[// GUIDANCE: Counsel should confirm and comply with all Local Rules
of the particular District Court (e.g., S.D.N.Y. Local Civ. R. 56.1;
C.D. Cal. L.R. 56-1). Where a Local Rule imposes additional or
different requirements (page limits, separate statements of fact,
pre-filing conferences, etc.), conform this template accordingly.]
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I. DOCUMENT HEADER
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE [INSERT APPROPRIATE DISTRICT] DISTRICT OF [STATE]
[PLAINTIFF NAME], )
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Case No. [CASE NUMBER]
)
[DEFENDANT NAME], )
Defendant. )
)
[PLAINTIFF/DEFENDANT]’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
PURSUANT TO FED. R. CIV. P. 56(a)
Date: [MONTH] [DAY], [YEAR]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1. Notice of Motion ………………………………………………………….…….……….. 2
2. Motion …………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
3. Memorandum of Law
3.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………….… 4
3.2 Statement of Undisputed Material Facts …………………………… 5
3.3 Issues Presented ………………………………………………………….. 6
3.4 Legal Standard ……………………………………………………………. 7
3.5 Argument …………………………………………………………………….. 8
I. [Ground 1] ………………………………………………………….. 8
II. [Ground 2] ………………………………………………………….. 9
3.6 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………….. 11
4. Certification of Compliance with [LOCAL RULE 56] …………….. 12
5. Certificate of Service ……………………………………………………….. 13
6. Proposed Order ………………………………………………………………… 14
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II. DEFINITIONS SECTION
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For clarity and consistency, the following defined terms apply
throughout this Motion.
“Action” means the above-captioned civil action pending before this Court.
“Court” means the United States District Court for the [DISTRICT] District of [STATE].
“Defendant” means [DEFENDANT NAME].
“Local Rules” means the Local Civil Rules of this Court.
“Motion” means this Motion for Summary Judgment.
“Parties” means collectively Plaintiff and Defendant.
“Plaintiff” means [PLAINTIFF NAME].
“Rule 56” means Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56.
[// GUIDANCE: Delete or expand definitions as appropriate.]
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III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS
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-
NOTICE OF MOTION
TO: ALL PARTIES AND THEIR ATTORNEYS OF RECORD
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on [HEARING DATE] at [TIME] or as soon
thereafter as counsel may be heard, in Courtroom [NO.] of the United
States District Court for the [DISTRICT] District of [STATE],
located at [COURTHOUSE ADDRESS], the undersigned will and hereby does
move this Court for summary judgment in favor of [MOVANT]. -
MOTION
Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a) and Local Rule [LOCAL RULE 56],
[MOVANT] respectfully moves for summary judgment on the grounds
that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and
[MOVANT] is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on the following
claims/defenses:
a. [COUNT I / CLAIM / DEFENSE]
b. [COUNT II / CLAIM / DEFENSE]
c. [Any additional grounds]
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IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES
(Statement of Undisputed Material Facts)
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Pursuant to Rule 56(c) and Local Rule [LOCAL RULE 56], [MOVANT] submits
the following facts, each of which is undisputed, material, and
supported by admissible evidence:
- [UNDISPUTED FACT 1] (citing [EXHIBIT A], ¶ __).
- [UNDISPUTED FACT 2] (citing [EXHIBIT B], ¶ __).
- …
[// GUIDANCE: In districts requiring a separate “Statement of Material
Facts,” convert this Section into a standalone filing and cross-refer
to it here.]
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V. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS
(Issues Presented)
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The issues to be decided are:
- Whether, under Rule 56 and applicable substantive law, the
undisputed facts establish that [MOVANT] is entitled to judgment as
a matter of law on [Claim/Defense]. - Whether any genuine dispute of material fact precludes judgment for
[MOVANT] on [additional Claim/Defense].
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VI. DEFAULT & REMEDIES
(Legal Standard and Requested Relief)
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A. Legal Standard
Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a), summary judgment shall be granted
where “the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any
material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of
law.” See also Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c) (procedures for supporting
factual positions).
B. Requested Relief
[MOVANT] respectfully requests that the Court:
1. Enter judgment in favor of [MOVANT] and against [NON-MOVANT] on
[specific counts/defenses];
2. Dismiss with prejudice all claims asserted by [NON-MOVANT] that
are a legal nullity in light of the foregoing judgment;
3. Award such further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
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VII. RISK ALLOCATION
(Attorney Fees & Costs; Reservation of Rights)
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-
Attorney Fees & Costs
Pursuant to [relevant statute/contractual fee-shifting provision]
and the Court’s inherent authority, [MOVANT] seeks an award of
reasonable attorney fees and taxable costs incurred in connection
with this Motion and the Action. -
Reservation of Rights
Nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver of any right,
argument, or defense not expressly addressed in this Motion.
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VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
(Governing Law & Jurisdiction)
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This Motion is governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,
applicable federal statutes, and the substantive law designated by
28 U.S.C. §§ 1331–1367 (as applicable). Venue and personal
jurisdiction are proper in this Court under 28 U.S.C. § 1391.
[// GUIDANCE: Arbitration, jury waiver, and injunctive relief
provisions are not applicable in a Rule 56 motion and therefore
omitted.]
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IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS
(Compliance, Meet-and-Confer, Word Limits)
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-
Local-Rule Compliance
Counsel certifies compliance with Local Rule [LOCAL RULE NUMBER]
regarding pre-motion conferences / statement of facts / page limits. -
Word-Count Certification (if required)
This memorandum contains [WORD COUNT] words, exclusive of the case
caption, tables, and certificates, in compliance with Local Rule
[RULE #] and Fed. R. App. P. 32(a)(7)(B).
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X. EXECUTION BLOCK
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Respectfully submitted,
/s/ [ATTORNEY NAME]
[ATTORNEY NAME] (Bar No. [NUMBER])
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS LINE 1]
[ADDRESS LINE 2]
Telephone: ([AREA CODE]) [PHONE]
Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
Counsel for [Plaintiff/Defendant]
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CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL RULE 56
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I, [ATTORNEY NAME], hereby certify that I have complied with Local
Rule [LOCAL RULE 56] by (a) meeting and conferring with opposing
counsel on [DATE] regarding the matters set forth herein, and
(b) preparing and filing concurrently herewith a separate Statement of
Undisputed Material Facts and supporting evidence.
Date: [DATE] /s/ [ATTORNEY NAME]
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
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I hereby certify that on [DATE], I electronically filed the foregoing
document with the Clerk of Court using the CM/ECF system, which will
send notification of such filing to all registered participants.
Date: [DATE] /s/ [ATTORNEY NAME]
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PROPOSED ORDER
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United States District Court
[District] District of [State]
Case No. [CASE NUMBER]
Upon consideration of [Movant]’s Motion for Summary Judgment,
supporting memorandum, statement of undisputed facts, opposing papers,
and the entire record, it is hereby
ORDERED that the Motion is GRANTED; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED that judgment is entered in favor of [Movant] and
against [Non-Movant] on [specify claims/defenses]; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED that [any additional relief]; and it is
SO ORDERED this ___ day of ____, 20__.
[NAME OF JUDGE]
United States District Judge