John Marcelletti, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated v. GEICO General Insurance Company

Summary

The United States District Court for the Western District of New York denied GEICO General Insurance Company’s Rule 72(a) appeal of a magistrate judge’s decision granting in part and denying in part a motion to seal materials related to class certification and expert-witness motions. The court held that the magistrate judge properly applied the presumption of public access to judicial documents and that GEICO had not shown clear error or a decision contrary to law.

Holdings

1. The district court denied GEICO's Rule 72(a) appeal because GEICO failed to show that Magistrate Judge Holland's decision was clearly erroneous or contrary to law.
2. The court held that the information was judicial material subject to a significant presumption of public access, including under the First Amendment, and that GEICO did not overcome that presumption.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Magistrate Judge Holland's ruling on GEICO's motion to seal was clearly erroneous or contrary to law under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(a).
2. Whether GEICO satisfied its burden to overcome the common-law and First Amendment presumptions of public access to judicial documents.

Disposition

other