Forum
U.S. Supreme Court
Case Status
Decided
Docket Number
Term
Cert. Denied
Lower Court Opinion
Questions Presented
Whether “good cause” is sufficient to maintain under seal discovery documents governed by a Rule 26 protective order and filed with the court.
Case Updates
Cert. petition denied
October 03, 2016
U.S. Chamber files amicus brief urging review of standard for unsealing documents governed by a protective order
April 28, 2016
The U.S. Chamber asked the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify whether “good cause” is sufficient to maintain under seal discovery documents governed by a Rule 26 protective order and filed with the court. In this case, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that, even after a court has entered a protective order, a showing of “good cause” is not sufficient to maintain the confidentiality of documents attached to a pleading that is “more than tangentially related to the merits of the case.
The Chamber’s amicus brief explains that discovery is often costly and contentious, but the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure include measures to protect those interests by authorizing district courts to limit the use and dissemination of discovered materials. However, the Ninth Circuit decision “eviscerates” the benefits of protective orders, as explained by dissenting Judge Ikuta. The Chamber argues that the Ninth Circuit’s dangerous and misguided decision conflicts with decisions of several other courts of appeals, and should be overturned.
Ashley C. Parrish, Julie A. Stockton, and Adam M. Conrad of King & Spalding served as co-counsel with the U.S. Chamber Litigation Center on behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.