Key Insight: Plaintiff was made aware that he had to preserve his phone records and text records and than failed to do so
Nature of Case: personal injury and liability
Electronic Data Involved: plaintiff’s cell phone and text messages
Keywords: spoliation, text messages, phone records, cell phone, preservation
Key Insight: third parties want the court to investigate all of the people that had access to discovery materials and assure that they are destroyed for fear of future litigation or political liability
Nature of Case: gerrymandering
Electronic Data Involved: discovery that had been produced
Keywords: preserving confidentiality of information, public accessibility
Key Insight: The communications with Plaintiff’s consultant were not privileged because the consultant was not a “functional employee.” There is no evidence that the consultant had “information about the company that would assist the company’s attorneys in rendering legal advice.” Additionally, there was no evidence that consultant’s communications with counsel were primarily of a legal nature rather than a business one.
Defendant’s request for sanctions was premature. Rule 37 sanctions are only allowed against a party for disobeys a court issued discovery order. Additionally, no evidence was presented in support of Defendant’s spoliation theory other than a failure to produce documents to its subpoena. Without evidence regarding what was destroyed, when it occurred, the extent of Plaintiff’s involvement, and resulting prejudice, sanctions are inappropriate.
Nature of Case: Trademark Infringement, Breach of Contract
Electronic Data Involved: Email
Key Insight: Failure to produce; Sanctions; Proportionality
Nature of Case: Trademark & Copyright infringement
Electronic Data Involved: Hard copy; correspondence; email
Keywords: “Functional employee”; Consultant; Third-party communications; Privilege; Spoliation; Unfair prejudice; Attorney’s fees and costs; Proportionality; Access/Resources;
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