Opinion ID: 749802
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Standard for Appellate Review

Text: 14 The Court of Appeals reviews a district court's grant of summary judgment de novo. See Iacobelli Constr., Inc. v. County of Monroe, 32 F.3d 19, 23 (2d Cir.1994); see also Heilweil v. Mount Sinai Hosp., 32 F.3d 718, 721 (2d Cir.1994); Taggart v. Time Inc., 924 F.2d 43, 45-46 (2d Cir.1991). The Court utilizes the same standard as the district court: summary judgment is appropriate where there exists no genuine issue of material fact and, based on the undisputed facts, the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The non-moving party may not rely on mere conclusory allegations nor speculation, but instead must offer some hard evidence showing that its version of the events is not wholly fanciful. See, e.g., Podell v. Citicorp Diners Club, Inc., 112 F.3d 98, 101 (2d Cir.1997); Kulak v. City of New York, 88 F.3d 63, 71 (2d Cir.1996); Lipton v. Nature Co., 71 F.3d 464, 469 (2d Cir.1995). The Court must draw all inferences in favor of the non-moving party. See Heilweil, 32 F.3d at 721; see also Taggart, 924 F.2d at 46. A court may grant summary judgment only when no rational jury could find in favor of the non-moving party. See Heilweil, 32 F.3d at 721; see also Gallo v. Prudential Residential Servs., 22 F.3d 1219, 1224 (2d Cir.1994). 15