Scott Winckler sued Suzuki Motor Corporation after sustaining injuries while riding a Suzuki motorcycle. Winckler sought to question the corporation's chairman and CEO about possible known defects in the front brake. Suzuki objected, asking the trial court to apply the "apex doctrine" that provides discovery protections to top-ranking officials. The trial court denied Suzuki’s request and Suzuki challenged the trial court’s ruling. The First District Court of Appeal upheld the trial court’s ruling and certified a question of great public importance to this Court.