Opinion ID: 656593
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Summary Judgment Legal Standard

Text: 14 Summary judgment is appropriate if the court is satisfied that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). The moving party bears the initial responsibility of informing the district court of the basis for its motion.... Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 2553, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986), and must demonstrate that no genuine issue of material fact exists for trial. Id., at 322, 106 S.Ct. at 2552. However, the moving party is not required to negate those portions of the nonmoving party's claim on which the nonmoving party bears the burden of proof. Id., at 323, 106 S.Ct. at 2553. 15 Once the moving party demonstrates that there is no genuine issue of material fact, the nonmoving party must designate specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. Id., at 324, 106 S.Ct. at 2553. In doing so, the nonmoving party must make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party's case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial. Id., at 322, 106 S.Ct. at 2552.