Bernstein v. Mafcote, Inc.

43 F. Supp. 3d 109, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 122269, 2014 WL 4355564
CourtDistrict Court, D. Connecticut
DecidedSeptember 2, 2014
DocketCiv. No. 3:12CV311 (WWE)
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 43 F. Supp. 3d 109 (Bernstein v. Mafcote, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Connecticut primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Bernstein v. Mafcote, Inc., 43 F. Supp. 3d 109, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 122269, 2014 WL 4355564 (D. Conn. 2014).

Opinion

RULING ON DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER [DOC. #71]

HOLLY B. FITZSIMMONS, United States Magistrate Judge.

Defendant Mafcote, Inc. moves pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(c) for the entry of a protective order in connection with plaintiff William Bernstein’s alleged unauthorized possession of attorney-client privileged communications. [Doc. # 71]. Plaintiff opposes defendant’s motion and contends that the subject documents were not stolen and, further, are not subject to any privilege. [Doc. # 86]. For the reasons articulated below, the Court DENIES defendant’s motion for protective order [Doc. # 71].

I. BACKGROUND

Plaintiff brings this action against his former employer Mafcote, Inc., claiming disability discrimination and retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12112(a), and the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-60(a)(l). [Am. Compl., Doc. # 55]. Plaintiff also alleges breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. [Id.]1

The following facts are derived from the allegations in the amended complaint. Plaintiff was working for defendant as Vice President of Finance when he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Plaintiff alleges that shortly after disclosing this diagnosis to defendant’s CEO, Steven Schulman, Mr. Schulman began a campaign to harass plaintiff and end his employment. Plaintiff underwent surgery on January 7, 2011 to remove the cancerous growth. Plaintiff alleges that “[d]ays before” this operation, Mr. Schulman, and his human resources manager, Jennifer Calderon, began to consult an attorney regarding plaintiffs employment. Defendant ultimately terminated plaintiffs employment on the allegedly pretextual grounds that he was overpaid.

The present dispute arises from plaintiffs alleged unauthorized possession of documents defendant claims are confidential communications with its attorney(s). Defendant claims plaintiff obtained these [113]*113documents by “illegal means” and that plaintiff’s “clandestine use of the Communications in prosecuting this case has worked irreparable harm upon [defendant].”2 [Doc. #71-1, 1]. As a result, defendant seeks the entry of a protective order which would: (1) prevent plaintiff and his attorneys from disclosing documents and communications between defendant and its legal counsel regarding matters in this case; (2) require plaintiff to return or destroy all such documents; (3) prevent plaintiff from introducing into evidence or otherwise using such documents or communications; (4) strike paragraph 15 of the Amended Complaint; and (5) preclude plaintiff’s allegations or claim(s) based upon plaintiff’s knowledge of the documents and communications. Defendant also seeks the award of costs and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in bringing the motion for protective order, as well as leave to initiate a separate action pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes section 53a-251. Plaintiff asserts several arguments in opposition to the , motion for protective order, including that the alleged documents are not subject to the attorney-client privilege, that plaintiff did not “steal” the documents at issue, and that even if the documents are privileged, they cannot be used to shelter tortious conduct under the crime-fraud exception to the attorney-client privilege.

On April 10, 2014, the Court held a telephone conference regarding the motion for protective order. After hearing argument of counsel, the Court ordered that the parties submit both the subject documents and the documents referenced on defendant’s privilege log for an in camera review.

II. LEGAL STANDARD

a. Protective Orders, Generally

Rule 26(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure reads, in pertinent part, that the “court may, for good cause, issue an order to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(c)(1). The burden of showing good cause for the issuance of a protective order falls on the party seeking the order. Brown v. Astoria Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass’n, 444 Fed. Appx. 504, 505 (2d Cir.2011) (citations omitted). To establish good cause under Rule 26(c), the party must set forth a “particular and specific demonstration of fact, as distinguished from stereotyped and conclusory statements.” Jerolimo v. Physicians for Women, P.C., 238 F.R.D. 354, 356 (D.Conn.2006) (citations omitted). In other words, good cause exists when disclosure will result in a “clearly defined and serious injury” to the party seeking the protective order.” Pansy v. Borough of Stroudsburg, 23 F.3d 772, 786 (3d Cir. 1994). Moreover, “[b]road allegations of harm, unsubstantiated by specific examples or articulated reasoning,” are insufficient for a good cause showing. Id. at 786 (quoting Cipollone v. Liggett Group, Inc., 785 F.2d 1108, 1121 (3d Cir.1986)).

b. Attorney-Client Privilege

The attorney-client privilege protects, confidential communications between client and counsel made for the purpose of obtaining or providing legal assistance. United States v. Constr. Prods. Research, Inc., 73 F.3d 464, 473 (2d Cir.1996). The Court construes the privilege narrowly because it renders relevant information un[114]*114discoverable; we apply it “only where necessary to achieve its purpose.” Fisher v. United States, 425 U.S. 391, 403, 96 S.Ct. 1569, 48 L.Ed.2d 39 (1976); see In re Grand Jury Investigation, 399 F.3d 527, 531 (2d Cir.2005). The Court uses a three-pronged standard for determining the legitimacy of an attorney-client privilege claim. A party invoking the attorney-client privilege must show (1) a communication between client and counsel that (2) was intended to be and was in fact kept confidential, and (3) was made for the purpose of obtaining or providing legal advice. In re County of Erie, 473 F.3d 413, 419 (2d Cir.2007); Constr. Prods. Research, Inc., 73 F.3d at 473. The burden of establishing the applicability of the privilege rests with the party invoking it. In re Grand Jury Proceedings, 219 F.3d 175, 182 (2d Cir.2000); United States v. Int’l Bd. of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of Am., AFL-CIO, 119 F.3d 210, 214 (2d Cir.1997).

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Bluebook (online)
43 F. Supp. 3d 109, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 122269, 2014 WL 4355564, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/bernstein-v-mafcote-inc-ctd-2014.