Writing a Legal Memorandum

Radka Chlebcova

Structure of presentation

• What’s legal memorandum

• Structure in general

• Writing steps

• Structure in details

• Conclusion

What’s legal memorandum?

• A way how to communicate your ideas and opinions to senior attorney

• Internal document

• Objektive analysis – neutral assesment

• strengths and weaknesses

Purpose of memorandum • To communicate information:

– Who is the reader?

– What is the question the reader wants you to answer?

– What are the relevant facts?

• Objective analysis

Core elements - IRAC

• Explain the law

• Apply to the facts

• Conclude

• Issue

• Rule

• Analysis

• Conclusion

Do it transparently, honestly and meaningfully

Structure of memorandum

• Introductory statement

• Concise answers to those questions

• Statement of facts

• Discussion that analyses those questions

• Conclusion

Form of memorandum

• Paper memorandum

• Email

Process of writing

• Understand your client’s problem • Research the law • Organise • Draft and revise your memorandum

• Edit and polish

Stay open-minded to changing earlier decisions!

Focused on the structure I. • Heading

• Introductory statement

• Statement of the facts

• Issues presented

• Identify the MAIN legal issue and sub-issues – The core legal question

– The facts

The issue is whether ……..(law question) when … (facts)

Focused on the structure II. • Brief answers

• Discussion – ISSUE ONE

• Element one

• Factor one

• Factor two

• Partial conclusion

– ISSUE TWO

• Conclusion

Remember • Start paragraph with issue or element

• Citation, Active voice

• Transparent and clear structure

• Plaintiff’s side, then defendant’s

• Material procedural arguments

• Partial conclusions

• Show each step in your thinking

• Don’t make unsupported statements!

Thank you for your attention!

Děkuji za pozornost

Tento studijní materiál byl vytvořen jako výstup z projektu č. CZ.1.07/2.2.00/15.0198

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Tento projekt je spolufinancován Evropským sociálním fondem a státním rozpočtem České republiky.