Writing a Legal Memo [Paperback]

John Bronsteen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1599410028 | ISBN-13: 978-1599410029 | Publication Date: May 2006

The goal of this legal writing book is to make it easy for students to learn and remember the basic elements of writing a good legal memo. Whereas other books aim to be comprehensive in teaching the many skills a lawyer might need, this book focuses only on one type of assignment that many young lawyers are given: "Find the answer to this particular legal question, and write a memo explaining that answer." It walks the reader through each step of completing such an assignment, giving highly specific instructions and explanations. The book takes any mystery out of memo writing and can be used as a reference when the students become practicing lawyers. The book does what it teaches students to do in their writing, i.e. it makes it easy for the reader to understand and implement the author's suggestions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Foundation Press (May 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599410028
• ISBN-13: 978-1599410029
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #664,979 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mandatory reading, May 26, 2009

By 

Kevin (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing a Legal Memo (Paperback)

This book is an exceptional, no-nonsense guide to writing a legal memorandum that should be required reading for law students. As an attorney in a large DC law firm, I see a lot of written work from summer associates from Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Chicago. Every single one of those summer associates would have benefited from reading this book and taking to heart the author's tips about organization and style. I recommend it without reservation.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nearly Worthless, February 7, 2011

By 

Joe V. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Writing a Legal Memo (Paperback)

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I fail to see what the other reviewers found in this book. I feel that the author might have been aiming for something along the lines of the Elements of Style, but fell drastically short. You will find little help here if you have taken a research and writing class within the last three years. Pages five through 18 are spent explaining the difference between the executive and legislative branches. I am not sure who this book is aimed at, but it is far too basic for someone looking to add serious shine to their writing. There are too many other good books on the subject for me to recommend this title to anyone. Look elsewhere.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you could have one book..., May 15, 2007

By 

Figure Guy "1:18 Collector" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing a Legal Memo (Paperback)

on legal writing, this should be it. It is without a doubt a far more relevant and purposeful guide to writing a memo than one of those stale books you likely bought in law school as part of your legal writing class. I am a practicing attorney and the majority of my high stress assignments are simply to write a memo on a particular issue, and this is the book I turn to with confidence. Sadly I did not use this book in law school, but I do wish I had. If you know someone who is in the legal profession or about to enter - do them a favor and buy them this short, concise guide to memo writing. I believe some of the top-tier schools have started to use this book and that makes sense to me. It is the new standard for legal writing guides as far as I am concerned.