Opinion ID: 1865087
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiently related interest

Text: [4, 5] In determining whether Schauf claims an interest relating to the transaction which is the subject of the action, we must determine whether Schauf has an interest sufficiently related to Armada's mandamus action. Bilder, 112 Wis. 2d at 547. In doing so, we are instructed to view the interest sufficient to allow the intervention practically rather than technically. Id. at 548. The purpose of this approach is to strike a balance between two conflicting public policies: allowing the original party to conduct and conclude its own lawsuit and allowing persons to join in the interest of the speedy and economical resolution of controversies. Courts using this pragmatic approach view the interest test as primarily a practical guide to disposing of lawsuits by involving as many apparently concerned persons as is compatible with efficiency and due process. Id. at 549 (citing Nuesse v. Camp, 385 F.2d 694, 700 (D.C. Cir. 1967)). The court of appeals denied Schauf's motion on the basis that Schauf lacked a legally protected interest in intervening. In doing so, however, the court did not employ the pragmatic approach adopted in Bilder. Rather, the court focused on the public policy behind the Open Records law. It stated: [E]ven if `there is a legal guarantee of present enjoyment of reputation or a general legislative policy to protect a citizen's general interest in his or her reputation,' that does not as a matter of law overcome the public policy regarding open records. Armada Broadcasting, Inc. v. Stirn, 177 Wis. 2d 272, 281, 501 N.W.2d 889 (Ct. App. 1993) (citing Bilder, 112 Wis. 2d at 557). The court of appeals' reliance on this language in Bilder was misplaced. This language was used in Bilder in the context of determining whether the record in question should be opened to the public under the Wisconsin Open Records law. The issue before us does not involve a determination under the Open Records law. We do not decide whether the Weiland report should be disclosed to the public. Rather, we are concerned solely with whether Schauf has an interest sufficiently related to the mandamus action for purposes of intervention under sec. 803.09(1), Stats. We need not balance such interest against the policy behind the Open Records law. For this same reason we reject Armada's argument that our decision whether to allow Schauf to intervene is governed by other language in Bilder which reads: it is the legal custodian of the record, not the citizen, who has the right to have the record closed.... 112 Wis. 2d at 558. This statement has no affect upon our decision regarding intervention. As stated previously, our decision does not influence whether the record should remain closed. Moreover, it does not grant Schauf the ability to close the record. We are simply determining whether Schauf may intervene for the purpose of being able to offer reasons to the court why the record should remain closed. Utilizing the pragmatic approach recommended in Bilder to resolve this question we conclude that Schauf does have an interest sufficiently related to Armada's mandamus action. The Weiland report contains speculative and uncorroborated information about Schauf which could cause great harm to Schauf's reputation and future career as a school teacher. Consequently, Schauf has a unique and significant interest in attempting to persuade the court that this report should remain closed. [6] Schauf has a general right to privacy under Wisconsin law. See sec. 895.50, Stats; see also secs. 15.107(13) and 19.625 (establishing and delineating the functions of the state Privacy Council). Further, several sections of the Wisconsin statutes evince a specific legislative policy of protecting privacy and confidentiality in employee disciplinary actions. For example, secs. 19.35(1) and 19.85(1)(b), (c), and (f), except from the open records and open meetings laws records or meetings dealing with disciplinary actions against employees. Additionally, sec. 230.13(1)(c) permits a state secretary or administrator to keep personnel records closed to the public when they involve disciplinary actions of employees. Finally, sec. 103.13(6) provides situations when no one, including the public employee, may inspect personnel files as a matter of confidentiality. [7, 8] We have also recognized that there is a public-policy interest in protecting the reputations of citizens. Newspapers, Inc. v. Breier, 89 Wis. 2d 417, 430, 279 N.W.2d 179 (1979). Within the context of the common law tort of defamation we underscored the importance in preserving one's reputation: A person's reputation and good name is of inestimable value to him and once it has been besmirched by another through carelessness or malice restoration is virtually impossible. Protection of a citizen's good name is a proper concern of the state. Denny v. Mertz, 106 Wis. 2d 636, 658, 318 N.W.2d 141 (1982), cert. denied, 459 U.S. 883 (1982). (Footnote omitted.) This heightened significance given to privacy and reputation leads us to conclude that Schauf's interest in keeping the Weiland report closed is sufficient to satisfy sec. 803.09(1), Stats. Such a conclusion not only recognizes Schauf's interest but also serves the policy behind the pragmatic approach recommended in Bilder. It allows Armada to conduct its lawsuit, it promotes judicial efficiency in that all interested parties are involved, and it ensures Armada finality to the extent that Schauf's rights will be exercised during the mandamus action rather than in later litigation. Based on his interest in the action, Schauf should be allowed to intervene.