[COURT NAME]
[DIVISION] DIVISION

[PLAINTIFF NAME(S)], §
§
Plaintiff[s], §
§ CIVIL ACTION NO. [CASE NO.]
v. §
§
[DEFENDANT NAME(S)], §
§
Defendant[s]. §
________§__________

DEFENDANT[S]’ FED. R. CIV. P. 12(b)(6) MOTION TO DISMISS

[// GUIDANCE: Insert any required local-rule header language (e.g., “ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED”) here.]

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on [HEARING DATE] at [TIME]—or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard—before the Honorable [JUDGE’S NAME], United States District Judge for the [COURT NAME], [DIVISION] Division, located at [COURTHOUSE ADDRESS], Defendant[s] [DEFENDANT NAME(S)] will and hereby do move the Court, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6), to dismiss with prejudice the [COMPLAINT/AMENDED COMPLAINT] filed by Plaintiff[s] [PLAINTIFF NAME(S)] for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.

This Motion is based on the accompanying Memorandum of Points and Authorities; the pleadings and papers on file; any matters of which the Court may take judicial notice; and such additional argument or evidence as may be presented at or before the hearing on this Motion.

Date: [DATE]

Respectfully submitted,

[ATTORNEY NAME]
[STATE BAR NO.]
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]
Counsel for Defendant[s] [DEFENDANT NAME(S)]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Statement of Issues Presented ................................................................. [page]
2. Summary of the Argument ................................................................... [page]
3. Procedural and Factual Background ............................................................ [page]
4. Applicable Legal Standard .................................................................. [page]
5. Argument ................................................................................................ [page]
   5.1 Count [I]: [CAUSE OF ACTION TITLE] ................................................... [page]
   5.2 Count [II]: [CAUSE OF ACTION TITLE] ................................................. [page]
   5.n Additional Counts (if any) ................................................................. [page]
6. Conclusion & Prayer for Relief ................................................................. [page]
7. Certification of Compliance (if required) ................................................ [page]
8. Certificate of Service ......................................................................... [page]
9. Proposed Order (Exhibit A) ................................................................ [page]

[// GUIDANCE: Update page numbers after finalizing the brief; many districts require electronic tables of contents.]

STATEMENT OF ISSUES PRESENTED

Whether the [COMPLAINT/AMENDED COMPLAINT] fails to plead sufficient factual matter to state any claim for relief that is plausible on its face under Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a) and therefore must be dismissed pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6).

SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT

1. The pleading offers only conclusory allegations devoid of factual enhancement; such allegations are insufficient under the plausibility standard embodied in Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a).
2. Each claim independently fails because essential elements—[identify elements]—are neither alleged nor supported by well-pleaded facts.
3. Where fraud-based allegations are asserted, the pleading does not satisfy Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b)’s particularity requirement.
4. Because amendment would be futile, dismissal should be with prejudice.

PROCEDURAL AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND

[// GUIDANCE: Provide a concise, non-argumentative chronology of procedural history followed by a neutral statement of the relevant allegations, citing to paragraph numbers of the complaint (e.g., “Compl. ¶ 23”).]

APPLICABLE LEGAL STANDARD

• Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) permits dismissal when a complaint fails “to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.”
• Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a), a complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.”
• Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b) requires that allegations of fraud or mistake be pled “with particularity,” specifying the who, what, when, where, and how of the alleged misconduct.

ARGUMENT

5.1 Count [I] — [CAUSE OF ACTION TITLE]

A. Element 1: [Define element].
• The Complaint alleges [citation to paragraph], but does not plead [missing factual predicate].
B. Element 2: [Define element].
• [Explain deficiency].
C. Because essential elements are absent, Count [I] must be dismissed.

[// GUIDANCE: Repeat the following subsections for each count. For fraud-based counts, add a subsection titled “Failure to Plead with Particularity Under Rule 9(b).”]

5.2 Count [II] — [CAUSE OF ACTION TITLE]

[Insert analysis paralleling § 5.1 above.]

5.n Additional Counts (if any)

[Insert as necessary.]

CONCLUSION & PRAYER FOR RELIEF

For the foregoing reasons, Defendant[s] respectfully request that the Court:

1. Grant this Motion and dismiss the [COMPLAINT/AMENDED COMPLAINT] in its entirety with prejudice pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6);
2. Award Defendant[s] such further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

Date: [DATE]

Submitted by,

[ATTORNEY NAME]
Counsel for Defendant[s] [DEFENDANT NAME(S)]

CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE (Words or Pages) [if required]

I certify that this memorandum complies with the [LOCAL RULE] concerning [word/page] limits. The memorandum contains [WORD COUNT] words, excluding the parts exempted by [LOCAL RULE].

[ATTORNEY NAME]

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on [DATE], I electronically filed the foregoing Motion to Dismiss with the Clerk of Court via the Court’s CM/ECF system, which will send notification of such filing to all counsel of record.

[ATTORNEY NAME]

EXHIBIT A

[PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT[S]’ RULE 12(b)(6) MOTION TO DISMISS

Upon consideration of Defendant[s]’ Rule 12(b)(6) Motion to Dismiss, any opposition thereto, and the entire record, it is hereby ORDERED that:

1. The Motion is GRANTED;
2. Plaintiff[s]’ [COMPLAINT/AMENDED COMPLAINT] is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE; and
3. The Clerk is directed to close this case.

SO ORDERED.

Date: ___ ____
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

OPTIONAL CHECKLIST FOR COUNSEL

[// GUIDANCE: Remove checklist before filing.]

☐ Confirm compliance with all applicable Local Rules (font size, margins, page limits, certificate requirements, judge-specific procedures).
☐ Update all placeholders (court name, parties, case number, etc.).
☐ Verify that each factual citation references the correct paragraph of the complaint or an item subject to judicial notice.
☐ Review counts for additional defenses (jurisdictional, statute of limitations, pre-emption) and, if appropriate, add Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1) or other grounds in a separate motion or consolidated motion.
☐ Attach any exhibits (e.g., complaint copy, judicially noticeable documents).
☐ Recalculate word count after final edits.
☐ File Proposed Order as a separate attachment if required by the judge’s standing order.
☐ Serve any pro se parties by mail in addition to electronic service.
☐ Calendar hearing date per clerk’s instructions; file notice of hearing if local practice requires.
☐ Prepare courtesy copies for chambers if mandated by local rules.