Opinion ID: 1584461
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Review of Summary Judgment.

Text: The standard of review for summary judgment cases is well settled. We review summary judgment motions for correction of errors at law. Carr, 546 N.W.2d at 903. Summary judgment is appropriate only when the entire record demonstrates that no genuine issue of material fact exists and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Id. We review the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Mason v. Vision Iowa Bd., 700 N.W.2d 349, 353 (Iowa 2005). A party resisting a motion for summary judgment cannot rely on the mere assertions in his pleadings but must come forward with evidence to demonstrate that a genuine issue of fact is presented. The record on summary judgment includes the pleadings, depositions, affidavits, and exhibits presented. Carr, 546 N.W.2d at 903. Unique rules apply in defamation cases because First Amendment rights are implicated. Id. at 904 (holding that the court must examine the evidence to determine if a rational fact finder could conclude that malice had been established by clear-and-convincing evidence).