Core legal skills
How to write legal research memos
How to write a research memo that answers the question: framing the issue, setting out the law, applying it, and giving a clear, usable conclusion.
The short version
Structure a legal research memo in five parts: an Introduction stating the exact question and context, an Executive Summary giving the answer and recommended next steps, a Body with the facts, assumptions and detailed analysis, a 'Moving forward' section with recommended actions, and precise Footnotes. Write it so a reader can get the answer from the Introduction and Executive Summary alone.
As a junior lawyer, I spent 500+ hours writing legal research memos. Here's how I structure them, section by section. A full worked example is shown below.
1. Introduction
State the exact question the memo answers, with enough context that someone not involved in the matter can understand what's going on — memos are often circulated beyond your instructing supervisor (to another partner, the client's legal team, a director approving the work). For complex questions, I write the introduction out in full and confirm it with my supervisor before starting the research.
2. Executive summary
This is the answer. Write it so a reader can get the answer and the recommended next steps from just the Introduction and Executive Summary — many clients expect to read only these. Some lawyers use diagrams or flowcharts here. It's also helpful to list what the rest of the memo explores (a mini table of contents); the remainder is there to explain the reasoning for readers who want more.
3. Body
Set out the relevant factual background, key assumptions, and the detailed legal analysis. Getting to the right answer comes down to experience, time and thought, but you can maximise readability and make it standalone by:
- extracting the key statutory sections and case-law quotes into the memo;
- using clear, logical defined terms;
- using subheadings to guide the reader;
- formatting deliberately (bold / underline to direct attention, italics for quotes, sensible paragraphing).
4. "Moving forward" / next steps
Restate the answer and — more importantly — your recommended actions. Even if the next steps aren't strictly right, they show you're thinking beyond the immediate task, and it's a good way to stay involved in the matter when you check back with your supervisor.
5. Footnotes
Put your legal citation skills to work. Be specific — section numbers and paragraph references — so the reader can pinpoint the relevant part of the case or statute. When presenting the memo, it helps to attach the key cases and statutes, and to hyperlink them if you and your supervisor work digitally.
Final thoughts
Early on, you'll often write memos for colleagues to review and turn into client-facing advices. The next step in your development is to prepare them so they suit the final audience. A good first move is to ask your supervisor how they intend to use the memo, how they'd like it presented, and — subject to their review — whether you can do the first draft of that conversion.
Frequently asked questions
How do you structure a legal research memo?
Introduction (the exact question, with enough context to stand alone), Executive Summary (the answer and next steps), Body (facts, assumptions and analysis), Moving Forward (recommended actions), and Footnotes (specific section and paragraph references).
What should the executive summary of a memo contain?
The answer. Write it so a reader can get the conclusion and recommended next steps from just the Introduction and Executive Summary — many clients read only those two sections.
How can a junior lawyer make a research memo more useful?
Make it standalone — extract the key statutory sections and case quotes into the memo, use clear defined terms and subheadings, and always include recommended next steps. Ask your supervisor how they intend to use the memo so you can pitch it to the final audience.
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