CHS 16 & 17 OFFICE LEGAL MEMORANDUM

1. CHS 16 & 17 OFFICE LEGAL MEMORANDUM BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT

2. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • HEADING--To, From, Date, Office File No., Subject • STATEMENT OF ASSIGNMENT--Description of topic covered

3. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • ISSUE--Legal question analyzed--Includes rule of law, question, and key facts

4. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • BRIEF ANSWER--A brief, precise answer to the issue

5. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • STATEMENT OF FACTS--A brief statement of the background and key facts

6. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • ANALYSIS--RULE OF LAW--Rule of law that applies to the issue--constitution, statute, legal principle, court decision, etc.

7. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • ANALYSIS--CASE LAW--Case law that illustrates the application of the rule of law to the facts--citation, summary of facts, applicable rule of law, principle, or test, etc., from case

8. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • ANALYSIS--APPLICATION--How the rule of law, principle, or test from the court case applies to the client’s case

9. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • COUNTERANALYSIS--Counterargument(s) to the position taken in the analysis

10. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • CONCLUSION--Summary of the entire memo--brief summary of law presented and how it applies • RECOMMENDATIONS--Comments, next steps, etc.