Motion To Dismiss

---
name: motion-to-dismiss
description: Drafts FRCP 12(b) motions to dismiss for commercial litigation. Triggers on requests to draft motions to dismiss, 12(b)(6) motions, jurisdictional challenges, venue motions, or pre-answer dispositive motions during the pleadings phase.
tags:
  - drafting
  - litigation
  - motion
---

# Motion to Dismiss

Draft a Rule 12(b) motion attacking the legal sufficiency of a complaint or the court's authority, structured for filing.

## Prerequisites

Collect before drafting:

1. **Complaint** — full text, all counts identified
2. **Jurisdiction** — federal/state, division, local rules, page/formatting limits
3. **Case info** — court name, docket number, party names as captioned
4. **Grounds** — which 12(b) subsection(s) apply
5. **Referenced documents** — contracts or public records central to the complaint

## Drafting Workflow

### Step 1: Caption

Format per local rules. Include court (full name, division, location), parties (as captioned), docket number, and title: "Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to Rule 12(b)(__)."

### Step 2: Introduction

- Identify the moving party and specific 12(b) ground(s)
- State whether seeking dismissal of entire complaint or specific counts
- Provide a one-paragraph argument roadmap

**12(b) grounds reference:**

| Rule | Ground |
|---|---|
| 12(b)(1) | Lack of subject matter jurisdiction |
| 12(b)(2) | Lack of personal jurisdiction |
| 12(b)(3) | Improper venue |
| 12(b)(4) | Insufficient process |
| 12(b)(5) | Insufficient service of process |
| 12(b)(6) | Failure to state a claim |
| 12(b)(7) | Failure to join a required party |

### Step 3: Statement of Facts

- Recite complaint facts — neutral tone, strategic emphasis
- For 12(b)(6): confine to the four corners plus documents incorporated by reference, public records, and documents central to plaintiff's claim
- Highlight gaps, conclusory allegations, and omissions
- Organize chronologically or thematically to expose deficiencies
- No argumentative characterization

### Step 4: Legal Standard

Tailor to the ground(s) asserted:

- **12(b)(6):** Plausibility standard under *Twombly*, 550 U.S. 544 (2007) and *Iqbal*, 556 U.S. 662 (2009). Accept factual allegations as true; strip legal conclusions, then assess plausibility of remaining content.
- **12(b)(1):** Distinguish facial vs. factual attack. Plaintiff bears the burden of establishing jurisdiction.
- **12(b)(2):** Analyze under forum state long-arm statute + due process. Distinguish specific vs. general jurisdiction per *Daimler AG v. Bauman*, 571 U.S. 117 (2014).

### Step 5: Argument

Use Roman-numeral or lettered headings, one per ground or deficient element. For each:

- Quote the complaint's specific deficient allegations
- Identify the legal element not plausibly pled
- Cite controlling circuit/state authority with analogous dismissals
- Distinguish anticipated contrary authority
- For element-based claims: track each element systematically

### Step 6: Conclusion & Prayer for Relief

Synthesize without repeating arguments. Specify relief:

| Relief | When appropriate |
|---|---|
| With prejudice | Amendment would be futile |
| Without prejudice | Curable pleading defects |
| More definite statement (12(e)) | Complaint too vague to respond to (alternative) |

Include request for costs/fees if statute authorizes, plus "any other relief the Court deems just and proper."

### Step 7: Signature Block & Certificate of Service

- **Signature:** Attorney name, bar number, firm, address, phone, email. Pro se: name, address, "Pro Se."
- **Certificate:** Service method (CM/ECF, email, mail), date, all parties served. Account for FRCP 6(d) (+3 days for mail).

## Pitfalls & Checks

- **12(b)(6) constraint:** Never rely on facts outside complaint, incorporated documents, or public records
- **Formatting:** Verify local rules for font, margins, spacing, page limits before finalizing
- **Citations:** Bluebook format; verify every case citation is current
- **Strategy:** Lead with strongest ground; jurisdictional arguments precede merits
- **TOC/TOA:** Required by some local rules or when motion exceeds 10 pages
- **E-filing:** Ensure text-searchable PDF with bookmarks if court requires