ORDER RE MOTIONS FOR LEAVE TO SUE UNDER A PSEUDONYM

Re: Dkt. Nos. 54 in 16-5195, 23 in 17-6945

JAMES DONATO, District Judge.

Pro se plaintiff John Doe moves for leave to sue under a pseudonym in these related cases. Dkt. No. 54 in 16-5195; Dkt. No. 23 in 17-6945. Plaintiff was provisionally allowed to so sue with instructions to renew his request once defendants were served. Dkt. No. 6 in 16-5195; Dkt. No. 10 in 17-6945. The motions are unopposed.

There is also a strong tradition of transparent litigation in our federal courts. The "use of fictitious names runs afoul of the public's common law right of access to judicial proceedings, and Rule 10(a)'s command that the title of every complaint `include the names of all the parties.'" Does I thru XXIII v. Advanced Textile Corp., 214 F.3d 1058, 1067 (9th Cir. 2000) (citations omitted). "Nevertheless, many federal courts, including the Ninth Circuit, have permitted parties to proceed anonymously when special circumstances justify secrecy." Id.

In light of the embarrassment plaintiff says he would suffer from disclosure of his identity, and because the motions are unopposed, the Court will grant them in part. Plaintiff is directed to continue to style his filings in the current "John Doe" format. Plaintiff's identity will not be disclosed to the general public. Plaintiff will be referred to as John Doe in all pleadings and other documents related to this litigation, as well as in any proceedings that may be held before this Court. Defendants and their attorneys will not disclose plaintiff's identity to any other person or entity except as may be necessary to defend against this action.

These measures are ordered without prejudice to a future request to disclose plaintiff's true name or to the Court deciding that these cases' circumstances no longer warrant them.

IT IS SO ORDERED.