Standard Insurance Company v. Minnesota Life Insurance Company

Background

Standard Insurance Company asked the court for permission to file three items with restricted public access: its brief supporting a motion to partially dismiss counterclaims or compel arbitration, a public version of that brief containing redactions, and an exhibit to a declaration. Minnesota Life Insurance Company and Securian Financial Group, Inc., referred to collectively as the Securian Entities, consented to the request.

Reason for the Request

Standard represented that the brief and exhibit discussed commercially sensitive information concerning the parties’ transaction, potential earn-out payments, and the number and percentage of clients that terminated or discontinued their plans or gave written notice of their definitive intent to do so. The request relied on the court’s obligation to balance the public’s right to access judicial documents against privacy interests and the potential competitive harm from disclosure. Standard also stated that the court had previously granted requests to seal similar information.

Ruling

Judge Vernon S. Broderick granted the application. The court granted Standard leave to file the brief with redactions, the brief under seal, and the exhibit under seal. The opinion does not rule on Standard’s request to partially dismiss the counterclaims or compel arbitration.