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Post a CommentThe long and the short of writing an internal legal memo 5/28/2008 You have been assigned to draft your first internal legal memorandum for a particular partner. What approach should you take? How much detail should you include? What aspects of the legal issue should you cover? It’s your job to find out.   The best writing approach may depend on your firm’s work style, the individual partner’s preferences, and the client’s needs. Talk to the assigning partner, if possible, or consult with another professional who is familiar with the partner’s requirements. Think about asking:   ·         Does the partner need a full memo that’s similar to a legal brief? What sections should you include—Issue, Short Answer, Authorities, Discussion, Conclusion? Should you adhere to Bluebook standards?   ·         Instead, does the partner prefer a synopsis of the issue with a brief answer set?   ·         Should you include just the firm’s argument or both sides of the issue?   ·         How many billable hours should you devote to this work, based on the client’s needs and the case budget?   Once you know the specific requirements and the scope of your task, you can approach your research and writing with a clear sense of purpose.   Looking for more details? Here are some specific tips that may help if you need to research and write an open memo. Return to Improve Your Writing Skills Back to top

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