Opinion ID: 848945
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: defendant's motion for summary disposition under mcr 2.116(c)(10)

Text: Defendant brought a motion for summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(10). A motion under this section tests the factual sufficiency of the complaint. The movant must specifically identify issues to which it believes no genuine issue as to any material fact exists. MCR 2.116(G)(4). In opposition to the motion, the nonmoving party may not rest upon mere allegations or denials, but must proffer evidence of specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. Id.; Smith v. Globe Life Ins. Co., 460 Mich. 446, 597 N.W.2d 28 (1999). Evidence offered in support of or in opposition to the motion can be considered only to the extent that it is substantively admissible. MCR 2.116(G)(6); Maiden v. Rozwood, 461 Mich. 109, 121, 597 N.W.2d 817 (1999). In evaluating a motion for summary disposition brought under this subsection, a trial court is required to consider the affidavits, pleadings, depositions, admissions, and other evidence submitted by the parties, MCR 2.116(G)(5), in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion. Where the proffered evidence fails to establish a genuine issue regarding any material fact, the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. MCR 2.116(C)(10), (G)(4). Quinto v. Cross & Peters Co., 451 Mich. 358, 547 N.W.2d 314 (1996). In the instant case, defendant's motion for summary disposition maintains that its refusal to renew plaintiff's contract did not relate to his marital status. In response, plaintiff offered the affidavit of defendant's outside operations manager, Patrick Godfrey. Mr. Godfrey averred that, [o]n several occasions, he overheard three board members specifically express their disapproval of plaintiff's divorce, state that the situation was disgusting, refer to plaintiff as a slut, and state that they had to get rid of him. Plaintiff argues that sufficient evidence was presented that, at a minimum, defendant harbored mixed motives when it discharged him. Evidence of mixed motives, when one motive is impermissible under the Civil Rights Act, is sufficient to withstand summary disposition. In such a case, the impermissible factor must be a determining factor. See Matras v. Amoco Oil Co., 424 Mich. 675, 682-683, 385 N.W.2d 586 (1986). When the Court of Appeals evaluated plaintiff's claim as one related to his pending divorce and adultery, it failed to evaluate whether the pending divorce was a determining factor. Likewise, the trial court did not consider the affidavit suggesting that the defendant may have acted on an impermissible motive. In granting defendant's motion, the trial court merely concluded that any discrimination was motivated by plaintiff's cohabitation with his mistress and did not specifically address the adequacy of the affidavit. There is little evidence in the record indicating that the trial court considered the evidence contained in the affidavit as required by MCR 2.116(G)(5). We therefore remand this case to the trial court. On remand, the trial court is to consider defendant's motion for summary disposition, and plaintiff's response thereto, in conformance with MCR 2.116(G)(4)(6). [6]