MEMORANDUM
ROBRENO, District Judge.
Before the Court is a motion of the Associated Press (“AP”) to intervene and lift the Court’s November 4, 2005 interim sealing order (doc. no. 51), which sealed the parties’ motions to compel and their responses along with the attachments that contained extensive portions of the parties’ depositions.
Plaintiff, Andrea Constand, brought this diversity action against defendant, William H. Cosby, Jr., asserting claims of battery, sexual assault, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, defamation/defamation per se and false light/invasion of privacy. Plaintiff is the former Director of Operations for the Women’s Basketball program at Temple University. Defendant is a [487]*487well-known entertainer and celebrity and a supporter of Temple University programs. Plaintiff met defendant while she was employed at Temple University.
The gravamen of plaintiffs complaint is that while alone with defendant at defendant’s home in January 2004, defendant deceived plaintiff into ingesting a narcotic or other type of drug which caused plaintiff to become semi-conscious, and thereafter defendant sexually assaulted plaintiff. Plaintiff also contends that after she reported defendant’s alleged actions to the Durham, Ontario police, defendant and/or his authorized representatives knowingly made false statements to the media about plaintiff. In connection with her allegations, plaintiff seeks an award of compensatory damages plus reasonable attorneys’ fees, interest, costs, punitive damages and other unspecified relief.
At the onset of the case, the parties sought broad protective orders. Plaintiff sought to cloak from public disclosure the identities of the Jane Doe witnesses whose testimony may be admissible pursuant to Federal Rule of Evidence 415. The Court determined plaintiff had not met her burden of “good cause” as required by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(c) and denied plaintiffs motion. Defendant sought to protect from public disclosure all material obtained in discovery through what essentially would be a gag order. The Court denied defendant’s motion, finding that defendant had failed to connect the embarrassment he sought to prevent to any specific injury to meet the “good cause” standard. The Court also determined that a far reaching gag order was not warranted. Instead the Court adopted, as a Case Management Order to govern counsels’ interaction with the media, Rule 3.6 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct. See Constand v. Cosby, 229 F.R.D. 472 (E.D.Pa.2005).
Discovery then began with the exchange of interrogatories and requests for production, and the taking of the parties’ depositions. The date, time and place and the logistics of the depositions were agreed upon by the parties. The depositions took place in private. See Seattle Times v. Rhinehart, 467 U.S. 20, 33, 104 S.Ct. 2199, 81 L.Ed.2d 17 (1984) (“pretrial depositions ... are conducted in private as a matter of modern practice” (internal citations omitted)); see also Sept. 26, 2005 Tr. at 12.
During the course of discovery, several issues arose which the parties brought to the Court’s attention for resolution via letter. The first involved plaintiffs August 25, 2005 letter to the Court regarding what plaintiff deemed incomplete answers to plaintiffs interrogatories and requests for production of documents. On September 12, 2005, defendant wrote to the Court concerning another dispute as to plaintiffs responses to defendant’s second set of interrogatories. That same day, the Court scheduled a discovery conference, which occurred in open Court on September 26, 2005. The Court ruled on the issues from the bench.
On October 5, 2005, the Court received a letter from defense counsel requesting assistance regarding certain issues which had arisen in the course of the parties’ depositions. Plaintiff, in turn, submitted a response letter on October 6, 2005. In that letter, plaintiff raised for the first time her objection to what she referred to as defendant’s attempt to conduct discovery in “secrecy.” Both parties sought to compel the other party to answer additional questions at deposition.
On November 4, 2005, the Court held a telephone conference to address the proper procedure by which the parties’ discovery disputes regarding depositions could be resolved. The conference did not address the merits of the dispute, but was intended to afford the parties an opportunity to comment on a procedure within which the Court could evaluate the parties’ conflicting arguments. See Nov. 4, 2005 Tr. at 2. At the end of the conference, the Court entered its November 4, 2005 interim order setting forth the procedure discussed and sealing the parties motions to compel and the responses pending review by the Court.1 It is this order which is at issue here.
[488]*488A party may seek a protective order under Rule 26(c) “for good cause shown ... on matters relating to a deposition ... to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense.” In this circuit, the issuance of protective orders sealing materials provided by parties during discovery is governed by the Third Circuit’s decision in Pansy v. Borough of Stroudsburg, 23 F.3d 772 (3d Cir.1994). Under Pansy, the factors to consider before issuing a protective order include:
(1) whether disclosure will violate any privacy interests;
(2) whether the information is being sought for a legitimate purpose or for an improper purpose;
(3) whether disclosure of the information will cause a party embarrassment;
(4) whether confidentiality is being sought over information important to public health and safety;
(5) whether the sharing of information among litigants will promote fairness and efficiency;
(6) whether a party benefitting from the order of confidentiality is a public entity or official; and
(7) whether the case involves issues important to the public.
Shingara v. Skiles, 420 F.3d 301, 306 (3d Cir.2005) (citing Glenmede Trust Co. v. Thompson, 56 F.3d 476, 483 (3d Cir.1995) (citing Pansy, 23 F.3d at 787-91)). Further, [489]*489the Third Circuit counseled that “if a case involves private litigants, and concerns matters of little legitimate public interest, that should be a factor weighing in favor of granting or maintaining an order of confidentiality.” Pansy, 23 F.3d at 788. “Courts have discretion to fashion such orders according to the needs and circumstances of each case.” Id. Ultimately, it is the Court’s duty to balance the public and private interests implicated in the case.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
MEMORANDUM
ROBRENO, District Judge.
Before the Court is a motion of the Associated Press (“AP”) to intervene and lift the Court’s November 4, 2005 interim sealing order (doc. no. 51), which sealed the parties’ motions to compel and their responses along with the attachments that contained extensive portions of the parties’ depositions.
Plaintiff, Andrea Constand, brought this diversity action against defendant, William H. Cosby, Jr., asserting claims of battery, sexual assault, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, defamation/defamation per se and false light/invasion of privacy. Plaintiff is the former Director of Operations for the Women’s Basketball program at Temple University. Defendant is a [487]*487well-known entertainer and celebrity and a supporter of Temple University programs. Plaintiff met defendant while she was employed at Temple University.
The gravamen of plaintiffs complaint is that while alone with defendant at defendant’s home in January 2004, defendant deceived plaintiff into ingesting a narcotic or other type of drug which caused plaintiff to become semi-conscious, and thereafter defendant sexually assaulted plaintiff. Plaintiff also contends that after she reported defendant’s alleged actions to the Durham, Ontario police, defendant and/or his authorized representatives knowingly made false statements to the media about plaintiff. In connection with her allegations, plaintiff seeks an award of compensatory damages plus reasonable attorneys’ fees, interest, costs, punitive damages and other unspecified relief.
At the onset of the case, the parties sought broad protective orders. Plaintiff sought to cloak from public disclosure the identities of the Jane Doe witnesses whose testimony may be admissible pursuant to Federal Rule of Evidence 415. The Court determined plaintiff had not met her burden of “good cause” as required by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(c) and denied plaintiffs motion. Defendant sought to protect from public disclosure all material obtained in discovery through what essentially would be a gag order. The Court denied defendant’s motion, finding that defendant had failed to connect the embarrassment he sought to prevent to any specific injury to meet the “good cause” standard. The Court also determined that a far reaching gag order was not warranted. Instead the Court adopted, as a Case Management Order to govern counsels’ interaction with the media, Rule 3.6 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct. See Constand v. Cosby, 229 F.R.D. 472 (E.D.Pa.2005).
Discovery then began with the exchange of interrogatories and requests for production, and the taking of the parties’ depositions. The date, time and place and the logistics of the depositions were agreed upon by the parties. The depositions took place in private. See Seattle Times v. Rhinehart, 467 U.S. 20, 33, 104 S.Ct. 2199, 81 L.Ed.2d 17 (1984) (“pretrial depositions ... are conducted in private as a matter of modern practice” (internal citations omitted)); see also Sept. 26, 2005 Tr. at 12.
During the course of discovery, several issues arose which the parties brought to the Court’s attention for resolution via letter. The first involved plaintiffs August 25, 2005 letter to the Court regarding what plaintiff deemed incomplete answers to plaintiffs interrogatories and requests for production of documents. On September 12, 2005, defendant wrote to the Court concerning another dispute as to plaintiffs responses to defendant’s second set of interrogatories. That same day, the Court scheduled a discovery conference, which occurred in open Court on September 26, 2005. The Court ruled on the issues from the bench.
On October 5, 2005, the Court received a letter from defense counsel requesting assistance regarding certain issues which had arisen in the course of the parties’ depositions. Plaintiff, in turn, submitted a response letter on October 6, 2005. In that letter, plaintiff raised for the first time her objection to what she referred to as defendant’s attempt to conduct discovery in “secrecy.” Both parties sought to compel the other party to answer additional questions at deposition.
On November 4, 2005, the Court held a telephone conference to address the proper procedure by which the parties’ discovery disputes regarding depositions could be resolved. The conference did not address the merits of the dispute, but was intended to afford the parties an opportunity to comment on a procedure within which the Court could evaluate the parties’ conflicting arguments. See Nov. 4, 2005 Tr. at 2. At the end of the conference, the Court entered its November 4, 2005 interim order setting forth the procedure discussed and sealing the parties motions to compel and the responses pending review by the Court.1 It is this order which is at issue here.
[488]*488A party may seek a protective order under Rule 26(c) “for good cause shown ... on matters relating to a deposition ... to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense.” In this circuit, the issuance of protective orders sealing materials provided by parties during discovery is governed by the Third Circuit’s decision in Pansy v. Borough of Stroudsburg, 23 F.3d 772 (3d Cir.1994). Under Pansy, the factors to consider before issuing a protective order include:
(1) whether disclosure will violate any privacy interests;
(2) whether the information is being sought for a legitimate purpose or for an improper purpose;
(3) whether disclosure of the information will cause a party embarrassment;
(4) whether confidentiality is being sought over information important to public health and safety;
(5) whether the sharing of information among litigants will promote fairness and efficiency;
(6) whether a party benefitting from the order of confidentiality is a public entity or official; and
(7) whether the case involves issues important to the public.
Shingara v. Skiles, 420 F.3d 301, 306 (3d Cir.2005) (citing Glenmede Trust Co. v. Thompson, 56 F.3d 476, 483 (3d Cir.1995) (citing Pansy, 23 F.3d at 787-91)). Further, [489]*489the Third Circuit counseled that “if a case involves private litigants, and concerns matters of little legitimate public interest, that should be a factor weighing in favor of granting or maintaining an order of confidentiality.” Pansy, 23 F.3d at 788. “Courts have discretion to fashion such orders according to the needs and circumstances of each case.” Id. Ultimately, it is the Court’s duty to balance the public and private interests implicated in the case.
The Court’s November 4, 2005 interim order was properly entered for the following reasons:
1. The discovery disputes before the Court involved complex legal issues, including the attorney client privilege and the scope of discovery in a case involving Rule 415 deponents. The factual issues involve allegations of drug use and sexual assault, and require discussion of personal information about non-parties. A reasonable time is required for the Court to adjudicate these issues.
2. The scope of the interim order is narrowly tailored. It applies only to the pending motions to compel and the responses, and nothing else.
3. The duration of the interim order is limited. During the telephone conference, the Court explained that there would be time limitations within which to file motions and responses, comprising roughly a 90-day cycle. See Nov. 4, 2005 Tr. at 5-7,13. After the Court rules on the motions to compel and unless the protection of the seal is extended, the seal will lapse.
4. The rationale of the interim order was stated on the record:
The difficulty here is the following. That the courts have recognized that confidentiality can be attached to discovery because, among other reasons, the Court is not directly involved. That parties privately can make those arrangements. If the motion to compel becomes a vehicle to disclose the discovery, then the entire point of any agreement that the parties have or any desire that the courts have endorsed in the past for discovery, as opposed to court proceedings, to remain confidential, [ ] would be pointless.
Id. at 6. At the telephone conference, the Court recognized the presumption of access and the need to develop an appropriate record on which to balance the interests of “the parties involved, third parties, and the interest of the public.” Id. at 10. The Court also recognized that the party seeking to retain confidentiality as to certain issues or subjects would have to show cause why the seal should not be lifted. Id. “The presumption is not a presumption that it will be confidential, but there may be reasons why, in whole or in part, some aspects may be confidential.” Id.
The interim sealing order of this Court is consistent with the Third Circuit’s balancing test set forth in Pansy. In fact, the Pansy court actually suggested a similar process where, under certain circumstances, a conditional order may be appropriate to allow the Court time to engage in the Pansy balancing of factors.2 Pansy, 23 F.3d at 791. Failure to provide a procedure for the filings of the motions to compel and responses under seal would prevent the Court from later protecting the information from disclosure should the Court find that the information contained in the filings warranted Rule 26(c) protection. Publicker Industries, Inc. v. Cohen, 733 F.2d 1059, 1071-72 (3d Cir.1984) (approving of district court’s rationale that failure to address the issue of confidentiality in private could disclose potentially sensitive information without judicial determination).
[490]*490The Third Circuit’s recent decision in Shingara v. Skiles, 420 F.3d 301 (3d Cir.2005), is not to the contrary. There, the court vacated a protective order because it was too broad and did not attempt to balance the factors for issuing a sealing order set forth in Pansy. The plaintiff was suing the Pennsylvania State Police for retaliation after plaintiff revealed that the police were using faulty radar speed detectors. The district court sealed all information relating to the case after plaintiffs counsel gave some documents to the newspaper, which then published an article based on those documents. There was no agreement between the parties that the information would be kept confidential. The Court of Appeals unsealed the documents, emphasizing the public interest at stake in the case and reaffirming the Pansy factors, which require the district court to balance the public interest with the need for the protective order. Id. 306-08.
Shingara is distinguishable. As a threshold matter, Shingara emphasized that the issues in that case involved a matter of public concern and the defendant was a public official. Neither is present in this case. More importantly, the Shingara order was an umbrella order (referring to “all documents”) and of indefinite duration. Id. at 304, 308. By contrast, here the interim order is narrowly tailored to the motions to compel testimony in two depositions and will lapse upon adjudication of the motions to compel presently under the Court’s consideration unless the protection of the seal is extended. Finally, the Shingara order governed documents in final form and this case involves notes of testimony from as yet to be completed depositions. Shingara, therefore, does not compel a different result.
The AP’s motion to intervene will be denied without prejudice. The Court has yet to determine whether a protective order is warranted to cloak any discovery in this case under Rule 26(c). Thus far, the Court simply has created a procedure to develop a record upon which to engage in the Pansy required calculus. Once the depositions are concluded, the Court will determine if the notes of testimony and motions and responses containing portions of that testimony shall be subject to a sealing order. Unless a sealing order is entered at that point, the seal will lapse. In the event that the Court grants a protective order supported by specific findings sealing any materials, any interested party will have an opportunity to request to intervene and challenge the ruling granting the protective order at that time.3
An appropriate order follows.
ORDER
AND NOW, this 13th day of January 2006, it is hereby ORDERED that the Asso[491]*491dated Press’s Motion to Intervene (doc. no. 51) is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
AND IT IS SO ORDERED.