The clash between the public's “right to know” and the interest of parties in keeping information from the public is a recurring issue. This program will give an overview of “both sides” and will examine, among other things, new case law and statutes that address access versus confidentiality.

Topics to be addressed include:

• Introduction to “public access” to court filings and proceedings, and why this is important
• First Amendment and common law rights of access
• How access rights arise at stages of litigation
• What might restrict access
• Anonymity in pleadings
• Discovery materials
• Settlement negotiations and agreements
• Trade secrets and other intellectual property rights

Expert Presenter:

Ronald J. Hedges, Principal of Ronald J. Hedges LLC