motion-to-dismiss
Drafts FRCP 12(b) motions to dismiss for commercial litigation. Triggers on requests to draft motions to dismiss, 12(b)(6) motions, jurisdictional challenges, venue motions, or pre-answer dispositive motions during the pleadings phase.
Best use case
motion-to-dismiss is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Drafts FRCP 12(b) motions to dismiss for commercial litigation. Triggers on requests to draft motions to dismiss, 12(b)(6) motions, jurisdictional challenges, venue motions, or pre-answer dispositive motions during the pleadings phase.
Teams using motion-to-dismiss should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/motion-to-dismiss/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How motion-to-dismiss Compares
| Feature / Agent | motion-to-dismiss | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Drafts FRCP 12(b) motions to dismiss for commercial litigation. Triggers on requests to draft motions to dismiss, 12(b)(6) motions, jurisdictional challenges, venue motions, or pre-answer dispositive motions during the pleadings phase.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Motion to Dismiss Draft a Rule 12(b) motion attacking the legal sufficiency of a complaint or the court's authority, structured for filing. ## Prerequisites Collect before drafting: 1. **Complaint** — full text, all counts identified 2. **Jurisdiction** — federal/state, division, local rules, page/formatting limits 3. **Case info** — court name, docket number, party names as captioned 4. **Grounds** — which 12(b) subsection(s) apply 5. **Referenced documents** — contracts or public records central to the complaint ## Drafting Workflow ### Step 1: Caption Format per local rules. Include court (full name, division, location), parties (as captioned), docket number, and title: "Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to Rule 12(b)(__)." ### Step 2: Introduction - Identify the moving party and specific 12(b) ground(s) - State whether seeking dismissal of entire complaint or specific counts - Provide a one-paragraph argument roadmap **12(b) grounds reference:** | Rule | Ground | |---|---| | 12(b)(1) | Lack of subject matter jurisdiction | | 12(b)(2) | Lack of personal jurisdiction | | 12(b)(3) | Improper venue | | 12(b)(4) | Insufficient process | | 12(b)(5) | Insufficient service of process | | 12(b)(6) | Failure to state a claim | | 12(b)(7) | Failure to join a required party | ### Step 3: Statement of Facts - Recite complaint facts — neutral tone, strategic emphasis - For 12(b)(6): confine to the four corners plus documents incorporated by reference, public records, and documents central to plaintiff's claim - Highlight gaps, conclusory allegations, and omissions - Organize chronologically or thematically to expose deficiencies - No argumentative characterization ### Step 4: Legal Standard Tailor to the ground(s) asserted: - **12(b)(6):** Plausibility standard under *Twombly*, 550 U.S. 544 (2007) and *Iqbal*, 556 U.S. 662 (2009). Accept factual allegations as true; strip legal conclusions, then assess plausibility of remaining content. - **12(b)(1):** Distinguish facial vs. factual attack. Plaintiff bears the burden of establishing jurisdiction. - **12(b)(2):** Analyze under forum state long-arm statute + due process. Distinguish specific vs. general jurisdiction per *Daimler AG v. Bauman*, 571 U.S. 117 (2014). ### Step 5: Argument Use Roman-numeral or lettered headings, one per ground or deficient element. For each: - Quote the complaint's specific deficient allegations - Identify the legal element not plausibly pled - Cite controlling circuit/state authority with analogous dismissals - Distinguish anticipated contrary authority - For element-based claims: track each element systematically ### Step 6: Conclusion & Prayer for Relief Synthesize without repeating arguments. Specify relief: | Relief | When appropriate | |---|---| | With prejudice | Amendment would be futile | | Without prejudice | Curable pleading defects | | More definite statement (12(e)) | Complaint too vague to respond to (alternative) | Include request for costs/fees if statute authorizes, plus "any other relief the Court deems just and proper." ### Step 7: Signature Block & Certificate of Service - **Signature:** Attorney name, bar number, firm, address, phone, email. Pro se: name, address, "Pro Se." - **Certificate:** Service method (CM/ECF, email, mail), date, all parties served. Account for FRCP 6(d) (+3 days for mail). ## Pitfalls & Checks - **12(b)(6) constraint:** Never rely on facts outside complaint, incorporated documents, or public records - **Formatting:** Verify local rules for font, margins, spacing, page limits before finalizing - **Citations:** Bluebook format; verify every case citation is current - **Strategy:** Lead with strongest ground; jurisdictional arguments precede merits - **TOC/TOA:** Required by some local rules or when motion exceeds 10 pages - **E-filing:** Ensure text-searchable PDF with bookmarks if court requires
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