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Discovery from Nonparties

26 th Annual Advanced Evidence & Discovery Course 2013. Discovery from Nonparties. March 21, 2013. John Smith. Outline What is Nonparty Discovery? Policy Considerations Arbitration v. Litigation in Federal or State Courts E-discovery Examples of How to Obtain Nonparty Discovery

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Discovery from Nonparties

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  1. 26th Annual Advanced Evidence & Discovery Course 2013 Discovery from Nonparties March 21, 2013 John Smith

  2. Outline What is Nonparty Discovery? Policy Considerations Arbitration v. Litigation in Federal or State Courts E-discovery Examples of How to Obtain Nonparty Discovery Practical Considerations Nonparties Resisting Discovery and Asserting Privileges

  3. Policy Considerations Parties have broad discovery rights. Resolution of disputes by what truth reveals, not what is concealed. In re Colonial Pipeline, 968 S.W.2d 938, 941 (Tex. 1998) (quoting Jampole v. Touchy, 673 S.W.2d 569, 573 (Tex. 1984))

  4. Rule 501 embodies this policy TRE 501 provides the general rule: • Except as otherwise provided by Constitution, by statute, or by other rules prescribed pursuant to statutory authority, no person has a privilege to: (1) refuse to be a witness; (2) refuse to disclose any matter; (3) refuse to produce any object or writing; or (4) prevent another from being a witness or disclosing any matter or producing an object or writing.

  5. But discovery is not boundless • However, discovery is a “tool to make the trial process more focused, not a weapon to make it more expensive. Thus trial courts ‘must make an effort to impose reasonable discovery limits.’...’Reasonable’ discovery necessarily requires some sense of proportion.” In re Allstate County Mut. Ins. Co., 227 S.W. 3d 667, 670 (Tex. 2007)

  6. Nonparties have rights under the rules • In both litigation and arbitration, nonparties have rights to not be unduly intruded upon or harassed.

  7. The biggest limitation The Remedy is Contempt • Enforcement: the remedy is contempt. Where? • Subpoena can be enforced by the issuing court or a district court in the county in which the subpoena was served. TRCP 176.8. In re Suarez and Texas Dep’t of Family & Protective Services, 261 S.W.3d 880, 883 (Tex. App.--Dallas 2008, orig. proceeding)(“the rule provides for enforcement of a subpoena through contempt, not sanctions”) • On matters relating to a deposition, an application may be made to the Court in which the action is pending, or to any district court in the district where the deposition is being taken. An application for an order to a deponent who is not a party shall be made to the court in the district where the deposition is being taken. TRCP 215.1 • How? A court’s power to impose sanctions on non-parties is limited to its contempt power. See TRCP 215.2(a) & (c) (authorizing contempt as only sanction against non-parties); see also Jefa Co., Inc. v. Mustang Tractor and Equipment Co., 868 S.W.2d 905, 908 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1994, writ denied) (“appropriate sanction for a nonparty’s noncompliance with discovery is placing the nonparty in contempt of court”); Exoxemis, Inc. v. Seale, No. 04-95-00673-CV, 1996 WL 471271, at *6 (Tex. App.-San Antonio Aug. 21, 1996, no writ) (trial court could not impose sanction on nonparty because “the trial court was powerless to treat him as a party in the absence of proper jurisdiction over his person in accordance with the mandatory rules relating to service of process”); In re Suarez and Texas Dep’t of Family & Protective Services, 261 S.W.3d 880, 883-84 (Tex. App.--Dallas 2008, orig. proceeding)(“We decline to hold that a party can file a motion for sanctions against a non-party, serve the motion on the non-party with a citation information it that it has ‘been sued’, and thereby subject the non-party to possible sanctions based on its alleged violation of a subpoena occurring before the sanctions motion was filed. Neither will we muddle the rules’ clear provisions for addressing a failure to obey a subpoena--a motion for contempt pursuant to rule 176.8.”)

  8. PRIVACY-CENTEREDPRIVILEGES • Physician-patient privilege • Mental health privilege • Income tax returns or other sensitive financial information

  9. In re Whipple, 2012 WL 556313 • A 2012 San Antonio Court of Appeals opinion states that “Courts . . . have consistently found that a claim for mental anguish will not, standing alone, make a plaintiff’s mental or emotional condition a part of their claim.” • “The mental conditionbecomes ‘part’ of a claimordefenseifthepleadingsindicatethatthejurymustmake a factual determinationregardingtheconditionitself.”

  10. In re Collins, 286 S.W.3d 916 (Tex. 2009) • In light of the potentially sensitive nature of the information disclosed under the physician-patient relationship, the Supreme Court has emphasized that trial courts have a “heavy responsibility . . . to prevent any disclosure that is broader than necessary.”

  11. In re Beeson, 2011 WL 3359711 • Tax records may not be discoverable • May be discoverable to the extent shown relevant and material to issues in lawsuit • Ex: Net worth for punitive damages if not otherwise provided

  12. ATTORNEY-CENTEREDPrivileges • Attorney-client privilege • Work product privilege

  13. Attorney-Client v. Work Product Work product is both more and less restrictive: • Applies “in anticipation of litigation” • Applies to materials other than from lawyers or others included by Rule 501

  14. Core Work Product • Cases and Tex. R. Civ. P. 192.5(b) distinguish “core work product” from “other” or “everyday work product.” In re Bexar Cnty. Crim. Dist. Attorney’s Office, 224 S.W.3d 182, 187 (Tex. 2007) • With respect to attorney thought process, the privilege is “absolute.” Banales, 907 S.W.2d at 490

  15. Trade Secret Privileges— Assertions of privilege involving trade secrets. • If a party asserts a trade secret objection to producing information requested, then the trial court must determine whether the requested production constitutes a trade secret; and if so, then the party seeking production must show reasonable necessity for the requested materials. In re Union Pac. R.R. Co., 294 S.W. 589, 591-93 (Tex. 2009).

  16. Journalist’s Qualified Privilege Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Section 22.021 • Applies to information after May 13, 2009. The purpose is “to increase the free flow of information and preserve a free and active press and, at the same time, protect the right of the public to effective law enforcement and the fair administration of justice.” Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 22.022. • The privilege protects disclosure of “(1) any confidential or nonconfidential information, document, or item obtained or prepared while acting as a journalist; or (2) the source of any information, document, or item described in Subdivision (1).” Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 22.023(a). • To overcome the privilege assertion, a party must “make a clear and specific showing” of a six-part test that: • “all reasonable efforts have been exhausted to obtain the information from alternative sources; • the subpoena is not overbroad, unreasonable, or oppressive and, when appropriate, will be limited to the verification of published information and the surrounding circumstances relating to the accuracy of the published information; • reasonable and timely notice was given of the demand for information, document, or item; • in this instance, the interest of the party subpoenaing the information outweighs the public interest in gathering and dissemination of news, including the concerns of the journalist; • the subpoena or compulsory process is not being used to obtain peripheral, nonessential, or speculative information; and • the information, document, or item is relevant and material to the proper administration of the official proceeding for which the testimony, production, or disclosure is sought and is essential to the maintenance of a claim or defense of the person seeking the testimony, production, or disclosure.” Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 22.024.

  17. Some Procedural Issues To Remember When In A Privilege Dispute • The burden of proving the existence of a privilege is on the party resisting discovery • “The party who seeks to limit discovery by asserting a privilege has the burden of proof.” In re E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 136 S.W.3d 218, 223 (Tex. 2004) (orig. proceeding). • “To meet its burden, the party seeking to assert a privilege must make a prima facie showing of the applicability of a privilege by first asserting the privilege.” In re BP Prods. N. Am., Inc., 263 S.W.3d 106, 112 (Tex. App. – Houston[1st Dist] 2006, orig. proceeding).

  18. Issues Commonly Arising When Privileges Are Asserted • Scope of privilege • Qualified privileges • Waiver • Offensive Use or “sword and shield” waiver • Conflict of laws principles • How privilege disputes arise • Written discovery • Depositions • Third party subpoenas/document requests

  19. Who can waive the privilege? “Under Texas law, discovery privileges are waived by voluntarydisclosure by the holderof the privilege.” In re Ford Motor Co., 211 S.W.3d 295, 301 (Tex. 2006) • The Court found no waiver when Florida court clerk’s office breached its non-disclosure duty. • The clerk’s office erroneously produced materials covered by a protective order and made them publicly available. • Such disclosure does not result in a voluntary waiver of the privilege by the holder.

  20. Contact Information CARLOS R. SOLTERO Jessica Palvino McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, LLP 600 Congress Avenue, Suite 2100 Austin, Texas 78748 (512) 4965-6000 Website: www.mcginnislaw.com

  21. 26th Annual Advanced Evidence & Discovery Course 2013 Discovery from Nonparties March 21, 2013 John Smith

  22. Discovery from Nonparties 26th Annual Advanced Evidence & Discovery Course 2013 John Smith March 21, 2014

  23. Discovery from Nonparties 26th Annual Advanced Evidence & Discovery Course 2013 John Smith March 21, 2014

  24. Outline What is Nonparty Discovery? Policy Considerations Arbitration v. Litigation in Federal or State Courts E-discovery Examples of How to Obtain Nonparty Discovery Practical Considerations Nonparties Resisting Discovery and Asserting Privileges

  25. Today’s Topics Policy Considerations Privacy-Centered Privileges Attorney-Centered Privileges

  26. Policy Considerations Parties have broad discovery rights. Resolution of disputes by what truth reveals, not what is concealed. In re Colonial Pipeline, 968 S.W.2d 938, 941 (Tex. 1998) (quoting Jampole v. Touchy, 673 S.W.2d 569, 573 (Tex. 1984))

  27. Policy Considerations Broad discovery rights Resolution of disputes

  28. Rule 501 embodies this policy TRE 501 provides the general rule: • Except as otherwise provided by Constitution, by statute, or by other rules prescribed pursuant to statutory authority, no person has a privilege to: (1) refuse to be a witness; (2) refuse to disclose any matter; (3) refuse to produce any object or writing; or (4) prevent another from being a witness or disclosing any matter or producing an object or writing.

  29. Rule 501 No person has a privilege to: • refuse to be a witness • refuse to disclose any matter • refuse to produce any object or writing • prevent another from being a witness However, discovery is a “tool to make the trial process more focused, not a weapon to make it more expensive. Thus trial courts ‘must make an effort to impose reasonable discovery limits...’Reasonable’ discovery necessarily requires some sense of proportion.” • In re Allstate County Mut. Ins. Co., 227 S.W. 3d 667, 670 (Tex. 2007)

  30. But discovery is not boundless • However, discovery is a “tool to make the trial process more focused, not a weapon to make it more expensive. Thus trial courts ‘must make an effort to impose reasonable discovery limits.’...’Reasonable’ discovery necessarily requires some sense of proportion.” In re Allstate County Mut. Ins. Co., 227 S.W. 3d 667, 670 (Tex. 2007)

  31. Discovery is not boundless Tool to make the trial process more focused Not a weapon to make it more expensive Discovery is a “tool to make the trial process more focused, not a weapon to make it more expensive. Thus trial courts ‘must make an effort to impose reasonable discovery limits.’ ...’Reasonable’ discovery necessarily requires some sense of proportion.” • In re Allstate County Mut. Ins. Co., 227 S.W. 3d 667, 670 (Tex. 2007)

  32. Nonparties have rights under the rules • In both litigation and arbitration, nonparties have rights to not be unduly intruded upon or harassed.

  33. Nonparties have rights under the rules In both litigation and arbitration, nonparties have rights to not be unduly intruded upon or harassed.

  34. The biggest limitation The Remedy is Contempt • Enforcement: the remedy is contempt. Where? • Subpoena can be enforced by the issuing court or a district court in the county in which the subpoena was served. TRCP 176.8. In re Suarez and Texas Dep’t of Family & Protective Services, 261 S.W.3d 880, 883 (Tex. App.--Dallas 2008, orig. proceeding)(“the rule provides for enforcement of a subpoena through contempt, not sanctions”) • On matters relating to a deposition, an application may be made to the Court in which the action is pending, or to any district court in the district where the deposition is being taken. An application for an order to a deponent who is not a party shall be made to the court in the district where the deposition is being taken. TRCP 215.1 • How? A court’s power to impose sanctions on non-parties is limited to its contempt power. See TRCP 215.2(a) & (c) (authorizing contempt as only sanction against non-parties); see also Jefa Co., Inc. v. Mustang Tractor and Equipment Co., 868 S.W.2d 905, 908 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1994, writ denied) (“appropriate sanction for a nonparty’s noncompliance with discovery is placing the nonparty in contempt of court”); Exoxemis, Inc. v. Seale, No. 04-95-00673-CV, 1996 WL 471271, at *6 (Tex. App.-San Antonio Aug. 21, 1996, no writ) (trial court could not impose sanction on nonparty because “the trial court was powerless to treat him as a party in the absence of proper jurisdiction over his person in accordance with the mandatory rules relating to service of process”); In re Suarez and Texas Dep’t of Family & Protective Services, 261 S.W.3d 880, 883-84 (Tex. App.--Dallas 2008, orig. proceeding)(“We decline to hold that a party can file a motion for sanctions against a non-party, serve the motion on the non-party with a citation information it that it has ‘been sued’, and thereby subject the non-party to possible sanctions based on its alleged violation of a subpoena occurring before the sanctions motion was filed. Neither will we muddle the rules’ clear provisions for addressing a failure to obey a subpoena--a motion for contempt pursuant to rule 176.8.”)

  35. The biggest limitation The Remedy is Contempt Some other brilliant observation goes here about this Subpoena can be enforced by the issuing court or a district court in the county in which the subpoena was served. TRCP 176.8. In re Suarez and Texas Dep’t of Family & Protective Services, 261 S.W.3d 880, 883 (Tex. App.--Dallas 2008, orig. proceeding)(“the rule provides for enforcement of a subpoena through contempt, not sanctions”) On matters relating to a deposition, an application may be made to the Court in which the action is pending, or to any district court in the district where the deposition is being taken. An application for an order to a deponent who is not a party shall be made to the court in the district where the deposition is being taken. TRCP 215.1 How? A court’s power to impose sanctions on non-parties is limited to its contempt power. See TRCP 215.2(a) & (c) (authorizing contempt as only sanction against non-parties); see also Jefa Co., Inc. v. Mustang Tractor and Equipment Co., 868 S.W.2d 905, 908 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1994, writ denied) (“appropriate sanction for a nonparty’s noncompliance with discovery is placing the nonparty in contempt of court”); Exoxemis, Inc. v. Seale, No. 04-95-00673-CV, 1996 WL 471271, at *6 (Tex. App.-San Antonio Aug. 21, 1996, no writ) (trial court could not impose sanction on nonparty because “the trial court was powerless to treat him as a party in the absence of proper jurisdiction over his person in accordance with the mandatory rules relating to service of process”); In re Suarez and Texas Dep’t of Family & Protective Services, 261 S.W.3d 880, 883-84 (Tex. App.--Dallas 2008, orig. proceeding)(“We decline to hold that a party can file a motion for sanctions against a non-party, serve the motion on the non-party with a citation information it that it has ‘been sued’, and thereby subject the non-party to possible sanctions based on its alleged violation of a subpoena occurring before the sanctions motion was filed. Neither will we muddle the rules’ clear provisions for addressing a failure to obey a subpoena--a motion for contempt pursuant to rule 176.8.”)

  36. PRIVACY-CENTEREDPRIVILEGES • Physician-patient privilege • Mental health privilege • Income tax returns or other sensitive financial information

  37. Privacy-Centered Privileges Physician-patient privilege Mental health privilege Income tax returns Other sensitive information

  38. In re Whipple, 2012 WL 556313 • A 2012 San Antonio Court of Appeals opinion states that “Courts . . . have consistently found that a claim for mental anguish will not, standing alone, make a plaintiff’s mental or emotional condition a part of their claim.” • “The mental conditionbecomes ‘part’ of a claimordefenseifthepleadingsindicatethatthejurymustmake a factual determinationregardingtheconditionitself.”

  39. Whipple, 2012 WL 556313 San Antonio Court of Appeals opinion: • Plaintiff’s mental or emotional condition not part of claim • Onlyifjurymustregardtheconditionitself A 2012 San Antonio Court of Appeals opinion states that “Courts . . . have consistently found that a claim for mental anguish will not, standing alone, make a plaintiff’s mental or emotional condition a part of their claim.” “The mental condition becomes ‘part’ of a claim or defense if the pleadings indicate that the jury must make a factual determination regarding the condition itself.”

  40. In re Collins, 286 S.W.3d 916 (Tex. 2009) • In light of the potentially sensitive nature of the information disclosed under the physician-patient relationship, the Supreme Court has emphasized that trial courts have a “heavy responsibility . . . to prevent any disclosure that is broader than necessary.”

  41. Collins, 286 S.W.3d 916 (Tex. 2009) Supreme Court emphasis • Trial courts have heavy burden • Prevent unnecessary disclosure In light of the potentially sensitive nature of the information disclosed under the physician-patient relationship, the Supreme Court has emphasized that trial courts have a “heavy responsibility . . . to prevent any disclosure that is broader than necessary.”

  42. In re Beeson, 2011 WL 3359711 • Tax records may not be discoverable • May be discoverable to the extent shown relevant and material to issues in lawsuit • Ex: Net worth for punitive damages if not otherwise provided

  43. Beeson, 2011 WL 3359711 Tax records only discoverable if: • Shown relevant and material to issues in lawsuit • Net worth for punitive damages if not otherwise provided

  44. Contact Information CARLOS R. SOLTERO Jessica Palvino McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, LLP 600 Congress Avenue, Suite 2100 Austin, Texas 78748 (512) 4965-6000 Website: www.mcginnislaw.com

  45. Carlos SolteroJessica Palvino McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, LLP600 Congress Avenue, Suite 2100Austin, Texas 78748(512) 496-6000 www.mcginnislaw.com

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