Wilson v. Conair Corporation

Filing 138

ORDER signed by Senior Judge William B. Shubb on 4/12/2016 ORDERING that defendant's 131 request to seal Exhibit A is DENIED. (Zignago, K.)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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----oo0oo----

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DELIA WILSON, on behalf of
herself and all others
similarly situated,
Plaintiffs,

CIV. NO. 1:14-00894 WBS SAB
ORDER RE: DEFENDANT’S REQUEST TO
SEAL

v.
CONAIR CORPORATION,

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Defendant.

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----oo0oo----

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Defendant requests that the court seal Exhibit A filed

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in support of its motion for sanctions for spoliation of evidence

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against plaintiff.

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copy of the retainer agreement between plaintiff and plaintiff’s

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counsel.

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136), that the exhibit should be sealed because it contains

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plaintiff’s personal and confidential information and the

(Docket No. 131.)

Exhibit A is a redacted

Defendant argues, and plaintiff agrees, (Docket No.

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agreement is protected by the attorney-client privilege.

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This court has previously told the parties that just

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because they agree to have documents sealed does not constitute a

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compelling reason that outweighs the public interest in access to

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court records.

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court has an independent obligation to balance the competing

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interests of the public and the parties seeking to keep records

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secret.

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1172, 1179 (9th Cir. 2006).

(See Feb. 5, 2016 Order (Docket No. 120).)

The

See Kamakana v. City & County of Honolulu, 447 F.3d

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Defendant fails to specifically identify any

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information in the retainer, that has not already been redacted,

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that might be protected by the attorney-client privilege.

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Defendant has therefore failed to “articulate compelling reasons

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supported by specific factual findings that outweigh the general

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history of access and the public policies favoring disclosure,

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such as the public interest in understanding the judicial

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process.”

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Exhibit A is DENIED.

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Dated:

Id. at 1178.

Accordingly, defendant’s request to seal

April 12, 2016

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