STATE OF MAINE
[COURT NAME]
Docket No. [_]

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,
v.

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

MOTION TO DISMISS AND INCORPORATED
MEMORANDUM OF LAW
(Me. R. Civ. P. 12(b))

[DATE]

[DEFENDANT NAME] (“Defendant”), by and through undersigned counsel, respectfully moves this Court, pursuant to Me. R. Civ. P. 12(b), to dismiss the [Complaint/Amended Complaint] filed by [PLAINTIFF NAME] (“Plaintiff”) in its entirety. In support hereof, Defendant submits the following incorporated memorandum of law.

[// GUIDANCE: Counsel may file a separate memorandum instead; if so, replace “incorporated memorandum” references and attach as a separate pleading.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. []
II. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND ....................................................... []
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW ................................................................. []
IV. ARGUMENT ................................................................................... []
A. Failure to State a Claim (Me. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6)) ....................... []
B. [Additional Ground, e.g., Lack of Subject-Matter Jurisdiction
(Me. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1))] ...................................................... []
V. CONCLUSION & REQUESTED RELIEF ....................................... []
VI. REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT (Optional) .......................... []
VII. CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE .............................................. []
VIII. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ....................................................... []

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Plaintiff’s [Complaint/Amended Complaint] fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted and otherwise suffers from fatal jurisdictional and procedural defects. For the reasons set forth below, dismissal is warranted under Me. R. Civ. P. 12(b).

II. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

2. [Summarize procedural history: date complaint filed, service completed, any amendments, current scheduling order, etc.]

III. STANDARD OF REVIEW

3. Under Me. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6), a complaint must allege sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to raise a plausible entitlement to relief. Conclusory allegations, unwarranted deductions, and legal conclusions masquerading as facts are insufficient.

4. Where subject-matter jurisdiction is challenged under Me. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1), the Court may consider the pleadings and any competent evidence without converting the motion into one for summary judgment.

IV. ARGUMENT

A. The Complaint Fails to State a Claim (Me. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6))
5. [Identify each cause of action; explain legal elements (cite statutory provisions only if certain); demonstrate how pleaded facts do not satisfy elements; highlight deficiencies such as statute-of-limitations bars, immunity doctrines, preemption, etc.]

[// GUIDANCE: Use separate numbered paragraphs for each claim to promote clarity and facilitate partial dismissal if appropriate.]

B. [Optional Additional Ground—for example, Lack of Subject-Matter Jurisdiction (Me. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1))]
6. [State why the court lacks jurisdiction—e.g., amount-in-controversy threshold for small claims, exclusive federal jurisdiction, failure to exhaust administrative remedies, etc.]

V. CONCLUSION & REQUESTED RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that the Court:

a. GRANT this Motion;
b. DISMISS Plaintiff’s [Complaint/Amended Complaint] WITH PREJUDICE;
c. AWARD Defendant its costs and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.

VI. REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT (Optional)

Pursuant to Me. R. Civ. P. 7(b)(7), Defendant requests oral argument on this Motion because [state good-cause rationale, e.g., “resolution of contested factual predicates”].

[// GUIDANCE: A separate written request for oral argument must be filed within 7 days after any reply is filed (or the reply period lapses).]

VII. CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE

In accordance with Me. R. Civ. P. 7(b)(4), undersigned counsel certifies that a good-faith effort was made on [DATE] to confer with Plaintiff’s counsel regarding the relief requested herein, but the parties were unable to reach agreement.

VIII. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on [DATE] I caused a true and correct copy of the foregoing Motion to be served upon all counsel of record via [state method—e.g., the Maine e-Filing system, first-class mail].

Respectfully submitted,

[ATTORNEY NAME], Esq. (Bar No. [_])
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Tel: [] | Fax: [_]
Email: []

Counsel for Defendant [DEFENDANT NAME]

IMPORTANT ME RULES AT A GLANCE

[// GUIDANCE: Include this segment as an internal checklist; delete before filing.]

1. Response Deadline: 21 days after service. Me. R. Civ. P. 7(b)(3)(A).
2. Reply Deadline: 14 days after service of response. Me. R. Civ. P. 7(b)(3)(B).
3. Oral-Argument Request: File within 7 days after reply is filed or due. Me. R. Civ. P. 7(b)(7).
4. Page Limits: 20 pages for principal briefs; 10 pages for replies, unless leave granted. Me. R. Civ. P. 7(b)(5).
5. Concurrence Statement: Required in all dispositive motions. Me. R. Civ. P. 7(b)(4).

[PROPOSED] ORDER

STATE OF MAINE )
[COURT NAME] ) ss.
[COUNTY] ) Docket No. [_]

Upon consideration of Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss and any timely responses and replies, it is hereby ORDERED:

☐ The Motion is GRANTED. Plaintiff’s [Complaint/Amended Complaint] is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.
☐ The Motion is DENIED.
☐ The Motion is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART as follows: ____.

So ORDERED this _ day of _, 20____.

Justice, Maine Superior Court / District Court