Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. Ramirez

In this case, Sears, Roebuck & Company seeks mandamus relief from a trial court order requiring that Sears produce copies of its tax returns to real party in interest Rebecca Perez. We conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in requiring such production, and we conditionally grant the writ.

Rebecca Perez filed suit against Sears for wrongful termination of her employment. She alleged the firing was “harsh, oppressive and malicious,” and she pleaded for an award of exemplary damages. During discovery, Perez sought net worth information, requesting that Sears produce annual reports…