legal memo
Lawyer's written analysis
A legal memo is a formal document analyzing a legal issue, typically written by a lawyer or law student for internal use within a firm or organization.
Unlike briefs filed with courts, memos are objective rather than persuasive—they assess both strengths and weaknesses of a legal position: The associate prepared a legal memo on whether the contract clause would be enforceable.
The standard format includes a statement of facts, issues presented, brief answer, analysis, and conclusion.
- briefShort in duration
- attorneyLicensed legal representative
- precedentPrior authoritative example
- case lawJudge-made legal doctrine
- argumentReasoned case or dispute
analysis · jurisdiction · ruling · opinion · counsel · litigation · research · citation · due diligence · first draft · draft · junior associate · associate · partner · billable · billable hours · deadline · law firm
legal memocourt filing
Document submitted to tribunal
court order · judicial opinion · legal brief · motion · pleading
legal memooral argument
Spoken case presentation
phone call · casual conversation · hallway chat · water cooler talk · text message
legal memomedical report
Written health assessment
business proposal · scientific paper · financial analysis · marketing plan · technical manual
legal, memo, legally, legality, legalize, legalization, illegal, illegally, illegality