| name | summary-judgment-brief |
| title | Summary Judgment Motion Brief |
| description | Drafts FRCP 56 summary judgment motion briefs for U.S. commercial litigation. Synthesizes discovery evidence with controlling authority to show no genuine dispute of material fact. Use when drafting MSJ briefs, dispositive motions, or partial summary judgment papers post-discovery. |
| author | CaseMark |
| author_url | https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/summary-judgment-brief |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| version | 0.1.0 |
| execution_mode | open |
| jurisdiction | us |
| practice | litigation |
| language | en |
| tags | ["brief","drafting"] |
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:
- Discovery record — depositions, interrogatory answers, RFAs, document productions
- Claims/defenses targeted — which counts or affirmative defenses the motion addresses
- Controlling authority — binding precedent on substantive elements and SJ standard
- Local rules — page limits, separate statement requirements, combined vs. separate motion/brief
- 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) |
