550 U.S. 544 (2007) Cited 279,983 times 369 Legal Analyses
Holding that allegations of conduct that are merely consistent with wrongdoing do not state a claim unless "placed in a context that raises a suggestion of" such wrongdoing
477 U.S. 242 (1986) Cited 241,927 times 39 Legal Analyses
Holding that summary judgment is not appropriate if "the dispute about a material fact is ‘genuine,’ that is, if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party"
477 U.S. 317 (1986) Cited 221,216 times 41 Legal Analyses
Holding that a movant's summary judgment motion should be granted "against a [nonmovant] who fails to 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"
511 U.S. 825 (1994) Cited 57,699 times 19 Legal Analyses
Holding that the deliberate indifference standard utilized for a conditions of confinement claim "is inappropriate . . . when officials stand accused of using excessive physical force."
Holding that official capacity state officer suits for prospective injunctive relief are suits against a "person" under § 1983 even though a "State" is not a "person" under that statute
559 U.S. 34 (2010) Cited 4,669 times 2 Legal Analyses
Holding that plaintiff's claim "that he was punished for complaining through the established grievance system about his treatment by [a prison guard]" was sufficient to state a First Amendment retaliation claim
441 U.S. 520 (1979) Cited 17,977 times 10 Legal Analyses
Holding that a "prohibition against receipt of hardback books unless mailed directly from publishers, book clubs, or bookstores does not violate the First Amendment rights of MCC inmates"
429 U.S. 274 (1977) Cited 9,201 times 7 Legal Analyses
Holding if a plaintiff can show a prima facie case of First Amendment retaliation, the district court should go on to determine whether the defendant has shown "by a preponderance of the evidence that it would have reached the same decision ... even in the absence of the protected conduct"