In Wiens Capital Mgt., LLC v. Advocate Consulting Legal Grp., PLLC, No. 2:23-cv-81-SPC-KCD, 2023 WL 2435806 (M.D. Fla. Feb. 16, 2023) (USMJ), a U.S. Magistrate Judge faced a motion "to seal a portion of the disclosure statement required by Federal Rule 7.1 and Local Rule 3.03 that lists the identities of the individual members of Wiens Real Estate Ventures, LLC[.]" Wiens Capital Management, 2023 WL 2435806, at *1. Ventures was the sole member of Management, the plaintiff that filed this lawsuit. Wiens Capital Management, 2023 WL 2435806, at *1.
The Magistrate Judge denied the motion. The people who requested secrecy from public view failed to overcome the presumption of public access. In short, the identities of these people are in the sunshine now. What a positive ruling to report for Sunshine Week in Florida!
Ms. Ashley Moody, we have not forgotten your self-stated "vow to safeguard" Florida's Sunshine Laws. Nice words, those. You did not have to say them, in fact, you did not have to say them for years whenever Sunshine Week rolls around. What say you now about people who do not comply, such as the Florida governor? The people of Florida deserve more than crickets from you, Ms. Moody, especially since you said a vow (to safeguard, no less) that you offered up voluntarily. See Sunday's article published on our sister blog, IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF SUNSHINE WEEK IN FLORIDA!
Make your vows over the years to safeguard Florida's Sunshine Laws more than press releases, Ms. Moody. Make them real.
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