Chism et al v. Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc et al

Filing 13

LETTER ORDER providing a new form to be used to draft a new Protective Order. Signed by Judge William R. Wilson, Jr on 2/13/09. (mkf)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS RICHARD SHEPPARD ARNOLD UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE 500 W. CAPITOL, ROOM D444 LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201-3325 [phone] Facsimile [phone]

February 13, 2009 Mr. Thomas L. Barron Barron, Barron & Tucker, P.A. - Little Rock 212 Center Street Suite 600 Little Rock, AR 72201-2481 Mr. G. Spence Fricke Barber, McCaskill, Jones & Hale, P.A. Regions Center 400 West Capitol Avenue Suite 2700 Little Rock, AR 72201-3414 Re: Sharon Chism, et al. v. Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc., et al. -- 4:08-CV-00341-WRW Dear Counsel: I have received the Protective Order agreed upon by the parties. There is a superb article by the Honorable Joseph Anderson, Chief Judge of the South Carolina District Court called Hidden from the Public by Order of the Court: The Case Against Government Enforced Secrecy, 55 S.C. L. Rev. 711 (2005). Please read this article. I agree with Judge Anderson. I am a might chary of confidentiality agreements like the one submitted in this case. Broad powers given to lawyers to designate information as confidential are not favored. The judges of South Carolina have come up with local rules limiting confidentiality agreements. This includes a form "confidentiality" order. I encourage you to use this form order to draft a new Protective Order. A copy of this form order will be e-mailed to the attorneys listed above. If the emails are not received, contact the law clerk assigned to this case, Ms. Gilbert, at [phone]. Cordially, /s/ Wm. R. Wilson, Jr. Original to the Clerk of the Court cc Other Counsel of Record