477 U.S. 317 (1986) Cited 219,074 times 40 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"
Holding that four plaintiffs lacked standing because, at the time the lawsuit was filed, they had not patronized, or even tried to patronize, the business
Holding that "while a prisoner does not need to demonstrate that he has been the victim of an actual attack to bring a personal safety claim," such evidence will suffice
Holding that the lower court erred in requiring ascertainability of a Rule 23(b) class and explaining that "while the lack of identifiability is a factor that may defeat Rule 23(b) class certification, such is not the case with respect to class certification under Rule 23(b)"
Holding that a transferee note holder had the authority to enforce a note by appointing a substitute trustee and foreclosing on property under Virginia common law and statutes
Fed. R. Civ. P. 23 Cited 35,615 times 1241 Legal Analyses
Holding that, to certify a class, the court must find that "questions of law or fact common to class members predominate over any questions affecting only individual members"
Fed. R. Civ. P. 1 Cited 15,469 times 50 Legal Analyses
Recognizing the federal rules of civil procedure should be employed to promote the "just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action and proceeding"