Wilson et al v. Prime Source Healthcare Of Ohio, Inc et al

Filing 86

Opinion & Order signed by Judge James S. Gwin on 2/22/17 denying the parties' proposed protective order for the reasons set forth in this order. (Related Doc. 73 ) (D,MA)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO ------------------------------------------------------: HENRIETTA WILSON, et. al., : : Plaintiffs, : : v. : : PRIMESOURCE HEALTH CARE OF : OHIO, INC., et al. : : Defendants. : : ------------------------------------------------------- CASE NO. 1:16-cv-1298 OPINION & ORDER [Resolving Doc. 73] JAMES S. GWIN, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE: The parties in this unpaid wages action jointly propose a protective order to limit public disclosure of information they designate as confidential.1 Granting a protective order motion is within the trial court’s discretion, but that discretion “‘is circumscribed by a long-established legal tradition’ which values public access to court proceedings.”2 Unwarranted restriction of court documents hampers the public’s ability to act as an important check on judicial integrity.3 Thus, the Sixth Circuit approaches protective order motions with a presumption in favor of public access to judicial records.4 The fact that all parties jointly seek a protective order does not overcome this presumption.5 1 Doc. 73. Procter & Gamble Co. v. Bankers Trust Co., 78 F.3d 219, 227 (6th Cir. 1996) (citation omitted). 3 See Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. v. Fed. Trade Comm’n, 710 F.2d 1165, 1179 (6th Cir. 1983); see also Wilson v. Am. Motors Corp., 759 F.2d 1568, 1570 (11th Cir. 1985) (observing that “trials are public proceedings” and that access to court records preserves “the rights of the public, an absent third party”). 4 See, e.g., In re Perrigo Co., 128 F.3d 430, 447 (6th Cir. 1997). 5 See Proctor & Gamble Co., 78 F.3d at 227 (warning district courts against “abdicat[ing their] responsibility to oversee the discovery process and to determine whether filings should be made available to the public” and against “turn[ing] this function over to the parties,” which would be “a violation not only of Rule 26(c) but of the principles so painstakingly discussed in Brown & Williamson”). 2 Case No. 1:16-cv-1298 Gwin, J. Movants for a protective order must show substantial personal or financial harm before the Court will seal any documents.6 Here, the parties fail to meet that standard. The proposed protective order is overbroad and unspecific. The parties have asked the Court for blanket authority to designate documents as “Confidential” and “Attorneys’ Eyes Only”7 and to file such documents under seal.8 The proposed order would allow overbroad discretion, limited only if the opposing party challenged a document’s “confidential” or “attorneys’ eyes only” designation.9 The parties are, of course, free to privately contract to limit disclosure of documents and information. Additionally, any party or non-party may move to seal individual documents— provided that they make the requisite particularized showing. The Court thus DENIES the parties’ proposed protective order. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: February 22, 2017. s/ James S. Gwin JAMES S. GWIN UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 6 See, e.g., Brown & Williamson, 710 F.2d at 1179–80; Sollitt v. KeyCorp, 2009 WL 485031, at *2 (N.D. Ohio Feb. 26, 2009). 7 Doc. 73 at 2. 8 Id at 4. 9 Id. at 2, 4-5. -2-

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