depa]
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["operating expenses were the money would come in from revenues and operating
expenses would be paid from the operating account" ... "it definitely was owner's
obligation to fund deficits"].)
SFTD asserts that it is owed $194,181 in general operating expenses. To
support its claims, SFTD submits a spreadsheet prepared by Marcia Regen, Chief
Financial Officer of SFTD's parent company, Make it Nice Hospitality (II), LLC.
(NYSCEF 81, Updated Spreadsheet; NYSCEF 79, Regen aff ,i 1.) However, it also
cannot be determined on this motion whether SFTD is entitled to these expenses
because of the triable issues of fact as to Broadway Tenant's waiver, as discussed
supra.
Although the court is not making any determination as to these operating
expenses, it notes that it is unclear from the record why the operating account did not
have enough funds to cover these operating expenses considering the food and
beverage facilities were allegedly profitable. (NYSCEF 90, tr at 40:21-24 [Zobler Depa]
["up until like COVID, like there was always money [in the operating account] because
the food and beverage was very profitable"]; NYSCEF 88, tr at 76:5-8 [Nugent9 Depa]
["Q: Were the food and beverage operations of the New York NoMad profitable? A.
Yes"].) It is also unclear why SFTD allegedly funded these operating expenses and not
Broadway Tenant. (NYSCEF 173, SFTD Response ,i 12 [undisputed] [Under the NY
RMA, Broadway Tenant was required to fund all operating expenses]; see also
NYSCEF 84, tr at 207:12-14 [Regen Depa] [We were given a stipend for operating
9 Bradford Nugent is a partner at Yucaipa Companies, LLC, one of Broadway Tenant's
controlling owners. (NYSCEF 115, Nugent aff ,i 1.) 650213/2021 SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL, LLC vs. 1170 BROADWAY TENANT LLC Page 10 of 13 Motion No. 002 003
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expenses"]; NYSCEF 104, NY RMA at 40 [§17.4(a)] ["Nothing in this Agreement shall
be construed as to require [SFTD] to provide its own funds for the provision of Manager
Provided Services or the operation of the Food and Beverage Facilities"].)
Finally, there is the issue of whether SFTD is entitled for reimbursement of the
class action settlement payment as SFTD asserts that it qualifies as an operating
expense.
Operating expenses are defined as all expenses actually incurred by Manager ...
for the operation of the Food and Beverage Facilities including, without limitation ... (xx)
"[SFTD]'s accounting, legal and other professional fees to the extent reasonably
required in connection with the operation of the Food and Beverage Facilities (including
the costs of defense, settlement and judgments with respect to legal actions)." (Id. at
13-14.) Here, SFTD seeks reimbursement of the payment to the class action plaintiffs,
settling the claim that SFTD charged "special events customers an automatic
'administrative fee' that was not paid to employees as a gratuity, and that [SFTD] failed
to adequately disclose this fact in special event receipts, order forms, and contracts
presented to those customers." (NYSCEF 173, SFTD Response ,i 35 [undisputed].) A
question of fact exists as to whether the legal costs arising from an alleged violation of
labor laws are expenses reasonably required in connection with the operation of the
food and beverage facilities.
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Broadway Tenant asserts that SFTD's noncompliance with New York Labor and
Wage law is a breach under Section 6.1 10 of the NY RMA which requires SFTD to
indemnify Broadway Tenant against any settlements under Section 34.1 (b). 11
However, there was no finding that SFTD did not comply with all the
requirements applicable to the food and beverages facilities as required by Section 6.1,
and thus, Section 34.1 (b) (i) is not triggered. Further, whether SFTD's alleged conduct
rose to the level of gross negligence (see Section 34.1 [b] [ii]) also presents an issue of
fact that cannot be determined on this record.
All remaining arguments were considered and do not alter the result.
Accordingly, it is
ORDERED that plaintiff's motion for summary judgment (mot. seq. no. 002) is
denied; and it is further
ORDERED that defendant's motion for summary judgment (mot. seq. no. 003) is
10 Section 6.1 provides, in relevant part, that SFTD "shall comply with all Requirements applicable to the Food and Beverage Facilities." (NYSCEF 104, NY RMA at 31.) Requirements is defined as "all present and future laws, rules, orders, ordinances, regulations, statutes .... " 11 Section 34.1 (b) provides that "Manager will defend, indemnify and hold Owner, its members, officers, directors, employees, subsidiaries and affiliates (each, an 'Owner Indemnified Party') harmless from, against and in respect of any Losses which may be suffered or incurred by an Owner Indemnified Party as the result of any third party claim, suit or proceeding brought or threatened against Owner Indemnified Party based upon or arising out of (i) the breach of any of Manager's covenants contained in this Agreement, (ii) Manager's grossly negligent acts or omissions or willful misconduct in the performance of its services hereunder; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity shall not apply to Losses based upon or arising out of Owner's grossly negligent acts or omissions or willful misconduct in the performance of its services hereunder." 650213/2021 SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL, LLC vs. 1170 BROADWAY TENANT LLC Page 12 of 13 Motion No. 002 003
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ORDERED that the parties are to appear for a trial scheduling conference on
January 29, 2025 at 10 a.m.
12/15/2024 DATE ANDREA MASLEY, J.S.C.
~ CHECK ONE: CASE DISPOSED NON-FINAL DISPOSITION
GRANTED 0 DENIED GRANTED IN PART □ OTHER APPLICATION: SETTLE ORDER SUBMIT ORDER
CHECK IF APPROPRIATE: INCLUDES TRANSFER/REASSIGN FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT □ REFERENCE
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