What is a Memo (Closed/Open)
Answer
A memorandum usually includes a description of the factual background, a statement of the legal issues to be discussed, an introduction of the relevant laws, an analysis of how the law should apply to specific facts, and a conclusion. You will write them as part of LRW (Legal Research and Writing).
- The “closed” (no research) memo requires brief analysis of a straightforward legal issue. The memo is designed as an interoffice research memo (summer clerk to senior partner). Instructors give students a fact pattern and packet of cases, and students do no independent research.
- The "open" (research required) memo is a slightly more advanced interoffice research memo. Students are given a fact pattern but they are not given cases.