What standard applies for ruling on Rule 50(a) and 50(b) motions?

• A. The decision is solely within the judge's discretion disregarding the record
• B. A reasonable jury would not have a legal evidentiary basis to find for the party on the issue
• C. The judge may weigh credibility and evidence freely
• D. The judge should apply de novo review of the evidence

Answer: (B)

Judgment as a matter of law is appropriate only when there is no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to find for the party on the issue. In practice, the court reviews the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmovant and asks whether a reasonable jury could have reached a verdict on that issue. If not, the judge grants JMOL under Rule 50(a); the same standard applies to Rule 50(b) on renewal after a verdict. This focuses on legal sufficiency rather than credibility or a wholesale reweighing of the evidence. The other descriptions misstate the standard: they imply the judge can disregard the record, freely weigh credibility, or review de novo, which these motions do not permit.