Jaffee v. Redmond

Holding that "confidential communications between a licensed psychotherapist and her patients in the course of diagnosis or treatment are protected from compelled disclosure under Rule 501 of the Federal Rules of Evidence"

In re Sims

Holding that a district court's finding that a party has waived a privilege is reviewed under the abuse-of-discretion standard, and defining the non-pejorative term of art "abuse of discretion"

Bay v. Cassens Transport Company

Holding that, absent evidence of bad faith or pretext, an employer is generally entitled to rely on medical determinations of an employee's abilities

United States v. Salerno

Holding that former testimony may not be introduced under Rule 804(b) without a showing of “similar motive”

In re Keeper of Records

Finding it "crystal clear that any previously privileged information actually revealed [to third parties] lost any veneer of privilege"

Sarko v. Penn-Del Directory Co.

Holding that "a party waives the privilege by placing her mental condition at issue"

Garner v. Chevron Phillips Chem. Co.

Holding that "an employee's protected status . . . is based on engaging in a protected activity as defined by 29 U.S.C. § 215"

Hodgdon v. Northwestern University

Finding that an employer's subpoena on the plaintiff's healthcare providers seeking medical records relating to the illness that required his leave to be justified

Flag Fables, Inc. v. Jean Ann's Country Flags and Crafts, Inc.

Finding in a copyright case that the "potential damage to the plaintiffs reputation for excellence is just the kind of irreparable harm which a motion for preliminary injunction is intended to address"

Kronenberg v. Baker & McKenzie LLP

Denying motion to compel mental health records and finding no waiver of psychotherapist-patient privilege in physical disability case where plaintiff "repeatedly, unambiguously, and explicitly disavowed" any claims or evidence of mental or emotional injury, including any claim for "garden variety" emotional damages

Rule 72 - Magistrate Judges: Pretrial Order

Granting a party fourteen days to object to a Magistrate Judge's non-dispositive order

Rule 26 - Duty to Disclose; General Provisions Governing Discovery

Adopting Fed.R.Civ.P. 37

Section 12101 - Findings and purpose

Finding a pattern of " unnecessary discrimination and prejudice" that "costs the United States billions of dollars in unnecessary expenses resulting from dependency and nonproductivity"

Section 12112 - Discrimination

Recognizing failure to accommodate as form of discrimination

Section 31105 - Employee protections

Stating that "[a]ll complaints initiated under this section shall be governed by the legal burdens of proof set forth in section 42121(b)"

Rule 503 - Health Care Professional, Mental Health Professional, and Licensed Counseling Professional Patient Privilege