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 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.