VASILIS SIDERATOS
v.
BOB GUALTIERI, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS SHERIFF OF PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA, ET AL.
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The court held that a motion to file a mediation summary under seal is denied because mediation materials are confidential and the plaintiff failed to comply with local rules for sealing documents.
The plaintiff, proceeding pro se, requested leave to file his mediation summary under seal. The defendants objected to the request. The court consider…
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Although, the motion is denied on the merits, the motion also could have been denied for violations of the local rules. Litigation in federal court is difficult and requires compliance with federal and local rules. Mr. Sideratos is reminded to familiarize himself with the local rules.
Mr. Sideratos fails to comply with the Middle District of Florida Local Rules. [fn 1] Rule 3.01(a) provides: “A motion must include . . . a concise statement of the precise relief requested, a statement of the basis for the request, and a legal memorandum supporting the request.” The Rule is violated where "motions . . . lack any legal support for the movant's arguments.” Vega v. Geico Gen. Ins. Co., No. 8:21-CV-1450-MSS-AAS, 2022 WL 1081565 at (M.D. Fla. Apr. 11, 2022). Failure to comply with Local Rule 3.01(a) is grounds for denial of a motion. Id. Mr. Sideratos's motion does not include a legal memorandum supporting his request and provides no relevant legal support for his request.
Mr. Sideratos also fails to comply with Local Rule 1.11. Rule 1.11(b) provides: a motion to seal an item must include a legal memorandum, a proposed duration, and must “establish (A) that filing the item is necessary, (B) that sealing the item is necessary, and (C) that using a redaction, a pseudonym, or a means other than sealing is unavailable or unsatisfactory." Mr. Sideratos fails to meet any of the requirements. See U.S. All Star Fed’n, Inc. v. Open Cheer & Dance Championship Series, LLC, No. 6:21-CV-2135- WWB-DCI, 2024 WL 414636 at *4 (M.D. Fla. Feb. 5, 2024) (finding the motion to seal inadequate for noncompliance with Local Rule 1.11).
Accordingly, Mr. Sideratos's motion for leave to file his mediation summary under seal (Doc. 93) is DENIED.
ORDERED in Tampa, Florida, on October 24, 2025.
Amanda Arnold Samone
AMANDA ARNOLD SANSONE
United States Magistrate Judge
[fn 1]: The Middle District of Florida Local Rules are located here: Local Rules | Middle District of Florida | United States District Court