Opinion
Case No: 16-11084
02-13-2017
STANDING ORDER ON MOTIONS TO SEAL
If parties wish to file an item under seal they must comply with Local Rule 5.3 and federal rules and laws regarding sealing. Merely referring to a court rule, protective order or a category of sensitive information is not enough. The party seeking to seal a document must also provide a copy of the document to the Court. Generalized arguments regarding confidentiality are also insufficient; the parties must articulate why each of the records proposed to be sealed, on a document by document basis, meets the demanding requirements for sealing. See Shane Grp., Inc. v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, No. 15-1544, 2016 WL 3163073 (6th Cir. June 7, 2016) and Sami v. Detroit Med. Ctr., No. 12-12660, 2012 WL 3945532, at *1 (E.D. Mich. Sept. 10, 2012). Motions or requests filed that do not comply with these procedural requirements will be stricken from the record.
Finally, proposed orders to seal that are submitted must address the specific findings and conclusions "which justify nondisclosure to the public." Brown v Williamson Tobacco Corp. v. F.T.C., 710 F.2d 1165, 1176 (6th Cir. 1983).
IT IS ORDERED.
S/Victoria A. Roberts
Victoria A. Roberts
United States District Judge Dated: February 13, 2017 The undersigned certifies that a copy of this document was served on the attorneys of record by electronic means or U.S. Mail on February 13, 2017. S/Carol A. Pinegar
Deputy Clerk