summary-judgment-brief

# Summary Judgment Motion Brief

Draft a dispositive motion demonstrating entitlement to judgment as a matter of law under FRCP 56 or state equivalent.

## Prerequisites

Before drafting, confirm:

1. **Discovery record** — depositions, interrogatory answers, RFAs, document productions
2. **Claims/defenses targeted** — which counts or affirmative defenses the motion addresses
3. **Controlling authority** — binding precedent on substantive elements and SJ standard
4. **Local rules** — page limits, separate statement requirements, combined vs. separate motion/brief
5. **Party role** — plaintiff (proving all elements undisputed) or defendant (negating an element)

## Brief Structure

### 1. Caption

Include court (with division), full case title, case number, and document title per local rule formatting. Check whether jurisdiction requires separate notice of motion.

### 2. Introduction (2–3 paragraphs)

- Identify moving party and claims/defenses at issue
- Preview key undisputed facts material to disposition
- State why judgment as a matter of law follows
- Frame: no reasonable jury could find for non-movant on this record

### 3. Statement of Undisputed Material Facts

Number each fact separately with record citations:

```
1. [Objective fact — no argument or conclusions].
   (Ex. A, Smith Dep. 45:12–46:3; Ex. B, Invoice dated 3/15/2024.)

2. [Next fact...]
   (Jones Decl. ¶ 7; RFA No. 12, admitted.)
```

Rules:
- Every fact cited to admissible evidence (deposition page:line, declaration ¶, exhibit, RFA)
- Only material facts — no background filler
- Objective language only
- Organize chronologically or by element

### 4. Legal Standard

Cover these components:

| Component | Content |
|-----------|---------|
| Rule | FRCP 56(a) or state equivalent |
| Movant's burden | Demonstrate absence of genuine dispute — *Celotex Corp. v. Catrett*, 477 U.S. 317 (1986) |
| Burden shift | Non-movant must show specific facts creating genuine issue — *Anderson v. Liberty Lobby*, 477 U.S. 242 (1986) |
| Viewing standard | Light most favorable to non-movant — *Matsushita Elec. v. Zenith Radio*, 475 U.S. 574 (1986) |

Add substantive standards for the specific claims/defenses at issue.

### 5. Argument

Structure by claim, defense, or element:

```
I. [CLAIM/DEFENSE] FAILS BECAUSE [ELEMENT] IS UNDISPUTED

   A. Legal Rule — controlling statute + binding case law on elements
   B. Application — map numbered facts to each element
   C. Preemptive Rebuttal — anticipate opposition, distinguish unfavorable cases
```

- Each element: rule → fact application → conclusion
- Binding precedent first; persuasive authority supplemental
- Distinguish (don't ignore) unfavorable cases
- Tone: measured, confident — "reasonable minds could not differ"
- Cross-reference numbered undisputed facts throughout

### 6. Conclusion

Synthesize key points in 1–2 paragraphs. No new arguments or facts.

### 7. Prayer for Relief

- Specify scope: all claims or identified counts only
- Dismissal with prejudice where applicable
- Costs/fees if authorized by statute, contract, or rule
- Include catch-all: "such other relief as the Court deems just"

### 8. Signature Block & Certificate of Service

- Attorney name, bar number, firm, contact, designation per local rule
- Certificate: method (ECF/email/mail), date, all served parties/counsel

## Pitfalls

- **Unsupported assertions** — every factual statement needs a record cite; every legal proposition needs authority
- **Orphan facts** — facts section, argument, and prayer must align; no facts without argument use
- **Citation format** — Bluebook unless local rules specify otherwise
- **Partial SJ scope** — if fewer than all claims, delineate scope in intro, argument, and prayer
- **Page/word limits** — confirm and comply with local rules before finalizing
- **Exhibit consistency** — reference by letter/number uniformly; confirm all cited evidence is in the record
- **Strategic framing** — defendant: target weakest plaintiff element; plaintiff: lead with strongest undisputed evidence