Smoot Construction of Washington, D.C. v. The Smoot Corporation, et al.

Summary

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio denies without prejudice Plaintiff’s motion for leave to file two Smoot Corporation consolidated financial reports under seal. The order directs Defendants, as the designating parties, to file a properly supported sealing motion within seven days after notification and reiterates the applicable confidentiality-designation procedure.

Holdings

1. When a party seeks to file documents designated by another party as Confidential or Attorney's Eyes Only, the designating party must file a properly supported motion for leave to file the documents under seal within seven days after notification; otherwise, the filing party may file the documents publicly without further leave.
2. A motion to seal must satisfy Sixth Circuit standards and must be narrowly tailored so that sealing is no broader than necessary.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Plaintiff could file the financial reports under seal without Defendants first filing a properly supported motion to seal under the procedure established by the court's prior order.
2. Which party was responsible for seeking sealing of documents it had designated confidential.

Disposition

other