-JJM Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Sterling Jewelers, Inc., No. 1:2008cv00706 - Document 200 (W.D.N.Y. 2011)
Court Description: SUPPLEMENTAL DECISION AND ORDER : Proposed Confidentiality Order 187 is amended as set forth herein. Sterling shall submit a confidentiality order for Judge McCarthy's signature with the modifications set forth herein by October 17, 2011. Signed by Hon. Jeremiah J. McCarthy on 10/7/11. (DAZ)
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ______________________________________ EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, Plaintiff, SUPPLEMENTAL DECISION AND ORDER 08-CV-00706-RJA-JJM v. STERLING JEWELERS INC., Defendant. _____________________________________ On June 23, 2011 I issued a Decision and Order [183] granting in part and denying in part the motion of defendant Sterling Jewelers Inc. ( Sterling ) for entry of a confidentiality order [103]. My Decision and Order directed that Sterling submit a proposed confidentiality order consistent with the decision by July 6, 2011 [183], p. 12. Sterling did so ( proposed confidentiality order ) [187] and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ( EEOC ) objects to certain aspects of the proposed confidentiality order as being inconsistent with my Decision and Order [188]. It also argues that while my Decision and Order [183] addressed the key areas of dispute, it did not address other disputed topics. Id. The claimants in the parallel arbitration of Jock, et al. v. Sterling Jewelers Inc., AAA Case No. 1 160 00655 08 (the arbitration claimants ) have filed similar objections to the proposed confidentiality order [189], and Sterling has responded [195]. To the extent clarification or expansion of my June 23, 2011 Decision and Order [183] is necessary, this decision is intended to supplement that decision. BACKGROUND The only procedural change since my prior Decision and Order has been that the Second Circuit reversed the decision of Hon. Jed S. Rakoff vacating the arbitration award permitting the plaintiffs to pursue class certification. See Jock v. Sterling Jewelers Inc., 646 F.3d 113, (2d Cir. 2011). ANALYSIS Whether or not the EEOC s objections were timely or adequately raised I will address them because they are germane to the propriety of the proposed confidentiality order. A. Paragraphs 4 & 5: Definition of Arbitration Proceedings and Arbitration Claimants The proposed confidentiality order defines Arbitration Proceeding as the proceeding captioned Jock, et al. v. Sterling Jewelers Inc., AAA Case No. 1 160 00655 08. Likewise, it defines the private arbitration claimants as the named claimants in the related arbitration proceeding. [187], ¶¶4, 5. The EEOC and the arbitration claimants argue that because the arbitrations may go forward on an individual basis, there is no reason to restrict the definition of arbitration claimants to only those named claimants in the class arbitration proceeding. EEOC s objections [188], pp. 1-2; arbitration claimants objections [119] p. 2. I agree. At this point, it is unclear how the arbitrations will proceed. Thus, paragraph 4 of the proposed confidentiality order [187] shall be amended to state that arbitration proceeding means the arbitration proceeding captioned Jock, et al. v. Sterling Jewelers Inc., AAA Case No. -2- 11 160 00655 08, currently pending before the American Arbitration Association , as well as any related individual arbitration proceedings . Likewise, I order that paragraph 5 of the proposed confidentiality order [187] be amended to state that private arbitration plaintiffs means the named claimants in related arbitrations proceedings . B. Paragraph 6: Arbitration Claimants as Signatories to the Confidentiality Order The proposed confidentiality order omits the arbitration claimants as signatories ([167], ¶6, p. 13). The EEOC argues that the arbitration claimants should be parties to the proposed confidentiality order to protect not only documents that Sterling may produce and that EEOC may share with the Arbitration Claimants, but will also protect confidential documents concerning the Arbitration Claimants themselves, which either Sterling or the arbitration claimants may produce . EEOC s Objections [188], p. 2; arbitration claimants objections [189]. pp. 1-2. The EEOC s concern over protecting Sterling s documents which it may share with the arbitration claimants is unfounded. If discovery deemed confidential information under the confidentiality order is provided to the arbitration claimants in this litigation, they will be bound by the confidentiality order. [187], ¶15 ( [a]ll persons to whom confidential material is disclosed pursuant to this Order will be bound by this Order ). It is also not necessary for the arbitration claimants to be parties to the confidentiality order in order to protect their privacy concerns. Under the proposed confidentiality order, all personal or financial information subject to privacy law protection concerning . . . [Sterling s] current and former employees, or any putative member of the class of -3- persons Plaintiff seeks to represent, including wage statements, health records or information, bank account statements, credit reports, and credit applications are deemed to be confidential information [187], ¶11(b). It also provides that [i]f a third party provides discovery to any party in connection with this action, that third party may designate that discovery as Confidential Information under the Confidentiality Order Id., ¶26. To the extent the arbitration claimants seek to be included as signatories to the confidentiality order to ensure that they may access the materials in this action (arbitration claimants objections [189], p. 1), that goal has been accomplished without the need for them to become parties to the confidentiality order. C. Paragraph 10: The EEOC s Right to Use Confidential Information in Other Enforcement Activities The EEOC argues that the proposed confidentiality order should be modified to permit it to use confidential information in other enforcement activities where Sterling is a party, so long as the EEOC continues to treat such information as confidential. EEOC s Objections [188], p. 2. For example, it argues that if one or more class members were to file their own charges of discrimination, it would make no sense for EEOC to have to ignore the information that it already has available to it and to instead start an investigation from scratch . Id. For same reasons I permitted the EEOC to share confidential information with the arbitration claimants and did not prohibit them from using such information in their arbitrations (Decision and Order [183], pp. 4-8), I likewise conclude that the EEOC may use confidential information in its enforcement actions against Sterling, but only with respect to enforcement -4- activities that are related to this litigation. Therefore, I order that the following be added to paragraph 10 of the proposed confidentiality order: EEOC may use Confidential Information in furtherance of its enforcement activities in any related matter in which the party designating such information as confidential has been named as a party, but must treat such information as confidential pursuant to the terms of this Order, until such time as the confidential designation is withdrawn either by agreement of the parties or by court order . D. Paragraph 10: Barring Individuals from Proceedings The proposed confidentiality order states that [t]he Producing Party may file a motion seeking to have any person(s) not permitted access to Confidential Information under this Order to be barred from attending any portion of trial. The Producing Party may also request that any such person by barred from attending any portion of a motion hearing or depositions at which Confidential Information is revealed [187], ¶10. The EEOC recognizes that [n]othing prevents the parties from making such a motion , but argues that there is no basis to suggest that such an extraordinary measure is a reasonable prospect . EEOC s Objections [188], p. 2. Whether or not restricting individuals from access to proceedings in this case is a reasonable prospect, the parties have the right to bring such a motion with or without this provision. Therefore, this provision shall remain. E. Paragraph 11: Applicability to Information Obtained Outside of Discovery in this Litigation The proposed confidentiality order provides that all allegations of purported criminal and/or lewd or lascivious conduct that has not been substantiated by a court of law, -5- regardless of the source of the information constitute confidential information [187], ¶11(g). EEOC argues that this language appears on its face to restrict the ability of individuals to communicate or disseminate materials that they have obtained outside discovery in this case . EEOC s objections [188], p. 3. I disagree. In fact, the proposed confidentiality order makes clear that [t]he restrictions and obligations [of the] Confidentiality Order . . .will not apply to any information which . . . is in Receiving Party s legitimate possession independent of the Producing Party [187], ¶24.1 F. Paragraph 14(c): Disclosure to Arbitration Claimants Experts The proposed confidentiality order states that confidential information may be used solely for purposes of this action or the Arbitration Proceeding, subject to obtaining leave to use the Confidential Information in the Arbitration Proceeding(s) from the arbitrator [187], ¶10. The EEOC argues that this provision would not allow the arbitration claimants to provide information obtained in this litigation to any outside experts or consultants. EEOC s Objections [188], p. 3. It proposes that paragraph 14(c), pertaining to those who will have access to confidential information, be amended to state outside experts or consultants for a receiving party whose advice and consultation are being considered or will be used by such party solely in connection with this action or in connection with the Arbitration Proceedings [156], Ex. 1, ¶14(c). 1 Although not raised by EEOC, consistent with my June 23, 2011 Decision and Order, paragraph 11(f) should be modified as follows: Information designated as Confidential under this subparagraph and subparagraph (g) must be produced to the Court for review . -6- Unless and until the arbitration claimants obtain permission from the arbitrator to use the confidential information in the arbitration proceeding, the arbitration claimants have no reason to disclose the confidential information to their experts and consultants. However, the EEOC s proposal seemingly permits disclosure to the arbitration claimants experts and consultants, without regard to whether the arbitrator has permitted use of the confidential information in the arbitration proceedings. Therefore, I order that paragraph 14(c) of the proposed confidentiality order be amended as follows: outside experts or consultants for a receiving party whose advice and consultation are being considered or will be used by such party solely in connection with this action or by the Private Arbitration Plaintiffs in connection with the Arbitration Proceeding provided that they first receive permission from the arbitrator in the Arbitration Proceeding to use such information, including their stenographic and clerical personnel. G. Paragraph 19: Time Period for Challenging Confidentiality Designations The proposed confidentiality order requires that objections to confidentiality designations be raised within 30 days of receipt [187], ¶19. The EEOC argues that requiring a receiving party to challenge any confidentiality designations within 30 days of receiving them would impose an impossible burden on EEOC, particularly given the broad scope of the confidentiality order, the fact that Sterling has represented to the Court that potentially millions of documents will be produced, and that Sterling has designated nearly every document produced so far as confidential . EEOC s Objections [188], p. 3. Thus, it proposes that challenges to designations be permitted at any time. Id. -7- Although I am sensitive to the burden this time limitation places on the EEOC, in order to ensure that discovery progresses, the ability of the parties to challenge confidentiality designations cannot be left open-ended. Therefore, I order that the 30-day period be extended to 120 days. See In re September 11 Litigation, 262 F.R.D. 274, 276 (S.D.N.Y. 2009) (imposing a similar time limitation). H. Paragraph 21: Inadvertent Disclosures The proposed confidentiality order states, in relevant part, that [t]he inadvertent or unintentional disclosure by any party of Confidential Information, regardless of whether that information was so designated at the time of the disclosure, will not be deemed a waiver of a party s claim of confidentiality [187], ¶21. The EEOC proposes that a provision be included in this paragraph indicating that it will also apply to the inadvertent disclosure of information to the parties in the arbitration proceedings [156], ¶21. It argues that [s]ince EEOC will be sharing information with the arbitration claimants, and they in turn may produce that information to Sterling, including this provision protects all parties from inadvertent disclosures . EEOC s Objections [188], ¶8. The purpose of the confidentiality order is to govern the exchange of Confidential Information in this case. If the arbitration claimants produce information to Sterling in the arbitration proceedings, which they obtained from the EEOC and is not designated as Confidential Information, such production will be governed by the arbitration proceedings, not this case. Therefore, I conclude that this provision is unwarranted. -8- I. Paragraph 22: Production of Signed Acknowledgments The EEOC argues that contrary to my June 23, 2011 Decision and Order, Sterling s proposal would require a party to disclose executed acknowledgments if the party inadvertently discloses confidential information to unauthorized persons . EEOC s Objections [188], p. 4. However, because paragraph 22 of the proposed confidentiality order omits this requirement, that concern is unfounded. J. Paragraph 25: Timing for the Return and Destruction of Documents The proposed confidentiality order provides that [a]fter final termination of this action, a Producing Party may request the return or destruction of all Confidential Information [187], ¶25. The EEOC argues that although the Court has ordered that the arbitration claimants may share information exchanged in this case, . . . . Sterling s proposal would require documents to be returned or destroyed even if the Arbitration Proceedings were ongoing [188], p. 4. It proposes that the proposed confidentiality order be amended to reflect state [a]fter final termination of this action and the Arbitration Proceedings [156], Ex. 1, ¶26. To the extent the arbitration claimants are required under the terms of the confidentiality order to destroy or return Confidential Information obtained in this case, they should, subject to the arbitrator s approval, have the ability to use this material for the duration of their arbitrations. Therefore, I order that the following be added to paragraph 25 of the proposed protective order: Except that the destruction or return of Confidential Information in the possession of the Private Arbitration Plaintiffs may be stayed until after the conclusion of the Arbitration Proceeding provided that such material is being used in the Arbitration Proceeding. -9- K. Paragraph 32: Sanctions for a Breach The proposed confidentiality order states that [i]f any Confidential Information is used or disclosed by either party in a manner not consistent with this agreement, the Confidential Information that was wrongfully disclosed shall be inadmissible in the above captioned action at the producing party s discretion [187], ¶32. The EEOC argues that this provision is draconian and proposes that the court determine what, if any, sanctions should be imposed for a breach. EEOC s Objections [188], p. 4. The potential exists for varying degrees of culpability and non-compliance with the confidentiality order. Thus, rather than imposing an absolute penalty for any level of conduct that is not consistent with the confidentiality order, I order that this provision be amended as follows: If any Confidential Information is used or disclosed by either party in a manner not consistent with this agreement, the court may impose appropriate sanctions, including precluding the use of such information in this case . CONCLUSION For these reasons, the proposed confidentiality order [187] is amended as set forth herein. Sterling shall submit a confidentiality order for my signature with the modifications set forth herein by October 17, 2011. -10- SO ORDERED. Dated: October 7, 2011 /s/ Jeremiah J. McCarthy JEREMIAH J. MCCARTHY United States Magistrate Judge -11-
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