Opinion
23-cv-04860-BLF (VKD)
01-29-2024
BIG BASIN VINEYARDS LLC, Plaintiff, v. RSC INSURANCE BROKERAGE, INC., Defendant.
ORDER RE JANUARY 17, 2024 DISCOVERY DISPUTE RE PRODUCTION OF SETTLEMENT DOCUMENTS RE: DKT. NO. 17
Virginia K. DeMarchi, United States Magistrate Judge.
The parties ask the Court to resolve a dispute concerning defendant's requests for production of documents relating to plaintiff's settlement of certain breach of contract and insurance bad faith claims against Allied World Assurance Company (U.S.), Inc. (“AWAC”). Dkt. No. 17. The Court finds this matter suitable for resolution without oral argument. See Civil L.R. 7-1(b).
Having considered the parties' joint discovery dispute submission and the applicable law, the Court agrees with defendant that the existence of a contractual confidentiality obligation in the settlement agreement between plaintiff and AWAC is no bar to the production of the documents defendant seeks. In addition, to the extent plaintiff or AWAC contends that a privilege protects settlement communications from discovery, plaintiff cites no authority for such a privilege. See Manzo v. Cnty. of Santa Clara, No. 17-cv-1099-BLF (VKD), 2019 WL 2866047, at *3 (N.D. Cal. July 3, 2019) (discussing authority).
Plaintiff indicates that it “has no basis to withhold its [AWAC] settlement agreement other than for its settlement agreement obligations.” Dkt. No. 17 at 3.
Accordingly, the Court orders plaintiff to promptly produce all documents responsive to defendant's requests for production relating to plaintiff's settlement of its claims with AWAC.
The documents may be designated under the protective order as appropriate.
IT IS SO ORDERED.