"Retroactive Anonymity Is an Oxymoron" + "It Is Never Appropriate to Seal Entire Appeals"

Words from the Seventh Circuit, in Singh v. Amar, 2023 WL 3267851, handed down Wednesday. One can debate the merits of these conclusions, or argue that they are somewhat overstated (e.g., perhaps there might be some basis for sealed appeals in some extraordinary national security cases); and the Seventh Circuit is somewhat more skeptical of pseudonymity and sealing than some other courts are. But in any event, I expect they may be helpful to lawyers opposing sealing or retroactive anonymity (or pseudonymity, which is synonymous in this context).

Comments

[John F. Carr]

On courtlistener here: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67321641/keerut-singh-v-vikram-amar/

The parties settled the case while it was on appeal. I infer that anonymity was part of the deal because both parties joined in the motion to seal.

[playfulmatter]

While the case was on appeal, the parties reached a settlement. Since both parties participated in the move to seal, I may assume that anonymity was a condition of the agreement.

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