2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 1 of 49 Pg ID 22703
`
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
`SOUTHERN DIVISION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` Master File No. 12-md-02311
`Honorable Marianne O. Battani
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In Re: AUTOMOTIVE PARTS
`ANTITRUST LITIGATION
`
`
`
`
`In Re: ALL CASES
`
`
`THIS RELATES TO:
`
`All Dealership Actions
`All End Payor Actions
`
`
`
`
`DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO LIFT THE PROVISIONAL SEALING OF
` A PORTION OF THE RULE 30(b)(1) DEPOSITION OF GEORGE R. NISBET,
`THE CO-OWNER OF AUTO DEALER PLAINTIFF THORNHILL SUPERSTORE
`
`
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 2 of 49 Pg ID 22704
`
`Pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 26 and 37(a) and the Special Master’s
`
`instruction on March 3, 2016, Defendants hereby move the Court to lift the Special Master’s
`
`provisional seal on a portion of the transcript of the Rule 30(b)(1) deposition of George R. Nisbet,
`
`Jr., co-owner of Auto Dealer Plaintiff Thornhill Superstore, Inc. Defendants’ proposed order is
`
`attached.
`
`As required by Local Rule 7.1(a), counsel for Defendants telephonically met and conferred
`
`with counsel for Auto Dealer Plaintiffs on March 18, 2016, during which time Defendants
`
`explained the nature of the relief sought by this Motion and its legal basis but did not obtain
`
`concurrence.
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`By:
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`WILMER CUTLER PICKERING
` HALE AND DORR LLP
`
`/s/ Steven F. Cherry
`Steven F. Cherry
`David P. Donovan
`Patrick J. Carome
`Dyanne Griffith
`WILMER CUTLER PICKERING
` HALE AND DORR LLP
`1875 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
`Washington, D.C. 20006
`Tel.: (202) 663-6000
`Fax: (202) 663-6363
`steven.cherry@wilmerhale.com
`david.donovan@wilmerhale.com
`patrick.carome@wilmerhale.com
`dyanne.griffith@wilmerhale.com
`
`Attorneys for Defendants DENSO Corporation,
`DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO
`International Korea Corporation, DENSO
`Korea Automotive Corporation, DENSO
`Products & Services Americas, ASMO Co., Ltd.,
`ASMO North America, LLC, ASMO Greenville
`of North Carolina, Inc., ASMO Manufacturing,
`
`2
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 3 of 49 Pg ID 22705
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`By:
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`By:
`
`Inc., and ASMO North Carolina Inc.
`
`Steven M. Zarowny (P33362)
`General Counsel
`DENSO International America, Inc.
`24777 Denso Drive
`Southfield, MI 48033
`Tel.: (248) 372-8252
`Fax: (248) 213-2551
`steve_zarowny@denso-diam.com
`
`Attorney for Defendant DENSO International
`America, Inc.
`
`SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS (US) LLP
`
`/s/ Barry A. Pupkin (w/consent)
`Barry A. Pupkin
`Iain R. McPhie
`Jeremy W. Dutra
`SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS (US) LLP
`2550 M Street, N.W.
`Washington, DC 20037
`Tel: (202) 626-6600
`Fax: (202) 626-6780
`Barry.Pupkin@squirepb.com
`Iain.McPhie@squirepb.com
`Jeremy.Dutra@squirepb.com
`
`Counsel for Aisan Industry Co., Ltd., Aisan
`Corporation of America, Franklin Precision
`Industry, Inc. and Hyundam Industrial Co., Ltd.
`
`_
`
`CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN &
`HAMILTON LLP
`
`/s/ Jeremy Calsyn (w/consent)
`Jeremy Calsyn
`Bradley Justus
`CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN &
`HAMILTON LLP
`2000 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
`Washington, DC 20006
`Tel.: (202) 974-1500
`Fax: (202) 974-1999
`jcalsyn@cgsh.com
`bjustus@cgsh.com
`
`/s/ Howard B. Iwrey (w/consent)
`3
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 4 of 49 Pg ID 22706
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`By:
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`By:
`
`Howard B. Iwrey (P39635)
`DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC
`39577 Woodward Ave., Suite 300
`Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
`Tel.: (248) 203-0526
`Fax: (248) 203-0763
`hiwrey@dykema.com
`
`Counsel for Defendants Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd., and
`Aisin Automotive Casting, LLC in Valve Control
`Timing Devices/Aisin Defendants (2500)
`actions
`
`BROOKS WILKINS SHARKEY & TURCO
`PLLC
`
`/s/ Maureen T. Taylor (w/consent)___________
`Herbert C. Donovan (P51939)
`Maureen T. Taylor (P63547)
`BROOKS WILKINS SHARKEY & TURCO
`PLLC
`401 Old South Woodward, Suite 400
`Birmingham, MI 48009
`Telephone: (248) 971-1721
`Fax: (248) 971-1801
`taylor@bwst-law.com
`donovan@bwst-law.com
`
`Attorneys for Defendants Alps Electric Co., Ltd.;
`Alps Electric (North America), Inc.; and Alps
`Automotive, Inc.
`
`WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES LLP
`
`__________
`
`/s/ Steven A. Reiss (w/consent)
`Steven A. Reiss
`Adam C. Hemlock
`Kajetan Rozga
`WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES LLP
`767 Fifth Avenue
`New York, New York 10153-0119
`Telephone: (212) 310-8000
`Facsimile: (212) 310-8007
`steven.reiss@weil.com
`adam.hemlock@weil.com
`kajetan.rozga@weil.com
`
`/s/ Frederick R. Juckniess (w/consent)
`Frederick R. Juckniess
`SCHIFF HARDIN LLP
`350 South Main Street, Suite 210
`
`4
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 5 of 49 Pg ID 22707
`
`___
`
`_________
`
`Ann Arbor, MI 48104
`(734) 222-1504
`fjuckniess@schiffhardin.com
`
`Attorneys for Defendants Bridgestone
`Corporation and Bridgestone APM Company
`
`WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES LLP
`
`/s/ Steven A. Reiss (w/consent)
`Steven A. Reiss
`Adam C. Hemlock
`WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES LLP
`767 Fifth Avenue
`New York, New York 10153-0119
`Telephone: (212) 310-8000
`Facsimile: (212) 310-8007
`steven.reiss@weil.com
`adam.hemlock@weil.com
`
`/s/ Fred K. Herrmann (w/consent)____
`Fred K. Herrmann
`Joanne G. Swanson
`Matthew L. Powell
`KERR RUSSELL & WEBER PLC
`500 Woodward Avenue
`Suite 2500
`Detroit, MI 48226
`Tel. (313) 961-0200
`Fax (313) 961-0388
`fherrmann@kerr-russell.com
`jswanson@kerr-russell.com
`mpowell@kerr-russell.com
`
`Attorneys for Calsonic Kansei Corporation and
`CalsonicKansei North America, Inc.
`
`/s/ Steven A. Reiss (w/consent)
`Steven A. Reiss
`Adam C. Hemlock
`WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES LLP
`767 Fifth Avenue
`New York, New York 10153-0119
`Telephone: (212) 310-8000
`Facsimile: (212) 310-8007
`steven.reiss@weil.com
`adam.hemlock@weil.com
`
`5
`
`
`
`
`By:
`
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 6 of 49 Pg ID 22708
`
`/s/ Michael A. Cox (w/consent)_____ _______
`Michael A. Cox
`THE MIKE COX LAW FIRM, PLLC
`17430 Laurel Park Drive North, Suite 120 E
`Livonia, MI 48152
`Telephone: (734) 591-4002
`mc@mikecoxlaw.com
`
`Attorneys for Calsonic Kansei Corporation and
`CalsonicKansei North America, Inc.
`
`SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP
`
`/s/ Matthew J. Reilly (w/consent)
`Matthew J. Reilly
`Abram J. Ellis
`SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP
`900 G Street, N.W.
`Washington, D.C. 20001
`Tel.: (202) 636-5500
`Fax: (202) 636-5502
`matt.reilly@stblaw.com
`aellis@stblaw.com
`
`George S. Wang
`Shannon K. McGovern
`SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP
`425 Lexington Avenue
`New York, N.Y. 10017
`Tel: (212) 455-2000
`Fax: (212) 455-2502
`gwang@stblaw.com
`smcgovern@stblaw.com
`
`Attorneys for Defendants Diamond Electric Mfg.
`Co., Ltd. and Diamond Electric Mfg. Corp.
`
`PORTER WRIGHT MORRIS & ARTHUR LLP
`
`/s/ Donald M. Barnes (w/consent)
`Donald M. Barnes
`Molly S. Crabtree
`Jay L. Levine
`Christopher C. Yook
`PORTER WRIGHT MORRIS & ARTHUR LLP
`
`6
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`By:
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`By:
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 7 of 49 Pg ID 22709
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`By:
`
`1900 K Street, NW, Ste. 1110
`Washington, DC 20006
`Tel.: (202) 778-3054
`Fax: (202) 778-3063
`dbarnes@porterwright.com
`mcrabtree@porterwright.com
`jlevine@porterwright.com
`cyook@porterwright.com
`
`Attorneys for Defendants G.S. Electech, Inc.,
`G.S.W. Manufacturing, Inc., and G.S. Wiring
`Systems, Inc.
`
`COVINGTON & BURLING LLP
`
`/s/ Bruce A. Baird (with consent)____________
`Bruce A. Baird
`Sarah L. Wilson
`Michael A. Fanelli
`COVINGTON & BURLING LLP
`One CityCenter
`850 Tenth Street NW
`Washington, DC 20001
`Telephone: (202) 662-6000
`Fax: (202) 662-6291
`bbaird@cov.com
`swilson@cov.com
`mfanelli@cov.com
`
`Anita F. Stork
`COVINGTON & BURLING LLP
`One Front Street
`35th Floor
`San Francisco, CA 94111
`Telephone: (415) 591-6000
`Fax: (415) 955-6550
`astork@cov.com
`
`BROOKS WILKINS SHARKEY & TURCO
`PLLC
`Maureen T. Taylor
`BROOKS WILKINS SHARKEY & TURCO
`PLLC
`401 Old South Woodward, Suite 400
`Birmingham, MI 48009
`Telephone: (248) 971-1721
`
`7
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 8 of 49 Pg ID 22710
`
`Fax: (248) 971-1801
`taylor@bwst-law.com
`
`Attorneys for Defendant Keihin North America,
`Inc.
`
`ARNOLD & PORTER LLP
`
`/s/ Franklin R. Liss (with consent)
`Franklin R. Liss
`Barbara H. Wootton
`Danielle M. Garten
`Matthew Tabas
`ARNOLD & PORTER LLP
`601 Massachusetts Ave, NW
`Washington, DC 20001
`Tel: (202) 942-5969
`Fax: (202) 942-5999
`frank.liss@aporter.com
`barbara.wootton@aporter.com
`danielle.garten@aporter.com
`matt.tabas@aporter.com
`
`/s/ Howard B. Iwrey (with consent)
`Howard B. Iwrey (P39635)
`Brian M. Moore (P58584)
`DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC
`39577 Woodward Ave., Suite 300
`Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
`Tel: (248) 203-0700
`Fax: (248) 203-0763
`hiwrey@dykema.com
`bmoore@dykema.com
`
`Counsel for Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and
`North American Lighting, Inc. in HID Ballasts
`(1700) and Lamps (1200) actions
`
`PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW
`PITTMAN LLP
`
`/s/ William M. Sullivan Jr. (w/consent) _
`William M. Sullivan Jr.
`Michael L. Sibarium
`Jeetander T. Dulani
`PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW
`
`By:
`
`
`
`
`By:
`
`
`
`
`8
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 9 of 49 Pg ID 22711
`
`PITTMAN LLP
`1200 Seventeenth Street, N.W.
`Washington, D.C. 20036-3006
`Telephone: (202) 663-8000
`Facsimile: (202) 663-8007
`wsullivan@pillsburylaw.com
`michael.sibarium@pillsburylaw.com
`jeetander.dulani@pillsburylaw.com
`
`Counsel for Defendants Mikuni America
`Corporation and Mikuni Corp
`
`GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP
`
`/s/ George A. Nicoud (w/consent)
`George A. Nicoud III
`Austin Schwing
`Caeli A. Higney
`Brandon W. Halter
`GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP
`555 Mission Street
`San Francisco, CA 94105-0921
`Tel.: (415) 393-8200
`Fax: (415) 393-8306
`TNicoud@gibsondunn.com
`ASchwing@gibsondunn.com
`CHigney@gibsondunn.com
`BHalter@gibsondunn.com
`
`Counsel for Defendants Mitsuba Corporation
`and American Mitsuba Corporation
`
`HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP
`
`/s/ William L. Monts, III (w/consent)
`William L. Monts, III
`HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP
`555 13th Street, NW
`Washington, DC 20004
`Tel.: (202) 637-5731
`Fax: (202) 637-5910
`william.monts@hoganlovells.com
`
`/s/ Scott T. Seabolt (w/consent)
`Scott T. Seabolt
`FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
`
`
`
`By:
`
`
`By:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 10 of 49 Pg ID 22712
`
`500 Woodward Avenue,
`Suite 2700
`Detroit, MI 48226
`Tel.: (313) 234-7115
`Fax: (313) 234-2800
`sseabolt@foley.com
`
`Counsel for Defendants Mitsubishi Heavy
`Industries America, Inc. and Mitsubishi Heavy
`Industries Climate Control
`
`LANE POWELL PC
`
`/s/ Kenneth R. Davis II (w/consent)
`Craig D. Bachman
`Kenneth R. Davis II
`Darin M. Sands
`Masayuki Yamaguchi
`MODA Tower
`601 SW Second Avenue, Suite 2100
`Portland, OR 97204-3158
`Telephone: 503.778.2100
`bachmanc@lanepowell.com
`davisk@lanepowell.com
`sandsd@lanepowell.com
`yamaguchim@lanepowell.com
`
`Larry S. Gangnes
`LANE POWELL PC
`U.S. Bank Centre
`1420 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4200
`PO Box 91302
`Seattle, WA 98111-9402
`Telephone: 206.223.7000
`gangnesl@lanepowell.com
`
`Richard D. Bisio (P30246)
`Ronald S. Nixon (P57117)
`KEMP KLEIN LAW FIRM
`201 W. Big Beaver, Suite 600
`Troy, MI 48084
`Telephone: 248.528.1111
`richard.bisio@kkue.com
`ron.nixon@kkue.com
`
`Attorneys for Defendants Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp.
`
`10
`
`
`By:
`
`
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 11 of 49 Pg ID 22713
`
`and Nachi America Inc.
`
`WINSTON & STRAWN LLP
`
`/s/ Jeffrey L. Kessler (w/consent)
`A. Paul Victor
`Jeffrey L. Kessler
`Jeffrey J. Amato
`Molly M. Donovan
`Elizabeth A. Cate
`WINSTON & STRAWN LLP
`200 Park Avenue
`New York, NY 10166
`Telephone: (212) 294-6700
`Facsimile: (212) 294-4700
`pvictor@winston.com
`jkessler@winston.com
`mmdonovan@winston.com
`jamato@winston.com
`ecate@winston.com
`
`Fred K. Herrmann (P49519)
`KERR, RUSSELL AND WEBER, PLC
`500 Woodward Avenue, Suite 2500
`Detroit, MI 48226
`Tel. (313) 961-0200
`fherrmann@kerr-russell.com
`
`Attorneys for Defendants NTN Corporation and
`NTN USA Corporation
`
`WINSTON & STRAWN LLP
`
`/s/ Jeffrey L. Kessler (w/consent)
`Jeffrey L. Kessler
`A. Paul Victor
`Eva W. Cole
`Jeffrey J. Amato
`WINSTON & STRAWN LLP
`200 Park Avenue
`New York, NY 10166-4193
`(212) 294-6700 (t)
`(212) 294-4700 (f)
`JKessler@winston.com
`PVictor@winston.com
`EWCole@winston.com
`
`11
`
`
`By:
`
`
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`By:
`
`
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 12 of 49 Pg ID 22714
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`By:
`
`JAmato@winston.com
`
`Brandon Duke
`WINSTON & STRAWN LLP
`1111 Louisiana Street, 25th Floor
`Houston, TX 77002
`(713) 651-2636 (t)
`(713) 651-2700 (f)
`BDuke@winston.com
`
`Counsel for Panasonic Corporation and
`Panasonic Corporation of North America
`
`ALLEN & OVERY LLP
`
`/s/ John Roberti (w/consent)________________
`John Roberti
`Matthew R. Boucher
`ALLEN & OVERY LLP
`1101 New York Avenue NW
`Washington, D.C. 20005
`202-683-3800
`john.roberti@allenovery.com
`matthew.boucher@allenovery.com
`
`Michael S. Feldberg
`ALLEN & OVERY LLP
`1221 Avenue of the Americas
`New York, NY 10020
`212-610-6360
`michael.feldberg@allenovery.com
`
`William R. Jansen (P36688)
`Michael G. Brady (P57331)
`WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP
`2000 Town Center, Suite 2700
`Southfield, MI 48075-1318
`248-784-5000
`wjansen@wnj.com
`mbrady@wnj.com
`
`Counsel for Robert Bosch LLC and Robert Bosch
`GmbH
`
`DUBOIS, BRYANT & CAMPBELL, LLP
`
`12
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 13 of 49 Pg ID 22715
`
`/s/ J. David Rowe (w/consent)_______________
`J. David Rowe
`Millicent Lundburg
`DUBOIS, BRYANT & CAMPBELL, LLP
`Colorado Tower
`303 Colorado, Suite 2300
`Austin, Texas 78701
`(512) 457-8000
`(512) 457-8008 (fax)
`drowe@dbcllp.com
`mlundburg@dbcllp.com
`
`DUGGINS WREN MANN & ROMERO, LLP
`Robert E. Linkin
`600 Congress Avenue, Ste. 1900
`P. O. Box 1149
`Austin, Texas 78767-1149
`512-744-9300 tel.
`512-744-9399 fax.
`rlinkin@dwmrlaw.com
`
`HERTZ SCHRAM PC
`Bradley J. Schram (P26337)
`Matthew J. Turchyn (P76482)
`1760 South Telegraph Road, Suite 300
`Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
`(248) 335-5000
`bschram@hertzschram.com
`mturchyn@hertzschram.com
`
`Attorney for Defendant Sanden International
`(USA), Inc.
`
`SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP
`
`/s/ Matthew J. Reilly (w/consent)_____________
`Matthew J. Reilly
`Abram J. Ellis
`David T. Shogren
`SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP
`900 G Street, N.W.
`Washington, D.C. 20001
`Tel.: (202) 636-5500
`Fax: (202) 636-5502
`matt.reilly@stblaw.com
`aellis@stblaw.com
`
`13
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`By:
`
`
`By:
`
`
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 14 of 49 Pg ID 22716
`
`dshogren@stblaw.com
`
`George S. Wang
`Shannon K. McGovern
`SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP
`425 Lexington Avenue
`New York, N.Y. 10017
`Tel: (212) 455-2000
`Fax: (212) 455-2502
`gwang@stblaw.com
`smcgovern@stblaw.com
`
`Attorneys for Defendants Stanley Electric Co.,
`Ltd., Stanley Electric U.S. Co., Inc., and II
`Stanley Co., Inc.
`
`MORGAN LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP
`
`/s/ J. Clayton Everett, Jr. (w/consent)
`J. Clayton Everett, Jr.
`MORGAN LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP
`1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
`Washington, DC 20004
`Telephone: (202) 739-3000
`Facsimile: (202) 739-3001
`jeverett@morganlewis.com
`
`Counsel for Defendants Sumitomo Riko
`Company Limited and DTR Industries, Inc.
`
`SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP
`
`/s/ David C. Giardina (w/consent)____________
`David C. Giardina
`Courtney A. Hoffmann
`SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP
`One S. Dearborn St.
`Chicago, IL 60603
`Tel.: (312) 853-7000
`Fax: (312) 853-7036
`dgiardina@sidley.com
`choffmann@sidley.com
`
`Bradley J. Schram (MI Bar # P26337)
`HERTZ SCHRAM PC
`1760 S. Telegraph Rd., Suite 300
`
`14
`
`
`By:
`
`
`By:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 15 of 49 Pg ID 22717
`
`Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
`Tel.: (248) 335-5000
`Fax: (248) 335-3346
`bschram@hertzschram.com
`
`Counsel for Defendants Toyo Tire & Rubber Co.,
`Ltd., Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing
`Inc., Toyo Tire North America OE Sales LLC,
`and Toyo Automotive Parts (USA), Inc.
`
`BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.
`
`/s/ Randall J. Turk (w/consent)
`Randall J. Turk
`John Taladay
`Mark Miller
`Heather Souder Choi
`Sterling A. Marchand
`BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.
`1299 Pennsylvania Avenue., NW
`Washington, D.C. 20004-2400
`Phone: 202.639.7700
`Fax: 202.639.7890
`randy.turk@bakerbotts.com
`john.taladay@bakerbotts.com
`mark.miller@bakerbotts.com
`heather.choi@bakerbotts.com
`
`Counsel for Defendants Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.,
`Toyoda Gosei North America Corp., and TG
`Missouri Corp.
`
`BUTZEL LONG
`
`/s/ Sheldon H. Klein (w/consent)
`Sheldon H. Klein (P41062)
`David F. DuMouchel (P25658)
`BUTZEL LONG
`150 West Jefferson, Suite 100
`Detroit, MI 48226
`Tel.: (313) 225-7000
`Fax: (313) 225-7080
`sklein@butzel.com
`dumouchd@butzel.com
`
`W. Todd Miller
`
`By:
`
`
`By:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`15
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 16 of 49 Pg ID 22718
`
`BAKER & MILLER PLLC
`2401 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 300
`Washington, DC 20037
`Tel.: (202) 663-7820
`Fax: (202) 663-7849
`TMiller@bakerandmiller.com
`
`Attorneys for Defendants TRAM, Inc. and
`Tokai Rika Co., Ltd.
`
`LATHAM & WATKINS LLP
`
`/s/ Marguerite M. Sullivan (w/consent)________
`Marguerite M. Sullivan
`Allyson M. Maltas
`LATHAM & WATKINS LLP
`555 Eleventh Street NW, Suite 1000
`Washington, DC 20004
`Tel: (202) 637-2200
`Fax: (202) 637-2201
`Maggy.Sullivan@lw.com
`Allyson.Maltas@lw.com
`
`/s/ Howard B. Iwrey (w/consent)
`Howard B. Iwrey (P39635)
`DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC
`39577 Woodward Ave., Suite 300
`Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
`Tel: (248) 203-0526
`Fax: (248) 203-0763
`hiwrey@dykema.com
`
`Counsel for Weastec, Inc. in Ignition Coils
`(1400) actions
`
`
`16
`
`
`By:
`
`
`
`
`April 8, 2016
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 17 of 49 Pg ID 22719
`
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
`SOUTHERN DIVISION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` Master File No. 12-md-02311
`Honorable Marianne O. Battani
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In Re: AUTOMOTIVE PARTS
`ANTITRUST LITIGATION
`
`
`
`
`In Re: ALL CASES
`
`
`THIS RELATES TO:
`
`All Dealership Actions
`All End Payor Actions
`
`
`
`
`DEFENDANTS’ MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF
` MOTION TO LIFT THE PROVISIONAL SEALING OF A PORTION
` OF THE RULE 30(b)(1) DEPOSITION OF GEORGE R. NISBET, THE
`CO-OWNER OF AUTO DEALER PLAINTIFF THORNHILL SUPERSTORE
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 18 of 49 Pg ID 22720
`
`STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES PRESENTED
`
`
`
`Should the Special Master lift his provisional seal of a portion of the transcript of the Rule
`
`30(b)(1) deposition of George R. Nisbet (co-owner of Auto Dealer Plaintiff Thornhill Superstore)
`
`where (1) such testimony focused on Thornhill Superstore’s practices regarding pricing of new
`
`vehicles and recordkeeping about new vehicle sales during a substantial part of the alleged class
`
`periods in the Auto Parts MDL, and therefore is highly relevant to Auto Dealer Plaintiffs’ claims,
`
`Defendants’ defenses to those claims, the suitability of Thornhill Superstore as a representative of
`
`the putative classes of Auto Dealers, and issues concerning whether the putative classes of Auto
`
`Dealers may be certified in any of these cases; and (2) Auto Dealers’ counsel’s instruction that Mr.
`
`Nisbet not provide such testimony based on a “relevance” objection was improper and groundless.
`
`Answer: Yes.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`i
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 19 of 49 Pg ID 22721
`
`STATEMENT OF CONTROLLING OR MOST APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(c)(2)
`
`
`In re Class 8 Transmission Indirect Purchaser Antitrust Litig., Civ. No. 11-00009-SLR, 2015 WL
`6181748 (D. Del. Oct. 21, 2015)
`
`In re Am. Med. Sys., Inc., 75 F.3d 1069 (6th Cir. 1996)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ii
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 20 of 49 Pg ID 22722
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE PRESENTED ............................................................................... i 
`
`STATEMENT OF CONTROLLING OR MOST APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES ................... ii 
`
`INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................1 
`
`FACTUAL BACKGROUND ..........................................................................................................2 
`
`ARGUMENT ...................................................................................................................................6
`
`MR. NISBET’S SEALED DEPOSITION TESTIMONY IS RELEVANT,
`DISCOVERABLE, AND NOT LIMITED BY ANY PRIOR ORDER…………………………..6
`
`A. 
`
`B. 
`
`C. 
`
`Mr. Nisbet’s Testimony About Thornhill’s Pricing and
`Recordkeeping Practices Is Highly Relevant. ..........................................................6 
`
`The Remainder of Mr. Nisbet’s Deposition Testimony Would
`Be Misleading If the Provisionally Sealed Portion Were
`Unavailable for Use by the Parties and the Court. ...................................................9 
`
`The Special Master’s December 29, 2015 Order on Topics
`for Rule 30(b)(6) Depositions Has No Bearing on
`Mr. Nisbet’s Rule 30(b)(1) Deposition. .................................................................10 
`
`CONCLUSION ..............................................................................................................................12 
`
`iii
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 21 of 49 Pg ID 22723
`
`TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
`
`
`CASES
`
`Page(s)
`
`Barnes v. Bd. of Educ.,
`No. 2:06-cv-0532, 2007 WL 1236190 (S.D. Ohio Apr. 26, 2007) ......................................2
`
`Hochstein v. Microsoft Corp.,
`No. 04-73071, 2009 WL 2616253 (E.D. Mich. Aug. 21, 2009) ..........................................1
`
`In re Am. Med. Sys., Inc.,
`75 F.3d 1069 (6th Cir. 1996) ...............................................................................................8
`
`In re Auto. Parts Antitrust Litig.,
`No. 12-md-02311, 2013 WL 2456612 (E.D. Mich. June 6, 2013) ......................................6
`
`In re Class 8 Transmission Indirect Purchaser Antitrust Litig.,
`Civ. No. 11-00009-SLR, 2015 WL 6181748 (D. Del. Oct. 21, 2015).............................6, 8
`
`In re New Motor Vehicles Canadian Export Antitrust Litig.,
`522 F.3d 6 (1st Cir. 2008) ....................................................................................................6
`
`In re Processed Egg Prods. Antitrust Litig.,
`No. 08-md-2002, 2015 WL 6964281 (E.D. Penn. Nov. 10, 2015) ......................................6
`
`Nix v. Sword,
`11 Fed. Appx. 498 (6th Cir. 2001) .......................................................................................5
`
`Ralston Purina Co. v. McFarland,
`550 F.2d 967 (4th Cir. 1977) ...............................................................................................1
`
`Resolution Trust Corp. v. Dabney,
`73 F.3d 262 (10th Cir. 1995) ...............................................................................................1
`
`Robinson v. Texas Auto. Dealers Ass’n,
`387 F.3d 416 (5th Cir. 2004) ...............................................................................................7
`
`Stanich v. (c)Travelers Indem. Co.,
`259 F.R.D. 294 (N.D. Ohio 2011) .......................................................................................8
`
`
`
`STATUTES, RULES, AND REGULATIONS
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c) ........................................................................................................................5
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(b)(1)........................................................................................................2, 10, 11
`
`
`
`iv
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 22 of 49 Pg ID 22724
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(b)(6)............................................................................................................10, 11
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(c)(2) ....................................................................................................................1
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(d)(3)....................................................................................................................5
`
` OTHER AUTHORITY
`
`Special Master’s Order Granting in Part and Denying in
`Part Plaintiffs’ Motion For Protective Order, 12-md-02311, ECF No. 1169…………………10, 11
`
`
`v
`
`
`
`
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 23 of 49 Pg ID 22725
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`During the March 3, 2016 deposition of George R. Nisbet, co-owner of Auto Dealer
`
`Plaintiff Thornhill Superstore Inc. (“Thornhill”), Defendants’ questioning focused on two topics
`
`that are critical to both the Auto Dealer Plaintiffs’ cases and the End Payor Plaintiffs’ cases:
`
`namely, Auto Dealers’ pricing practices and the manner in which they recorded information
`
`concerning their sales of new vehicles. Thornhill and Mr. Nisbet were themselves defendants in
`
`prior lawsuits involving both of these issues, in which plaintiffs alleged Thornhill had engaged in
`
`deceptive pricing and recordkeeping practices from the late 1990s until approximately 2006.
`
`Defendants sought to use documents from those prior lawsuits—including sworn statements by
`
`Mr. Nisbet—to probe and refresh his recollection of Thornhill’s pricing and recordkeeping
`
`practices during those years.
`
`Based solely on “relevance” grounds, Auto Dealer counsel objected at Nisbet’s deposition
`
`to questions involving Nisbet’s prior testimony concerning Thornhill’s pricing and recordkeeping
`
`practices and instructed Mr. Nisbet not to answer those questions. The parties called the Special
`
`Master, who ordered that Mr. Nisbet should answer Defendants’ questions pending resolution of
`
`Auto Dealer Plaintiffs’ objection, but that the affected portion of the transcript should be
`
`provisionally sealed until that time. Although Auto Dealer Plaintiffs clearly bear the burden under
`
`the Federal Rules of establishing why this testimony should not have been permitted, they have
`
`filed no motion seeking to strike it or otherwise to maintain it under seal.
`
`That seal should now be lifted. Not only is relevance not a proper grounds for instructing a
`
`witness not to answer during a deposition,1 but Mr. Nisbet’s testimony is highly relevant. Among
`
`
`1
`See, e.g., Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(c)(2) (“the testimony is taken subject to any objection”);
`Resolution Trust Corp. v. Dabney, 73 F.3d 262, 266 (10th Cir. 1995) (“It is inappropriate to
`instruct a witness not to answer a question on the basis of relevance.”); Ralston Purina Co. v.
`McFarland, 550 F.2d 967, 973 (4th Cir. 1977); Hochstein v. Microsoft Corp., No. 04-73071, 2009
`1
`
`
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 24 of 49 Pg ID 22726
`
`other things, he testified that
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` This evidence bears directly on whether Thornhill and/or its customers
`
`would have absorbed any alleged overcharge at different points in time, which is directly relevant
`
`both to class certification and to the merits of the Auto Dealers’ and End Payors’ claims (both
`
`liability and damages), and whether any party in the Auto Parts MDL can rely on the DMS data
`
`and other sales records produced by Thornhill. The Special Master should therefore lift the
`
`provisional seal imposed on this deposition testimony.
`
`FACTUAL BACKGROUND
`
`Mr. Nisbet has been a senior manager of Thornhill since 1996, and a co-owner since 1998.
`
`He was the first person associated with an Auto Dealer Plaintiff to be deposed in the Auto Parts
`
`MDL. Defendants took his deposition under Rule 30(b)(1) to explore his personal knowledge of
`
`Thornhill’s vehicle pricing and sales practices, as well as the manner in which Thornhill recorded
`
`the terms of its sales in its business records—including the DMS data that Thornhill has produced
`
`to Defendants.
`
`This was not the first time Mr. Nisbet had been deposed about these topics. Thornhill and
`
`Mr. Nisbet personally were previously defendants in two separate class action lawsuits brought by
`
`individuals who had purchased new vehicles from Thornhill and who alleged that Thornhill had
`
`engaged in deceptive and unlawful practices with respect to the pricing of those vehicles. See
`
`Barker, et al. v. Thornhill Superstore, Civil Action No. 02-cv-1255 (S.D.W.Va. Feb. 22, 2005);
`
`WL 2616253, at *4 (E.D. Mich. Aug. 21, 2009); Barnes v. Bd. of Educ., No. 2:06-cv-0532, 2007
`WL 1236190, at *2 (S.D. Ohio Apr. 26, 2007).
`
`
`
`2
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 25 of 49 Pg ID 22727
`
`Jarrell, et al. v. Thornhill Superstore, et al., Civil Action No. 03-cv-1762 (Cir. Ct. Kanawha Cty.,
`
`W. Va. Dec. 21, 2006). Specifically, Thornhill’s customers claimed that, while Thornhill had
`
`represented that its sales from the late 1990s until approximately 2006 were made at one dollar
`
`over invoice price, it actually deviated substantially from that policy on numerous occasions,
`
`charging prices much higher than one dollar over invoice price. Thornhill’s customers also
`
`claimed that it had misled them into paying various charges for fraudulent programs.
`
`To effectively probe the facts regarding Thornhill’s pricing, sales, and recordkeeping
`
`practices, Defendants sought to refresh Mr. Nisbet’s recollection by referring to his prior sworn
`
`statements on these topics in the Barker and Jarrell lawsuits. Auto Dealer counsel, however,
`
`sought to block this inquiry, objecting
`
`
`
`
`
` Ex. 1, Unsealed
`
`Nisbet Dep. Tr. at 241 (emphasis added). At that point, the parties suspended the deposition and
`
`called the Special Master to resolve the dispute. Id. at 241–42. During that call, the Special Master
`
`ruled that Defendants could question Mr. Nisbet on these topics, but that the resulting testimony
`
`should be preserved as part of a separate, provisionally “sealed” record pending further review by
`
`the Special Master. Ex. 2, Hearing Tr. at 9–10.2 The present motion seeks to have the provisional
`
`seal lifted.
`
`Pending a further ruling by the Special Master, the portion of the transcript of Mr. Nisbet’s
`
`deposition concerning his prior sworn statements in the Barker and Jarrell lawsuits about
`
`Thornhill’s pricing, sales, and recordkeeping practices has been temporarily quarantined from
`
`general usage in the Auto Parts MDL. The sealed portion of the transcript comprises eighty-one
`
`2
`The court reporter present at the deposition created a transcript of the telephonic hearing
`before the Special Master.
`
`
`
`3
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 26 of 49 Pg ID 22728
`REDACTED
`
`pages. Ex. 3. Prov. Sealed Nisbet Dep. Tr. During this portion of l1is deposition, Defendants
`
`refreslied Mr. Nisbet’s recollection with, and asked him q11estio11s about. his signed affidavit i11
`
`Jarre/I. Ex. 4, a C 01111 Order from Jarre//. Ex. 5. and his deposition transcript from Bar/(er. Ex. 6,
`
`all of which concern Thomhill’s pricing. sales. and recordkeeping practices d1u'ing a substantial
`
`portion of the class periods alleged hi the present Auto Parts MDL. In response to these questions,
`
`Mr. Nisbet testified 011 a variety of critically relevant facts about Tho111l1ill’s practices for pricing
`
`a11d selling new vehicles to retail custoniers, as well as the n1am1er in which Thomhill recorded the
`
`terms of its sales from the late 1990s to approximately 2006. about half of the alleged class periods
`
`iii the present cases. In particular. he asserted:
`
`REDACTED
`
`

`
`2:12-md-02311-MOB-MKM Doc # 1285 Filed 04/08/16 Pg 27 of 49 Pg ID 22729
`'
`-
`-
`311-M B-MKM D
`#1285 PI
`040816 P 27 f49
`P ID 22729
`0
`00
`led
`/
`/
`g
`0
`
`g
`
`ProvisionaII_v seali11g the foregoing p