Opinion
6:16-cv-366-PGB-LHP
05-16-2023
TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC., Plaintiff, v. PHAZZER ELECTRONICS, INC., STEVEN ABBOUD, PHAZZER IP, LLC and PHAZZER GLOBAL CORPORATION, Defendants
ORDER
LESLIE HOFFMAN PRICE, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
This cause comes before the Court following a hearing on Plaintiff's Opposed Second Motion to Compel Stephenson's Production of Documents. See Doc. Nos. 669, 679. The Court previously granted the motion in part, and took the motion under advisement in part as it relates to attorney-client privilege objections by third-party entity Adam Stephenson, LLC (“Stephenson”) to a Rule 45 subpoena served by Plaintiff. See Doc. No. 671. For the reasons stated on the record at the hearing, the remainder of Plaintiff's motion (Doc. No. 669) is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. It is ORDERED as follows:
The Court addressed several other motions at the hearing, see Doc. Nos. 637, 64142, 672, resolution of which will be addressed by separate order.
1. The Court SUSTAINS Stephenson's attorney-client privilege objections in relation to STEPHENSON 000016, STEPHENSON 000017, STEPHENSON 000020-000029, STEPHENSON 000030-000033,mTEPHENSON 000034-000038, STEPHENSON 000039-000041, STEPHENSON 000042-000050, STEPHENSON 000051-000059,nSTEPHENSON 000060-000070, STEPHENSON 001672-001676, STEPHENSON 000425. Stephenson will not be required to produce these documents at this time.
2. The Court SUSTAINS in part Stephenson's attorney-client privilege objection to STEPHENSON 001680-001696. Specifically, Stephenson may redact the second paragraph of the cover letter at STEPHENSON 001680, but Stephenson must otherwise produce in full STEPHENSON 001680-001696.
3. The Court OVERRULES Stephenson's attorney-client privilege objections in relation to STEPHENSON 000005, STEPHENSON 000009, STEPHENSON 000011-000012, STEPHENSON 000013-000014, STEPHENSON 000015, STEPHENSON 000573, STEPHENSON 001032, STEPHENSON 001036, STEPHENSON 001053. See, e.g., Lake Eola Builders, LLC v. Metro. at Lake Eola, LLC, No. 6:05-cv-346-Orl-31DAB, 2006 WL 8439531, at *3 (M.D. Fla. Jan. 27, 2006) (“Business activity, as opposed to legal advice, is not protected by the attorney-client privilege.” (citing United States v. Davis, 636 F.2d 1028, 1043 (5th Cir. 1981))).
As stated on the record at the hearing, Stephenson also agreed to voluntarily produce STEPHENSON 000006 and STEPHENSON 000010.
4. Within ten (10) days of the date of this Order, Stephenson shall produce to Plaintiff the following documents: STEPHENSON 001680001696, partially redacted as set forth herein, and unredacted versions of STEPHENSON 000005-00006, STEPHENSON 000009-000010, STEPHENSON 000011-000012, STEPHENSON 000013-000014, STEPHENSON 000015, STEPHENSON 000573, STEPHENSON 001032, STEPHENSON 001036, STEPHENSON 001053. Each of these documents will be designated “ATTORNEYS EYES ONLY” pursuant to the Court's Protective Order. See Doc. No. 517.
5. Plaintiff's motion is otherwise DENIED, and Plaintiff's request for attorneys' fees incurred for the filing of the motion is DENIED for failure to provide applicable legal authority in support. Cf. Golden Krust Franchising, Inc. v. Clayborne, No. 8:20-mc-104-T-33SPF, 2020 WL 7260774, at *2 (M.D. Fla. Dec. 10, 2020) (“[U]nlike Rule 37, Rule 45 contains no express provision for attorneys' fees or sanctions to a party that has prevailed on a motion to compel compliance with a subpoena. . . ." (quotation marks and citation omitted))
6. The Order to Show Cause directed to Stephenson (Doc. No. 675) is DISCHARGED.