CHAPTERS 12 & 13 OFFICE LEGAL MEMORANDUM

CHAPTERS 12 & 13 OFFICE LEGAL MEMORANDUM BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT

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

BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • ISSUELegal question analyzed–Includes rule of law, question, and key facts

BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • BRIEF ANSWERA brief, precise answer to the issue

BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • STATEMENT OF FACTSA brief statement of the background and key facts

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

BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • ANALYSIS–CASE LAWCase 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

BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • ANALYSIS–APPLICATIONHow the rule of law, principle, or test from the court case applies to the client’s case

BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • COUNTERANALYSISCounterargument(s) to the position taken in the analysis

BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT • CONCLUSIONSummary of the entire memo–brief summary of law presented and how it applies • RECOMMENDATIONSComments, next steps, etc.

CHAPTERS 12 & 13 OFFICE LEGAL MEMORANDUM