Opinion ID: 205955
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Summary Judgment is Inappropriate

Text: We review a district court's grant of summary judgment de novo. Mass. Museum of Contemporary Art Found., Inc. v. Buchel, 593 F.3d 38, 52 (1st Cir. 2010). Summary judgment is appropriate only where the record reflects no genuine issue of material fact and where, with all reasonable inferences drawn in favor of the non-moving party (here, Baltodano), the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See Collazo v. Nicholson, 535 F.3d 41, 44 (1st Cir.2008). Our law provides plainly that where a plaintiff's case depends on his ability to secure evidence within the possession of defendants, courts should not render summary judgment because of gaps in a plaintiff's proof without first determining that plaintiff has had a fair chance to obtain necessary and available evidence from the other party. Carmona v. Toledo, 215 F.3d 124, 133 (1st Cir.2000). Any other rule would encourage defendants to `stonewall' during discoverywithholding or covering up key information that is otherwise available to them through the exercise of reasonable diligence. Id. Against this backdrop, we will analyze each of Baltodano's claims.