Opinion ID: 719608
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Proceedings Leading to the Summary Judgment Motion

Text: 7 After several years of discovery, the case was scheduled to be tried in June 1995. In April 1995, Brine sought the court's permission to move for summary judgment dismissing all of Rule's claims. Judge John Gleeson, to whom the case was then assigned, noted that he had asked the parties in January 1995 whether anything remained to be done before trial, and that although Brine had mentioned the possibility of a motion for partial summary judgment, it made no such motion. Judge Gleeson denied Brine permission to make a summary judgment motion in April because it had unduly delayed and the trial date was too near. 8 In May 1995, noting Rule's estimate that 30 days would be needed to try the entire case, Brine moved to bifurcate the trial, arguing that trying only liability issues first would serve the interests of judicial economy and would prevent potential prejudice to Brine. In an Order and Trial Notice dated June 21, 1995 (June 21 Order), Judge Friedman  , to whom the case had been reassigned, granted the motion. He ordered that 9 [i]n the first phase of the trial, the jury will determine whether defendants breached a contract with plaintiff to pay royalties for defendants' use of plaintiff's patented devices..... If the jury decides this issue in plaintiff's favor, the same jury will determine in the second phase of the trial the amount of damages, if any, to which plaintiff is entitled. 10 June 21 Order at 1. No provision was made for the trial of any other issue or claim. Judge Friedman scheduled trial of the above contract liability issue to commence on or before August 7, 1995, before Judge Real. On July 25, 1995, the parties were informed that the liability trial would commence on Thursday, August 3. 11 On August 3, the parties arrived in court ready to proceed with the limited trial but learned that two other cases were scheduled for trial before Judge Real that day. Judge Real stated that, instead of trying Rule's case, he would entertain a motion by defendants for summary judgment, returnable on Monday, August 7. Over Rule's objection to, inter alia, the lack of time to prepare to oppose such a motion, the court stated that, since Rule was ready for trial, the court would conduct an evidentiary hearing on the summary judgment motion, at which Rule could present live testimony. On Friday, Brine served on Rule extensive motion papers requesting summary judgment dismissing the amended complaint in its entirety. 12