1. CHAPTERS 12 & 13 OFFICE LEGAL MEMORANDUM
BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT

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

3. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT
ISSUE Legal question analyzed– Includes rule of law, question, and key facts

4. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT
BRIEF ANSWER A brief, precise answer to the issue

5. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT
STATEMENT OF FACTS A brief statement of the background and key facts

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

7. 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

8. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT
ANALYSIS–APPLICATION How the rule of law, principle, or test from the court case applies to the client’s case

9. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT
COUNTERANALYSIS Counterargument(s) to the position taken in the analysis

10. BASIC RESEARCH MEMORANDUM FORMAT
CONCLUSION Summary of the entire memo– brief summary of law presented and how it applies
RECOMMENDATIONS Comments, next steps, etc.