Notice Of Motion And Motion To Seal Portions Of The Declaration Of Trey Sims
Set for Law and Motion/Discovery Calendar on Monday, August 10, 2026, Line 11.
Defendant Databricks, Inc.'s motion to seal portions of the declaration of Trey Sims is denied. Assuming without deciding that Databricks has identified a qualifying "overriding interest"to satisfy the first required finding of CRC 2.550(d)(1), Databricks has presented no facts showing that "A substantial probability exists that the overriding interest will be prejudiced if ... [its section 998 settlement offer] is not sealed" required by CRC 2.550(d)(3).
CRC 2.551(b)(1) provides that a motion to seal "must be accompanied by a ... declaration containing facts to justify the sealing." The sole declaration filed with this motion is from Databrick's counsel which is silent on any prejudice or harm that has, will or even might befall Databricks if the settlement offer is not sealed. The lack of a declaration from anyone working at Databricks alone requires the denial of this motion. Moreover, Databricks' claimed prejudice is both general and speculative. (See also Huffy Corp. v.
Superior Court (2003) 112 Cal. App. 4th 97, 107 (request to seal a confidential settlement agreement denied because "No prejudice to defendant's legitimate business and propriety [sic] interests will occur if the settlement agreement is ordered unsealed"); Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Superior Court (2003) 110 Cal. App. 4th 1273, 1284 (request to seal a confidential settlement agreement denied because "Defendant has failed to make any showing of prejudice to any of its legitimate commercial interests if the ... agreement is unsealed")).
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