CHS 16 & 17 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

• ISSUE--Legal question analyzed--Includes rule of law, question, and key facts

BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT

• BRIEF ANSWER--A brief, precise answer to the issue

BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT

• STATEMENT OF FACTS--A brief statement of the background and key facts

BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT

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

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

BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT

• ANALYSIS--APPLICATION--How the rule of law, principle, or test from the court case applies to the client’s case

BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT

• COUNTERANALYSIS--Counterargument(s) to the position taken in the analysis

BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT

• CONCLUSION--Summary of the entire memo--brief summary of law presented and how it applies

• RECOMMENDATIONS--Comments, next steps, etc.