Some practitioners give “notice” of their contested motion on a corporation when they have to “serve” it. What’s the difference? Let’s take a look….
Rule 2002 discusses “notice” which may be accomplished by U.S. Mail.
Rule 7004 focuses on “service” of certain matters (adversary proceedings & contested matters!) Luckily, you can “serve” by mail too.
But here’s the trick, what if your opponent in the contested matter is a corporation? What do you write on the envelope and proof of service?
“Notice” on a corporation is complete by addressing it to the corporation.
Example: Bob’s Big Boy Inc. 100 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90101.
“Service” on a corporation is complete by writing it to the “Attention of an Officer, a managing or general agent…”
Ex: Bob’s Big Boy Inc. Attention Chief Executive Officer Marc Williams, 100 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90101.
So — to recap, if you have a contested motion (more on that later), then make sure you are not just “giving notice” but actually “serving” the document per Rule 7004.