ROBINSON v. TRULIEVE INC, 4:24-cv-00391

Plaintiff, using the pseudonym John Doe, sued Trulieve Inc. after alleging the company improperly disclosed his online marijuana purchases.
Legal claims included common law invasion of privacy, breach of contract, violation of Florida’s unfair trade practices law, and violation of the federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act.
Plaintiff requested to proceed anonymously, arguing stigma and potential professional harm from public disclosure of his marijuana use.
The court previously emphasized the strong presumption that parties in civil litigation proceed in their real names.
Trulieve moved to dismiss, but that motion became moot due to the plaintiff's anonymity request.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Proceed anonymously	Plaintiff argues marijuana use is highly stigmatized and disclosure would harm his reputation and employment, particularly as a medical professional.	Emphasizes presumption of openness in judicial proceedings and lack of specific, substantiated harm to plaintiff.	Motion to file anonymously denied; plaintiff must proceed under real name.

In re Chiquita Brands Int’l, Inc., 965 F.3d 1238 (11th Cir. 2020) (sets out factors when anonymity may be justified, emphasizing its rare application)
Doe v. Frank, 951 F.2d 320 (11th Cir. 1992) (upholds presumption of openness and describes limited circumstances for anonymity)
Plaintiff B v. Francis, 631 F.3d 1310 (11th Cir. 2011) (further discusses standards and exceptions for anonymity)
S. Methodist Univ. Ass’n of Women Law Students v. Wynne & Jaffe, 599 F.2d 707 (5th Cir. 1979) (fairness requires accusers suing publicly to proceed under their real names)