bell atlantic corp et al twombly et argued november decided may divestiture american telephone telegraph company local telephone business left system regional service monopolies sometimes called incumbent local exchange carriers ilecs separate market ilecs excluded telecommunications act withdrew approval ilecs monopolies fundamentally restructur ing local telephone markets subject ing ilecs host duties intended facilitate market entry iowa utilities also authorized enter market central new scheme ilec obligation share network competitive local exchange carriers clecs verizon communications law offices curtis trinko llp respondents hereinafter plaintiffs represent class subscribers local telephone high speed internet services action petitioner ilecs claimed violations sherman act prohibits contract combination form trust otherwise conspiracy restraint trade commerce among several foreign nations complaint alleges ilecs conspired restrain trade engaging parallel conduct respective service areas inhibit growth upstart clecs agreeing refrain competing one another indicated common failure pursue attractive business opportunities contiguous markets statement one ilec chief executive officer competing another ilec territory seem right district dismissed complaint concluding parallel business conduct allegations taken alone state claim plaintiffs must allege additional facts tending exclude independent conduct explanation parallel actions reversing second circuit held plaintiffs parallel conduct allegations sufficient withstand motion dismiss ilecs failed show set facts permit plaintiffs demonstrate particular parallelism asserted product collusion rather coincidence held stating claim requires complaint enough factual matter taken true suggest agreement made allegation parallel conduct bare assertion conspiracy suffice pp prohibits restraints effected contract combination conspiracy copperweld independence tube crucial question whether challenged anticompetitive conduct stem independent decision agreement theatre enterprises paramount film distributing showing parallel business behavior admissible circumstantial evidence agreement may inferred falls short conclusively establish ing agreement constitut ing sherman act offense inadequacy showing parallel conduct interdependence without mirrors behavior ambiguity consistent conspiracy much line wide swath rational competitive business strategy unilaterally prompted common perceptions market thus hedged false inferences identical behavior number points trial sequence summary judgment stage see matsushita elec industrial zenith radio pp case presents antecedent question plaintiff must plead order state claim federal rule civil procedure requires short plain statement claim showing pleader entitled relief order give defendant fair notice claim grounds upon rests conley gibson complaint attacked rule motion dismiss need detailed factual allegations plaintiff obligation provide grounds entitle ment relief requires labels conclusions formulaic recitation cause action elements factual allegations must enough raise right relief speculative level assumption complaint allegations true applying general standards claim stating claim requires complaint enough factual matter suggest agreement asking plausible grounds impose probability requirement pleading stage simply calls enough fact raise reasonable expectation discovery reveal evidence illegal agreement need pleading stage allegations plausibly suggesting merely consistent agreement reflects rule threshold requirement plain statement possess enough heft sho pleader entitled relief parallel conduct allegation gets complaint close stating claim without factual enhancement stops short line possibility plausibility requirement allegations suggesting agreement serves practical purpose preventing plaintiff largely groundless ing time number people right representing terrorem increment settlement value dura pharmaceuticals broudo one thing cautious dismissing antitrust complaint advance discovery quite another forget proceeding antitrust discovery expensive potential expense obvious plaintiffs represent putative class least percent subscribers local telephone internet service action america largest telecommunications firms unspecified instances antitrust violations allegedly occurred period answer say claim shy plausible entitlement weeded early discovery process given common lament success judicial supervision checking discovery abuse modest plaintiffs main argument plausibility standard pleading stage ostensible conflict literal reading conley statement construing rule complaint dismissed failure state claim unless appears beyond doubt plaintiff prove set facts support claim entitle relief set facts language questioned criticized explained away long enough courts commentators best forgotten incomplete negative gloss accepted pleading standard claim stated adequately may supported showing set facts consistent allegations complaint conley described breadth opportunity prove adequate complaint claims minimum standard adequate pleading govern complaint survival pp plausibility standard plaintiffs claim conspiracy restraint trade comes short first complaint leaves doubt plaintiffs rest claim descriptions parallel conduct independent allegation actual agreement among ilecs nub complaint ilecs parallel behavior sufficiency turns suggestions raised conduct viewed light common economic experience nothing complaint invests either action inaction alleged plausible conspiracy suggestion ilecs supposed agreement disobey act thwart clecs attempts compete district correctly found nothing complaint intimates resisting upstarts anything natural unilateral reaction ilec intent preserving regional dominance complaint general collusion premise fails answer point need joint encouragement resist act since ilec reason try avoid dealing clecs tried keep regardless ilecs actions plaintiffs second conspiracy theory rests competitive reticence among ilecs wake act enter competitors territories leaving relevant market highly compartmentalized geographically minimal competition parallel conduct suggest conspiracy history teaches anything monopoly norm telecommunications exception ilecs born world doubtless liked surely knew adage lives sword natural explanation noncompetition former monopolists sitting tight expecting neighbors antitrust conspiracy suggested facts adduced either theory complaint thus fails state valid claim analysis run counter swierkiewicz sorema held complaint employment discrimination lawsuit need contain specific facts establishing prima facie case discrimination requiring heightened fact pleading specifics enough facts state claim relief plausible face plaintiffs nudged claims across line conceivable plausible complaint must dismissed pp reversed remanded souter delivered opinion roberts scalia kennedy thomas breyer alito joined stevens filed dissenting opinion ginsburg joined except part iv bell atlantic corporation et tioners william twombly et al writ certiorari appeals second circuit may justice souter delivered opinion liability sherman act requires contract combination conspiracy restraint trade commerce question putative class action whether complaint survive motion dismiss alleges major telecommunications providers engaged certain parallel conduct unfavorable competition absent factual context suggesting agreement distinct identical independent action hold complaint dismissed upshot divestiture american telephone telegraph company local telephone business system regional service monopolies variously called regional bell operating companies baby bells incumbent local exchange carriers ilecs separate competitive market service ilecs excluded decade later congress withdrew approval ilecs monopolies enacting telecommunications act act stat fundamentally restructure local telephone markets subject ed ilecs host duties intended facilitate market entry iowa utilities recompense act set conditions authorizing ilecs enter market see central new scheme ilec obligation share network competitors verizon communications law offices curtis trinko llp came known competitive local exchange carriers clecs pet cert clec make use ilec network three ways purchas ing local telephone services wholesale rates resale end users leas ing elements ilec network unbundled basis interconnect ing facilities ilec network iowa utilities supra quoting owing considerable expense effort required make unbundled network elements available rivals wholesale prices trinko supra ilecs vigorously litigated scope sharing obligation imposed act result federal communications commission fcc three times revised regulations narrow range network elements shared clecs see covad communications fcc cadc summarizing regulatory struggle ilecs clecs respondents william twombly lawrence marcus hereinafter plaintiffs represent putative class consisting subscribers local telephone high speed internet services february present amended complaint civ gel sdny app hereinafter complaint action petitioners group plaintiffs seek treble damages declaratory injunctive relief claimed violations sherman act ch stat amended prohibits contract combination form trust otherwise conspiracy restraint trade commerce among several foreign nations complaint alleges ilecs conspired restrain trade two ways supposedly inflating charges local telephone internet services plaintiffs say first ilecs engaged parallel conduct respective service areas inhibit growth upstart clecs complaint app actions allegedly included making unfair agreements clecs access ilec networks providing inferior connections networks overcharging billing ways designed sabotage clecs relations customers ibid according complaint ilecs compelling common motivatio thwart clecs competitive efforts naturally led form conspiracy ad one ilec sought prevent clecs competing effectively resulting greater competitive inroads ilec territory revealed degree competitive entry clecs successful territories absence conduct app second complaint charges agreements ilecs refrain competing one another inferred ilecs common failure meaningfully pursu attractive business opportunit ies contiguous markets possessed substantial competitive advantages app statement richard notebaert chief executive officer ceo ilec qwest competing territory another ilec good way turn quick dollar make right app complaint couches ultimate allegations way absence meaningful competition ilecs one another markets light parallel course conduct engaged prevent competition clecs within respective local telephone high speed internet services markets facts market circumstances alleged plaintiffs allege upon information belief ilecs entered contract combination conspiracy prevent competitive entry respective local telephone high speed internet services markets agreed compete one another otherwise allocated customers markets one another app district southern district new york dismissed complaint failure state claim upon relief granted district acknowledged plaintiffs may allege conspiracy citing instances parallel business behavior suggest agreement emphasized ircumstantial evidence consciously parallel behavior may made heavy inroads traditional judicial attitude toward conspiracy conscious parallelism yet read conspiracy sherman act entirely supp quoting theatre enterprises paramount film distributing alterations original thus district understood allegations parallel business conduct taken alone state claim plaintiffs must allege additional facts ten exclude independent conduct explanation defendants parallel behavior supp district found plaintiffs allegations parallel ilec actions discourage competition inadequate behavior ilec resisting incursion clecs fully explained ilec interests defending individual territory ilecs supposed agreement competing district found complaint alleg facts suggesting refraining competing territories clecs contrary ilecs apparent economic interests consequently rais inference ilecs actions result conspiracy appeals second circuit reversed holding district tested complaint wrong standard held plus factors required pleaded permit antitrust claim based parallel conduct survive dismissal emphasis original although appeals took view plaintiffs must plead facts include conspiracy among realm possibilities order survive motion dismiss said rule allegations parallel anticompetitive conduct fail support plausible conspiracy claim conclude set facts permit plaintiff demonstrate particular parallelism asserted product collusion rather coincidence ibid granted certiorari address proper standard pleading antitrust conspiracy allegations parallel conduct reverse ii sherman act prohibit unreasonable restraints trade restraints effected contract combination conspiracy copperweld independence tube crucial question whether challenged anticompetitive conduct stem independent decision agreement tacit express theatre enterprises showing parallel business behavior admissible circumstantial evidence fact finder may infer agreement falls short conclusively establish ing agreement constitut ing sherman act offense even conscious parallelism common reaction firms concentrated market recogniz shared economic interests interdependence respect price output decisions unlawful brooke group brown williamson tobacco see areeda hovenkamp antitrust law ed hereinafter areeda hovenkamp courts nearly unanimous saying mere interdependent parallelism establish contract combination conspiracy required sherman act turner definition agreement sherman act conscious parallelism refusals deal harv rev ere interdependence basic price decisions conspiracy inadequacy showing parallel conduct interdependence without mirrors ambiguity behavior consistent conspiracy much line wide swath rational competitive business strategy unilaterally prompted common perceptions market see joint center regulatory studies epstein motions dismiss antitrust cases separating fact fantasy related publication pp discussing problem false positives suits accordingly previously hedged false inferences identical behavior number points trial sequence antitrust conspiracy plaintiff evidence showing nothing beyond parallel conduct entitled directed verdict see theatre enterprises supra proof conspiracy must include evidence tending exclude possibility independent action see monsanto service summary judgment stage plaintiff offer conspiracy evidence must tend rule possibility defendants acting independently see matsushita elec industrial zenith radio case presents antecedent question plaintiff must plead order state claim sherman act federal rule civil procedure requires short plain statement claim showing pleader entitled relief order give defendant fair notice claim grounds upon rests conley gibson complaint attacked rule motion dismiss need detailed factual allegations ibid sanjuan american bd psychiatry neurology plaintiff obligation provide grounds entitle ment relief requires labels conclusions formulaic recitation elements cause action see papasan allain motion dismiss courts bound accept true legal conclusion couched factual allegation factual allegations must enough raise right relief speculative level see wright miller federal practice procedure pp ed hereinafter wright miller pleading must contain something statement facts merely creates suspicion legally cognizable right action assumption allegations complaint true even doubtful fact see swierkiewicz sorema neitzke williams rule countenance dismissals based judge disbelief complaint factual allegations scheuer rhodes complaint may proceed even appears recovery remote unlikely applying general standards claim hold stating claim requires complaint enough factual matter taken true suggest agreement made asking plausible grounds infer agreement impose probability requirement pleading stage simply calls enough fact raise reasonable expectation discovery reveal evidence illegal course complaint may proceed even strikes savvy judge actual proof facts improbable recovery remote unlikely ibid identifying facts suggestive enough render conspiracy plausible benefit prior rulings considered views leading commentators already quoted lawful parallel conduct fails bespeak unlawful agreement makes sense say therefore allegation parallel conduct bare assertion conspiracy suffice without parallel conduct suggest conspiracy conclusory allegation agreement unidentified point supply facts adequate show illegality hence allegations parallel conduct set order make claim must placed context raises suggestion preceding agreement merely parallel conduct well independent action need pleading stage allegations plausibly suggesting merely consistent agreement reflects threshold requirement rule plain statement possess enough heft sho pleader entitled relief statement parallel conduct even conduct consciously undertaken needs setting suggesting agreement necessary make claim without circumstance pointing toward meeting minds account defendant commercial efforts stays neutral territory allegation parallel conduct thus much like naked assertion conspiracy complaint gets complaint close stating claim without factual enhancement stops short line possibility plausibility entitle ment relief cf dm research college pathologists erms like even might well sufficient conjunction specific allegation example identifying written agreement even basis inferring tacit agreement required accept terms sufficient basis complaint alluded practical significance rule entitlement requirement dura pharmaceuticals broudo explained something beyond mere possibility loss causation must alleged lest plaintiff largely groundless allowed time number people right representing terrorem increment settlement value quoting blue chip stamps manor drug stores allegations complaint however true raise claim entitlement relief basic deficiency exposed point minimum expenditure time money parties wright miller quoting daves hawaiian dredging supp haw see also dura supra asahi glass pentech pharmaceuticals supp nd posner sitting designation ome threshold plausibility must crossed outset patent antitrust case permitted go inevitably costly protracted discovery phase thus one thing cautious dismissing antitrust complaint advance discovery cf poller columbia broadcasting system quite another forget proceeding antitrust discovery expensive indicated years ago associated gen contractors carpenters district must retain power insist upon specificity pleading allowing potentially massive factual controversy proceed see also car carriers ford motor costs modern federal antitrust litigation increasing caseload federal courts counsel sending parties discovery reasonable likelihood plaintiffs construct claim events related complaint note modeling effect fee shifting discovery abuse private antitrust litigation rev discussing unusually high cost discovery antitrust cases manual complex litigation fourth describing extensive scope discovery antitrust cases memorandum paul niemeyer chair advisory committee civil rules hon anthony scirica chair committee rules practice procedure may reporting discovery accounts much percent litigation costs discovery actively employed potential expense obvious enough present case plaintiffs represent putative class least percent subscribers local telephone internet service continental action america largest telecommunications firms many thousands employees generating reams gigabytes business records unspecified instances antitrust violations allegedly occurred period seven years answer say claim shy plausible entitlement relief groundless weeded early discovery process careful case management post given common lament success judicial supervision checking discovery abuse modest side see easterbrook discovery abuse rev judges little impositional discovery parties control legal claims presented conduct discovery problem discovery abuse solved careful scrutiny evidence summary judgment stage much less lucid instructions juries post threat discovery expense push defendants settle even anemic cases reaching proceedings probably taking care require allegations reach level suggesting conspiracy hope avoid potentially enormous expense discovery cases founded hope discovery process reveal relevant support claim dura quoting blue chip stamps supra alteration dura plaintiffs course dispute requirement plausibility need something merely parallel behavior explained theatre enterprises monsanto matsushita main argument plausibility standard pleading stage ostensible conflict early statement construing rule justice black opinion conley gibson spoke need fair notice grounds entitlement relief accepted rule complaint dismissed failure state claim unless appears beyond doubt plaintiff prove set facts support claim entitle relief set facts language read isolation saying statement revealing theory claim suffice unless factual impossibility may shown face pleadings appeals appears read conley way formulating understanding proper pleading standard see invoking conley set facts language describing standard dismissal focused literal reading conley set facts wholly conclusory statement claim survive motion dismiss whenever pleadings left open possibility plaintiff might later establish set undisclosed facts support recovery appeals specifically found prospect unearthing direct evidence conspiracy sufficient preclude dismissal even though complaint set forth single fact context suggests agreement seems fair say approach pleading dispense showing founded plaintiff able make case see dura quoting blue chip stamps micawber optimism enough seeing good many judges commentators balked taking literal terms conley passage pleading standard see car carriers conley never interpreted literally practice complaint must contain either direct inferential allegations respecting material elements necessary sustain recovery viable legal theory internal quotation marks omitted emphasis omission original ascon properties mobil oil tension conley set facts language acknowledgment plaintiff must provide grounds claim rests digrazia hen plaintiff supplies facts support claim think conley imposes duty courts conjure unpleaded facts might turn frivolous claim unconstitutional action substantial one mcgregor industrial excess landfill quoting analysis hazard secrets hid tex rev describing conley turned rule head marcus revival fact pleading federal rules civil procedure colum rev noting tension conley subsequent understandings rule go need pile citations show conley set facts language questioned criticized explained away long enough fair conley passage understood light opinion preceding summary complaint concrete allegations quite reasonably understood amply stating claim relief passage often quoted fails mention understanding part puzzling profession years famous observation earned retirement phrase best forgotten incomplete negative gloss accepted pleading standard claim stated adequately may supported showing set facts consistent allegations complaint see sanjuan claim relief stated plaintiff receives benefit imagination long hypotheses consistent complaint accord swierkiewicz national organization women scheidler northwestern bell telephone hishon king spalding conley described breadth opportunity prove adequate complaint claims minimum standard adequate pleading govern complaint iii look plausibility complaint agree district plaintiffs claim conspiracy restraint trade comes short begin complaint leaves doubt plaintiffs rest claim descriptions parallel conduct independent allegation actual agreement among ilecs supra although form stray statements speak directly fair reading merely legal conclusions resting prior allegations thus complaint first takes account alleged absence meaningful competition ilecs one another markets parallel course conduct ilec engaged prevent competition clecs facts market circumstances alleged earlier light complaint concludes ilecs entered contract combination conspiracy prevent competitive entry markets agreed compete one another complaint app nub complaint ilecs parallel behavior consisting steps keep clecs manifest disinterest becoming clecs sufficiency turns suggestions raised conduct viewed light common economic think nothing contained complaint invests either action inaction alleged plausible suggestion conspiracy ilecs supposed agreement disobey act thwart clecs attempts compete agree district nothing complaint intimates resistance upstarts anything natural unilateral reaction ilec intent keeping regional dominance act subject ilecs competition obliged subsidize competitors equipment wholesale rates economic incentive resist powerful resisting competition routine market conduct even ilecs flouted act ways plaintiffs allege see app reason infer companies agreed among natural anyway natural fact alleging parallel decisions resist competition enough imply antitrust conspiracy pleading violation almost group competing businesses sure thing complaint makes closest pass predicate conspiracy claim collusion necessary success even one clec ilec territory revealed degree competitive entry clecs successful territories app logic aside general premise still fails answer point need joint encouragement resist act district said ilec reason want avoid dealing clecs ilec attempt keep clecs regardless actions ilecs supp cf kramer foundation supp sdny plaintiff may believe defendants conspired defendants allegedly conspiratorial actions equally prompted lawful independent goals constitute conspiracy plaintiffs second conspiracy theory rests competitive reticence among ilecs wake act supposedly passed large incumbent local monopoly companies might attack neighbors service areas best situated complaint app quoting consumer federation america lessons telecommunications act deregulation meaningful competition spells consumer disaster contrary hope ilecs declined enter service territories significant way complaint app local telephone high speed internet market remains highly compartmentalized geographically minimal competition based state affairs perceiving ilecs blessed especially attractive business opportunities surrounding markets dominated ilecs plaintiffs assert ilecs parallel conduct strongly suggestive conspiracy app suggestive conspiracy history teaches anything traditionally unregulated industry low barriers entry sparse competition among large firms dominating separate geographical segments market well signify illegal agreement obvious alternative explanation decade preceding act well monopoly norm telecommunications exception see verizon communications fcc describing telephone service providers traditional public monopolies ilecs born world doubtless liked world way surely knew adage lives sword hence natural explanation noncompetition alleged former monopolists sitting tight expecting neighbors thing fact complaint gives reasons believe ilecs see best interests keeping old turf although complaint says generally ilecs passed especially attractive business opportunit ies declining compete clecs ilecs complaint app allege competition clecs potentially lucrative opportunities pursued ilecs complaint replete indications clec faced nearly insurmountable barriers profitability owing ilecs flagrant resistance network sharing requirements act app even without monopolistic tradition peculiar difficulty mandating shared networks irms expand without limit none enters every market outside observer might regard profitable even small portion markets areeda hovenkamp supp commenting case bar upshot congress may expected ilecs become clecs legacy territories ilecs disappointment make conspiracy plausible agree district assessment antitrust conspiracy suggested facts adduced either theory complaint thus fails state valid plaintiffs say analysis runs counter swierkiewicz sorema held complaint employment discrimination lawsuit need contain specific facts establishing prima facie case discrimination framework set forth mcdonnell douglas green argue prima facie case flexible evidentiary standard transposed rigid pleading standard discrimination cases swierkiewicz supra transpos ing factor summary judgment analysis woodenly rigid rule pleading standard unwise brief respondents district correctly understood however swierkiewicz change law pleading simply second circuit use heightened pleading standard title vii cases contrary federal rules structure liberal pleading requirements supp citation omitted even though swierkiewicz pleadings detailed events leading termination provided relevant dates included ages nationalities least relevant persons involved termination appeals dismissed complaint failing allege certain additional facts swierkiewicz need trial stage support claim absence direct evidence discrimination swierkiewicz reversed ground appeals impermissibly applied amounted heightened pleading requirement insisting swierkiewicz allege specific facts beyond necessary state claim grounds showing entitlement relief contrast require heightened fact pleading specifics enough facts state claim relief plausible face plaintiffs nudged claims across line conceivable plausible complaint must dismissed judgment appeals second circuit reversed cause remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered bell atlantic corporation et petitioners william twombly et al writ certiorari appeals second circuit may justice stevens justice ginsburg joins except part iv dissenting first paragraph opinion question decided whether allegations major telecommunications providers engaged certain parallel conduct unfavorable competition suffice state violation sherman act ante answer question settled years indeed issue summary reversal citing theatre enterprises paramount film distributing adequately resolve case theatre enterprises held parallel conduct circumstantial evidence admissible issue conspiracy illegal thus case dispute substantive law defendants acted independently conduct perfectly lawful however conduct product horizontal agreement among potential competitors unlawful plaintiffs alleged agreement complaint dismissed advance answer allegation even denied case proceed judicial opinion charge plausible provide legally acceptable reason dismissing complaint think respondents amended complaint describes variety circumstantial evidence makes straightforward allegation petitioners entered contract combination conspiracy prevent competitive entry respective local telephone high speed internet services markets agreed compete one another otherwise allocated customers markets one another amended complaint civ gel sdny app hereinafter complaint complaint explains contrary congress expectation enacted telecommunications act consistent economic petitioner incumbent local exchange carriers ilecs assiduously avoided infringing upon markets refused permit nonincumbent competitors access networks complaint quotes richard notebaert former ceo one ilec saying competing neighboring ilec territory might good way turn quick dollar make right app moreover respondents allege petitioners communicate amongst numerous industry associations app sum respondents allege petitioners entered agreement long recognized classic per se violation sherman act see report attorney general national committee study antitrust laws rules procedure well settled since well decision theatre enterprises judge ruling defendant motion dismiss complaint must accept true factual allegations contained complaint swierkiewicz sorema see overstreet north shore instead requiring knowledgeable executives notebaert respond allegations way sworn depositions limited discovery indeed without much requiring petitioners file answer denying entered agreement majority permits immediate dismissal based assurances company lawyers nothing untoward afoot embraces argument lawyers reason infer companies agreed among natural anyway ante need joint encouragement resist act ante natural explanation noncompetition alleged former monopolists sitting tight expecting neighbors thing ante petitioners legal team doubt correct parallel conduct alleged consistent absence contract combination conspiracy conduct also entirely consistent presence illegal agreement alleged complaint charge petitioners agreed compete one another one stray statements ante allegation describing unlawful conduct federal rules civil procedure longstanding precedent sound practice mandate district least require sort response petitioners dismissing case two practical concerns presumably explain dramatic departure settled procedural law private antitrust litigation enormously expensive risk jurors may mistakenly conclude evidence parallel conduct proved parties acted pursuant agreement fact merely made similar independent decisions concerns merit careful case management including strict control discovery careful scrutiny evidence summary judgment stage lucid instructions juries however justify dismissal adequately pleaded complaint without even requiring defendants file answers denying charge fact engaged collective decisionmaking importantly justify interpretation federal rule civil procedure seems driven majority appraisal plausibility ultimate factual allegation rather legal sufficiency rule federal rules requires complaint contain short plain statement claim showing pleader entitled relief rule come happenstance language inadvertent english experience byzantine special pleading rules illustrated hypertechnical hilary rules made obvious appeal pleading standard easy common litigant understand sufficed put defendant notice nature claim relief sought stateside david dudley field developed highly influential new york code required statement facts constituting cause action ordinary concise language without repetition manner enable person common understanding know intended act simplify abridge practice pleadings proceedings courts state ch laws pp substantially similar language appeared federal equity rules adopted see fed equity rule requiring short simple statement ultimate facts upon plaintiff asks relief omitting mere statement evidence difficulty arose however field code progeny required plaintiff plead facts rather conclusions distinction proved far easier say apply commentators noted virtually impossible logically distinguish among facts essentially allegation pleading must assertion certain occurrences took place pleading spectrum passing evidence ultimate facts conclusions largely continuum varying degree particularity occurrences described weinstein distler comments procedural reform drafting pleading rules colum rev see also cook statements fact pleading codes colum rev hereinafter cook logical distinction statements grouped courts phrases fact rule directly responsive difficulty drafters intentionally avoided reference facts evidence conclusions see wright miller federal practice procedure ed hereinafter wright miller substitution showing pleader entitled relief code formulation constituting action intended avoid distinctions drawn codes among facts facts relaxed pleading standards federal rules idea keep litigants rather keep merits claim sorted flexible pretrial process appropriate crucible trial see swierkiewicz liberal notice pleading rule starting point simplified pleading system adopted focus litigation merits claim charles clark principal draftsman federal put thus experience shown expect proof case made pleadings proof really function expect general statement distinguishing case others manner form trial remedy expected clear permanent judgment result new federal rules civil procedure last phase underlying philosophy embodied basic provisions new procedure hereinafter clark new federal rules pleading paradigm new federal rules well illustrated inclusion appendix form complaint negligence relevant form complaint june public highway called boylston street boston massachusetts defendant negligently drove motor vehicle plaintiff crossing said highway form complaint negligence forms fed rules civ hereinafter form complaint describes plaintiff injuries demands judgment asserted ground relief namely defendant negligent driving called code pleading old see cook bare allegation suffices system restrict pleadings task general invest process vital role preparation trial hickman taylor see also swierkiewicz citing form example simplicity brevity statement rules thomson washington posner federal rules replaced fact pleading notice pleading ii context history conley gibson must understood conley plaintiffs black railroad workers alleged union local refused protect discriminatory discharges violation national railway labor act union sought dismiss complaint ground general allegations discriminatory treatment defendants lacked sufficient specificity writing unanimous justice black rejected union claim foreclosed language rule course articulated formulation rejects today appraising sufficiency complaint follow course accepted rule complaint dismissed failure state claim unless appears beyond doubt plaintiff prove set facts support claim entitle relief consistent design federal rules conley set facts formulation permits outright dismissal proceeding discovery beyond futile clear plaintiff stated claim true entitle relief matters proof appropriately relegated stages trial process today however explanation decision dismiss complaint regards fishing expedition scraps conley set facts language concluding phrase questioned criticized explained away long enough ante dismisses careless composition conley set facts language interred let without eulogy exact language majority says puzzl ed profession years cited authority dozen opinions four separate one opinions language questioned criticized explained away indeed today opinion first member express doubt adequacy conley formulation taking cues federal courts district columbia utilize standard dismissal complaint language majority repudiates whether appears beyond doubt set facts support claim entitle plaintiff petitioners requested conley formulation retired six amici filed briefs support petitioners rewrite nation civil procedure textbooks call doubt pleading rules without far informed deliberation costs congress established process rulemaking process revisions order see ed supp iv today majority calls conley set language incomplete negative gloss accepted pleading standard claim stated adequately may supported showing set facts consistent allegations complaint ante conley meant first explained conley well knew pleading standard federal rules meant codify require even invite pleading pleading standard label majority gives reads conley opinion statement permissible factual support adequately pleaded complaint therefore impressed conley rather understood majority remodeling language express evidentiary standard conley neither need want explicate second pellucidly clear conley interested complaint must contain may contain fact said without qualification appraising sufficiency complaint emphasis added paraphrase today majority describing minimum standard adequate pleading govern complaint survival ante triply sure conley meaning examining three appeals cases conley cited support accepted rule complaint dismissed failure state claim unless appears beyond doubt plaintiff prove set facts support claim entitle relief first case leimer state mut life assur worcester plaintiff alleged beneficiary life insurance plan insurance company wrongfully withholding proceeds reversing district grant defendant motion dismiss eighth circuit noted longstanding rule warrant dismissal appear allegations cause action exist rather cause action defectively stated quoting winget rockwood leimer viewed federal rules specifically rules motion definite statement motion summary judgment reinforcing notion justification dismissing complaint insufficiency statement except appears certainty plaintiff entitled relief state facts proved support claim refuted strongest terms suggestion unlikelihood recovery determine fate complaint matter improbable may prove claim entitled opportunity make attempt required accept final determination rights based upon inferences drawn favor defendant amended complaint ibid third circuit relied leimer admonition continental collieries shober conley also cited support set facts formulation diversity action plaintiff alleged breach contract district dismissed complaint ground contract appeared unenforceable state law appeals reversed concluding facts dispute went enforceability contract rule pleading stage leimer matter likely may seem pleader unable prove case entitled upon averring claim opportunity try prove third case conley cited approvingly written judge clark dioguardi durning pro se plaintiff importer tonics charged customs inspector auctioning plaintiff former merchandise less bid indeed amount equal plaintiff bid complained two cases tonics went missing three weeks sale inference hinted averments never stated many words defendant fraudulently denied plaintiff rightful claim tonics true violated federal law writing six years adoption federal rules held lead rein drafting judge clark said defendant disclosed facts point view advance trial chose asking hearing moving summary judgment supporting affidavits stands see plaintiff may properly deprived day show obviously firmly believes present purposes defendant must taken admitting civil procedure student knows judge clark opinion disquieted defense bar gave rise movement revise rule require plaintiff plead action see wright miller movement failed see ibid dioguardi explicitly approved conley retrospect case seems routine application principles universally accepted wright miller light leimer continental collieries dioguardi conley statement complaint dismissed unless set facts support thereof entitle plaintiff relief hardly puzzling ante reflects philosophy unlike days code pleading separating wheat chaff task assigned pretrial trial process conley language short captures policy choice embodied federal rules binding federal courts consistently reaffirmed basic understanding federal rules half century since conley example scheuer rhodes reversed appeals dismissal pleadings respondents governor officials state ohio argued petitioners claims barred sovereign immunity unanimous opinion rehnquist emphasized hen federal reviews sufficiency complaint reception evidence either affidavit admissions task necessarily limited one issue whether plaintiff ultimately prevail whether claimant entitled offer evidence support claims indeed may appear face pleadings recovery remote unlikely test emphasis added rhodes plaintiffs alleged generally conclusory terms defendants calling national guard suppress kent state university student protests guilty wanton wilful negligent conduct krause rhodes reversed appeals ground hatever plaintiffs may may able establish merits allegations claims stated complaints given favorable reading required federal rules civil procedure barred eleventh amendment styled suits defendants individual capacities spoke one voice efforts expand pleading requirements beyond appointed limits leatherman tarrant county narcotics intelligence coordination unit writing unanimous chief justice rehnquist rebuffed fifth circuit effort craft standard pleading municipal liability accounted enormous expense involved today litigation leatherman tarrant cty narcotics intelligence coordination unit internal quotation marks omitted requiring plaintiff state factual detail particularity basis claim necessarily includes successfully maintain defense immunity leatherman internal quotation marks omitted found language inconsistent rules emphasized motions dismiss place combat discovery abuse absence amendment rule federal courts litigants must rely summary judgment control discovery weed unmeritorious claims sooner rather later recently swierkiewicz faced case similar present one majority allow discrimination cases precedents require plaintiff summary judgment stage produce either direct evidence discrimination claim based primarily circumstantial evidence meet shifting evidentiary burdens imposed framework articulated mcdonnell douglas green see trans world airlines thurston swierkiewicz alleged terminated account national origin violation title vii civil rights act second circuit dismissed suit pleadings pleaded prima facie case discrimination mcdonnell douglas standard reversed another unanimous opinion holding notice pleading system appropriate require plaintiff plead facts establishing prima facie case mcdonnell douglas framework apply every employment discrimination case swierkiewicz also observed rule contemplate passing merits litigant claim pleading stage rather simplified notice pleading standard federal rules relies liberal discovery rules summary judgment motions define disputed facts issues dispose unmeritorious claims see brief et al amici curiae swierkiewicz sorema stating rule motion appropriate device testing truth asserted determining whether plaintiff evidence back complaint internal quotation marks omitted discrimination context developed evidentiary framework evaluating claims sherman act claims rest entirely circumstantial evidence conspiracy see matsushita elec industrial zenith radio matsushita plaintiff allegations illegal conspiracy may summary judgment stage rest solely inferences may drawn parallel conduct defendants order survive rule motion plaintiff must present evidence tends exclude possibility alleged conspirators acted independently quoting monsanto service plaintiff must show inference conspiracy reasonable light competing inferences independent action collusive action everything today majority says therefore make perfect sense ruling rule motion summary judgment evidence included nothing described go without saying wake swierkiewicz heightened production burden summary judgment stage translate heightened pleading burden complaint stage majority rejects complaint case light fact parallel conduct alleged consistent ordinary market behavior claimed conspiracy conceivable plausible ante doubts majority assessment plausibility alleged conspiracy see part iii infra even majority speculation correct plausibility standard irreconcilable rule governing precedents made clear swierkiewicz leatherman fear burdens litigation justify factual conclusions supported lawyers arguments rather sworn denials admissible evidence case poor vehicle new pleading rule observed antitrust cases proof largely hands alleged conspirators dismissals prior giving plaintiff ample opportunity discovery granted sparingly hospital building trustees rex hospital quoting poller columbia broadcasting system see also knuth dairy cooperative approach consideration antitrust complaints important inherent action fact details specific facts relied upon properly set forth part pleadings moreover fact sherman act authorizes recovery treble damages attorney fees successful plaintiffs indicates congress intended encourage rather discourage private enforcement law see radovich national football league congress placed private antitrust litigant favorable position face policy add requirements burden private litigant beyond specifically set forth congress laws therefore less important antitrust cases resist urge engage armchair economics pleading stage year decided conley judge clark wrote presciently fear every age must learn lesson special pleading made service trial live issues active litigants disposed evaded paper pleadings formalistic claims parties experience found quick easy short cut trials cases generally antitrust cases particular special pleading big case procedure handmaid justice wright reasoner eds hereinafter clark special pleading big case emphasis added big case succumbs temptation previous courts steadfastly majority assures us applying pleading standard see ante shall explain difficult time understanding opinion way iii suggest agreement plaintiffs allege permissible antitrust laws see associated gen contractors carpenters hold plaintiffs failed allege injury entitling sue damages laws see brunswick pueblo rather theory permits dismissal far federal rules concerned agreement alleged conclusion explains prior enactment telecommunications act law prohibited defendants competing new statute enacted replace monopolistic market competitive one act merely require regional monopolists take affirmative steps facilitate entry new competitors see verizon communications law offices curtis trinko llp also permitted existing firms compete expand operations previously forbidden territory see defendants decided take latter step obviously extremely important business decision willing presume company acted entirely independently reaching decision even willing entertain majority belief agreement among companies unlikely plaintiffs allege three places complaint app ilecs fact agree prevent competitors entering local markets forgo competition recognizes motion dismiss stage judge assumes allegations complaint true even doubtful fact ante majority circumvents obvious obstacle dismissal pretending exist admits form stray statements complaint speak directly agreement disregards allegations saying fair reading merely legal conclusions resting prior allegations parallel conduct ante dichotomy factual allegations legal conclusions stuff bygone era supra distinction defining feature code pleading see generally clark complaint code pleading yale conspicuously abolished federal rules enacted see employing plasterers assn chicago holding antitrust case government allegations effects interstate commerce must taken account deciding whether dismiss complaint hether charges called fact conclusions brownlee conine federal rules civil procedure establish system notice pleading rather fact pleading happenstance complaint whatever exactly overused lawyers cliché means automatically condemn walker distributing lucky lager brewing ne purpose rule get away highly technical distinction statements fact conclusions law oil chemical atomic workers union delta notice system pleading established rules civil procedure ancient distinction pleading longer significant wright miller federal rules prohibit pleading facts legal conclusions long fair notice given parties defendants entered contract legal conclusion defendant negligently drove see form supra indeed less even inclined accept anachronistic dichotomy ignore complaint actual allegations dispute suggestion inference agreement petitioners parallel conduct implausible many years ago truly great economist perceptively observed eople trade seldom meet together even merriment diversion conversation ends conspiracy public contrivance raise prices smith inquiry nature causes wealth nations great books western world hutchins adler eds cynical accept sentiment face value need respondents complaint points petitioners numerous opportunities meet complaint app also notebaert curious statement encroaching fellow incumbent territory might good way turn quick dollar make right app mean one possible indeed plausible inference meant company economic compete brethren agreed competitors according complaint illinois coalition competitive telecom construed notebaert statement app calling statement evidence potential collusion among regional bell phone monopolies compete one another kill potential competitors local phone service members congress construed company behavior app describing letter justice department requesting investigation possibility ilecs apparent policy coordinated perhaps notebaert meant instead competition sensible short term long run lawyers tell us anyway see brief petitioners think one know better notebaert meant notebaert instead permitting respondents ask notebaert however looks quotes articles decides meant entering new markets clec economic model ante never mind anyone ever interviewed knows newspaper article hardly verbatim transcript writer selects quotes package story record subject views posterity importantly district required stage proceedings construe notebaert ambiguous statement plaintiffs see allen wright inference statement supports simultaneous decisions ilecs even attempt poach customers one another law authorized product agreement sits comfortably within realm possibility rules require clear trial judge case permitted plaintiffs engage massive discovery based solely allegations complaint hand surely dismissed complaint without requiring defendants answer charge agreed compete one another otherwise allocated customers markets one another app even sworn denial charge justify summary dismissal without giving plaintiffs opportunity take depositions notebaert least one responsible executive representing defendants respondents case proposed plan limited existence alleged conspiracy class certification brief respondents two petitioners rejected plan ibid whether respondents proposed plan sensible appropriate subject given charge complaint buttressed common sense adam smith say possibility joint discussions perhaps agreements played role petitioners decisionmaking process implausible dismissing complaint defendant denied charge preferable granting respondents even minimal opportunity prove claims see clark new federal rules hrough weapons discovery summary judgment developed new devices appropriate penalties aid matters proof need force pleadings less appropriate function fear unfortunate result majority new pleading rule invite lawyers debates economic theory conclusively resolve antitrust suits absence evidence surprise antitrust defense bar among lament inadequate judicial supervision discovery common see ante lobby state affairs must recall primary responsibility win cases clients improve law administration public clark special pleading big case prior decisions instructed remedy seek amend federal rules interpretation see swierkiewicz britton leatherman iv weeks ago colleagues explained strict interpretation literal text statutory language essential avoid judicial decisions faithful intent congress zuni public school dist department education scalia dissenting happen believe cases tools construction reliable text agree course congressional intent guide us matters statutory interpretation stevens concurring case intentions drafters three important sources law sherman act telecommunications act federal rules civil procedure point unmistakably direction yet marches resolutely way whether actions benefit defendants antitrust cases whether test sufficiency complaint inure benefit civil defendants question future answer announced significant new rule even purport respond congressional command glaringly obvious transparent policy concern drives decision interest protecting antitrust defendants case wealthiest corporations economy burdens pretrial discovery ante even apparent legal fees petitioners incurred arguing merits rule motion far exceeded cost limited discovery discovery costs burden respondents well concern provide adequate justification decision final analysis lack confidence ability trial judges control discovery buttressed appellate judges independent appraisal plausibility profoundly serious factual allegations account stark break precedent allegation conspiracy happens true today decision obstructs congressional policy favoring competition undergirds telecommunications act sherman act importantly even abundant evidence allegation untrue directing case dismissed without even looking evidence marks fundamental unjustified change character pretrial practice accordingly respectfully dissent footnotes divestiture local telephone service created seven regional bell operating companies series mergers acquisitions seven companies consolidated four ilecs named suit bellsouth corporation qwest communications international sbc communications verizon communications bell atlantic corporation complaint app together ilecs allegedly control percent market local telephone service contiguous app setting forth grounds relief complaint repeats allegations substantially similar language beginning least early february continuing present exact dates unknown plaintiffs defendants engaged contract combination conspiracy prevent competitive entry respective local telephone high speed internet services markets among things agreeing compete one another stifle attempts others compete otherwise allocating customers markets one another violation section sherman act app dissent greatly oversimplifies matters suggesting federal rules somehow dispensed pleading facts altogether see post opinion stevens pleading standard federal rules require even invite pleading facts types cases federal rules eliminated cumbersome requirement claimant set detail facts upon bases claim conley gibson emphasis added rule still requires showing rather blanket assertion entitlement relief without factual allegation complaint hard see claimant satisfy requirement providing fair notice nature claim also grounds claim rests see wright miller rule contemplate statement circumstances occurrences events support claim presented authorize pleader bare averment wants relief entitled commentators offered several examples parallel conduct allegations state claim standard see areeda hovenkamp discussing parallel behavior probably result chance coincidence independent responses common stimuli mere interdependence unaided advance understanding among parties blechman conscious parallelism signalling facilitating devices problem tacit collusion antitrust laws rev describing conduct indicates sort restricted freedom action sense obligation one generally associates agreement parties case agree complex historically unprecedented changes pricing structure made time multiple competitors made discernible reason support plausible inference conspiracy brief respondents see also reply brief petitioners border dm research line conclusory factual lies factually neutral factually suggestive must crossed enter realm plausible liability dissent takes heart reassurances plaintiffs counsel discovery phased limited existence alleged conspiracy class certification post determining whether illegal agreement may taken place unspecified persons different ilecs multibillion dollar corporation legions management level employees point seven years sprawling costly hugely undertaking easily susceptible kind line drawing case management dissent envisions perhaps best answer dissent optimism antitrust discovery open effective judicial control extensive quotation authority cited judge background antitrust law given system hope effective judicial supervision slim timing wrong plaintiff files sketchy complaint rules civil procedure discourage fulsome documents discovery launched judicial officer know details case parties present theory know details discovery used find details judicial officer always knows less parties parties may know well going expect find magistrate supervising discovery know expected productivity given request nature requester claim contents files head adverse party unknown judicial officers measure costs benefits requester isolate impositional requests requesters reason disclose estimates gain imposing costs rivals may lose improvement accuracy portions rules civil procedure calling judges trim back excessive demands therefore doomed hollow prevent detect detect define define discovery except theory practice lack essential information easterbrook discovery abuse rev appeals also relied chief judge clark suggestion nagler admiral facts indicating parallel conduct alone suffice state claim citing nagler supra nagler gave explanation citing theatre enterprises upheld denial directed verdict plaintiff ground proof parallelism proof conspiracy authority pleading parallel conduct sufficed plead sherman act conspiracy monsanto service matsushita elec industrial zenith radio made clear neither parallel conduct conscious parallelism taken alone raise necessary implication conspiracy time fresh look adequacy pleading claim rests parallel action conley set language one earliest statements pleading federal rules surprise since cited authority others post although previously explained circumstances rejected literal reading passage embraced appeals analysis comports statements years since conley see dura quoting blue chip stamps manor drug stores requiring founded hope discovery process reveal relevant support claim alteration dura associated gen contractors carpenters proper assume plaintiff prove facts alleged defendants violated antitrust laws ways alleged wilson schnettler absence allegation arrest made without probable cause courts assume respondents arrested petitioner without probable cause believe committed narcotics offense reaching decide issue case matter raised parties see post since ilecs government highlight problems stemming literal interpretation conley set facts language seek clarification standard brief petitioners brief amicus curiae see also brief respondents describing etitioners amici mounting attack conley set facts standard dissent finds relevance appeals precedents allegedly gave rise conley set facts language see post even indulging line analysis cases challenge understanding proceeding discovery complaint must allege facts suggestive illegal conduct see leimer state mut life assur view alleged reasonably conceived plaintiffs upon trial establish case entitle relief motion dismiss continental collieries shober matter likely may seem pleader unable prove case entitled upon averring claim opportunity try prove rather cases stand unobjectionable proposition complaint adequately claim may dismissed based district assessment plaintiff fail find evidentiary support allegations prove claim satisfaction factfinder cf scheuer rhodes district weighing motion dismiss asks whether plaintiff ultimately prevail whether claimant entitled offer evidence support claims see complaint app alleging ilecs engaged contract combination conspiracy agreed compete one another complaint explained claim agreement rested parallel conduct described doubt complaint references agreement among ilecs given notice required rule apart identifying span violations supposed occurred eginning least early february continuing present app pleadings mentioned specific time place person involved alleged conspiracies lack notice contrasts sharply model form pleading negligence form dissent says exemplifies kind bare allegation survives motion dismiss post whereas model form alleges defendant struck plaintiff car plaintiff crossing particular highway specified date time complaint furnishes clue four ilecs much less employees supposedly agreed illicit agreement took place defendant wishing prepare answer simple fact pattern laid form know answer defendant seeking respond plaintiffs conclusory allegations context little idea begin dissent quotations complaint leave impression plaintiffs directly allege illegal agreement fact proceed exclusively via allegations parallel conduct district appeals recognized see supp sdny ca allegation ilecs belong various trade associations see complaint app dissent playfully suggests conspired restrain trade inference said buttressed common sense adam smith post adam smith peering today may surprised learn remark authority force famous pinmaker devote financial human capital hire lawyers prepare depositions otherwise fend allegations conspiracy belonged trade guild one competitors pins carried price tag complaint quoted reported statement qwest ceo richard notebaert suggest ilecs declined compete despite recognizing good way turn quick dollar app quoting chicago tribune business section part reportedly said however district entitled take notice full contents published articles referenced complaint truncated quotations drawn see fed rule evid notebaert also quoted saying entering new markets clec sustainable economic model clec pricing model nuts chicago tribune business section cited complaint app another source cited complaint quotes notebaert saying thought unwise base business plan privileges accorded clecs act regulatory environment unstable chicago tribune business section cited complaint app reaching conclusion apply heightened pleading standard seek broaden scope federal rule civil procedure accomplished process amending federal rules judicial interpretation swierkiewicz sorema quoting leatherman tarrant county narcotics intelligence coordination unit certain subjects understood raise high risk abusive litigation plaintiff must state factual allegations greater particularity rule requires fed rules civ proc concern allegations complaint insufficiently particular ized ibid rather complaint warranted dismissal failed toto render plaintiffs entitlement relief plausible footnotes see holdsworth history english law gulfstream aerospace mayacamas federal rules impose particularity requirement averments fraud mistake fed rule civ proc neither alleged case recognized canon expresio unius est exclusio alterius applies rule see leatherman tarrant cty narcotics intelligence coordination unit sec zandford davis monroe county bd hartford fire ins california brower county inyo hughes rowe per curiam mclain real estate bd new orleans estelle gamble hospital building trustees rex hospital scheuer rhodes cruz beto per curiam haines kerner per curiam jenkins mckeithen plurality opinion see also cleveland bd ed loudermill brennan concurring part dissenting part hoover ronwin stevens dissenting air lines evans marshall dissenting simon eastern ky welfare rights organization brennan concurring judgment see eb llc atlantis development department health social servs native village curyung alaska newman maricopa app public serv van wyk en banc clawson louis llc hillman constr wainer app kaplan kaplan wright home depot haw taylor maile idaho fink bryant la gagne cianbro gasior massachusetts hospital mass ralph walker gallagher miss jones montana univ system mont johnston nebraska dept correctional neb blackjack bonding las vegas munic shepard ocwen fed bank rose equitable ins nd state ex rel turner houk ohio per curiam moneypenney dawson ok gagnon state osloond farrier sd per curiam smith lincoln brass works association haystack property owners sprague coday en banc haines hampshire cty warren hart wyo see also malpiede townson del permitting dismissal determines reasonable certainty plaintiff prevail set facts may inferred allegations complaint internal quotation marks omitted canel topinka replacing appears beyond doubt conley formulation clearly apparent young ind per curiam replacing appears beyond doubt appears certainty barkema williams pipeline iowa holding motion dismiss sustained exists conceivable set facts entitling party relief pioneer village bullitt holding judgment pleadings granted appears beyond doubt nonmoving party prove set facts entitle relief corley detroit bd per curiam holding motion judgment pleadings granted factual development possibly justify oberkramer ellisville mo en banc omitting words beyond doubt conley formulation colman utah state land utah holding motion dismiss appropriate clearly appears plaintiff prove set facts support claim nrc management servs first cir virginia standard identical conley formulation though virginia may used words describe majority correct say federal rules require entitlement relief ante whether extent showing requires allegations fact depend particulars claim example amended complaint case alleged parallel conduct made required showing see supra similarly pleadings contained allegation agreement without specifying nature object agreement susceptible charge provide sufficient notice defendants may answer intelligently omissions sort instance type bareness federal rules concerned plaintiff inability persuade district allegations actually included complaint plausible altogether different kind failing one fatal pleading stage see also wright miller leadings rules simply may general summary party position sufficient advise party event sued upon provide guidance subsequent proceeding decided purposes res judicata collateral estoppel indicate whether case tried jury demanded pleadings indeed history shows performed successfully pleadings footnotes omitted decision dura pharmaceuticals broudo contrary plaintiffs failed adequately allege loss causation required element private securities fraud action alleged nothing prices securities plaintiffs purchased artificially inflated dura complaint failed provide defendants notice relevant economic loss might causal connection might loss alleged misrepresentation failure majority identifies failure notice notice pleading rightly condemns rather failure satisfy agreement alleged might plausibly occurred question notice proof answered without first hearing defendants apart lawyers similarly associated gen contractors carpenters also found antitrust complaint wanting problem injuries plaintiffs alleged failed satisfy threshold plausibility rather injuries alleged type antitrust statute intended forestall see case comes us must assume union prove facts alleged amended complaint however proper assume union prove facts alleged defendants violated antitrust laws ways alleged suggests allegation agreement even credited might give notice required rule lacks specificity ante remedy allegation lacking sufficient specificity provide adequate notice course rule motion definite statement see swierkiewicz sorema petitioners made motion indeed conceded ur problem current complaint lack specificity quite specific tr oral arg thus fact pleadings mentioned specific time place persons involved alleged conspiracies ante purposes academic describes reference allegation defendants belong various trade associations playfully suggesting defendants conspired restrain trade ante quite contrary allegation competitors meet regular basis like allegations parallel conduct consistent though sufficient prove plaintiffs entirely serious unequivocal allegation defendants entered unlawful agreement indeed true plaintiffs rest claim descriptions parallel conduct independent allegation actual agreement among ilecs ante purpose including reference trade association meetings amended complaint ironic seeks justify decision draw factual inferences defendants favor pleading stage citing rule evidence ante federal rule evidence judicially noticed fact must one subject reasonable dispute either generally known within territorial jurisdiction trial capable accurate ready determination resort sources whose accuracy reasonably questioned whether notebaert statements constitute evidence conspiracy hardly beyond reasonable dispute worries defendant seeking respond conclusory allegation little idea begin ante defendant course begin either denying admitting charge potential sprawling costly hugely discovery ante reason throw baby bathwater vastly underestimates district arsenal discovery even begins may grant defendant rule motion rule permits trial order plaintiff reply defendant answer see britton rule requires rigorous analysis ensure class certification appropriate general telephone southwest falcon see initial public offering securities litigation holding district may certify class without ruling rule requirement met even requirement overlaps merits issue rule invests trial judge power backed sanctions regulate pretrial proceedings via conferences scheduling orders parties may discuss inter alia elimination frivolous claims defenses rule necessity desirability amendments pleadings rule control scheduling discovery rule need adopting special procedures managing potentially difficult protracted actions may involve complex issues multiple parties difficult legal questions unusual proof problems rule subsequently rule confers broad discretion control combination interrogatories requests admissions production requests depositions permitted given case sequence discovery devices may deployed limitations imposed upon see indeed rule specifically permits take actions protect party person annoyance embarrassment oppression undue burden expense example disallowing particular discovery request setting appropriate terms conditions limiting scope short federal rules contemplate pretrial matters settled flexible process give take proffers stipulations stonewalls trial judges screen allegations plausibility vel non without requiring answer defendant see societe internationale pour participations industrielles et commerciales rogers rule sufficiently flexible adapted exigencies particular litigation become apparent course litigation plaintiff filings bespeak terrorem suit district call terrorem device form wide array rule sanctions see rules authorizing sanctions suit presented improper purpose harass cause unnecessary delay needless increase cost litigation see business guides chromatic communications enterprises holding rule applies represented party signs pleading motion papers well attorneys atkins fischer dc possible sanctions pursuant rule arsenal options disposal given background antitrust law ante judge easterbrook recognized effective solution discovery abuse lies legislative rulemaking arenas suggested remedy ills complains requires revolution rules civil procedure perhaps system judges pare away issues focus investigation radical contemplate country although prevailed federal rules civil procedure adopted change accomplished without abandoning notice pleading increasing number judicial officers giving authority rule discovery however must prepared pay piper part price high cost unnecessary discovery impositional otherwise discovery abuse rev quite wrong course assume dismissal antitrust case discovery costless plaintiffs see fed rule civ proc osts attorneys fees shall allowed course prevailing party unless otherwise directs