ECJ Partner Robert Waxman Explores How Courts Decide Whether to Unmask Parties in Sexual Misconduct Cases
In an article published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal today, ECJ Partner Robert Waxman examines a critical and evolving topic in civil litigation: when and how courts decide to unmask plaintiffs or defendants who file sexual misconduct–related claims under pseudonyms. While privacy concerns are often paramount in these sensitive cases, courts must balance those interests against the fundamental public right of access to judicial proceedings. The article highlights key judicial trends showing that anonymity may be permitted in narrow circumstances, especially where disclosure would cause significant harm, but that judges increasingly require clear, case-specific reasons supported by strong evidence before allowing parties to proceed under a pseudonym. Read more to learn why this analysis is essential for practitioners handling sexual misconduct and/or trafficking, Title IX, and related civil suits where privacy, reputation, and public scrutiny intersect.