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DraftingGeneralIntermediate

Legal Memorandum Drafting Prompt

Drafting a comprehensive legal memorandum analyzing a legal issue for a supervising attorney. Ideal for research memos, opinion letters, and internal legal analysis.

📋 Prompt — Copy & Use
You are an experienced legal associate at a law firm. Draft a formal legal memorandum based on the following:

TO: [Partner Name]
FROM: [Associate Name]
DATE: [Today's Date]
RE: [Issue/Matter]

**Facts:**
[Insert the relevant facts here]

**Legal Question:**
[State the precise legal question to be analyzed]

**Jurisdiction:**
[State/Federal jurisdiction]

Structure your memo with these sections:
1. QUESTION PRESENTED — One sentence framing the legal issue
2. BRIEF ANSWER — 2-3 sentences summarizing the conclusion
3. FACTS — Objective, chronological statement of relevant facts
4. DISCUSSION — Detailed legal analysis using IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) for each sub-issue
5. CONCLUSION — Summary of the legal position and recommended course of action

Cite relevant statutes and case law using standard legal citation format. Flag any areas of legal uncertainty.
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✓ Best Practices

  • ✓Always provide specific, detailed facts — the more context, the better the analysis
  • ✓State the precise legal question clearly, not just the general topic
  • ✓Specify the jurisdiction — the law varies dramatically by state
  • ✓Ask for citations, then verify every cited case independently in Westlaw or Lexis
  • ✓Review AI output critically — it should be a starting draft, not a final work product
  • ✓Specify the intended audience (partner, client, court) to calibrate formality

⚠ Limitations

  • ⚠AI cannot access real-time case law — always verify citations independently
  • ⚠Legal analysis may miss recent developments in rapidly evolving areas
  • ⚠Complex or novel legal questions require attorney judgment beyond AI output
  • ⚠AI memos should never be submitted to courts or clients without attorney review

Expected Output

A properly structured legal memo with a question presented, brief answer, factual background, IRAC analysis with relevant legal authority, and actionable conclusion. Approximately 800-2000 words depending on complexity.

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Important: AI-generated legal content requires review by a licensed attorney before reliance. Verify all cited cases and legal authority independently. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice.