D.T. v NECA/IBEW Family Medical Care Plan et al

Filing 179

ORDER striking the parties' 177 Stipulated motion to seal. Signed by Judge Richard A. Jones. (PM)

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HONORABLE RICHARD A. JONES

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT SEATTLE

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D.T. by and through his parents and
guardians, K.T. and W.T., individually, on
behalf of similarly situated individuals,
No. 17-cv-00004-RAJ
and on behalf of the NECA/IBEW Family
Medical Care Plan
ORDER STRIKING MOTION TO
SEAL
Plaintiff,
v.
NECA/IBEW FAMILY MEDICAL
CARE PLAN, THE BOARD OF
TRUSTEES OF THE NECA/IBEW
FAMLY MEDICAL CARE PLAN,
SALVATORE J. CHILIA, ROBERT P.
KLEIN, DARRELL L. MCCUBBINS,
GEARY HIGGINS, LAWRENCE J.
MOTER, JR., KEVIN TIGHE, JERRY
SIMS, AND ANY OTHER
INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
NECA/IBEW FAMILY MEDICAL
CARE PLAN,

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Defendants.

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This matter is before the Court on the parties’ stipulated motion to seal. Dkt. #
177. For the following reasons, the Court STRIKES the motion.

ORDER - 1

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As this Court has previously articulated to the parties on more than one occasion,

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parties moving to seal documents in the Western District of Washington must comply

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with the procedures established by Civil Local Rule 5(g). Under LCR 5(g), the party

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who designates a document confidential must provide a “specific statement of the

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applicable legal standard and the reasons for keeping a document under seal, including an

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explanation of: (i) the legitimate private or public interest that warrant the relief sought;

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(ii) the injury that will result if the relief sought is not granted; and (iii) why a less
restrictive alternative to the relief sought is not sufficient.” W.D. Wash. Local Rules
LCR 5(g)(3)(B).
Here, non-party Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (“Anthem”) requests

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that the deposition transcripts of Anthem’s 30(b)(6) witnesses remain under seal because
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they contain confidential and proprietary information. Dkt. # 177 at 2. However,
Anthem fails to articulate why a less restrictive alternative, such as redaction, is not
sufficient to protect Anthem’s confidential and proprietary information, as required under
the Local Rules. W.D. Wash. Local Rules LCR 5(g)(3)(B).
Accordingly, the Court STRIKES the motion for seal for failure to comply with
Local Rule 5(g). Dkt. # 177.

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Dated this 4th day of February, 2020.

A

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The Honorable Richard A. Jones
United States District Judge

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ORDER - 2