CHS 16 & 17 OFFICE LEGAL MEMORANDUM 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.