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Waite, Schneider, Bayless & Chesley Co., L.P.A. v. Davis
Citations: 114 F. Supp. 3d 546; 2015 WL 4366081; 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 92602Docket: Case No. 1:11CV851
Court: District Court, S.D. Ohio; July 16, 2015; Federal District Court
Waite, Schneider, Bayless, Chesley Co. L.P.A. has filed a motion to unseal documents related to their dispute with former client Allen Davis, who terminated their representation without paying fees. The court previously ordered Davis to explain why these documents should remain sealed. Davis, alongside Waite, Schneider, submitted responses. The litigation originates from disputes between Davis, the founder of C.NG, and his sons, culminating in a settlement agreement that included a Redemption Agreement with CNG. During discovery, a protective order was granted to allow Davis to share certain confidential documents with Waite, Schneider under an 'attorneys’ eyes only' designation, due to the confidentiality provisions of the Redemption Agreement and prior breaches of these provisions by Waite, Schneider. However, the Magistrate Judge clarified that this order did not address public access to documents. Following discovery, both parties sought permission to file documents under seal, which was granted without objection. Waite, Schneider now argues for vacating the sealing orders, asserting a public presumption of access to court filings under the First Amendment and common law, which Davis has not sufficiently rebutted. Davis contends that the documents contain sensitive information protected by confidentiality provisions, including private financial details and personal information regarding his marriage and divorce. The applicable law permits sealing only for good cause, referencing precedents that outline the public's presumptive right to access court documents. Public trials serve as crucial forums for community expression, helping to mitigate vigilantism when judicial outcomes are perceived as just. They also provide accountability for judges, as public scrutiny ensures that court decisions are transparent and evidence-based. However, the right to public access is not absolute and is subject to exceptions aimed at preserving courtroom order and protecting sensitive information. In the case at hand, the court determined that confidentiality provisions in the Redemption Agreement do not apply, allowing for the unsealing of materials without compromising protected information. The court found no justification from Davis for keeping divorce records sealed, as he did not demonstrate that disclosure would lead to improper misuse or public scandal. Consequently, the court ordered the unsealing of the records and clarified that all future filings should be made public as standard procedure.