Garcia De Leon v. New York University

Background

The provided text is a May 6, 2022 letter from New York University (NYU), through its lawyer, to Judge Colleen McMahon. NYU requested permission to file under seal its opposition to the plaintiff’s motion for class certification and appointment of class representatives and class counsel. NYU also sought to seal certain declarations and exhibits accompanying that opposition.

Arguments for sealing

NYU said the materials contained three categories of information: the plaintiff’s personal identifying information in NYU’s records, the plaintiff’s protected health information, and sensitive commercial information designated confidential under a confidentiality agreement and stipulated protective order. NYU acknowledged that court filings generally carry a strong presumption of public access but argued that the privacy and confidentiality interests here justified sealing. NYU cited decisions discussing educational and student information, medical records and health information, and confidential business information.

NYU stated that it would publicly file redacted versions of the documents, leaving unredacted information that the parties agreed was not confidential. It also stated that disclosure could expose private, nonpublic, and commercially sensitive information. According to the letter, the plaintiff’s counsel consented to the request.

Disposition

The provided text contains NYU’s request but no ruling by Judge McMahon. It therefore does not establish whether the request to file under seal was granted, denied, or otherwise resolved.