Showa Denko America, Inc. v. Hopkins

The petitioner seeks a writ of certiorari from the circuit court’s order denying the petitioner’s motion for a protective order. We deny the petition.

During the course of a lawsuit based on strict liability, breach of warranty and negligence, the respondents requested production of documents. The petitioner was willing to provide the documents, but only after entry of a protective order. When the respondents would not voluntarily agree to the entry of such an order, the petitioner requested one from the circuit court on the ground that some of the requested material was privileged as trade…