Opinion
Dennis W. Chang, Esq. (SBN: 135613), William Kang, Esq. (SBN: 253582), The Law Offices of Dennis W. Chang, P.C., Los Angeles, CA, Attorneys for Plaintiff, TAMMY KIM.
ROBERT MANN, SBN 48293, DONALD W. COOK, SBN 116666, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, Los Angeles, California.
PROTECTIVE ORDER REGARDING DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION DISCOVERY MATTER
STEPHEN J. HILLMAN, Magistrate Judge.
Pursuant to the stipulation executed by plaintiff and Defendant City of Los Angeles, the Court issues the following protective order:
A. ITEMS COVERED BY THIS PROTECTIVE ORDER
1. The protective order applies only to the following:
a. CRI Package re: Tammy Kim
b. November 29, 2012 IA interview of Tammy Kim
c. Arrest reports pertaining to arrests of third parties wherein Ms. Kim assisted in the investigation and/or arrest
d. Arrest reports pertaining to arrests of other female(s) who made similar misconduct allegations
e. CRI Package(s) re: other women who made similar misconduct allegations
f. Identities of all complainant(s) who made similar misconduct allegations
g. Identities of those people interviewed in the IA investigation concerning Nichols and Valenzuela
2. Should any party wish to stamp any of the above records as "CONFIDENTIAL" that party may not stamp the records in such a way as to cover any written portion of the records. The documents must remain completely legible.
3. Birth dates, social security numbers and driver's license numbers may be redacted from the records produced, which are NOT covered by this protective order.
B. USE OF RECORDS
1. Absent further order of the Court, the items covered by this protective order may be used in this case only, including any appeals, and not for any other purpose whatsoever.
2. Items covered by this protective order, including any related copies, summaries, extracts, notes, photographs, memos, audiotapes and transcripts, shall not be disclosed, except to the following persons:
a. The attorneys of record, including legal assistants, paralegals, investigators and clerical employees working under counsel's supervision, as well as outside copying, graphic, computer services, and court reporters performing services in connection with this action;
b. Experts, consultants, investigators and their employees, retained and/or consulted by the attorneys of record to assist in the preparation of this action;
c. The parties, including their officers, agents and employees who are directly assisting counsel with the conduct or resolution of this action;
d. Witnesses while being examined by counsel at a deposition or trial. However, if the item is attached as an exhibit to a deposition transcript, the copy attached as an exhibit shall be redacted to omit names, birth dates, social security numbers, and addresses.
3. Before any disclosure of the items covered by this protective order, they will inform any person identified in Paragraph 2 above, of the terms of the protective order.
4. If any party wishes to disclose items covered by this protective order to any person other than those listed in Paragraph 2 above, that party shall give written notice to the non-disclosing party so that the non-disclosing party can make a motion to prevent the disclosure. The party wishing to disclose the information will not to do so unless and until agreement with the other party is reached, or the other party's motion is ruled on by the court. If however, the other party does not file its motion within two weeks of the notice, the party wishing to disclose the information may deem the issue to have been abandoned.
5. Upon final determination of this action, whether by judgment, settlement or otherwise, including all appeals, and upon the producing party's request, Plaintiff shall return those items, along with all copies, to the producing party. Any messenger or postage fees shall be paid by the requesting party. In the alternative, the producing party may request the items be destroyed. This provision does not obligate the Court to act in a certain matter in relation to the confidential documents.
6. If any party who receives Confidential Information receives a subpoena or other request seeking Confidential Information, he, she or it shall immediately give written notice to the Defendants' counsel, identifying the Confidential Information sought and the time in which production or other disclosure is required, and shall object to the request or subpoena on the grounds of this stipulation so as to afford the Defendants an opportunity to obtain an order barring production or other disclosure, or to otherwise respond to the subpoena or other request for production or disclosure of Confidential Material. Other than objecting on the grounds of this stipulation, no party shall be obligated to seek an order barring production of Confidential Information, which obligation shall be borne by the Defendants. However, in no event should production or disclosure be made without written approval by the Defendants' counsel unless required by court order arising from a motion to compel production or disclosure of Confidential Information.
7. Any pleadings, motions, briefs, declarations, stipulations, exhibits or other written submissions to the Court in this litigation which contains or discloses confidential information shall be filed and maintained under Local Rule 79-5, which governs the filing of documents under seal. If confidential material is included in any papers to be filed in Court, such papers shall be accompanied by an application to file the papers - or the confidential portion thereof - under seal; the application must demonstrate good cause for the under seal filing. The application shall be directed to the judge to whom the papers are directed. Pending the ruling on the application, the papers or portions thereof subject to the sealing application shall be lodged under seal.
8. At the commencement of trial, unless good cause is shown, the terms of the protective order are dissolved, except for the return of the confidential documents to the party providing them at the completion of the case.
9. Counsel for the parties hereto agree that any motions, applications or other pre-trial proceedings which entail the discussion or disclosure of Confidential Information be heard by the Court outside the presence of the jury or potential jurors, unless having heard from counsel, the Court orders otherwise. Counsel for the parties further agree that during any portion of the trial of this action which could entail the discussion or disclosure of Confidential Information, access to the courtroom be limited to parties, their family members, their counsel and other designated representative, experts or consultants who agree to be bound by this stipulation, testifying witnesses and court personnel, unless having heard from counsel, the Court orders otherwise.
10. Nothing herein shall prejudice any party's rights to object to the introduction of any Confidential Information into evidence, on grounds including but not limited to relevance and privilege.
11. This Stipulation may be signed in parts and may be transmitted by facsimile as if it were the original document.
C. OTHER
1. The execution of this protective order shall not preclude any party from moving the court for other or further protective orders during this action.
2. This protective order is subject to amendment and modification by further stipulation among counsel and/or by order of the Court.
IT IS SO ORDERED.