May College Students Sue Pseudonymously to Challenge Discipline for COVID Protocol Violations?
Another example of how badly split courts are on pseudonymity questions.
Right of Access
Should Prominent Surgeon Be Able to Pseudonymously Sue University of Michigan for Allegedly Improper Suspension?
If so, should that be because his "stellar reputation is a critical component to ensuring the public's trust for him to operate on their children for complex procedures"?
No Sealing of School Basketball Team Sexual Assault Case,
but the minors involved (including the accused students) will be pseudonymized.
No Sealing or Pseudonymity for Sexual Assault Defendant
"[I]f the purported falsity of the complaint's allegations were sufficient to seal an entire case, then the law would recognize a presumption to seal instead of a presumption of openness."
Plaintiffs from Conservative Religious Groups Have More Right to Proceed Pseudonymously in Sex Assault Lawsuits
Four courts have recently said yes, in cases brought by conservative Muslims and Christians.
Plaintiffs Seeking Religious Exemption from Private Employer's Vaccine Mandate Allowed to Proceed Pseudonymously
"Given the charged atmosphere concerning vaccinations and vaccine mandates, and for the other reasons discussed above, the Court is persuaded that this is the rare case where a party should be permitted to proceed pseudonymously."
Court Rejects Sealing Request by United Network for Organ Sharing
“UNOS’s reasoning boils down to a desire to keep indiscreet communications out of the public eye, which is not enough to satisfy our standard for good cause.”
Political Candidate Can't Sue Critics Pseudonymously, Under Seal, with Gag Order
"Plaintiff is an adult who chose to enter the political arena and now to file this litigation, asserting claims against Defendant as a result of Defendant's alleged statements and activities concerning Plaintiff and Plaintiff's political campaign."
If You Want to Have Court Filings Sealed, Don't "Treat[] a Motion to Seal as an Afterthought"
Be concrete and specific enough to pass the high bar needed to defeat the presumption of open access—and get it right the first time.
Court Orders #MeToo Plaintiff Not to Mention Defendant's Name in Public
The unusually named case is Doe v. Anonymous #1, now pending in Brooklyn state trial court.
Interesting Unsealing Decision in NXIVM Sex Cult Case
Supportive letters submitted by the defendant at sentencing can’t remain secret.
"The Court's Business Is Done in Public"
"regardless whether the motion [to seal] is opposed or unopposed."
Tenure Review Files Can't Be Sealed in Academic Employment Discrimination Lawsuit
“Evidence about Penn’s treatment of other tenure candidates will be at the heart of the parties’ arguments.”
Court Seals Name of Party, Orders Public Access Advocacy Group Not to Mention the Name
An interesting prior restraint case now being litigated in the Hawaii Supreme Court.
Federal Government Lawyer Suing for Employment Discrimination Can't Sue Pseudonymously,
despite the argument that, “because she ‘defends federal agencies against employment discrimination claims,’ she may ‘make legal arguments that differ from the ones she has made and makes as an AUSA,’” so “proceeding under pseudonym will allow her ‘to make such arguments without the concern that opposing counsel will be able to identify her and/or her filings that take or may take a different legal position.’”
Parents Challenging "Anti-Racism" Curriculum Can Litigate Pseudonymously, to Shield Their Children
"The extreme emotions on both sides of this debate make likely the risk of ridicule and mental or physical harm to the parents in this suit—but more concerning—to their minor children."
Bronx Conservatory of Music Can't Seal Sexual Harassment Counterclaim Against It
"Bronx Conservatory does not cite (and this Court has not found) any case, in this jurisdiction or elsewhere, in which an employer accused of sexual harassment has succeeded in sealing the pleading containing that accusation on any of the grounds asserted here."
