Legal Memorandum: Summary Judgment Standard in WY

Issue: Under Wyoming law, what is the standard for Summary Judgment?

           Rule 56 provides that summary judgment shall be rendered if the movant shows there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment.  Wyo. R. Civ. P. 56(c).  A fact is material if it “would have the effect of establishing or refuting an essential element of the cause of action.”  McDon v. Mobil Coal Producing, Inc., 789 P.2d 866, 869 (Wyo. 1990).  Bare inferences, conclusory allegations, subjective opinions or beliefs and speculation are all insufficient, alone or together, to generate a material fact in dispute.  TZ Land & Cattle Co. v. Condict, 795 P.2d 1204, 1208 (Wyo. 1990) (conclusory or speculative “evidence” insufficient to generate material fact and oppose summary judgment); Duffy v. Brown, 708 P.2d 433, 437-38 (Wyo. 1985) (subjective belief insufficient to oppose summary judgment); Blackmore v. Davis Oil Co., 671 P.2d 334, 337 (Wyo. 1983) (mere inferences insufficient to oppose motion for summary judgment when “pitted against the hard testimony”); Bancroft v. Jagusch, 611 P.2d 819, 821 (Wyo. 1980) (conclusion insufficient to generate material fact).

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